Politics
£1.5m for safe and warm hubs across Wales

£1.5m has been announced by the Welsh Government to support and expand safe and warm places for people of all ages to access within local communities.
The hubs, which are across Wales, provide spaces for people to be able to socialise and access services and advice over the coming months.
These have been variously referred to as Warm Hubs, Warm Welcome Centres, Warm Spaces, Croeso Cynnes and Cosy Corners.
The funding builds on what is already on offer at hubs in communities and will help support centres in several ways, ranging from offering refreshments and food, to funding additional opening hours, for activities such as exercise and art or to learn new skills.
These are inviting, open and inclusive places which are available for all in the community to benefit, with the focus being on identifying and delivering to local need.
The £1.5m will be distributed to local authorities, through the Welsh Local Government Association, for a range of venues including in the statutory and voluntary sectors such as faith, sport and community venues.
This investment is part of the wider Welsh Government package of support for people across Wales including the Discretionary Assistance Fund, Single Advice Fund Services, and Fuel Vouchers Scheme.
Over 850 spaces were established across Wales during late 2022 and early 2023, providing support to over 117,000 people. This funding helps build on that.
Social Justice Secretary, Jane Hutt said: “The £1.5m I am announcing today will help ensure there will continue to be places for people to go in local communities across Wales.
“They will support individuals and families, bringing people together and helping to combat issues such as loneliness and offer advice including on dealing with the cost-of-living, eligibility and accessing benefits.
“I have seen the important role these hubs have to play in the makeup of local areas, welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds. I am pleased we are providing funding which will help build on what we have previously provided, and which will see them continue to offer their important services for the benefit of the people they serve.”
Councillor Lis Burnett, Welsh Local Government Association Presiding Member said: “We are grateful to the Welsh Government for providing this funding which will help to ensure that these vital spaces are maintained.
“These hubs have provided a lifeline for many residents and families right across Wales. I’m pleased that this funding will enable councils to continue to deliver these spaces alongside the range of other support delivered locally. I would advise any residents who would like to find out more to get in touch with their local authority.”
David Barclay, Warm Welcome Campaign Director, said: “The Warm Welcome Campaign’s ambition is for everyone to find a place of connection in their community. These spaces are a lifeline for people, and we’re delighted that the Welsh Government is investing £1.5m to expand its support for inclusive, warm, welcoming, and safe spaces right across Wales.
“We know the demand for these hubs will be high and we look forward to working with the Welsh Government in raising awareness of these vital spaces.”
To find out more about hubs in your area please contact your relevant local authority
News
Flats plans for former Wesleyan Chapel school, Haverfordwest

PLANS to convert the Sunday School building of Haverfordwest’s former Wesleyan Chapel, once the site of a regular place for preaching by John Wesley himself, to six flats have been lodged with Pembrokeshire County Council.
An application to council planners, which has no clear details about the applicant, listing Vitaly + Partners ltd as either the applicant or the agent, seeks the conversion of the Chapel Lane building.
Accompanying documents say Haverfordwest was a regular place of preaching for John Wesley, the founding father of Methodism, first visiting in 1763, with the first chapel built in 1772. By 1781 there were 60 members in the town, the largest congregation in the Pembrokeshire Circuit.
The chapel was rebuilt in 1818 and enlarged in 1835; the adjoining schoolroom built in 1874, with further chapel works in 1880-1.
The chapel closed in 1985 and the interior was stripped for use as an antiques showroom.
A heritage statement accompanying the application says: “The works on internal alternations of former school building started in 2014 after planning permission was approved. Then other records show that works has re-started in 2020. There are previous building inspector assessment notes available for more details. Since there has been numerous of owners and works started again in 2024.”
It adds: “The main factor to support proposed development is in fact it was approved few times in the past. The works already began, and the original layout and external elements are already altered.
“The building was abandoned and not maintained in any way. It did not look pretty and had a negative impact on the residents of the town. The building has had its original use adopted numerous of times to suit the needs of the particular time period and serve the town accordingly.
“The maintenance work to the building has already shown how much cleaner and more beautiful the building appearance became and it has had good impact on the residents who shared their views on social media talking positively about the renovation works on the building.”
The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.
News
Hundreds oppose plans for traveller site near Saundersfoot

A PETITION against a proposed traveller site on the edge of Saundersfoot has gathered nearly 300 signatures, with strong opposition also voiced by the village’s community council.
The application, set to be reviewed by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners, seeks to establish a site at Froghall Yard, Moreton Lane. It includes provisions for one static caravan, one touring caravan, a utility room, and ecological enhancements. The plans, submitted by applicant Dai Evans from Pontypool via Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, are partly retrospective.
At a recent council meeting, around 50 residents attended as members unanimously voted to reject the proposal. The council argues the land has remained agricultural for over 30 years and should not be repurposed.
Concerns have also been raised about the site’s visibility from Incline Way, making it difficult to screen from view. Additionally, councillors expressed frustration over extensive clearance work already carried out, including the removal of mature trees and potential disturbance to a badger habitat.
“This area plays a vital role in the village’s landscape, and allowing development here could set a dangerous precedent across the National Park,” the council warned.
The proposal follows two previous unsuccessful applications for development on the same site.
News
Free speech upheld as Ombudsman dismisses complaint against councillor

A COMPLAINT lodged by Pembrokeshire councillor Alan Dennison against a fellow councillor has been firmly dismissed by the Ombudsman, reaffirming the right to free political speech.

