News

Rowlands criticises ‘negativity’ about council

Published

10 years ago

December 1, 2014

Tom Sinclair

Ambitions for Johnston: Ken Rowlands.

AN OUTSPOKEN email from Johnston Councillor Ken Rowlands to other County Councillors, in which he engaged in wide ranging criticism of perceived bias on the part of this newspaper and the ‘negative’ approach of several councillors, was recently sent to The Herald. In a noisy member’s room at County Hall, our Assistant Editor Jon Coles met with Ken Rowlands.

Their conversation was wide-ranging and, in its course, Cllr Rowlands made a number of observations and trenchant criticisms both of media coverage of the scandals that have engulfed County Hall and his fellow councillors: “In local politics, I would say that national parties are redundant. Constituency parties have to be ‘on message’, and that message might have little to do with local communities. In 2008, I had been assured by the Labour Welsh Government that a new road, which was desperately needed, would be built. When it became clear that promise was to be broken I could not remain. My critics say I joined the Independent Group that I once criticised. That is wrong. When I joined the council, I had little time for the then executive group.

But that group changed, there was a real sense of working together across parties. The executive became much more inclusive and there was more camaraderie here. I was able to speak to people and get things done. What has happened since then, especially since 2012, is that things have been more confrontational. Nobody could really disagree that the executive should be held to account, but to be negative, negative, negative and not also say what is right is just wrong. The people have been wound up to feel that the Council is not representing them properly.

I honestly think that the whole picture is not being put before the people of Pembrokeshire. Some councillors are following a national political agenda and not serving Pembrokeshire. I am afraid that local issues are being used to further national political ends.” We put it to Cllr Rowlands that he had to accept that criticisms were justified, both in the light of events that had been brought to light and other issues that arose in the course of the last eighteen months: “I think what is tending to happen is that there has been a concerted effort among certain people who are rather negative and that those who have only the interests of Pembrokeshire and its people at heart have not responded to those criticisms as they should have done.

You are not arguing not only with another a member, but with another member and his blog followers and other members with their relationship to other media. Add all those together and it becomes bias. I am not making excuses, there were problems that had to be addressed. But if you look across Wales and the UK, there are other places where matters have been really unacceptable but they have not been criticised in the same way.

I am not saying there was not any reason for these criticisms, there have been some positive results. But there has no regard been given to the efforts of staff across Pembrokeshire to address these issues.” His departure from the Education brief in April has been the cause of a great deal of comment on social media and around County Hall. One version of events has Cllr Rowlands fuming at being removed from the Cabinet. His take on events is somewhat different: “When I left the Cabinet, we had been under a great deal of pressure during a period of upheaval in the County’s education and a corner had been turned.

The whole of our authority – officers, staff, and members – had worked closely together to change the situation. It had been a heavy period of time and when I came to the time I stood down, both Jamie and I felt I was unwell and we agreed I should take a back seat for a while. That does not mean that I will take a back seat forever!” We concluded by speaking about his own ward: “The Community Council and I are hoping to have meetings with Johnston Sports Association and other Village Stakeholders in the near future. The Community Council, with other organisations within the village, work closely together in order to enhance village amenities and we would be pleased to show the press that we have worked well together during this period of austerity. We have bucked the trend during difficult times.”

Community

Loved and lost baby remembrance service to be held in Carmarthen

Published

59 seconds ago

March 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE ANNUAL Hywel Dda ‘Loved and Lost Baby Remembrance Service’ will take place at midday on Saturday (Apr 26) in Carmarthen.

The service, organised by Hywel Dda University Health Board and led by the Spiritual Care Department (Chaplaincy), is intended to offer comfort and reflection for parents and families who have experienced the loss of a baby.

It will be held at Bethel Chapel, Hill House, Picton Terrace, SA31 3BT. The chapel is behind the Welsh Government offices and the Army Reserve Centre, with parking available nearby.

Senior Chaplain Euryl Howells said the service is an opportunity for people to come together and remember babies who have passed away, regardless of when the loss happened or at what stage of pregnancy.

A parent who attended a previous service said it meant a great deal to them in remembering their child.

Cerian Llewellyn, interim head of midwifery, said the service also allows health professionals to show support for grieving families and to honour the memory of the babies who have died.

Parents are invited to bring a photograph or a small item such as a blanket, toy, or something bearing the baby’s name to place on a memory table during the service.

Refreshments will be provided by Pastor Tim and members of Bethel Church.

Those unable to attend but who wish to commemorate their baby can email a message to [email protected] by Tuesday (Apr 22).

