Politics

‘Motherhood and apple pie’ strategy attacked

Published

7 years ago

September 26, 2017

'Prosperity is more than economic growth': Carwyn Jones

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT’s strategy for a more prosperous Wales has been greeted with disbelief by opposition politicians, who have pointed out the complete absence of anything resembling a national economic strategy.

The document, called ‘Prosperity for All’, was launched by the Welsh Government the day following the celebration of twenty years of devolution. The Welsh Government claims that ‘the strategy is designed to drive integration and collaboration across the Welsh public sector, and put people at the heart of improved service delivery’.

On the document’s publication, First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “Yesterday we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Yes vote that brought devolution to Wales. Devolution has been a journey of political maturity, a story of growing confidence and a firm determination to deliver for Wales.

“Today we publish a new national strategy designed to bring together the efforts of the whole public sector towards this Government’s central mission of delivering Prosperity for All.

“Prosperity is about far more than material wealth and cannot be delivered by economic growth alone. It is about every person in Wales enjoying a good quality of life, living in a strong, safe community and sharing in the prosperity of Wales.

“This strategy takes our commitments in Taking Wales Forward, places them in a long-term context, and sets out how they will be delivered in a smarter, more joined up way that cuts across traditional boundaries, both inside and outside government.”

However, the lack of meat in the policy sandwich was pounced upon by opposition politicians.

Adam Price said that the Welsh government had created anticipation for a new economic strategy on the floor of the Chamber, and noted that the strategy had been widely anticipated by the business community and even amongst Labour politicians who shared messages on social media.

Mr Price said that the business community would be bitterly disappointed that the long-awaited economic strategy had turned into a generic “national strategy” covering the whole of government and lacking detail.

Plaid Cymru Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Economy Adam Price said: “The Welsh Government’s long-awaited economic strategy has failed to materialise. After building anticipation of a new economic strategy, the government has published a ‘national strategy’ covering the whole of government.

“The brief section of the document that refers to an economic strategy shows little understanding of the scale of the challenge that faces us.

“Since the beginning of devolution, the Welsh economy has gone backwards on GVA. Even on Welsh Government’s favoured economic indicator – gross disposable income per head – we’ve gone backwards. The Welsh Government needs to introduce economic indicators in order to set itself targets to achieve, and to enable us to hold it to account on its performance.

“I also want to know on what basis the government has developed this economic strategy. Having spoken to business people and leading economists about the anticipated economic strategy, no one knew what was in it because the Welsh government had not engaged with them. Is this really the way to develop competent strategy?

“What the government has presented us with today is an empty vessel with no substance.”

The laudable but vacuous content of the document was greeted with barely concealed contempt by Welsh Conservatives, who suggested the document was ‘yet another relaunch for his tired Welsh Labour-led Government, Carwyn Jones’ statement attempts to correct the failings of his Party over the last 18 years’.

Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies said: “This latest dose of motherhood and apple pie from the Labour Government sadly lacks any significant detail and will certainly not inspire the people of Wales with any confidence that this vision will be any different from those which have come before it.

“Over the last 18 years in Wales there has been one common theme – the Labour Party sitting in Government in Cardiff Bay. Over this period, Labour have rehashed countless visions and programmes all in the noble aim of delivering prosperity to Wales but which have regrettably resulted in abject failure.

“Regional inequality continues to increase, serving as a national embarrassment for the Welsh Government, while we continue to harbour the weakest education system and lowest weekly wage of all the home nations – all delivered on Labour’s watch.

“Wales is in desperate need of a substantial tactical shift with solutions fit for the 21st century so we can improve the country’s economic and public service performance, something which this document emphatically fails to articulate.”

Response to the document’s content on the economy was not all negative.

Derek Walker, Chief Executive of the Wales Co-operative Centre, said: “The new national strategy signals a step in the right direction towards building a more inclusive economy. Welsh Government has put more focus on spreading opportunity, addressing regional equalities and promoting fair work.

“The proposal for a new economic contract between business and government could see businesses expected to do more to create a fairer society in return for Government’s support. I would expect the social businesses we work with will welcome this proposal.

“By their very nature social enterprises and co-operatives consider the social and environmental impact of their work alongside the bottom line. The Wales Co-operative Centre has already put inclusive economic growth at the heart of our new strategy. We look forward to working with Welsh Government to make it a reality”

News

Withyhedge Landfill faces political allegations and regulatory enforcement

Published

7 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Tom Sinclair

STEPHEN CRABB MP has vociferously criticised the Welsh Labour Government for its management of the Withyhedge Landfill in Pembrokeshire, claiming it has turned the area into a “dumping ground” for waste from across Wales. Mr. Crabb, supported by Paul Davies MS, alleges that substantial lorries deliver waste daily to the site, causing significant distress to local residents. The MP has repeatedly written to the First Minister, demanding immediate intervention, yet claims to have received no response.

Compounding the controversy, Mr. Crabb highlighted a substantial £200,000 donation to Vaughan Gething’s recent election campaign from the landfill’s owner, questioning the impartiality of regulatory practices. Despite ongoing political efforts, Mr. Crabb asserts that resolution lies solely with the Welsh Government, which has the ultimate authority to address these grievances.

Meanwhile, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has escalated its enforcement actions against the site’s operators, Resources Management UK Ltd (RML), amid persistent community complaints about odour and gas emissions. A recent Regulation 36 Enforcement Notice demands a series of remedial actions by RML, with deadlines stretching into May 2024. These measures focus on improving the site’s gas management infrastructure and capping exposed areas to mitigate odour issues.

