News

Will local councils merge?

Published

12 years ago

November 21, 2014

• ‘No way’ says Ceredigion
• ‘Maybe’ says Pembrokeshire

IN RESPONSE to a Welsh government consultation, the councillors voted to keep Ceredigion Council as a distinct Local Authority body to be able to ensure local accountability and democracy. First Minister Carwyn Jones supports The Williams Commission which earlier this year said the number of Welsh councils should be cut. This involves replacing the 22 current Welsh authorities with 12. The Welsh Government’s White Paper was published by then Local Government Minister Lesley Griffiths in July. This was basically the beginning of the legal process plotting how everything will happen which then paved the way mergers of councils willing to do so voluntarily.

October 1 is closing date for responses. Ceredigion Council Leader Ellen ap Gwyn has made it clear that the authority are sending a clear message to the government: “Merging with any other authority would weaken local accountability. Enlarging wards and reducing democratic representation will militate against good local delivery of bilingual services in a rural area. There is no cultural or linguistic affinity with with the proposed enlarged local authority area.” Ceredigion Council are among many but is the most recent authority to reject a voluntary merger. Newport has also voted against saying they do not want to merge with Monmouthshire whilst Wrexham has shown willing to join with Flintshire.

Conwy and Denbighshire are still evaluating their options. It has been said by Conwy’s Deputy Leader Ronnie Hughes that the merger would give the authority more control over its future than if it waited and was forced into the merge in two years time. Although Leighton Andrews, minister of public services has said that the Welsh Government will support councils with early mergers, including using ‘existing funding streams’ and identifying ‘appropriate financial resources’, Caerphilly has rejected to merge with Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen whilst Anglesey has similarly objected to merging with Gwynedd. In light of the recent statements by the Public Services Minister, the Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor Jamie Adams, has announced his intention to commence formal discussions regarding the future of local government in Pembrokeshire.

“It is now clear that the Welsh Government intend to legislate to force reorganisation upon us” he said. “While I do not agree that local government reorganisation is necessary, it would be foolish to ignore the fact that it is likely to happen. “With this in mind, I intend to establish a cross-party working group of Councillors to consider the merits of a voluntary merger with Ceredigion County Council.

“I understand that Ceredigion Councillors are opposed to a merger, and I respect their point of view. However, I do not think this is an issue that we can, or should, ignore. “We have spent too long recently looking in at ourselves. It is high time that we raised our heads and started to plan for what’s coming down the track towards us.” While Ceredigion has rejected a council merger with Pembrokeshire, it seems that Welsh Minister for Public Services Leighton Andrews is prepared to force through change in the teeth of resistance from Wales’ local government sector. It seems as though Council Leader Jamie Adams has taken a view of the future and decided to argue Pembrokeshire’s case for independence in local government less forcefully than before.

Speaking to The Herald after Monday’s Corporate Governance Committee, Cllr Mike James told us that Mr Andrews told representatives at a recent meeting of the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) that ‘they hadn’t seen nothing yet.’ Last week, Leighton Andrews issued a press release saying: “We cannot continue to operate with 22 local authorities. There will be change, voluntary or not, and I am offering a unique opportunity to those who are willing. I want local authorities themselves to make fundamental and lasting change to create modern and effective Local Government in Wales.

I hope they seize this opportunity since those who agree to merge voluntarily will determine their own future and will not face elections until May 2018.” The promise of initiating new primary legislation to delay Council elections for those authorities willing to merge might be a significant incentive for existing councillors to extend a stay in local government that could otherwise be curtailed by the electorate a year earlier. Bribing councillors to do as the Welsh Government wishes, ahead of the completion of the work of a supposedly independent and unbiased consultation, raises questions about the integrity of the Welsh Government’s whole approach to the question of how to reorganize Welsh local democracy.

In response to Leighton Andrews’ statement, a vote of Ceredigion County Council unanimously rejected calls to merge its operations with Pembrokeshire. Ceredigion Council Leader Ellen ap Gwyn said: “A business case does not exist to support a merger between Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. Everyone agreed that the proposal does not make geographical sense and grave concern was expressed regarding the cultural and linguistic difference between the two counties,” she added. The council is the latest authority to reject a voluntary merger.

