News
Pembrokeshire County Council: Leader’s update on coronavirus
FURTHER to the Leader’s announcement at the Cabinet meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council on Monday, 9th March, the Authority’s Leader, Councillor David Simpson, has provided a further update:
“As you will no doubt be aware, the Government yesterday announced that the country has now moved into the ‘delay’ phase of the response to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak and as a consequence has brought in a number of additional control measures.
“I firstly want to emphasise something that the Prime Minster announced yesterday. Importantly, it is now requested that anyone who develops a temperature or new continuous cough to self-isolate for seven days regardless of whether they have travelled to affected areas.
“The advice is that in such circumstances people do not need to call NHS 111 to go into self-isolation but, if their symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after seven days, they should contact NHS 111 online at: 111.nhs.uk
“I reassured you on Monday that our services will continue. I want to provide you some feedback as to what we are doing.
“The management and organisation of the response is being co-ordinated through our senior officers with a number of planning cells established to co-ordinate the Council’s work.
“Each is led by a senior member of staff and addresses:
• the impact on our community. Vulnerable people are potentially a major concern. Plans and actions are being reviewed and put in place to address this
• the huge concerns which exist about the local economy, employment, poverty impacts, support to businesses, and the like. We are also in the process of putting in place advice and providing signposting for matters such as announcements in the March Budget, Public Health Wales advice and links, and advice services from the Council
• a review of plans to deal with this difficult situation so that services can continue to function with as little disruption as possible. We are looking at which of our services are critical. The plans that are already in place are being fine-tuned towards this specific issue.
• the collection and analysis of data, statistics. We are looking ahead as much as possible to ensure we have as complete a picture as possible of the situation not only in Pembrokeshire but nationally.
• a review of operational arrangements covering matters such as cleaning management, care support etc.
• updating media and communications. This includes sharing information, signposting people to advice, and dealing with enquiries we are receiving.
“Some of the tangible things we have already done include:
• posting advice on the Coronavirus on the main Pembrokeshire County Council website and our social pages with links to Public Health Wales; advice on the Coronavirus for places of education and Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance
• issuing Human Resources guidance to internal staff
• signing off communication guidance for Social Services. This covers communications, reporting requirements, finance and payments and infection control and personal protection equipment
• offering advice to schools and governing bodies.
“This is a fast-moving situation and is unprecedented. A further important message from the Government yesterday was that, given now the need for people to self-isolate if they develop symptoms, this will have a huge impact on our community.
“We are doing all we can, working with our key partners such as the Health Board, to put in place planned measures to support our community.
“But it is also important that we work together and start to consider what we can do to help the more vulnerable people in our community. We are also developing community help initiatives for the coming weeks and this also forms part of our planning work.
“I also want to thank the work of Council staff, our partners and all those involved in helping to develop these plans and solutions to the difficult situation that exists.
“I want to close by continuing to reassure you that the detailed planning arrangements mentioned above are well underway and, that by working together, we can ensure that the County Council and Pembrokeshire are as well placed as possible for whatever challenges we may face.”
Community
Carmarthen Youth Opera receives King’s Award for Voluntary Services
CARMARTHEN and District Youth Opera has been honoured with the King’s Award for Voluntary Services in recognition of its outstanding contributions to providing musical theatre opportunities for young people in the West Wales area.
Recognising outstanding examples of voluntary work, the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and previously known as The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), the Award has been shining a light on the fantastic work of voluntary groups from across the UK for many years. Equivalent to an MBE, KAVS is the highest Award given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and they are awarded for life.
Established in 1979, Carmarthen and District Youth Opera has been a cornerstone of the performing arts community in Wales for over four decades. What began as a small group of dedicated individuals at Carmarthen’s Further Education Centre youth club has flourished into one of Wales’s most successful cultural societies, thanks to the dedication of volunteers.
Under the leadership of the late Elizabeth Evans MBE and her husband David, Carmarthen and District Youth Opera has grown from strength to strength, showcasing high-quality musical entertainment and earning accolades such as the Lord Snowdon Award for its first annual music production of “Snow White” in 1979. Over the years, Carmarthen and District Youth Opera has continued to captivate audiences with productions ranging from “Oliver” to “Jesus Christ Superstar,” garnering national praise.
