News

Fire service ‘in disarray’

Published

12 years ago

November 20, 2013

CONCERNS have arisen this week over potential safety risks posed to Pembrokeshire’s refineries, as the Fire and Rescue Service for Mid and West Wales announced a possible budget cut of up to £4 million.

The proposed cut backs could mean that every full time firefighter employed at Pembroke Dock, Milford Haven and Ammanford fire stations would be replaced by part-time staff, sparking fears of compromised safety, of which the Fire Brigades Union secretary for Mid and West Wales, Barry Davies, said:

“These cuts will put the lives of the public and firefighters at risk. The Welsh Government must recognise fire services now face a severe funding crisis.”

Paul Miller, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Preseli, said of the crisis: “Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock Fire Stations have already been downgraded more than once.

“Last week’s proposal from the Fire Authority will mean we have no whole time firefighters on station in Milford Haven. Coupled with the same in Pembroke Dock, that’s two LNG terminals, two oil refineries and one, soon to be two, power stations, whose nearest Fire Station will be home to zero full time fire-fighters.

“People in and around Milford Haven will be put at risk and all to maintain less critical services elsewhere. The Tory and Plaid members who run the Fire Authority, plan to make savings in Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock (whatever the risk) to ensure their areas are protected.”

Mid and West AM, Simon Thomas of Plaid Cymru, said in response to Mr Miller: “I am obviously concerned about the proposals. I’ve already called on the Labour Minister to intervene, but she has refused to do so. I will be making strong representations to the Fire Authority to ensure Pembrokeshire is protected from cuts imposed on the authority by the Labour Welsh Government.

“The Labour candidate forgets that it his own party which is responsible for any changes in the fire service locally. I will be also urging the Fire Authority for their assurances that public safety will be met at all times.”

Cllr David Howlett, Leader of the Conservative Group on the County Council, had this to say in response to Mr Miller’s statement: “With Milford Haven being the energy capital of the United Kingdom it is vital that we have a fire service that is able to cope with any incidents that may occur. I am amazed at the comments of Cllr Miller who claims ‘Tory and Plaid members who run the Fire Authority’. In fact, Labour have 11 members on the fire authority compared with four from Plaid Cymru and only one Conservative.”

Delyth Evans, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, added to her colleague’s concerns, saying: “To remove full fire response cover from Pembroke Dock would expose this community to unnecessary risks. Labour will be launching a campaign this week to ensure that we are not put at risk by the worst kind of political decision making by the fire authority.”

William Powell AM, Liberal Democrat for Mid and West Wales, commented: “I am aware that the proposals are causing considerable anxiety. Clearly, there are essential services across the area which need fire and rescue coverage. There are now genuine questions over whether that will be possible should the proposed reconfigurations take place.”

However, Wynne Evans, councillor for Narberth Ward and Chairman of the Resources Management Committee, said: “We have some very difficult decisions to make. This will have implications across all six local authority areas. All that has been discussed are options, not decisions.”

The Herald contacted LNG and Valero to enquire as to what safety implications any reduction in service may have, but both companies declined to comment.

However, a spokesperson for the Murco refinery explained that, along with the other refineries, they had their own equipment and fire crews which made them self-contained operations.

Only this week the Fire Brigade Union held a one-day strike across the country. Haverfordwest firefighter and watch manager, Chris Collins, speaking on behalf of FBU members, said: “The strike is an ongoing dispute. The Government have increased our pensions contributions from 11% to 14.2% of our salary. The Government wants us to work beyond the age of 55 and, with the job and its physicality, we do not think that is a feasible way to go. The FBU have said we are going for a second ballot, but we are trying to get an agreement beforehand.”

On the issue of the potential cuts in services, Mr Collins added: “One of the initial proposals to the Fire Authority was to save £4 million over two years. The only way to do this is the downgrading of stations or maybe redundancies. A retained only station would mean that personel would be alerted from their home address, creating a delayed response.”

Milford Haven Fire station watch manager, Andy Syme, added to Mr Collins’ comments: “Firefighting is a physiologically strenuous job which necessitates firefighters retiring earlier than the majority of the workforce. Milford firefighters realise the concerns of the public and we urge them to remain vigilant and to protect their families during this difficult time. But we hope that they can find some degree of empathy towards our current situation.”

Health

Senedd backs bill to create smoke-free generation and curb youth vaping

Published

11 hours ago

December 9, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A LANDMARK BILL aimed at creating Wales’ first smoke-free generation has been backed by Members of the Senedd on Tuesday (Dec 9).