Cllr Dennison, a member of the Independent Political Group (IPG), had accused another councillor—Cllr Mike Stoddart—of bringing the office of councillor into disrepute and holding a prejudicial interest during a recent Planning Delegation Panel (PDP) meeting. However, the Ombudsman ruled that the complaint had no substance, confirming that the comments in question were protected under freedom of expression laws.
The dispute stems from recent exchanges on the Pembrokeshire Council Watch (PCW) Facebook page, where criticism was levelled at the IPG’s role in pushing through a 9% council tax increase on March 6. Cllr Dennison was reportedly unhappy with Cllr Stoddart’s scrutiny of the deal between the IPG and the council cabinet, which resulted in the tax hike.
Matters escalated when Cllr Dennison challenged Cllr Stoddart over his own stance on the budget. The councillor had supported a 7.5% increase proposed by the Conservatives but did not put forward an alternative budget himself—something Dennison took issue with. However, Cllr Stoddart pointed out that the IPG had similarly voted down a 12.5% increase in 2024 without proposing their own budget, branding the criticism as hypocrisy.
PLANNING PANEL DISPUTE
The rift deepened following a PDP meeting where Cllr Dennison sought to move a planning application for Imperial Hall Ltd on Hamilton Terrace from delegated powers to full committee scrutiny. The request was unusual as it would typically be made by the local councillor, Cllr Terry Davies, who had a declared prejudicial interest in the matter.
Cllr Stoddart, who also sat on the PDP, raised concerns over Cllr Dennison’s role, noting that he was listed as an employee of Imperial Hall Ltd on his councillor register of interests. Planning officers responded that his employment had ended some time ago but had not been updated on the register.
Shortly after the Facebook exchanges, Cllr Stoddart says he received an email from the Ombudsman’s office informing him of a formal complaint filed by Cllr Dennison regarding his conduct at the PDP meeting. The complaint had two parts: first, that Cllr Stoddart had a prejudicial interest due to a past electoral contest against Imperial Hall’s director Lee Bridges, and second, that his comments about the PDP process were inappropriate.
The Ombudsman dismissed both elements of the complaint, ruling that participating in the same election nearly three years ago did not establish a prejudicial interest. The decision also reaffirmed that political speech is protected under the Human Rights Act 1998, shielding councillors from attempts to silence debate.
HISTORIC FREE SPEECH CASE
This latest case draws parallels with a landmark legal battle fought by former councillor Malcolm Calver, who was reprimanded in 2015 for criticising Manorbier Community Council’s handling of a grant-related survey. Despite his statements being factually accurate, he was found to have brought the office into disrepute.
Refusing to accept the decision, Calver took the matter to the High Court, where Justice Beatson ruled that his comments, while ‘mocking and sarcastic,’ fell under the legal protection of political speech. The ruling reinforced that elected representatives and senior council officers should expect robust scrutiny.
The case, now known as Calver v Public Services Ombudsman for Wales, has since been cited in legal studies on freedom of expression.
The tradition of defending free speech in Pembrokeshire dates back even further. The Tenby Observer played a crucial role in securing press access to council meetings, following a legal challenge against Tenby Corporation in the early 1900s. Though the challenge was unsuccessful, it led to the passing of the Local Authorities (Admission to Meetings) Act 1908, ensuring greater transparency in local government.
A WIN FOR DEMOCRATIC DEBATE
Following the Ombudsman’s ruling, Cllr Stoddart, who has written a column about the matter, has framed the failed complaint as an attempt to stifle legitimate scrutiny of the council’s decisions. He stated: “Nice try, but no cigar.”
The decision serves as a reminder that councillors must be prepared to face public accountability without resorting to complaints aimed at silencing debate.
Cover image:
Cllr Mike Stoddart: Cleared of any wrong doing by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales
-
News23 hours ago
Campaigners urge Welsh Government to end animal testing
-
Education1 day ago
Former Ysgol y Preseli headmaster passes following battle with cancer
-
Crime5 days ago
Calls for urgent reform as violence among teens rises in Wales
-
Top News6 days ago
Pembrokeshire man sentenced for driving four times over drink-drive limit
-
News5 days ago
Delays to Wales’ tribunal system ‘deeply troubling’
-
Community22 hours ago
Much-loved radio DJ and entertainer Matt Baker passes away
-
Crime6 days ago
Milford man jailed for hurling racial insults during verbal attack
-
Business6 days ago
Auditor general criticises ‘irregular’ Industry Wales accounts