News
Conservative leader accuses Labour of a removal of Democracy
AS PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL sails from the turbulent waters of the Bryn Parry Jones saga to what many will hope is a more steady course, The Herald spoke exclusively with Conservative group leader, David Howlett. Speaking about his group’s performance, and the future of the Council, he said: “We are only 3 of 60, so our influence can’t be huge, but I was pleased I was able to make sure all councillors spending over £500 is now published online. I believe in transparency.
We have made a difference; in the filming of meetings for example, a proposal I made. Over the last couple of years Pembrokeshire has been in headlines for all the wrong reasons. It’s been the Independent group at the helm and questions need to be asked. The Independent group backed the Chief Executive and then all of a sudden did an about turn. We (Conservatives) don’t just go for headlines, we are a constructive opposition. We need a culture change and I’m pleased we are starting to see that.
The people at the top set the way the Council operates and we need strong political leadership; questionably done with a group of independents. The process for choosing a new Chief Executive is important and that the right person is chosen. There are huge advantages for a County Council to have a united voice, and the organisation is far better when it is a proper political party, because though you don’t get told how to vote, you have teamwork, especially when you have MPs, AMs and an MEP.
That means there are people at all levels for guidance who are working together. With a proper political party you can stand shoulder to shoulder.” He went on to comment on the effectiveness of Labour group leader, Paul Miller: “I went to a questions and answer session at St Mary’s Church last Friday, in Haverfordwest, with Jamie Adams, Paul Davies, Mike Stoddart and Cllr. Miller. Jamie Adams suggested Cllr. Miller was wanting the saga of Bryn Parry Jones to continue, in order to keep him in the paper; I think there is an element of truth in that.”
Mr Howlett was also keen to discuss the potential mergers of Councils that the Welsh Labour Government are proposing: “If anyone thinks bigger is better I would point to the Hywel Dda Health Board and ask has that been good for Pembrokeshire? And have they saved any money since they have gone into this huge organisation that seems to be constantly taking services away from Pembrokeshire?
Leighton Andrews is even talking about as few as 6 councils in Wales. We are against this. We think we could cut the cost of politics by having fewer county councillors so we put forward a proposal to the Boundary Commission that would have seen a cut from 61 to 40-44 councillors; their idea was for a cut of just one. I believe in localism and local democracy. The Welsh Labour Government will take democracy away from the people, which isn’t Conservative Leader: Questions acceptable.”
Community
Mayor of Bergen visits Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre
IT was a Mayoral gathering when the Burgermeisterin of Bergen, in Germany, paid a visit to Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre in the company of Councillor Aden Brinn, the Mayor of Bergen’s twin town, Pembroke.
There to meet Burgermeisterin Claudia Dettmar-Muller and her colleague Silvia Bothe were two former Mayors of Pembroke Dock, Councillors Pam George and Maureen Colgan, and trustees and volunteers who run the Centre. Joining them was Pembroke’s Deputy Mayor, Councillor Ann Mortenson.
Trustee Peter Mitchell and colleagues gave a guided town of the Centre which has extensive displays on Pembroke Dock’s rich maritime and military history spanning just over two centuries, and its connections with RAF flying boats.
Pic By Martin Cavaney.
News
Police ask motorists to avoid A44 trunk road due to heavy snowfall
DYFED-POWYS POLICE have issued an appeal to motorists to avoid a 25 mile section of the A44 trunk road between Aberystwyth and Llangurig due to it being impassable due to heavy snowfall.
In a warning issued at 4am on their social media accounts the police said: “Please avoid the area and find alternative routes for your journey.”
Meanwhile, last night The Nags Head in Lampeter uploaded pictures of the snowy scenes in the area, and were encouraging customers to come in and sit next to their ‘nice warm fire’.
News
Egg and farm shop to open at award-winning west Wales farm
A SCHEME for a self-serve egg and farm shop at an award-winning 32,000-chicken Ceredigion farm, to allow it to receive a UK Shared Prosperity fund grant, has been approved by county planners.
Ben Edkins, of Edkins Eggs, Coed Farm, Cilcennin sought permission to site a self-serve farm shop on an existing yard area at the site.
A supporting letter submitted through agent Morgan & Flynn Architectural Services described it as “a more advanced version of an egg stand, with honesty box, which has been a staple for people producing eggs for centuries”.
It added: “This method of selling eggs has already proven to be a hit with communities in Ceredigion, given the success of the already established egg dispenser located in Aberystwyth town centre.”
Family-owned Edkins Eggs, which supplies multiple businesses across the area with eggs, including Aberaeron’s Y Seler, Hive, Harbourmaster, and Costcutters, has been awarded a grant to cover the cost of part of the proposal, on the condition that planning approval is granted, the statement added.
“The grant, which is a UK shared prosperity fund for the Mid Wales region as part of the ‘Cynnal Y Cardi Fund’ provided by Ceredigion County Council was granted in December 2023.
“For this grant to be claimed, it is required that planning permission is granted, the construction is completed and also the egg dispensers are implemented by December 2024. This gives the applicants a 12-month window from the point of the grant awarded to completion of proposal.”
The building itself will include a solar panel array providing the power for the egg dispensing unit and lighting, and it is hoped to create one extra job at 227-acre Coed Farm, home to 32,000 chickens producing free range eggs, 90 beef cattle and 200 sheep.
A green infrastructure statement by the agent added: “The creation of this building to house the self-serve farm shop to enhance the established family-owned business ‘Edkins Eggs’, which also has provisions to allow for other local companies producing items such as vegetables and honey to sell their products, will provide a facility for the local community to purchase locally produced goods directly from the supplier.
“This will not only provide an enhanced shopping experience in terms of being able to purchase directly from the farm, which could act as an educational benefit especially for children, but also provide the additional facility of a small-scale shop to the local area, whereas currently the community would either have to travel to the service centres of either Aberaeron or Felinfach.”
The application was conditionally approved under delegated powers.
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