News
Wales Coast app finds winner
A photo competition , launched to celebrate the new version of Keep Wales Tidy’s Wales Coast App, crowned an overall winner at an event held in Pembrokeshire on Thursday 2nd October. The ‘Love The Welsh Coast’ competition saw people from all over Wales submit their best Welsh coastal images for a chance to win a night’s stay at the famous St Brides Spa Hotel, recently voted best place to stay in Wales by the National Tourism Awards for Wales 2013.
The lucky winner, Kelly Osbourne was chosen at the exhibition at St Bride’s Hotel by judges Jane Davidson (Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor for Sustainability and Engagement at Trinity St David’s) and David Wilson Pembrokeshire Professional Photographer, for her creative and personal depiction of ‘Love The Welsh Coast’.
Stephen Crabb, MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire said: “It is exciting to see this new app being developed which I have no doubt will be a huge asset for anyone using the all Wales path. Pembrokeshire is blessed with amazing beaches, stunning scenery and welcoming people – and this app will help visitors to our county experience these things to the full.” The unique Wales Coast App has been developed by Keep Wales Tidy, with funding from Visit Wales and Natural Resources Wales by Living Data.
The latest version of the Wales Coast App contains all the information you need to enjoy the Welsh coast. The only app to contain detailed information on 153 beaches across Wales, it also provides information on: how to get there, the coast awards they hold, the public facilities such as toilets, car parks and lifeguards, as well as the nearby wildlife and historical attractions. This is the first time that this level of detail and information has been collected for the entire Welsh coast. With the recent success of the Wales Coast Path, avid walkers will like the fact that the App also measures the route and gradient of the Coast Path, allowing you to map your progress and access live weather links and tide timetables.
Because the smart phone knows the user’s location, the App can also find the nearest beach and allow the user to search for the particular facilities that they are looking for. The app also functions without mobile phone coverage, allowing walkers to use it along the entire Wales Coastal Path. The ‘Love The Welsh Coast’ exhibition will be available to view at Coppet Hall, Saundersfoot until Friday 31st October 2014. As well as unveiling the exhibition, the event announced an exclusive partnership between Keep Wales Tidy and National Trust. Lesley Jones, Chief Executive for Keep Wales Tidy said: “We have witnessed an array of awards for our beautiful beaches here in Wales.
People want to know where to find Blue Flag, Green Coast and Seaside Awarded beaches this summer, as well as finding out about the local area, facilities and amenities. The Wales Coast App is the perfect tool for walkers, families and individuals looking to explore the Welsh coast.” The Wales Coast App is available now to download on the Apple App Store and the Android Play Store, start your adventure now and love the welsh coast.
News
Biggest employment reforms in a generation unveiled
THE UK GOVERNMENT has announced sweeping changes to tackle unemployment and economic inactivity with the launch of the Get Britain Working White Paper today (Nov 26).
Backed by £240 million, the reforms aim to achieve an 80% employment rate by addressing the root causes of joblessness, transforming Jobcentres, and improving mental health support.
The overhaul comes as stark figures reveal that 1.5 million people are unemployed, over nine million are inactive, and a record 2.8 million are out of work due to long-term sickness.
Tackling health and inactivity
With long-term ill health identified as a key driver of economic inactivity, the reforms will expand NHS mental health services and boost preventative healthcare.
An additional 8,500 mental health professionals will be deployed, while access to therapies and other support will reach 140,000 more people by 2029. Inactivity hotspots will see extra NHS resources to cut waiting lists and help people return to work.
Transforming Jobcentres
The outdated Jobcentre system will be replaced with a National Jobs and Careers Service, focused on helping people develop skills and build careers rather than managing benefit claims.
A £55 million investment will modernize Jobcentres, introducing advanced digital tools and personalized coaching services.
Liz Kendall, Work and Pensions Secretary, said: “To get Britain growing, we need to get Britain working again. Our reforms will break down barriers to opportunity, boost jobs and growth, and ensure everyone benefits from the dignity work brings.”
Youth Guarantee
The reforms include a Youth Guarantee, ensuring every 18-21-year-old has access to quality training, apprenticeships, or education.
The initiative is backed by £45 million and partnerships with organizations such as the Premier League and Channel 4. It will also revamp the Apprenticeship Levy into a flexible Growth and Skills Levy, creating new opportunities for young people in key sectors.
Local empowerment
Trailblazer areas, including South Yorkshire, the North East, and Wales, will pioneer the reforms, using tailored plans to address regional challenges. Local authorities and mayors will also receive funding to develop bespoke employment support programmes.
Disability inclusion
The government has committed to helping disabled people and those with long-term health conditions enter and stay in work. An independent review will look at how employers can better support these workers and reduce barriers to employment.
Government’s ambition
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “From the broken NHS to flatlining employment, this government inherited a country that wasn’t working. Today, we’ve set out a plan to fix it.
