News

South Pembrokeshire: Council proposes ‘discontinuing’ schools

Published

11 years ago

August 31, 2015

Tom Sinclair

File photo: Angle school

RURAL COMMUNITIES south and west of Pembroke face the potential loss of their school following a formal consultation by the local authority.

Angle, Orielton, and Stackpole schools face closure and/or amalgamation on a single site under the proposals.

However, the proposals are not new and have been doing the rounds at County Hall since at least 2013, when Jamie Adams told The Herald that a review of schools provision on the Angle Peninsula was to be undertaken.

In October 2014, the Council launched a preliminary consultation on its plans for the schools that would be directly affected by any changes.

That consultation, prepared by former director for Children and Schools Jake Morgan, set out three options. Retention of all existing school sites; amalgamation of Orielton School with either Monkton Priory or Ysgol Gelli Aur with federation of Angle and Stackpole schools, and closure of Angle, Stackpole, and Orielton schools with a new school to be established on one of the existing sites whether under community or voluntary control.

While Jamie Adams has previously criticised the local press for their use of words in the Council’s own internal reports, it is noteworthy that the word ‘closure’ is used in all documents apart from the announcement of the statutory consultation.

At that time the review gave no steer on where a replacement school would be built; however, The Herald has noted the October 2014 document’s observation that whereas Orielton and Angle schools present significant challenges for expansion, the Stackpole school site is large enough to accommodate a larger building. However, difficulty in parking at that site is highlighted as a barrier to further development.

Estyn’s judgements at all the above schools are that they provide good value for money. However, the current pupil values are such that it costs £2284 more to fund a place at Angle VC School than the county average. Across the peninsula as a whole, pupils’ values are £1187 greater than the county average.

With the possibility of amalgamating at different sites, Monkton and Gelli Aur, assessed as poor, the Council has decided to proceed with the next phase of the consultation by presenting the option of closure of the three rural schools and their amalgamation under voluntary control for children aged 3-11.

However, the preliminary consultation document accepted that the isolation of the communities served by the schools, particularly Angle, meant that there was work to be done on ensuring transport provision was sufficient for any new school. The condition of the road network connecting the disparate villages is also a significant cause for concern, with pupils from Angle either facing travel through the village of Castlemartin or travelling as far as the top St Daniel’s Hill, under a mile from Ysgol Gelli Aur, to reach any combined school located in Stackpole.

It is noteworthy that three other sites were identified, with one in Maidenwells, at property already owned by the local authority, being cited as a possible location for a new purpose-built school to serve all three communities.

A consultation document and response form will be available on the County Council’s website from Thursday, September 3 and the closing date for responses is Friday, 16th October 2015.

There will also be a public information session at Pembroke Town Hall on Monday, 28th September from 6.30pm to 8pm. At that information session, Kate Evan-Hughes, Director for Children and Schools, will give a presentation on the proposal, to be followed by a question and answer session.

Parents, teachers, and other local residents are invited to come and give their views.

Information provided to children and young people will be presented in such a way that it is relevant to their age and level of likely understanding and be in accordance with the National Standards for Children and Young People’s Participation.

News

Reform reveals west Wales candidates for Senedd battle

Published

17 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Monkton councillor tops Pembrokeshire list as party confirms Carmarthenshire names and includes Haverfordwest councillor in unwinnable Swansea spot

REFORM UK has unveiled its full list of candidates for the 2026 Senedd election, setting out its challenge across west Wales including Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

The party has named Susan Claire Archibald, a sitting councillor for Monkton on Pembroke Town Council, as its lead candidate for the Ceredigion Preseli, Mid and South Pembrokeshire regional list.

Speaking to The Herald, Archibald said: “I am honoured to represent Reform UK and Wales.” She added that a fuller statement outlining her priorities would be released in due course.

The remaining candidates on the Pembrokeshire regional list are Paul Marr, a former prison officer, Michael Allen, Elisa Randall, Peter John and Bernard Holton.

Carmarthenshire candidates named

Reform has also confirmed its list for the Caerfyrddin and Llanelli region, with Gareth Beer placed first, followed by Carmelo Colasanto, Sarah Edwards, Christopher Brooke, Alan Cole and Michelle Beer.

The announcement forms part of a nationwide rollout of candidates as the party seeks to establish itself as a credible electoral force ahead of the 2026 vote.

Thorley listed in Swansea region

Among the names included elsewhere is Scott Thorley, a Haverfordwest-based councillor and the first Reform representative elected to Pembrokeshire County Council.

Thorley appears on the party’s list for the Gower and Swansea West region, where he is placed sixth.

Under the Senedd’s proportional representation system, candidates placed lower on regional lists are significantly less likely to be elected, meaning his position is widely viewed as a paper candidacy to complete the slate.

Election framing

Reform Wales leader Dan Thomas said the party was offering voters a stark political choice.

He said: “After a hundred years of failure, Labour are finished in Wales. The choice at this election is what comes next — common sense and a fresh start with Reform, or independence by stealth with Plaid Cymru.”

The Herald understands that further announcements, including candidate profiles and policy details, are expected in the coming weeks as the campaign begins to take shape.

Crime

Man bailed after serious assault in Fishguard town centre

Published

18 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault in Fishguard that has left a man in hospital.

The incident happened on Main Street at around 11:00pm on Saturday (Mar 21), when the victim was reportedly punched, sustaining head injuries. He remains in hospital receiving treatment.

A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm (GBH) and has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.

Dyfed-Powys Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have information that could assist the investigation, to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police quoting reference: 26*227686.

Information can be provided online via the Dyfed-Powys Police website, by emailing [email protected], by calling 101, or by sending a direct message on social media.

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

News

Childcare funding boost announced in Wales

Published

18 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Hourly rate to rise as costs increase

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has confirmed an increase in the hourly rate paid to childcare providers under its Childcare Offer, following a review of funding levels.

The Minister for Children and Social Care, DAWN BOWDEN MS, announced that the rate will rise to £6.67 per hour from April 6, 2026. The increase of 4.18% comes after feedback from childcare providers and sector data gathered during 2025.

The Welsh Government said the change is designed to help providers cope with rising costs, including increases to the National Living Wage.

The Herald understands the review drew on responses from the Childcare Offer’s Annual Survey, as well as information from Care Inspectorate Wales’ Self-Assessment of Service Statement (SASS).

The move follows a policy shift announced last year to review the rate annually, rather than every three years, in a bid to make funding more responsive to pressures facing the sector.

As part of the update, the maximum charge for meals will also increase by 4.18%, which ministers say is intended to balance affordability for both providers and parents.

Dawn Boden said the Welsh Government remains committed to supporting the long-term sustainability of childcare services, adding that officials will continue working with the sector to explore further improvements.