Community

Only three anti-social behaviour warnings in Haverfordwest in two years

Published

1 min ago

December 18, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

DESCRIBED as a “waste of taxpayers’ money”, a protection order introduced in the centre of Haverfordwest to tackle antisocial behaviour has been “an unnecessary tool” which only resulted in three warnings in two years.

Prior to its backing in mid-2022, a plan to introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in Haverfordwest town centre had been under discussion for some time, with a public consultation on the matter, as well as previous debates by Pembrokeshire County Council.

The proposals were brought by the town’s then five county councillors, initially prompted by anti-social behaviour and drinking issues at the skate park but later expanded to a large part of the town centre, and were developed in partnership with Dyfed-Powys Police.

Claims had previously been made that “gangs of feral children are roaming around town”, with members of the public subject to verbal and physical abuse in Haverfordwest, and a “criminal element” dealing drugs in the town.

The PSPO gives police and PCSOs additional powers for three years to issue a fixed penalty notice of £100 if someone fails to comply with a request to cease consumption of intoxicating substances in a designated area.

At the time, Cllr Jacob Williams said on “civil liberties grounds” he was shocked to see what was being proposed.

“I think this is way over the top and not a proportionate response,” he said.

The PSPO area includes the Withybush retail area, the river alongside Morrisons, Barn Street, Horsefair roundabout, Rifleman Field, skatepark, Fortunes Frolic and out to the train station.

The December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council received a submitted question by Independent Group leader Cllr Huw Murphy, who had opposed the scheme.

“At full council on July 14, 2022 a decision was made to implement a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) within certain areas of Haverfordwest.

“A Partnership Panel held on May 23, 2024, received confirmation that since this PSPO was implemented there have been no prosecutions or fixed penalties issued. There was a cost implication in implementing this PSPO for PCC, money that we can ill afford to spend when ample legislation exists for dealing with antisocial behaviour.

“Therefore, can it be agreed that in future such applications are given greater scrutiny to avoid further waste of taxpayers’ money and what actually reduces antisocial behaviour is increased pro-active policing not more legislation?”

Responding to Cllr Murphy’s question Cllr Williams, now Cabinet Member for Planning & Regulatory Services, said he agreed with the questioner.

“Cllr Murphy and I were among several who opposed this introduction, among the things I said was I was aghast at this proposal which had snowballed; I would’ve been in support around the skate park rather than the town.”

He added: “The way the council was proceeding was not justified and I voted against it; as Cllr Murphy’s question states there have been no prosecutions, but on three occasions police have warned people about offences.”

Cllr Williams said any potential renewing of the order – up for review next year – would go to scrutiny committee before coming before council, “should there be an appetite for this PSPO to be renewed”.

He concluded: “It could be argued there’s no prosecutions so it’s worked; but only three persons have been warned [by police], I think that paints a story that it was probably not only was not a success but probably a tool that was not necessary.”

Community

Derelict Pembroke play area could be turned into allotments

Published

22 mins ago

December 18, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL by a Pembrokeshire town council to be allowed to site allotments on a county council-owned derelict play area is to be considered by planners.

In an application submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council, Pembroke Town Council is seeking permission for a partly retrospective change of use of the former local authority play area on land to the rear of Station Road, Pembroke to 20 allotments.

A supporting statement accompanying the application says: “The area was a former local authority play area and has not had play equipment or been open to the public for over 20 years. Due to demand of allotments, we the town council have leased the land from Pembrokeshire County Council as a community growing area. The land will be divided into around 20 plots. There will also be a 1.5m wide pedestrian path, going through the middle of the field to access the individual plots.

“The site is in a state of unkemptness due to restricted access and a lack of use by any departments in the authority for at least the last decade. PCC own the site, and Environmental Services are Asset Managers. On the whole the site is in remarkably good condition and requires very little intervention as a proposed allotment.”

It adds: “Only pedestrian access is possible to the site, however this makes highly suitable to offer to local residents, which would be preferential. Delivering items to the site may be hindered but tenants are asked only to take what they’ll use to an allotment site to prevent refuse accumulating, and the gateway is wide enough to accommodate wheelbarrows.

“With regards to allotments, we tend to provide an area of land ’as seen’, it would be a tenant’s responsibility to tidy the plot and rid it of weeds and unwanted green growth, and deal with composting accordingly.”

