A proposal to increase Pembrokeshire council rents, which was condemned when it was expected to be solely made by a small number of senior councillors, will now be made by full council tomorrow.

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 expected to be 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, had 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.”

Following that meeting, a report was brought before the December meeting of the council’s Cabinet, with a recommendation now that the report to Cabinet would take the form of a recommendation for full council, which meets on December 12.

Members of Cabinet backed the recommendations in the report.

Amongst the recommendations from Cabinet are that Standard Rents be increased by 3.6 per cent plus up to £2.55 per individual rent that is currently below Standard Rent, and a 4.3 per cent rent increase plus up to £5 per individual rent that is currently below Standard Rent.