News

Westminster ‘power grab’ an ‘affront to devolution’, say Senedd members

Published

1 year ago

February 8, 2025

SENEDD members criticised a “power grab” from Westminster, describing plans for UK ministers to make laws in areas already devolved to Wales as an “affront”.

The legislation committee raised concerns about the UK Government’s data use and access bill which would give UK ministers regulation-making powers in devolved areas.

Labour’s Alun Davies said the bill, which aims to make better use of data, would repeal regulations in Wales and impose English ones uniformly across both.

The former minister warned: “If UK ministers believe that they should have the right to take decisions and exercise regulation-making powers without the consent of Welsh ministers – that’s a very, very significant affront to the settlement.”

He explained the bill provides powers for UK ministers to act “only in consultation” with the Welsh Government, adding: “Consultation, as we know, means nothing in reality.”

Mr Davies said: “A bill like this tells you all you need to know about the inadequacies of the settlement but I’m genuinely bewildered by the Welsh Government’s approach.”

During a committee meeting on February 3, he suggested the Welsh Government was “piggybacking” on a UK bill and losing its powers as a consequence.

“That seems to me a real dereliction of responsibility,” he said.

Mr Davies asked: “Why on earth … what was the policy objective … that you’re just going to accept the imposition of this in some ways from the UK Government?”

Rebecca Evans, the Welsh Government’s economy secretary, responded: “These are the key issues we’re in discussion with the UK Government on now.”

Calling for the Welsh Government to legislate in its own right, Mr Davies said: “It just seems to me that we are creating another muddle on the border, another muddle of powers.”

Ms Evans, who came into post in September, replied: “I don’t sense that this is an area where something’s being done to us, it’s an area where we’re collaborating.”

Pointing to the Welsh Government’s “consent not consultation” principles on UK legislation in devolved areas, she told the committee most of the bill’s provisions are non-devolved.

Entertainment

Dinosaurs set to take over Milford Waterfront

Published

17 minutes ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PREHISTORIC FUN COMES TO MILFORD HAVEN

DINOSAURS will be roaming Milford Waterfront later this month as Dinomania brings a day of prehistoric entertainment to the town.

The popular dinosaur attraction will take over the waterfront on Wednesday, May 27, with three interactive shows taking place throughout the afternoon.

Each show will last around 50 minutes and promises plenty of audience participation, prehistoric facts, and family-friendly fun.

Before the ticketed shows begin, visitors are being encouraged to keep an eye out around Milford Waterfront, where Dinomania’s dinosaurs will be out and about during a free walkabout performance between 10:30am and 11:30am.

The walkabout will give families the chance to see the dinosaurs up close and enjoy some entertainment around the waterfront before the main shows get underway.

Milford Waterfront said: “Dinomania will be taking over Milford Waterfront on Wednesday, May 27, with three exciting shows taking place throughout the afternoon.

“Each show lasts approximately 50 minutes and is packed with interactive moments and prehistoric fun.”

Tickets can be booked through the Milford Waterfront website.

Local Government

Call for councillor to fill standards committee vacancy

Published

20 minutes ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A TOWN or Community Councillor in Pembrokeshire is being sought to fill a vacancy on the committee responsible for promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct across the county.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Standards Committee currently has an opening for a representative from a Town or Community Council.

The committee plays a key role within the authority, including reviewing reports from the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales relating to alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct.

To be eligible, applicants must be a serving member of a Town or Community Council within the Pembrokeshire County Council area.

Anyone interested in applying is asked to contact Kate Matthews from the council’s Democratic Services team via email at [email protected]. An application form will then be provided.

Completed applications must be returned by Friday (June 12). Interviews are expected to take place later that month.

The time commitment for the role can vary, although the Standards Committee typically holds four scheduled meetings each year, along with additional meetings if required.

The successful applicant will serve for the remainder of the current council term, until the local elections in May 2027, with the possibility of a further five-year extension.

An appointment panel will conduct interviews and make recommendations to the full council based on set criteria.

Community

Fire service sets out new flood response plan for Mid and West Wales

Published

2 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

AROUND 31,000 properties across Mid and West Wales are at risk of flooding, according to figures released as part of a new fire service response strategy.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has completed a major engagement process to shape how it deals with future flooding incidents.

The work brought together operational crews, partner agencies and community representatives through a series of “Flooding Balanced Room” workshops.

The service said the aim was to make sure all voices were heard equally while developing practical options for prevention, response and recovery.

Nearly 24,000 properties in the service area are at risk from river flooding, while more than 7,000 are at risk from tidal flooding.

The service attends around 300 water rescue and weather-related flooding incidents each year.

Officials say flooding is becoming more frequent and more serious because of climate change, including heavier rainfall and prolonged weather events.

Recent data also shows a clear seasonal pattern, with the highest number of flooding incidents taking place between October and February.

The third quarter of 2025/26 was the busiest for flooding incidents since 2017/18, while February 2020 and November 2025 recorded the highest monthly levels of flooding activity.

The workshops produced four key priorities: prevention first, collaboration and partnership, enhanced specialist capability, and learning and continuous improvement.

Eleven initial options were narrowed down to five main areas.

These include better public education, community flood groups, improved flood messaging with partner agencies, more staff training, improved welfare and PPE for firefighters, better vehicles and technology, and stronger post-incident support for communities.

Proposals include using flood awareness in home fire safety checks, improving training scenarios, increasing the number of qualified water incident managers, expanding drone use, and using climate data to plan future fleet and equipment needs.

The options have now been assessed, with recommendations presented to the service’s Executive Leadership Team.

The plans will feed into the service’s future flooding strategy and its Community Risk Management Plan 2040.

Iwan Cray, Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The Flooding Balanced Room process has highlighted the importance of collaboration.

“By listening to our staff, partners, and communities, we’ve created practical, forward-thinking solutions that will strengthen our ability to prevent and manage flooding in Mid and West Wales.

“Together, we can build a safer, more resilient Wales.”