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

Community

Ben Lake MP visits postal workers during Christmas rush

Published

6 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Tom Sinclair

BEN LAKE MP visited postal workers at the Llandysul Delivery Office last Friday (Dec 13) to show his support and gain insight into their operations during the festive season—the busiest time of the year for Royal Mail.

The holiday period sees Royal Mail handle around double its usual volume of letters and parcels, as people send Christmas cards and shop for gifts online. To meet this seasonal surge, the Llandysul Delivery Office has hired four extra vehicles, while Royal Mail nationally has recruited 16,000 temporary workers and introduced nearly 4,000 additional vans, trucks, and trailers.

During the visit, Ben Lake spoke with Ryan Goellnitz, Customer Operations Manager, about Royal Mail’s efforts to enhance convenience for customers. These include services like Parcel Collect—where posties collect parcels directly from customers’ doorsteps—and the introduction of over 5,000 new parcel drop-off points this year, including at Collect+ stores and parcel lockers.

Ryan Goellnitz said:
“It was great to have Ben visit our Delivery Office and show him how we are gearing up for our peak period. We are pulling out all the stops to deliver Christmas for our customers.”

Ben Lake, MP for Ceredigion Preseli, praised the dedication of the postal workers:
“It was a pleasure to visit the Llandysul Delivery Office and witness the incredible volume of post managed by Royal Mail, not only here but across the country. This is an essential service year-round, but the effort and planning to ensure smooth operations during Christmas are extraordinary.

“I am immensely grateful for their tireless efforts and dedication, which deserve to be fully recognised. The visit gave me real appreciation for the hard work and commitment of everyone involved.”

Royal Mail’s preparations for Christmas are a year-long effort, ensuring the postal service continues to meet the festive demand.

Community

Early-bird tickets are released for SPAN Arts’ Narberth A Cappella Festival 2025!

Published

11 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Richard Lewis

SPAN ARTS is delighted to announce the return of the Narberth A Cappella Festival for March 2025. This spectacular and unique festival returns to the town of Narberth for 2025, bringing wonderful A Cappella offerings to Pembrokeshire. Not only this but new for 2025 a tantalising Earlybird offer has just been launched, with discounted festival tickets, priority workshop booking and more!

The Narberth A Cappella Festival, organized by SPAN Arts, is Wales’s premier a cappella voice celebration, attracting participants from across the UK. With over 25 years of history, Narberth A Cappella Festival 2025 will focus on community voices, featuring the much-loved Singing Feast and vocal workshops led by world-renowned practitioners.

The festival will commence with our welcoming Singing Feast, an evening where you can enjoy delicious food, excellent company and joyful singing on the Friday night. On the Saturday you can join our singing workshops which bring talented vocalists to teach vocal sessions in both the morning and afternoon. In the evening, we close our festival with a concert that showcases community a cappella choirs, with a line-up of UK wide and local choirs for you to enjoy.

You will be able to book individual events when SPAN Arts launches their event tickets in the new year or book your “Festival Tickets” that will cover entry to every event across the festival.

But why wait till then? Book Earlybird Festival Ticket offer and secure your place now. Already available to purchase via their website this makes the perfect Christmas gift to give that unique experience to any music enthusiast.

With the Earlybird ticket offer, you can grab yourself a discounted festival ticket that covers all the events of the weekend. It also gets you priority booking for the limited places available at the singing workshops ahead of the general sales release in the new year.

All Earlybirds will also get a free tote bag on their arrival at the start of the festival! But hurry, this offer is only available through the Christmas period and finishes on the twelfth day of Christmas (6 January).

Keep an eye on their website and social media for more announcements about artists, performers and more over the next few weeks.

For more information contact [email protected] or call 01843 869323

The event will take place 7 – 8 March 2025 at the following locations:

Singing Feast: The Scout Hut, Town Moor, Narberth. SA67 7AG
Singing Workshops: Bethesda Baptist Church, High St, Narberth SA67 7AP
Final Concert: St Andrews Church, 17 Church St, Narberth SA67 7BH

Earlybird festival ticket £58. More tickets to be released in the New Year. Advanced booking required. Visit the SPAN Arts website to book.

Please contact [email protected] to discuss your accessibility needs. For ticket holders who need access support to attend, they offer a free ticket for their companion, carer or personal assistant. Contact 01834 869323 to book your carers ticket.