Community

Welsh Government sets out plans for new laws

Published

1 year ago

May 2, 2025

THE WELSH Government set out plans to introduce laws on homelessness, building safety, environmental governance, greyhound racing and visitor accommodation.

Julie James, who is counsel general, the Welsh Government’s chief legal adviser, updated the Senedd on ministers’ plans for new laws with only a year to go until the next election.

Ms James told the Senedd a bill would be introduced to make homelessness support more accessible and person-centred, helping people find long-term housing quickly.

She said the Welsh Government would bring forward a long-awaited environmental governance bill, establishing a new governance body and setting biodiversity targets.

Giving a statement on the legislative programme on April 29, Ms James said a law would also be drafted centred on the accountability of Senedd Members.

The bill would introduce a system of recall, giving voters the opportunity to remove misbehaving politicians between elections, and seek to address deliberate deception.

With plans to bring in a tourism tax already afoot, the Welsh Government will also introduce a new licensing system for accommodation providers to set safety standards.

The counsel general said ministers would legislate to ban greyhound racing, fulfilling a commitment made as part of a £100m budget deal with the Liberal Democrats.

She stated a bill would also be brought forward to fundamentally reform building safety, with another aimed at modernising and simplifying planning law.

The former solicitor suggested proposals for reform of taxis and the devolved tribunal system would be squeezed out due to a legislative logjam ahead of the next election.

Tom Giffard, the Conservatives’ shadow counsel general, accused the Welsh Government of being “out of ideas” and delivering “everything but” the people’s priorities.

Mr Giffard criticised long NHS waiting lists and ministers’ record on the Welsh economy, with the highest unemployment rate and lowest take-home pay in the UK.

He said: “What has been the Welsh Government’s response to this? Introducing 20mph … limits up and down Wales … and creating 36 new and costly Senedd politicians.”

The Tory said the Scottish Government has introduced 58 bills since 2021, including 15 in 2024 alone, with Welsh ministers lagging on 17 during this Senedd term

He asked: “What on earth has this Welsh Government been doing?”

Accusing her opposite number of failing to listen, Ms James responded: “Well, that was really amusing, thank you very much, it’s always nice to be cheered up on a Tuesday … yes, I am absolutely being patronising, I’m responding to the patronising speech I just heard.”

Describing plans for a homelessness bill as the most radical anywhere in western Europe, she said: “The very idea that that’s not innovative, new and progressive is for the birds.”

Heledd Fychan, for Plaid Cymru, warned of instability within the Welsh Government – with Wales having had three different First Ministers in little over a year.

The Senedd Member expressed concerns about ministers shelving plans to overhaul council tax and create a more gender-equal Senedd.

Warning of gaps in environmental governance since Brexit, with Wales lagging the rest of the UK, Ms Fychan welcomed plans to “leapfrog” the other nations.

Pressed about tribunal reform being ditched, Ms James said ministers expect to publish a draft bill before the May 2026 election “but we won’t have time to get it through the Senedd”.

She told the Senedd the draft bill would be “ready to go” for an incoming Welsh Government: “It’s not where I’d have liked to have been but it’s not the worst-possible scenario.”

Conservative Mark Isherwood raised his backbench British Sign Language bill, introduced after he won a ballot, calling for assurances that legislative time will be made available.

Ms James replied: “It isn’t … in my statement today because it’s not a government bill – it’s your bill – but the government will absolutely work with you to make sure it goes through.”

Her predecessor Mick Antoniw, who resigned last year, criticised the opposition for failing to put forward many – if any – of their own ideas for legislation in response to the statement.

Community

New town map unveiled in Fishguard

Published

17 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW town map has been installed in the heart of Fishguard to help residents and visitors discover more of what the area has to offer.

The map, created by Visit Fishguard & Goodwick’s in-house graphic designer, has been placed on the Abergwaun Hotel tunnel, near Offshore Surfwear’s new shop.

The group said it was “incredibly proud” of the finished result and thanked the building owner for allowing the map to be installed on the premises.

Visit Fishguard & Goodwick is now hoping to create a similar map for Goodwick and is asking for help from a centrally located building owner who may be willing to host it.

Anyone who can help, or knows of a suitable location, is being asked to get in touch with Visit Fishguard & Goodwick.

Community

Tenby Summer Spectacular cancelled amid council row over harbour access

Published

23 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Organisers say popular charity events cannot safely go ahead without clear powers to control crowds

TENBY ROUND TABLE has announced that this summer’s Tenby Summer Spectacular events have been cancelled until further notice amid a dispute with Pembrokeshire County Council over crowd control at the harbour.

The events, which were due to take place on Sunday, August 16 and Sunday, August 30, have been a major feature of Tenby’s summer calendar for decades, drawing large crowds to the harbour for entertainment, food, drink and fireworks.

In a statement, Tenby Round Table said the decision had been made “with enormous sadness” and claimed it had been forced on organisers because of unresolved issues over the safe management of pedestrian access.

The organisation said it needed the council’s Public Realm department to use statutory powers to temporarily restrict pedestrian access through the event area when capacity is reached.

Organisers said the matter had first been raised with the council in September 2025 and again formally in writing in May 2026.

They said volunteers had attended meetings, commissioned professional health and safety consultants and worked on Event Management Plans, but claimed the council had still not provided a clear answer.

Tenby Round Table said: “PCC’s Public Realm department has had nine months to answer one question on safe and controlled access to the harbour. It has not done so.”

The group also alleged that recent written responses from the council contained factual inaccuracies and misleading statements about the relevant legislation.

It added that the council’s legal advice was understood to be provisional and still under internal review.

The cancellation is currently described as provisional, with organisers giving the council a final deadline of June 25 to provide what they describe as a clear, accurate and legally grounded answer.

Tenby Round Table said that if this is provided, it will do everything possible to reinstate the events.

The group said the Summer Spectacular had raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for local charities, sports teams, community groups and worthy individuals since it began.

It said the cancellation would be a devastating blow to those who benefit from the funds raised.

The statement added that organisers are still working with Dyfed-Powys Police and other relevant authorities ahead of a council licensing committee meeting in July, which is expected to consider whether the event licence should be renewed, amended or withdrawn.

The Herald has asked Pembrokeshire County Council for comment.

Community

Haverfordwest lounge praised for charity work

Published

1 day ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A HAVERFORDWEST venue has been praised for raising more than £2,600 for local charities through a series of community events.

Castle Ward county councillor Thomas Tudor visited The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest with Henry Tufnell MP, where they met manager Stephanie Davies.

Cllr Tudor said Stephanie had “truly embraced” her role in the community, organising events including a duck race, sports quiz, Mad Hatter’s tea party for Little Loungers, a bake sale and a drag night show.

Together, the events have raised £2,637 for local good causes.

Charities to benefit include The VC Gallery, Tŷ Hafan and Adam’s Bucketful of Hope Cancer Support Centre.

Cllr Tudor said: “It was lovely to introduce Henry Tufnell MP to Stephanie Davies, manager of The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.

“Stephanie has truly embraced her role in the community of Haverfordwest, running many exciting initiatives and raising a staggering £2,637 for local charities.”

The fundraising continues this week, with Rock ’n’ Roll Bingo and a Wild West country and western night featuring a rodeo bull.

Caption: Community support: Thomas Tudor, Stephanie Davies and Henry Tufnell MP outside The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.