A proposal to increase Pembrokeshire Council rents will be made by a small number of senior councillors, despite calls for any decision to be made by all members.

A report for members Pembrokeshire County Council’s November meeting of the Policy and Pre-Decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee outlined the current council rents background, with various rents increases proposed for 2026-27, a final decision being made by Cabinet in December.

A report for members highlighted the options for Pembrokeshire Council housing stock for 2026-2027 against the backdrop of the Welsh Government’s Rent and Service Charge Standard 2026-2026 and HRA Business Plan impacts, with a favoured 4.3 per cent inflation plus up to £5 for those below standard rates (a maximum of £5 subsequent increase).

“The reason that the current Standard is difficult for the Authority is due to there being 2,192 (37.32 per cent) tenants paying less that the Pembrokeshire Standard rent for the size of property that they live in (out of a total 5,874),” the report said.

It added: “It is estimated that this equates to lost income of £679,101 per annum for the HRA account which over the lifetime of the HRA Business Plan is £20.8m excluding consequential inflationary increases. Whilst there has been some success at moving some properties up to PCC Standard Rent through the following measures, due to 37 per cent of the rents being beneath Standard Rent there is still a long way to go.”

Cabinet member for housing, Cllr Michelle Bateman, presenting the item, said the decision would be made by Cabinet rather than the report’s suggestion of full council.

Cllr Mike Stoddart said he was “appalled” the decision would be made by senior councillors only.

“I’m disappointed to hear these rent increases have been taken out of the hands of members and into the hands of Cabinet, it’s always been a council function,” adding: “The idea we shouldn’t have any say is a disgrace in my opinion.”

Cllr Huw Murphy remarked: “I think rent setting should be a full council decision; most councillors have got properties in their ward which are council owned, it’s only sensible these decisions are made by full council.”

Members backed the 4.3 per cent option be supported, with the addition of the full council being consulted, before a special Cabinet meeting making a decision, being backed.

Nine voted in favour of that, with Cllr Stoddart, on the basis any decision should be made by full council, and Cllr Michael Williams abstaining.