Community

Pembrokeshire waste centres could soon be open on fewer days

Published

4 weeks ago

November 13, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL for waste centre users across Pembrokeshire to “share the pain” in a cut in the number of days they are open rather than close St Davids’ recycling centre is being recommended to senior councillors.

Members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s policy pre-decision overview and scrutiny committee, at their November 12 meeting, received a report on the provision of recycling centres in the county, which had been referred from full council at its March budget meeting.

Back at that meeting, St Davids recycling centre, at risk of potential closure against a backdrop of severe budget pressures, was given a reprieve.

A report for the November committee, presented by Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett, said the council’s medium term financial plan identifies “a ‘most likely’ projected funding gap of £84.6m over the period 2024-25 to 2027-28,” with the council needing to deliver at least £70,000 of savings against the waste and recycling centres, adding: “if this is not possible this saving will be required to come from alternative areas within environmental services impacting on collection arrangements and services provided across Pembrokeshire.”

Four options were presented to the committee: no change, with the £70,000 coming from other areas of the service; the closure of St Davids netting the £70,000; its closure along with reductions in the amount of days other centres at Winsel, Waterloo, Crane Cross and Hermon to save £110,000; the final option being a reduction in the number of days all were open, but keeping St Davids running, saving the £70,000.

The choice of the options, complicated by various capital investment requirements for the sites, before committee would take the form of a recommendation to the council’s Cabinet before a final decision is made.

Members heard many objections to the closure of St Davids had been received, with the city council “unanimously” opposed to it on many grounds, including its use by both the Coastguard and the RNLI for the disposal of maritime debris, and the distances involved for members of the public to use the other facilities.

Nearby local county councillor, Cllr Mark Carter of Solva said he had never seen as many responses to an issue in his seven-and-a-half years as a councillor, proposing the fourth option, later described as “a sharing of pain across all sites” be submitted to Cabinet.

He said the facility at St Davids was much valued by local residents.

“They understand Pembrokeshire County Council has got a severe financial problem, they understand doing nothing is not an option; they understand that, I understand that,” said Cllr Carter, adding: “The problem we’ve got with the budget is a county-wide problem, it’s not St Davids exclusively; logic says we should not be inflicting all the pain on this peninsula.”

He was backed by fellow local councillor Cllr Bethan Price.

Members, by nine votes to three, backed the fourth option of a reduction in hours at all sites but keeping St Davids open, be recommended to Cabinet, expected to be heard at its December meeting.

Community

Welsh Government introduces new Bill to tackle mining legacy

Published

5 hours ago

December 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has today (Dec 9) introduced a landmark Bill to address safety issues arising from Wales’s disused mining tips. The Disused Mine and Quarry Tips (Wales) Bill, spearheaded by Deputy First Minister and Minister for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, proposes the creation of a dedicated Disused Tips Authority for Wales.

If enacted, the Authority would oversee the management, monitoring, and safety of disused coal and non-coal tips across the country. This would make Wales the first in the UK to establish a comprehensive framework for tip safety.

The proposed body would be a Welsh Government-sponsored organisation tasked with ensuring disused tips no longer pose risks to human welfare due to instability. It would handle the assessment, registration, monitoring, and long-term management of these sites.

A response to devastating landslides

The Bill follows a series of incidents, including the catastrophic landslide at Tylorstown in February 2020, when storms Ciara and Dennis triggered the collapse of a disused tip. Over 60,000 tonnes of debris fell into the Rhondda Fach River, leading to the creation of the Coal Tip Safety Task Force.

In its evaluation, the Law Commission concluded that existing legislation is inadequate for managing disused coal tips, recommending a comprehensive legal overhaul.

Tylorstown visit marks key moment

To mark the introduction of the Bill, Huw Irranca-Davies visited Tylorstown, the site of the 2020 landslide. Speaking from the location, he said:

“Wales has a proud mining heritage, and it is imperative that we have a structured approach to managing disused coal and non-coal tips to ensure they are safe and not a threat to our communities.

“These landslides, as well as the recent incident at Cwmtillery, illustrate the potential risks and concerns that disused tips present to the people living in their shadow.

“This Bill is about keeping communities safe and is part of a wider programme of work to improve the safety of disused coal tips. I look forward to working with MSs and stakeholders on the Bill’s proposals in the coming months.”

The scale of the challenge

Wales is home to 2,573 disused coal tips, with estimates suggesting there are more than 20,000 additional disused tips across the country. The proposed legislation is set to create a unified and proactive approach to managing these sites, safeguarding communities while preserving the country’s industrial legacy.

Community

Choir celebrates Christmas at annual fundraising concert

Published

7 hours ago

December 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A NARBERTH-BASED ladies’ choir is gearing up to headline a festive evening of music and cheer at the Regency Hall, Saundersfoot, on Friday, December 20.

Serendipity Ladies’ Choir, led by musical director Juliet Rossiter, will be joined by baritone Martyn Davies, young singers from Saundersfoot Primary School, and trombonist Ianto Evans for the seasonal celebration.

Founded eight years ago, the choir has grown to include 50 members who meet weekly for rehearsals in Narberth. Juliet, who has been with the choir for seven of its eight years, praised the group’s resilience, recalling the one Christmas concert she missed due to undergoing a kidney transplant.

“The choir managed brilliantly without me, of course,” said Juliet. “This year, we’ll be performing classic favourites like O Holy Night as well as some new pieces that are sure to amaze the audience.”

Serendipity’s Christmas Concert takes place at 7:30pm on Friday, December 20.

Tickets are £12 and will be available at the door.

Pictured above: Serendipity Ladies’ Choir from Narberth, pictured with musical director Juliet Rossiter (Pic: Supplied).

Community

Leisure centres open until 9:00pm to support those affected by Storm Darragh

Published

1 day ago

December 8, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE’S Leisure Centres are stepping in to provide essential services for those left without electricity or utilities following Storm Darragh. All centres, except Fishguard, will remain open until 9:00pm on Sunday, December 8, offering warm spaces and more to residents in need.

Facilities available include:

Warm spaces with free hot drinks.
Charging stations for electric devices.
Hot water, with visitors encouraged to bring flasks for filling.
Shower facilities for public use.

Locations and availability Leisure centres in the following areas will remain open:

Crymych
Haverfordwest
Milford Haven
Pembroke
St Davids
Tenby

Fishguard Leisure Centre remains closed due to storm damage. As an alternative, Letterston Memorial Hall will offer limited facilities until 9:00pm.

Normal service resumes tomorrow

From Monday, December 9, all centres will resume their usual opening hours, with the exception of Fishguard, which will remain closed until repairs are completed.

For further updates, visit the Pembrokeshire Leisure website.

(Cover image: Martin Cavaney)