Newport has also said it does not want to merge with Monmouthshire while Wrexham has signalled it is unwilling to join with Flintshire Striking a more conciliatory note than hitherto used in his public statements, Council Leader Jamie Adams said: In light of the recent statements by the Public Services Minister, the Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor Jamie Adams, has announced his intention to commence formal discussions regarding the future of local government in Pembrokeshire. Ahead of releasing the statement to the press, he told Monday’s Corporate Governance Committee: “It is now clear that Welsh Government intend to legislate to force reorganisation upon us” he said.

“While I do not agree that local government reorganisation is necessary, it would be foolish to ignore the fact that it is likely to happen. With this in mind, I intend to establish a crossparty working group of Councillors to consider the merits of a voluntary merger with Ceredigion County Council. I understand that Ceredigion Councillors are opposed to a merger, and I respect their point of view. However, I do not think this is an issue that we can, or should, ignore. We have spent too long recently looking in at ourselves. It is high time that we raised our heads and started to plan for what’s coming down the track towards us.” Whether Jamie Adams will be able to deliver consensus across his increasingly bitterly divided council is likely to be a major test of his and his party’s resolve in the face of widespread public support for Pembrokeshire’s autonomy.

Entertainment

Young people and families urged to support SPAN Arts

Published

56 minutes ago

June 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SPAN Arts is calling for more young people and families to join its volunteer team as demand grows for its events programme at a time when volunteer numbers are low.

The Narberth-based community arts charity has brought people together through creativity for more than 30 years, using the arts to spark ideas, build connections and inspire positive change across Pembrokeshire.

Like many community organisations, SPAN Arts relies heavily on volunteers, and that support is now more important than ever.

A CALL FOR SUPPORT

The SPAN Arts team said: “Volunteers are the backbone of our organisation, and at the moment we’re low on numbers.

“With more events coming up, we really need more people to step in, especially young people and families.”

The charity says there are opportunities for people who can spare a small amount of time, as well as those looking for a longer-term role.

WHY VOLUNTEER?

Volunteering with SPAN Arts offers the chance to become part of a welcoming creative community while gaining useful experience.

Volunteers can meet new people, build confidence, develop new skills, gain hands-on experience for their CV, and see behind the scenes of the creative industries.

Roles may include supporting live events, working alongside professional artists, and learning about areas such as marketing, lighting, sound and production.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

For young people, volunteering can provide an introduction to the arts and events sector.

SPAN Arts says it offers the chance to join a friendly team, learn practical skills outside the classroom, gain experience in live events, and build confidence through new challenges.

FAMILY VOLUNTEERING

Families are also being encouraged to take part.

With workshops and performances designed for young audiences, SPAN Arts says volunteering can be an enjoyable way for families to spend time together, support children in building confidence and teamwork skills, share new experiences with the local community, and do something meaningful together.

GET INVOLVED

Anyone interested in volunteering is invited to contact SPAN Arts’ Volunteer Coordinator, Belinda, for an informal chat.

She can be contacted on 01834 869323 or by emailing [email protected].

SPAN Arts is a community arts charity based in Narberth, with a 30-year history of contributing to the arts in Pembrokeshire.

The charity delivers music, theatre, comedy and spoken-word events, alongside arts and wellbeing projects in areas where people may otherwise have limited access to the arts.

SPAN Arts says it is driven by the belief that the arts can improve quality of life, health and wellbeing, while helping to reduce social exclusion and rural isolation through community-based participation.

Business

Cardiff Airport passes one million passengers as growth continues

Published

1 hour ago

June 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CARDIFF AIRPORT has welcomed more than one million passengers over the past 12 months, marking a major milestone in its continued recovery.

New Civil Aviation Authority figures also show the airport was the second-fastest growing in the UK in the first quarter of 2026, with passenger numbers up 24 per cent compared with the same period last year.

The airport said the growth reflected increasing demand for flights from Wales, with airlines expanding services and adding more destinations.

New routes boost numbers

Recent developments include the launch of WestJet’s direct Cardiff to Toronto service, offering onward connections across Canada and the United States.

TUI is also basing a fourth aircraft at Cardiff this summer, with new destinations including Hurghada in Egypt, Faro in Portugal, Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, and Kittilä in Finland.

Crystal Ski has introduced new winter flights to Turin in Italy, following strong demand for Chambéry in France and Salzburg in Austria.

Additional TUI capacity has also been added to Antalya, Gran Canaria, Palma, Enfidha and Tenerife.