“We’re overhauling Jobcentres, fixing the NHS, and giving young people the skills and opportunities they need to succeed. Our reforms are about meaningful change, helping people into decent, well-paid jobs, and unlocking growth for all.”
The reforms, Kendall said, “put work at the heart of Britain’s renewal,” aiming to create a healthier, wealthier nation where everyone can benefit from the opportunities work provides.
The Herald understands these reforms could pave the way for a stronger workforce and economy, addressing years of stagnation and rising inactivity.
News
Audit report flags financial risks for cash-strapped Pembrokeshire County Council
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL’S financial future is under scrutiny following an extremely critical report by Audit Wales, which warns of mounting risks due to the authority’s reliance on reserves and failure to address underlying budget pressures. The Financial Sustainability Review, published in October 2024, raises concerns about the council’s ability to deliver services and secure long-term financial stability.
The council’s decision to reduce the planned Council Tax increase for 2023-24 from 16.3% to 12.5% is highlighted as a key issue. Paragraph 22 of the report states:
“The revised 2023-24 budget was therefore balanced using reserves to fund the shortfall between income and expenditure. This has implications for the sustainability of the Council’s finances, as the approach does not address the underlying causes of the funding gap.”
Short-term fixes, long-term consequences
Audit Wales identifies several factors contributing to the council’s precarious position:
- Depleting Reserves: Reserve balances are projected to fall sharply, undermining the council’s financial resilience.
- Unaddressed Funding Gap: The Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2024-28 outlines projected deficits but lacks clear solutions to close these gaps.
- Low Council Tax Rates: Pembrokeshire has some of the lowest Council Tax rates in Wales, limiting revenue growth.
- Future Tax Burden: Reduced tax increases in the short term may result in steeper hikes in future years to recover lost revenue.
- Challenging Budget Decisions: The decision to suspend standing orders to amend the MTFP raises questions about governance and transparency.
Audit Wales warns that without a robust, long-term strategy, the council will struggle to prioritize funding and address the structural challenges threatening its financial sustainability.
Impact on residents and services
The report underscores the implications of the council’s financial approach for local residents and services. While reducing the tax increase may have provided short-term relief to taxpayers, it comes at the cost of further reliance on reserves and the potential for drastic measures in future budgets. These could include severe cuts to essential services or substantial tax hikes, placing significant strain on the community.
Additionally, overspending in key service areas adds to the challenges, as rising costs and demand continue to outpace available funding. Audit Wales emphasizes that the council’s reliance on reserves only delays difficult decisions, creating greater risks in the years ahead.
Call for urgent action
Audit Wales recommends urgent steps to develop a comprehensive financial strategy that addresses these issues and ensures sustainability. The council must reduce its dependency on reserves, identify alternative funding sources, and implement measures to close the funding gap.
Pembrokeshire County Council has yet to respond publicly to the report. Residents and stakeholders now await clarity on how the authority plans to address these critical concerns and safeguard the county’s financial future.
This report highlights the challenges local authorities face amid rising costs and limited income, placing Pembrokeshire under the spotlight as it navigates turbulent financial waters.
News
Wales v Ireland – how to follow all the action on TV
AS WALES look to take-on the Republic of Ireland in the Play-off final for UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, viewers and listeners can follow all the action on the BBC. Rhian Wilkinson’s team will embark on arguably the most important fixtures in their history as they look to secure qualification for their first major tournament.
The first leg on Friday, 29 November at the Cardiff City Stadium is live on BBC One Wales, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru, all from 7pm.
The second leg at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin on Tuesday, 3 December will be broadcast live on BBC One Wales and BBC Three from 7.15pm. On radio there will be live commentary on radio Wales Sport and Chwaraeon Radio Cymru from 7pm.
Reflecting on the coverage of the matches over the next few days Cymru Head Coach Rhian Wilkinson said: “As the oft used saying goes, you cannot be what you cannot see, and that’s the gap the Welsh Women’s national Team fill when they play at home and when they are given prime viewership time on our televisions. These women have punched above their weight for a decade, a team that runs on pride and passion for their country, a team that knows nothing but giving their all for their flag.
“These women will not only step out onto the field at Cardiff City Stadium to take a step closer to making history in qualifying for Euro 2025, but will also once again be the face of what might be for so many young Welsh women. Their faces, their pride, front and centre on Welsh TVs. These women are the heroines of a generation on women here in Wales, building a pathway and a normalcy for female sporting excellence in this great country of ours.”
Broadcast details:
29 November, (ko) 7.15pm. Wales v Republic of Ireland (first leg)
Match Of The Day Wales, BBC One Wales and BBC iPlayer from 7pm
Radio Wales Sport and Chwaraeon Radio Cymru from 7pm
3 December, (ko) 7.30pm. Republic of Ireland v Wales (second leg)
BBC One Wales, BBC Three and BBC iPlayer from 7.15pm
Radio Wales Sport and Chwaraeon Radio Cymru from 7pm
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