Discrimination concerns over move to cashless society

Published

2 years ago

October 24, 2024

SENEDD members criticised a “half-hearted, illogical and disappointing” response to calls to ensure vulnerable adults without bank cards can continue to pay in cash.

Carolyn Thomas, who chairs the Senedd’s petitions committee, led a debate following a Senedd inquiry prompted by a 2,500-name petition submitted by Mencap Cymru.

Ms Thomas raised the example of a young person who could not buy a rugby shirt with his birthday money because the shop was cashless.

She told the Senedd: “Just two examples of people being denied their basic rights to be financially independent and to socialise.

“This is very distressing for vulnerable adults striving to live independently.”

Ms Thomas, who represents North Wales, added: “We cannot allow the rush to embrace new technology to create new barriers that exclude people.”

Pointing to stats showing almost 40% of people still use cash once a week, she cautioned that the response to the committee’s report shows the issue is far from resolved.

She raised Mencap Cymru’s suggestion that the Welsh Government could use the public sector equality duty to require organisations in receipt of public funds to accept cash.

Ms Thomas urged businesses to display signs at their entrances clearly showing whether they accept cash to save people from humiliation, anxiety and distress.

The Conservatives’ Peter Fox raised the risk of members of society being “shut out” with an increasing number of businesses becoming card only.

He said: “One young man with learning disabilities became so distressed when he was told he was unable to purchase a magazine that the police had to be called.”

Mr Fox pointed out that older people can also struggle to access digital payments.

Sioned Williams, who chairs the cross-party group on learning disability, criticised ministers’ “half-hearted, illogical and disappointing” responses to the committee’s recommendations.

She said: “It’s yet another example, unfortunately, of how changes and processes are put in place without consideration of the impact on disabled people.

“Because, in plain language, this is about discrimination.”

The Plaid Cymru politician emphasised: “This isn’t a matter of inconvenience … people don’t have a choice and this is having an emotional impact which is unacceptable.”

Rhys ab Owen, an independent, said: “Changing habits and technological developments can never be an excuse to ignore the needs of the people that we need to safeguard most.”

Hannah Blythyn recognised many of the powers are reserved to Westminster but she urged the Welsh Government to consider what more could be done.

Mike Hedges, a fellow Labour backbencher, supported the petition as he encouraged ministers to state that all public bodies should take cash.

Calling for choice, he said cash helps households budget and promotes careful spending.

The Conservatives’ Laura Anne Jones said: “While the move towards a cashless society may seem inevitable, it’s clear that it doesn’t work for everybody….

“This isn’t about halting progress, this is about ensuring fairness and compassion.”

Plaid Cymru’s Heledd Fychan urged ministers to include offering a cash option in remit letters to arm’s-length public bodies such as the Arts Council of Wales.

In its response ahead of the debate on October 23, the Welsh Government said it does not have the legal levers to ensure all bodies in receipt of public funds accept cash payments.

Jane Hutt, Wales’ social justice secretary, committed to a meeting with Mencap Cymru, saying she would be keen to explore the public sector equality duty.

She told the Senedd: “I see this as a key social justice issue.”

Pressed on the impact of Transport for Wales’ new fine system on disabled people who may not be able to buy a ticket at railway stations, Ms Hutt said she would take up the issue.

All-women battle to be Pembrokeshire’s next leader

Published

15 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PEMBROKESHIRE council leader Cllr Jon Harvey, who announced he is to step down and not seek re-election, has backed Cabinet member Cllr Tessa Hodgson as his successor.

Pembroke St Mary North member Cllr Harvey became leader in May 2024 after narrowly beating fellow leadership hopeful Conservative group leader Di Clements by 30 votes to 27.

Cllr Harvey replaced Cllr David Simpson as leader.

Following his decision to step down, Cllr Harvey said: “It has been a fantastic two years, a real honour and privilege to lead the council, working with a talented and committed cabinet.

“After much thought and reflection, I feel now is the right time to make way for someone else to lead the council through the next 12 months to the local government elections in May 2027.”

With Cllr Harvey not remaining as leader, three nominations have been received for the all-women leadership battle at the May 15 AGM: Conservative Group Leader Cllr Di Clements, unaffiliated member and current Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Cllr Tessa Hodgson, and Leader of the Independent Group Cllr Anji Tinley.

Cllr Harvey has backed Cllr Hodgson for the top job.

He said: “We are living through turbulent times, and following the Senedd election next week, we will almost certainly have a new government in Cardiff, and we need leadership and a cabinet in Pembrokeshire, that has experience and is able to build on the great work already in progress, and that is why I will be 100 per cent supporting Tessa in her bid to become the next Leader.”

Cllr Hodgson was first elected in 2012 as the member for Lamphey and is currently the cabinet member for adult social care and safeguarding.

Cllr Anji Tinley (Image: Pembrokeshire County Council.)

Cllr Hodgson said: “I was sad to hear that Jon had decided not to seek re-election – he has much to be proud of and it has been great to serve in his cabinet and to work alongside him with such a dedicated team of cabinet colleagues.

“Should I be successful in my bid to be leader, I would look to build on the successes of the last nine years and use my experience, energy and ideas to lead the council through the next 12 months and to work collaboratively with all members in the best interests of Pembrokeshire.”

