News

Report highlights vital steps to increase Wales’ flood resilience

Published

1 year ago

October 17, 2024

THE NATIONAL Infrastructure Commission for Wales (NICW) has today this week (Oct 17) revealed its latest report — “Building Resilience to Flooding in Wales by 2050”.

The report presents bold but practical recommendations for Welsh Ministers to future-proof Wales against the growing risks of flooding over the next 25+ years.
With one in seven properties in Wales now at risk of flooding, the report couldn’t come at a more important time — especially with this figure set to increase by more than a third as the effects of climate change worsen and the UK Committee on Climate Change warning that Wales is not ready for the impacts.

Outlining 17 recommendations within a Future Flooding Framework for Wales, the report emphasises natural solutions for tackling this — placing nature and community integration at the forefront of increasing Wales’ resilience to flooding.

This approach is typical of NICW, the independent infrastructure advisory body for Wales — which works with local communities to ensure its recommendations reflect real-world needs and create practical, locally-driven outcomes.
Eluned Parrott, Lead Commissioner on the project, said: “As part of our work, we visited some of the communities who have been affected by flooding in recent years, such as the Conwy Valley and Pontypridd. The impacts felt have been devastating, but we also learned that these communities are not content to be passive victims and are ready to act.

“What’s more, during the eighteen months that we’ve been working on this project, it has become increasingly clear that we cannot “concrete” our way out of the risks we face. We must adopt more holistic solutions, such as restoring the natural environment’s ability to store water higher in river catchments, and empowering local communities to take action.”
To achieve this, the report lists the recommendations within four key categories: Governance, Structure and Policy; Collaboration, Partnerships, and Community; Funding and Capacity; and Awareness, Skills and Data.

In summary, to drive regional collaboration the report recommends a catchment-based approach and engaging local communities directly in flood-related decisions — with initiatives like Citizen Juries and a new Water Resilience Forum.

On the governance side, the report calls for the appointment of a Water Commissioner and the creation of a 30-year resilience strategy to drive Wales-wide, innovative flood solutions.
To boost awareness and skills, the report suggests integrating climate adaptation into Wales’ school curriculums and providing flood resilience training at a regional level.

Lastly, to enhance funding and capacity, it recommends diversifying funding sources and introducing Welsh Government subsidies to help homeowners invest in flood resilience measures. All 17 recommendations can be accessed in full here.

Dr Eurgain Powell, Lead Commissioner, said: “Although flooding can have a devastating effect on people’s lives, awareness of flood risk; how to access information; and what actions local governance and real people need to take to respond to flooding, remains very low.

“To resolve this, our work has shown that we need a different approach — one that works with people and nature to drive real change. Ultimately, we believe that success will be driven by good communication and a shared responsibility and sense of urgency between government, business and communities.

“We hope the findings of this report will empower communities to voice and act on their own futures, with the support of Welsh Government — to ensure a resilient, dynamic, and abundant future for generations to come.”

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

19 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

19 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

20 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.