Cabinet

Cabinet was due to consider nine reports on 2 November 2026, covering regional funding, council policies and a change to social housing allocations. No minutes have been published yet, so this summary shows what the reports propose, not what was decided.

1. UK Shared Prosperity Fund: final update

   Proposed

   The report gives Cabinet the final update on the UKSPF. The text provided does not show a recommendation.

   Why

   The previous UK Government set up the UKSPF to support local growth. It was extended to 30 September 2026, and the Local Growth Fund now replaces it. The report says the council's large lead projects, called Anchor projects, met most of their targets.

   Based on the minutes, UK Shared Prosperity Fund: Update

2. Local Growth Fund update and expressions of interest

   Proposed

   The report recommends that Cabinet notes the update, including its confidential appendix. It also recommends that Cabinet approves submitting all the expressions of interest to the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee.

   Why

   The Local Growth Fund is not a direct replacement for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and it is more tightly focused on economic growth. Pembrokeshire will receive £6,082,206 in 2026-27, including a regional skills budget, and funding for later years will be decided through a regional competition. The report warns of possible underspends this year, a short delivery timescale, and uncertainty about how much money will remain for local projects.

   Based on the minutes, Local Growth Fund: Six Monthly Update

3. Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act policy review

   Proposed

   The report recommends that Cabinet notes that the Council has made no use of its RIPA powers since the last report. It also recommends that Cabinet approves the Council's RIPA policy in Appendix 1.

   Why

   RIPA sets the rules for covert surveillance, which is secret monitoring of people by public bodies. The Home Office codes advise elected members to review the policy at least once a year. The only policy changes reflect changes in staff roles. The Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office confirmed in a 2025 desktop inspection that it was satisfied with the Council's assurance of ongoing compliance.

   Based on the minutes, Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, Appendix 1

4. Deed of Variation on governance of Parc Gwyn Crematorium

   Proposed

   The report recommends that Cabinet approves signing a Deed of Variation with Carmarthenshire County Council. The deed would formalise the governance, management and financial arrangements for Parc Gwyn Crematorium in Narberth.

   Why

   Pembrokeshire has run the crematorium alone for over twenty years, but the original 1966 agreement was never formally updated. The Head of Law and Governance says the deed will give legal certainty by recording arrangements that have already operated in practice. Under the deed, any surplus or deficit will be shared 86% to Pembrokeshire and 14% to Carmarthenshire.

   Based on the minutes, Approval of Deed of Variation Relating to the Governance and Management Arrangements for Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth

5. Revised Street Lighting Policy 2026

   Proposed

   The report recommends that Cabinet approves and adopts the Street Lighting Policy 2026 in Appendix 3. It also recommends delegating minor operational changes to the Head of Transport and Operations, and noting that the policy will be reviewed periodically.

   Why

   The current policy dates from 2008 and was reviewed after it was raised at full Council in November 2025. The report says the new policy balances public safety, cost, dark skies and community needs, and sets a risk-based approach to adding, removing and dimming lights. The Council has no legal duty to provide street lighting, but it has the power to do so under section 97 of the Highways Act 1980. The impact assessment flags possible adverse effects on older people, disabled people, and women and girls, and sets out safeguards.

   Based on the minutes, Review of Street Lighting Policy, Appendix 1, Appendix 2, Appendix 3

6. Discretionary rate relief for electric vehicle charging bays

   Proposed

   The report recommends that Cabinet adopts the Electric Vehicle Charging Point Rates Relief scheme for 2026/27. It also recommends applying the relief backdated to 2024/25 and 2025/26, in line with Welsh Government guidance.

   Why

   Welsh Government has asked councils to give full (100%) rate relief to electric vehicle charging bays, using discretionary powers. Around 200 charging bay assessments are expected across Wales, and the law does not allow backdating before 2024/25. Welsh Government will reimburse councils for the relief, and the relief will become statutory from 1 April 2027.

   Based on the minutes, Non-Domestic Rates - Discretionary Rate Relief in respect of Electric Charging Bays

7. Public Services Ombudsman for Wales annual letter 2025-26

   Proposed

   The report recommends that Cabinet notes the Annual Letter and the Council's performance on Ombudsman complaints and interventions. The Ombudsman asked that the letter go to Cabinet and the Governance and Audit Committee.