Fellow hopeful for the leader role, Cllr Clements gave her reasons why she should lead: “My Conservative Group are laser-focussed on making sure the people of Pembrokeshire get value for their money, delivering good statutory services and tackling the failure of leadership on education seen in Pembrokeshire.

Cllr Di Clements. (Image: Pembrokeshire County Council.)

“People I talk to are concerned about making ends meet and are worried that our local economy is stagnating.

“In these particularly challenging times, we need to make sure that our council tax is as low as practicably possible so they have more money in their pockets and prove to them that the council can spend their hard-earned money more wisely on services that really matter to the residents whom we serve.

“Resident’s priorities are our priorities.”

Leader Cllr Jon Harvey. (Image: Pembrokeshire County Council.)

Cllr Tinley has been contacted for a statement.

When Cllr Harvey’s decision became public, former leader of the Independent Group on Pembrokeshire County Council Cllr Huw Murphy, in a statement, claimed Cllr Havery has been removed in a “coup”.

Cllr Harvey has denied any ‘coup’ taking place, saying: “Honestly, I had to laugh at this statement by Cllr Murphy. I’ve enjoyed my time as Leader immensely and I am proud of my record, but I have done a full leadership term.

“The decision to stand down and not seek re-election was mine and mine alone and I’m looking forward to supporting Cllr Tessa Hodgson at the AGM.”

Business

Pembrokeshire Paddle West South Quay boat shed approved

Published

15 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PADDLEBOARDING and canoeing company’s call for an extension to a boat shed at Pembroke’s South Quay, below its historic castle, has been given the go-ahead by county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, G Booth of Paddle West CIC, through agent James Dwyer Associates, sought permission for an extension to the stone-built boathouse, adjacent to the cliff on South Quay fronting the Mill Pond, Pembroke.

A supporting statement said: “It is intended to erect a single storey ‘lean-to’ building, or ‘shed’ for the storage of boats, such as canoes and kayaks, and related equipment, on a vacant space adjacent to the existing stone-built boathouse.”

It added: “The boathouse and the intended adjacent boat storage shed is located, as is to be expected, in close proximity to water, the Mill Pond. The Mill Pond is the main area of activity for Paddle West, a Community Interest Company, providing boating activities, kayaking, canoeing and paddle boarding, frequently for young people and families.”

It went on to say: “It is intended that the structure would be lightweight, erected on the exiting hard standing. The ‘shed’ would be used for the storage of boats and related equipment.”

With regard to the historic setting, it added: “Although the stone-built boathouse appears not to be listed, it is recognised that the walls above are listed and together they are a piece.

“Accordingly, through form and external materials proposed, timber cladding and profile sheet roofing, the aim is to ensure that the structure would be subservient and muted and not detract or compete with the visual aesthetic of the boathouse or historic walls. In effect the addition would blend into the background.”

The application, supported by Pembroke Town Council, was conditionally approved by county planners.

The boathouse is sited near to the new Henry Tudor Centre in South Quay, which is due to open in Spring 2027.

The centre, expected to receive around 30,000 visitors a year, will tell the story of Henry Tudor, son of Pembroke, his Welsh ancestry and his impact on our national story, Welsh culture and our wider British heritage.

The restored derelict South Quay buildings will also house a new library and community café, and a healthcare, social services and supported employment facility in the adjoining premises.

News

Palestine pledge signed by 115 Senedd candidates

Published

1 day ago

May 2, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MORE than 100 candidates standing in next week’s Senedd election have signed a pledge in support of Palestinian rights, including backing calls for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel.

Palestine Solidarity Campaign Cymru said 115 candidates had signed its “Senedd Palestine Pledge” so far.

The signatories include 46 Green candidates, 37 Plaid Cymru candidates, eight Liberal Democrats, six Labour candidates and five independents.

The pledge commits candidates, if elected, to “take all appropriate steps” to uphold the rights of the Palestinian people, oppose what PSC describes as Israel’s crimes of genocide and apartheid, and ensure the Welsh Government is not complicit, including through support for the Palestinian-led call for boycott, divestment and sanctions.

Prominent candidates listed by the campaign include Wales Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter, former Senedd Members Mike Hedges, Sioned Williams, Llyr Gruffydd, Sian Gwenllian and Heledd Fychan, former MP Beth Winter, and Rob Griffiths of the Communist Party of Britain.

PSC Cymru said the pledge was particularly relevant under the new closed proportional list system, where voters choose parties or independent candidates rather than individual party candidates.

According to the campaign, the pledge has been signed by two Labour, three Liberal Democrat, ten Plaid Cymru and 12 Green first-placed candidates.

The organisation said the issue had direct relevance to the Senedd because of concerns previously raised over Welsh Government funding linked to companies involved in the F-35 fighter jet supply chain.

Bethan Sayed, co-chair of Palestine Solidarity Campaign Cymru, said: “Reaching 100 pledges is a milestone. It is a clear message that Palestine is on the ballot in this Senedd election.

“Wales has always aspired to be a nation that stands on the right side of history, a globally responsible nation that holds human rights and international law at its heart. These 100-plus candidates are giving real meaning to that aspiration.

“Support for Palestinian rights stretches across every community and every constituency in Wales. Polls show public backing for this issue. Voters will be watching closely to see who has the conviction to stand with them.

“To those candidates who have not yet signed: the time to act is now. This is a test of moral leadership. We urge every remaining candidate to sign the pledge before polling day.”