Further major Lyric refurbishment works in the early 1990’s and later, gave a home to the Youth Opera with a venue and facilities in which it could deliver productions of the highest quality to an audience of approximately 500 people. For a period of 15 years, it functioned as an entertainment centre run voluntarily by the Lyric Trust, drawn from the Youth Opera’s supporters. The theatre is since owned and run by Carmarthenshire County Council as a venue for current and future generations.
Carmarthen and District Youth Opera’s impact extends beyond the stage, with many former cast members pursuing successful careers in music and dramatic arts. The organisation’s commitment to excellence and inclusivity has earned it widespread recognition, including from Her Majesty the Queen, the Emir of Qatar, and their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.
As Carmarthen and District Youth Opera celebrates this prestigious award, it remains firm in its commitment to nurturing young talent and enriching the cultural landscape of Wales.
Councillor Hazel Evans, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture & Tourism said: “Carmarthen and District Youth Opera embodies the spirit of community and dedication to the arts that enriches our region. Receiving the King’s Award for Voluntary Services is a testament to the unwavering commitment of its volunteers and the profound impact the organisation has on nurturing young talent. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and look forward to their continued contributions to the cultural vibrancy of West Wales.”
Business
Port welcomes first vessel to new workboat pontoons
PEMBROKE PORT, which is owned and operated by the Port of Milford Haven, has welcomed the first customer to its new workboat pontoons. Installed as part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project to modernise the Port’s infrastructure, the pontoons are available for use by a range of vessels including workboats, barges and other small vessels.
CRC Sentinel, a dive support vessel owned by Commercial Rib Charter which is undertaking work on the Milford Haven Waterway, was the first to use the new pontoons.
Sharon Adams, Commercial Manager for Pembroke Port commented: “It’s great to see these new assets being utilised. Pembroke Port is perfectly positioned within the Port of Milford Haven to act as a hub for operations associated with marine activity taking place within the Port and the Celtic Sea. The pontoons are available for short and long term berthing and have secure access, as well as electricity and water hook ups.
The workboat pontoons compliment the other infrastructure upgrades we made as part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project including new laydown space and an expanded slipway.
We look forward to working with our existing customers, and welcoming new ones, to use the new facilities at Pembroke Port.”
The new infrastructure at Pembroke Port forms part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project to create a world-class energy and engineering centre of excellence and act as a focal point for capturing the economic value from wind, wave, and tidal renewable energy projects.
Alongside the Port’s own investment, Pembroke Dock Marine – a Swansea Bay City Deal project – is part funded by the UK Government and the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government as well as other private sector partners.
During construction, the project supported over 50 jobs including 6 apprenticeships. Contractors BAM, Walters Group and R&M Williams undertook community activity during the project, with the local community benefiting from over £11m local spend.
For further details on the facilities at Pembroke Port, and how the Pembroke Dock Marine investments have readied Pembroke Port for future energy, please visit www.pembrokeport.com.
Education
Young people dive into My River project to learn about Cleddau
DURING the Easter Holidays, young people from The Edge Youth Centre and the Army Welfare Service took part in a two-day environmental project in Haverfordwest in partnership with the Cleddau Project.
The ‘My River’ project enabled young people to connect with the River Cleddau, learn about the importance of looking after rivers and discuss what their river means to them as young people.
At the start of the project, the young people linked up with the West Wales Rivers Trust for the Big River Clean Up in Haverfordwest.
The young people helped clean up a stretch of the Western Cleddau River that runs alongside Bridge Meadow Park and Morrisons.
In the afternoon, they enjoyed an engaging session delivered by the Darwin Centre looking at the mini-beasts that live in our rivers under microscopes.
On day two the young people reflected on their findings creating a story with illustrator Fran Evans.
The young people created a piece of art telling the story of their river and the importance of looking after the river.
The story is called the ‘adventures of the trash trio’ and will be exhibited to the public at the ‘My River’ Art Exhibition at HaverHub, Quay Street, Haverfordwest at the end of June.
The young people will be coming back together in May Half-Term to explore the river in Haverfordwest by canoeing up the Western River Cleddau.
Steve Lewis, Senior Youth Worker said: “This project educated young people on the importance of our rivers and how they support wildlife, ecosystems and recreation activities. It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm from the young people and to see them connecting with their river.”
This project has been made possible by funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
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