A decision on the level of council rents in Pembrokeshire for the forthcoming year had to return to a special meeting after some figures were incorrectly reported when a decision was made last month.

A decision had previously been made at the December meeting of full council, but, following “a final review of the working papers to inform Revenue Services of the new 202627 rents, it was identified that in parts of the 2026-27 working papers the rent roll (individual actual rent figures for tenants) had not been updated with the 2025-26 rent increases [approved by council in December 2024].”

In a report presented at a January 21 extraordinary meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, by Cabinet Member for Housing Cllr Michelle Bateman, members heard: “The consequence of this was that the supporting data was incorrect. Nevertheless, this report confirms that the overall rental increase recommended [in] the report presented on December 12 was compliant with Welsh Government rental policy.”

It said supporting data incorrectly reported at that meeting “impacted the number of properties under Pembrokeshire Standard Rent, the actual number being higher than that shown”.

It added: “To clarify, the calculation on the overall income cap and the subsequent calculations on the amount of income required to deduct from the overall income cap for transitioning and for voids being relet was not affected by this omission, as these calculations had correctly used the rent roll for 2025-26 and there had been an allowance included for uncertainty over some of the assumptions.

“The additional headroom has enabled the recommendation of ‘3.6 per cent plus up to £2.55 per individual rent that is currently below Standard Rent’ [as recommended in December] to remain compliant with WG rent policy.”

Members backed the January 21 recommendations that the previous decisions be rescinded; the Pembrokeshire Standard Rents are increased by 3.6 per cent plus up to £2.55 per individual rent that is currently below Standard Rent, garage rents be increased by 4.3 per cent, and for tenanted properties improved to the highest possible energy rating of EPC A or B, the rent for the property will increase until the Standard Rent for new/improved homes rent levels is achieved.