News

Pembrokeshire community transport service in funding boost

Published

1 year ago

April 29, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

FUNDING of more than £213,000 for a Pembrokeshire community transport charity group, which supports some of the county’s most vulnerable residents, has been backed by senior councillors.

At the April 28 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet members were asked to continue offering financial support to Pembrokeshire Association of Community Transport Organisations (PACTO) to support their work to develop and support community transport services in Pembrokeshire over the next five years.

The current funding arrangement with PACTO, of £175,968 over a five-year period, came to an end on March 31.

It was recommended to award a five-year grant at a cost of £40,170 in 2025/26 (£213,268 over five years, including an annual inflationary increase estimated at three per cent.

Over the past five years, PACTO accounts show the council £175,968 core funding has enabled it to secure a total income of £1,439,205.

PACTO is currently in the second year of a major three-year project funded through the Motability Foundation, valued at £1 million.

In a report presented by Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett, who described PACTO as “the glue that knits community transport providers together,” members heard local registered charity PACTO supports and represents the Pembrokeshire’s community transport sector, run by the third sector on a not-for-profit basis to support some of our most vulnerable residents.

“Community transport services in Pembrokeshire currently provide around 50,000 passenger journeys each year, helping to fill gaps in the public transport network, support community groups with their transport needs and assist elderly, disabled and other vulnerable people who struggle to access mainstream public transport,” the report said.

It added: “PACTO does not directly operate community transport services. Its role is to provide support to community transport operators to improve and extend the services they offer, to work with communities and community groups towards addressing unmet transport needs, and to provide information and advice to service users about the services that may be able to assist them.

“Pembrokeshire County Council has provided core funding to PACTO since 2004. The funding has enabled PACTO to provide a range of support and development activities.”

It said the withdrawal of funding could lead to the risk of a loss of many of the services supported, as well as a knock-on effect on council budgets through some of the services enabled.

Cllr Sinnett said, of the option of withdrawing funding: Whilst it would save that £40,000 it would leave us very vulnerable to either stepping in in support of our community transport providers with our limited staff time,” adding: “And PACTO do things we can’t do.”

Members unanimously backed the award.

PACTO, on its website, describes its services as: “Pembrokeshire’s Community Transport services help people and groups who don’t have access to their own transport and who don’t have or can’t use conventional public transport services.”

Local services

Local services provided by third sector operators and community groups include the following.

Royal Voluntary Service, who run the Pembrokeshire Country Car service.

Green Dragon Community Transport, who run dial-a-ride and town rider minibus services across the county and operate wheelchair accessible cars.

Pembrokeshire Voluntary Transport, who operate the Fflecsi service in north west Pembrokeshire and provide wheelchair accessible minibuses and cars for community groups and disabled individuals.

Narberth and District Community and Sports Association, who operate the Bloomfield Dial-a-Bus services for villages around Narberth.

Manorbier Community Transport, who provide a community minibus for local community groups.

VC Gallery, who use a community minibus and car to help service users access their projects and activities.

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

5 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

5 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.