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill — which applies across all four UK nations — will make it illegal for anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 to purchase tobacco products. The legislation has already passed the House of Commons and is currently being considered by the House of Lords.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Minister Sarah Murphy welcomed the Senedd’s vote on the legislative consent motion, describing the Bill as vital to protecting young people from a lifetime of nicotine addiction. Ahead of the debate, she met school children who shared a poem they had written about a smoke-free future, along with pledges of support gathered from their peers.

Wales has already led the UK in tightening smoking laws, introducing restrictions in outdoor public spaces — including hospital grounds, school grounds and playgrounds — to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke, particularly for children.

Sarah Murphy said: “This is a historic day for public health in Wales. Despite real progress in reducing smoking levels, tobacco remains one of the leading causes of preventable disease and premature death. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill gives us a unique opportunity to tackle smoking and the growing issue of youth vaping, and to significantly improve public health in Wales and the wider UK.”

Wales’ Chief Medical Officer, Professor Isabel Oliver, added: “Tobacco addiction kills thousands of people in Wales every year and continues to drive health inequalities. This Bill offers a once-in-a-generation chance to break that cycle and protect future generations from a product that has caused immeasurable harm.”

The Bill will introduce tougher rules around vapes, including stricter advertising controls to prevent products being marketed to children. It will also introduce a new licensing scheme for anyone wishing to sell tobacco or vaping products, giving enforcement officers stronger tools to tackle illegal sales.

Trading Standards Wales will receive more than £650,000 from the Welsh Government over the next three years to support implementation, including the recruitment and training of five apprentices to assist with enforcement operations.

News

Bus services to return to public control across Wales

Published

12 hours ago

December 9, 2025

Tom Sinclair

BUS services in Wales are set for their biggest transformation in a generation after the Senedd today passed a landmark Bill bringing routes back under public control.

The Bus Services (Wales) Bill will overhaul the way local bus networks are planned and delivered, giving the public sector far greater influence over how services run in both rural and urban communities. Ministers say the reforms will put passengers first by creating a network that is reliable, affordable and easier to navigate.

Working alongside local authorities, Corporate Joint Committees, bus operators, unions and the public, the Welsh Government and Transport for Wales will use local knowledge to design services that better reflect community needs. The long-term ambition is a fully integrated system offering one network, one timetable and one ticket across the whole of Wales.

The Bill also aims to tackle social isolation, cut transport emissions and lay the foundations for a modern, joined-up public transport system with simpler timetables and better access.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, described the Bill’s approval as a “historic day” for Welsh public transport.

“This is a Bill that will transform the way bus services are delivered here in Wales, putting people and communities first with reliable, affordable and easy-to-use joined-up services,” he said.

“I understand this is a big change for the industry and will take time to implement across Wales, but the change is long overdue, and I’m excited about what we can deliver for the people of Wales by working in collaboration.”

The Welsh Government plans to introduce the reforms in phases:

South West Wales – 2027
North Wales – 2028
South East Wales – 2029
Mid Wales – 2030

The legislation marks a major step toward creating a fairer, greener and more connected transport system for Wales.

Crime

Phillips found guilty of raping baby in “worst case” judge has ever dealt with

Published

16 hours ago

December 9, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Baby’s mother cleared as judge says case “shaken me to my core”

CHRISTOPHER PHILLIPS has been found guilty of the most serious offences in the devastating case of seven-week-old Baby C, including multiple counts of penetration and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The baby’s mother, who cannot be named, has been cleared of every charge, including allegations that she failed to protect her child.

The verdicts were delivered this afternoon (Dec 9) at Swansea Crown Court following a harrowing three-week trial.

Following the verdicts, Judge Paul Thomas KC delivered an emotional statement rarely heard from the bench. He told the courtroom: “In my over forty years of experience, this has been the most distressing case I have ever had to deal with.

“This has truly shaken me to my core.”

Turning to the jury, he said: “I would like to show my admiration to you all. I appreciate the toll this may have had on your mental health. You are a testament to our jury system. Thank you for all of your great effort.”

Judge Thomas ordered a pre-sentence report and requested an updated assessment of Baby C’s current physical and psychological health following the injuries he sustained.

He also directed that a psychiatric evaluation be prepared on Phillips to determine the level of danger he poses and to assist in setting the appropriate sentence.

He warned Phillips that he is facing “an extremely long prison sentence”.

Phillips will also be required to sign the Sex Offenders Register within three days of arriving in prison.

The jury’s verdicts confirm Phillips was responsible for the catastrophic injuries inflicted on Baby C in January 2021, including a bleed on the brain, multiple fractures, severe bruising, blunt-force trauma to a testicle and anal injuries described in court as “gaping”.

Medical specialists told the court they had administered morphine to a baby so young only “a handful of times” in their careers.