Huwel Manley, Head of South West Operations at NRW, expressed understanding of the community’s frustration, emphasizing the urgency of the required actions. “We are committed to ensuring RML Ltd. deliver these actions rapidly and effectively. Continued non-compliance will lead to further measures, potentially including a suspension of the environmental permit,” stated Mr. Manley.

Pembrokeshire County Council, represented by Chief Executive Will Bramble, also voiced disappointment over the ongoing issues, affirming full support for NRW’s stringent enforcement steps. The Council and NRW are working closely to monitor the situation and have encouraged the public to report any odour incidents promptly to aid in effective resolution.

As the deadline approaches, all parties involved are under increasing pressure to demonstrate tangible improvements and ensure the health and well-being of Pembrokeshire residents are prioritised.

Politics

Barclays closure in Haverfordwest sparks calls for banking changes

Published

11 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL for Pembrokeshire County Council to potentially change its banking arrangement with Barclays, after the bank announced it was closing its county town branch, is expected to be turned down next week.

Barclays Bank in Haverfordwest, located on the town’s High Street, is to close on May 10.

The council has had a banking services contract with Barclays since 2013, with the most recent contract – for four years – signed last May following an independent review.

Councillor Huw Murphy, in a notice of motion to be heard by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet meeting of April 22, is asking the council to review its banking arrangements with Barclays following the announced closure.

“The loss of many banking facilities within Pembrokeshire over recent years has had a detrimental impact on many town centres such as Tenby, St Davids, Fishguard, Milford Haven, Narberth, Newport and Pembroke and Pembroke Dock and will soon impact Haverfordwest with the loss of Barclays bank to the town.”

He said the loss of a branch “not only impacts upon town centres and businesses but also disproportionately impacts the elderly who are less likely to embrace on-line banking options”.

After the Haverfordwest closure was announced, a spokesperson for the bank said that the Haverfordwest branch only had 32 regular customers who used the branch exclusively for their banking and do not interact with Barclays in any other way.

A report for cabinet members says, in terms of the impact on Pembrokeshire residents, Barclays has said that it is “not leaving Haverfordwest and [will] continue to provide face-to-face support for those who need it” via community locations.

It adds: “Everything else can be done via alternative channels such as everyday transactions via the Post Office. We will be making personal contact with our regular and vulnerable branch users to discuss their options and guide them through alternative ways to bank.”

Two options were presented to cabinet following Mr Murphy’s motion, to retender the banking services contract, and, the favoured, to work with Barclays to ensure a community location is set up in Haverfordwest.

The report says the costs associated with moving to a new service provider “can be excessive and in some cases greater than the cost of the annual contract value,” adding: “Whilst the costs can vary between local authorities it can be in excess of £50,000.”

For the second, favoured option, the report says: “An integral part of the branch closure communication, Barclays advised that they will be setting up a community location in Haverfordwest.

“Whilst this is a change to how Barclays currently operate in Haverfordwest, this concept mirrors the successful implementation of a hub located within The Giltar Hotel in Tenby that operates twice a week.”

It adds: “Discussions have commenced with Barclays to see what the council can offer in terms of locations.”

Cabinet members are recommended to back the second option.

Community

Burned down hotel to be used for social housing

Published

12 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

A SCHEME to build 38 affordable and social housing units on the site of the fire-ravaged former Cleddau Bridge Hotel, Pembroke Dock is expected to be backed by senior Pembrokeshire councillors next week.

Members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, meeting on April 22, are recommended to support a contract with developer Castell Group Ltd for the mix of affordable homes and social housing units at the site, with the actual contract details expected to be discussed in a private and confidential session.

A report for members ahead of the meeting says: “The potential development site on the former Cleddau Bridge Hotel site, Pembroke Dock has been up for sale for some time, and its purchase by Castell Group Ltd (‘Castell’) is now imminent.

“Following completion of their purchase, Castell will submit an application for planning consent to develop the land for affordable and social housing. It would see the development of a high-profile site with visual impact on surrounding areas that has sat dormant for many years.”

Castell has approached the housing service to determine whether there is an interest in working with them to bring forward the development as a housing site, the report says.

Castell Construction Ltd, the delivery arm of Castell, specialises in the construction of affordable / social housing, typically for registered social landlords across south Wales.

An initial proposal says the development, if backed, would see 12 one-bedroom flats, 15 two-bed houses, five three-bed, two four-bed, and four two-bed bungalows, the report adding: “This site would help towards both the council’s 300 new home target and also Welsh Government’s 20,000 new homes target.”

It adds: “The proposal by Castell Construction Ltd is for a development programme of 18 months following planning permission being secured. Castell Construction Ltd estimate commencing the development in March 2025, which would mean completion in autumn 2026.”

Delegation of the decision to enter into the works contract to the Director for Social Services and Housing is sought, and Cabinet is also being asked to delegate the decision to proceed with the land acquisition to the Assistant Chief Executive.

The development package would be part-funded from the housing revenue account, the remainder from the Social Housing Grant and/or second homes premium for affordable housing if it becomes available for the Housing Service to use in this manner.

The proposals would be subjected to an as-yet unsubmitted planning application; if granted Castell Construction Ltd hopes to start the development in March 2025, finishing in autumn 2026.

In 2023, an unrelated application by a different applicant, to demolish the remnants of the hotel and replace it with a care home was approved.

In a prime location at one of the entrances to Pembroke Dock the former Cleddau Bridge Hotel has been derelict since a fire in March 2019, which brought emergency services from as far afield as Ammanford, Aberystwyth and Swansea.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service previously said the fire was started by a deliberate act.

Following a fire investigation, Dyfed-Powys Police said they found there to be insufficient evidence to identify a suspect.