   Why

   The Ombudsman investigates complaints about public services and alleged breaches of the councillor Code of Conduct. The Ombudsman received 55 complaints about the Council in 2025-26 and intervened in 4% of those it closed, against a Welsh average of 9%. Of seven recommendations that fell due, 43% were completed on time, and the report says all have now been carried out. The Council also received 1,052 complaints through its own procedure, an 8% rise, and the report notes that AI tools are making complaints more complex and time-consuming to handle.

   Based on the minutes, Public Services Ombudsman for Wales Annual Letter 2025-2026, Appendix A

8. Passport to Leisure membership for unpaid carers

   Proposed

   The report asks Cabinet to endorse a preferred option for the scheme. The text provided does not name that option.

   Why

   Unpaid carers can already reapply for further six-month memberships, subject to funding and a valid Carers Recognition Card. In 2025/26, 657 people used the scheme, and the £40,000 yearly funding came from council core budget and the Regional Integration Fund, which ends in March 2027. The report says about 39% of an estimated 1,700 eligible carers used the scheme, and it warns that reliance on time-limited external funding is a risk.

   Based on the minutes, Passport to Leisure Unpaid Carers, Appendix A

9. Changes to the Choice Homes @ Pembrokeshire allocations policy

   Proposed

   The report recommends that Cabinet approves the policy changes. Under the changes, applicants without a residential connection, meaning five years living in Pembrokeshire, could still join the register but in a lower band.

   Why

   The changes respond to the Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation (Wales) Act 2026 and a revised Welsh Government Code of Guidance. The guidance says local connection may set priority but must not stop people joining the housing register. Officers say the change reduces the risk of legal challenge and protects vulnerable groups through a list of exemptions. The launch of the new policy is now expected in February 2027, not October 2026, and the housing register reopened on 28 October 2026 under the current policy.

   Based on the minutes, Amendments to the Choice Homes @ Pembrokeshire Allocations Policy (October 2026), Appendix 1, Appendix 2, Appendix 3

Written by AI from the reports on the agenda, before the minutes are published. Reports say what council officers recommend; the meeting can decide differently. Once the minutes are out, this becomes a summary of what was decided.

1. 2

   Declarations of interest

2. 3

   Minutes of Previous Meetings

3. 4

   UK Shared Prosperity Fund: Update

   Part of an issue followed across 3 meetings

   Papers: UK Shared Prosperity Fund: Update, Appendix 1
4. 5

   Local Growth Fund: Six Monthly Update

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

   Papers: Local Growth Fund: Six Monthly Update
5. 6

   Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000

   Papers: Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, Appendix 1
6. 7

   Approval of Deed of Variation Relating to the Governance and Management Arrangements for Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth

   Papers: Approval of Deed of Variation Relating to the Governance and Management Arrangements for Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth
7. 8

   Review of Street Lighting Policy

   Part of an issue followed across 3 meetings

   Papers: Review of Street Lighting Policy, Appendix 1, Appendix 2, Appendix 3
8. 9

   Non-Domestic Rates - Discretionary Rate Relief in respect of Electric Charging Bays

   Papers: Non-Domestic Rates - Discretionary Rate Relief in respect of Electric Charging Bays
9. 10

   Public Services Ombudsman for Wales Annual Letter 2025-2026

   Papers: Public Services Ombudsman for Wales Annual Letter 2025-2026, Appendix A
10. 11

    Passport to Leisure Unpaid Carers

    Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

    Papers: Passport to Leisure Unpaid Carers, Appendix A
11. 12

    Amendments to the Choice Homes @ Pembrokeshire Allocations Policy (October 2026)

    Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

    Papers: Amendments to the Choice Homes @ Pembrokeshire Allocations Policy (October 2026), Appendix 1, Appendix 2, Appendix 3

Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.

Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.

• County Councillor Aaron Carey, Committee MemberNot affiliated to any groupPresent
• County Councillor Alistair Cameron, Committee MemberLiberal DemocratPresent
• County Councillor Jacob Williams, Committee MemberNot affiliated to any groupPresent
• County Councillor Jon Harvey, Committee MemberNot affiliated to any groupPresent
• County Councillor Marc Tierney, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• County Councillor Michelle Bateman, Committee MemberNot affiliated to any groupPresent
• County Councillor Paul Miller, Deputy LeaderLabourSent apologies
• County Councillor Rhys Sinnett, Committee MemberPlaid CymruSent apologies
• County Councillor Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Committee MemberNot affiliated to any groupPresent
• County Councillor Tessa Hodgson, LeaderNot affiliated to any groupPresent

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