Rugby fans add to milestone

Cardiff Airport said more than 19,000 international rugby fans travelled through the airport during the EPCR Challenge Cup Final, Investec Champions Cup Final and Six Nations fixtures.

The airport has also reported a 14 per cent rise in passengers compared with the 2024/25 financial year, while Ryanair is operating its busiest-ever summer programme from Cardiff.

Jon Bridge, chief executive of Cardiff Airport, said: “Welcoming more than one million passengers is a major milestone for Cardiff Airport and a clear sign of the growing demand for flights from Wales.

“To be recognised by the Civil Aviation Authority as the second fastest-growing airport in the UK is a fantastic achievement and reflects the hard work of our colleagues and partners, as well as the confidence passengers and airlines continue to place in Cardiff.

“We are focused on building on this momentum, expanding connectivity and delivering long-term benefits for Wales and the wider economy.”

Push to restore Qatar link

Despite the recent growth, questions remain over whether Cardiff Airport can restore one of its most important long-haul connections — the direct Qatar Airways service to Doha.

The route, which launched in 2018 and provided a key global hub connection to Asia, Australia and the Middle East, was suspended during the Covid pandemic and has yet to return.

Cardiff remains the only former UK Qatar Airways destination not to have seen the service resume after the pandemic.

Efforts to bring the airline back are continuing. The Welsh Government has previously said Cardiff Airport executives remain in commercial negotiations with Qatar Airways over the possible return of the Doha route, with ministers saying they would welcome its resumption when the timing is right for both sides.

The loss of the service has been keenly felt by business and leisure travellers from Wales, many of whom now travel via London, Birmingham or Manchester for long-haul flights.

Before its suspension, the Doha route offered onward connections to destinations across Asia, Australasia and the Far East, including Thailand, Japan and Australia.

Economic impact

Cardiff Airport says it supports thousands of jobs across South Wales and contributes more than £200 million annually to the Welsh economy.

Alongside passenger growth, the airport said cargo remains a major strategic focus, with opportunities to grow freight capacity, attract new commercial partnerships and strengthen the airport’s long-term resilience.

Farming

Ffermio Bro support window opens for Pembrokeshire farmers

Published

1 hour ago

June 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE farmers and land managers are being encouraged to apply for the latest round of Ffermio Bro support, with the next Expression of Interest window now open.

The scheme supports practical, farmer-led projects within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, helping to improve nature, water quality, habitat links, traditional boundaries, wildfire resilience and the wider farmed landscape.

The programme has already supported a range of projects across Pembrokeshire, including habitat restoration, watercourse fencing, traditional boundary restoration, firebreak creation and woodland connectivity work.

FARMERS SUPPORTED

During its first year, Ffermio Bro supported 37 farms and land managers across the National Park, with projects covering just under 3,000 hectares.

The work included more than four kilometres of hedgerow creation and restoration, over 800 metres of watercourse improvement and protection works, and around 27 hectares of woodland support and management.

A number of collaborative projects have also focused on improving biodiversity and ecosystem resilience across the National Park.

Arwel Evans, Conservation Farm Liaison Officer with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, said: “The first year of Ffermio Bro has shown what can be achieved when farmers and land managers are supported to deliver practical conservation work on the ground.

“We’ve worked with farms across the National Park on projects ranging from habitat restoration and water quality improvements to traditional boundary work and wildfire resilience.

“Looking ahead to the next two years, we’re particularly keen to support projects that improve water quality and river resilience across catchments such as the Eastern and Western Cleddau, Nyfer and Gwaun.

“That includes practical measures such as riparian fencing, buffer strips, healthier soils and habitat management that help keep rivers clean and resilient for the future.”

FARM-LED PROJECTS

Gareth Waters, Ffermio Bro Advisor, added: “One of the strengths of the scheme is that projects are designed around individual farms and local priorities.

“We’re keen to support practical projects that deliver long-term benefits for both farming businesses and the landscape, and we’d encourage interested farmers to contact us before the deadline.”

The current application window for Ffermio Bro: Farming within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park will remain open until Monday, June 22.

Further information on the scheme, eligibility and how to submit an Expression of Interest can be found at www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/ffermio-bro.

Caption: Farmers and land managers within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park are invited to apply for the latest round of Ffermio Bro landscape and conservation funding.