Further information is available by calling Euryl Howells on 01267 227563 or by email at [email protected].

News

Park issues clarification on campsite restrictions following backlash

Published

25 minutes ago

March 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE COAST NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY has published a detailed clarification on its proposed Article 4(1) Direction, as concerns mount among festival organisers, farmers, and landowners over the future of temporary campsites in the county.

The Direction, which was approved in principle in December 2024, would remove permitted development rights for 28-day camping, caravan, and mobile home sites from 1 January 2026, requiring landowners to apply for planning permission instead.

The Authority says the move is designed to address the growing impact of unregulated pop-up sites on the National Park’s protected landscapes, biodiversity, and local communities. However, the announcement has sparked fears within Pembrokeshire’s tourism and events sectors that the new rules could drive business out of the region.

Key clarifications released

In an effort to address confusion and criticism, the National Park Authority has now issued a clarification statement outlining exactly what the new Direction will – and will not – cover.

The Authority confirmed that the Direction will apply only to temporary 28-day campsites, caravan sites, and mobile home use. Other types of 28-day permitted development – such as temporary car parks, mobile saunas, and filming locations – will not be affected.

Importantly, the clarification also states that camping associated with other permitted temporary events – including festivals, weddings, agricultural shows, and film shoots – will not require separate planning permission, provided it is ancillary to the event.

A spokesperson said the Authority would consider factors such as licensing, advertising, site usage proportions, and event duration when determining whether campsite use is ancillary.

Impact on festivals remains a concern

Despite the clarification, festival organisers remain uneasy. Amber Lort-Phillips, organiser of The Big Retreat festival in Lawrenny, recently warned the event may have to relocate to England due to uncertainty over whether planning permission could be secured under the new system.

“The impact is we might have to move it. It’s our home for The Big Retreat and it’s not fair,” she said. “We are potentially having to look at other sites and move the festival outside of Wales.”

The Big Retreat is one of several popular events in Pembrokeshire that rely on temporary camping to operate and bring in substantial income for local businesses.

**Local festival organisers were ‘left in limbo’ due to proposed camping restrictions (Image: File)**

Free planning guidance offered

To support landowners and site operators, the National Park Authority will offer a free pre-application service for those preparing to submit planning applications under the new system. Guidance on the necessary information for applications is now available on the Authority’s website.

The Direction will not be finalised until members of the National Park Authority meet to confirm it on 7 May 2025, when they will also consider a full report on the consultation results.

Mixed views persist

The Authority says its consultation showed “strong support” for the changes, with many residents citing visual harm, noise, and strain on infrastructure caused by some pop-up sites.

However, the plans have been criticised as a “knee-jerk reaction” to the post-Covid boom in rural tourism. Operators like Dai Williams, who runs Clifftops Camping near Druidston, warn the proposals could shut down viable rural enterprises.

Others, such as Joe Worley of Westival, say the process has lacked transparency, with some organisers unaware of the consultation until after decisions had been made.

Next steps

With a further consultation open until 21 February and a final vote due in May, the future of temporary camping in Pembrokeshire remains in flux.

The full clarification statement and further details are available on the Authority’s website:
www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/article-41-direction-consultation-page

As businesses, residents, and event organisers await the final decision, the National Park Authority faces growing pressure to balance environmental protection with the economic needs of rural communities.

Education

Nursery place application deadline reminder from Local Authority

Published

43 minutes ago

March 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PARENTS and guardians of children in Pembrokeshire born between 01/09/2022 – 31/08/2023 are invited to apply for a Nursery school place for January, April and September 2026 by the closing date of 30^th April 2025.

Applications received after 30^th April 2025 will be considered late which may have a bearing on whether the child gets a place at your preferred school.

It is important to note that no school place will be allocated unless a formal application is received.

The online application form can be found on the Pembrokeshire County Council website: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/schools-and-learning under ‘Apply for a School Place’.

For information on which term your child would be due to join nursery, please follow this link to our Information to Parents which sets out the terms based on your child’s date of birth and which school you are applying to.

There is no need to re-apply if you have already submitted an application form. You can view your current applications by logging into your My Account and into the ‘Schools & Learning’ ‘School Admissions & Transport’ section.

Parents/guardians are reminded that attending a Nursery at a school does not guarantee a Primary place (to start in September 2027) and a separate application does need to be submitted for this. This application can be submitted at the same time as your Nursery application.

Parents/guardians will be notified of Nursery places by 31^st July 2025.