News

Calls for new Dŵr Cymru CEO to rule out supporting water privatisation in Wales

Published

10 months ago

September 3, 2025

THE WELSH Liberal Democrats have urged the incoming Chief Executive of Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water to give a clear commitment that he will not back any moves towards water privatisation in Wales.

Roch Cheroux, who takes up the post later this year, previously served as Managing Director of Sydney Water in Australia. His appointment has prompted questions from campaigners and political opponents about whether his views align with Dŵr Cymru’s not-for-profit model.

Concerns centre on comments Mr Cheroux made during a 2021 industry podcast in which he suggested that privatising Sydney Water would “not change very much” for households as long as regulation remained in place. Independent analysis in Australia later estimated that a sale could have added between £90 and £140 to the average household bill each year, while depriving the public purse of hundreds of millions of pounds in revenue.

***Roch Cheroux, now at Welsh Water, previously served as Managing Director of Sydney Water in Australia (Image: Sydney Morning Herald)***

During his tenure, Sydney Water became embroiled in political debate after leaked government papers showed ministers exploring “privatisation by stealth.” Critics argue that Mr Cheroux’s remarks at the time lent weight to those seeking to downplay potential risks. Others, however, point out that no actual privatisation went ahead and that he was operating within a politically charged environment rather than advocating policy himself.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats also highlight reports from Australia that Mr Cheroux’s departure from Sydney Water followed tensions with government and union criticism of management culture. They argue that his record raises questions over leadership style and suitability for a public-interest organisation.

***David Chadwick MP: Says new Welsh Water boss has a “questionable” record in Australia***

Party spokesperson David Chadwick MP said: “It is vital that the incoming CEO of Dŵr Cymru categorically rules out any return to water privatisation in Wales, given his questionable record in Australia. Welsh households already face the highest water bills in the UK despite some of the lowest incomes. At the same time, Dŵr Cymru has one of the worst environmental records of any water company, with our rivers increasingly choked by raw sewage.”

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have linked their concerns to wider issues of governance at Dŵr Cymru. The company, which is owned by a not-for-profit membership body, paid its outgoing chief executive £892,000 in 2021 despite continuing criticism over sewage discharges and high bills. The party says it would push for stricter limits on executive pay and stronger financial regulation if elected to the Senedd next year.

Dŵr Cymru, which supplies water to around three million people across Wales and parts of England, remains one of the few major UK utilities not privately owned. Its model has long been defended as prioritising public benefit over shareholder profit. Mr Cheroux, who has also held senior water industry posts in France and South Australia, has yet to comment publicly on the calls from the Liberal Democrats.

The Welsh Government is expected to gain new regulatory powers over the water sector in the coming years, meaning the political and public scrutiny over Dŵr Cymru’s leadership and direction is likely to intensify.

Community

New town map unveiled in Fishguard

Published

8 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

13 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.

Charity

Sea shanties and street food bring crowds to Cardigan RNLI festival

Published

14 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SUNSHINE, sea shanties and street food helped draw hundreds of visitors to Cardigan RNLI Lifeboat Station on Saturday (Jun 20).

The station’s Sea Shanty and Street Food Festival brought together families, supporters and visitors from across the region for a day of maritime music, food and community spirit.

Traditional sea shanty groups performed throughout the event, with songs echoing around the lifeboat station, while street food vendors served a range of refreshments.

The event also gave visitors the chance to learn more about the lifesaving work carried out by the RNLI and its volunteer crews.

Cardigan RNLI thanked the performers, food vendors, volunteers, sponsors and supporters who helped make the day a success.

Bruce Harris, Launch Authority and event organiser, said: “It was wonderful to see so many people come together to support the station, enjoy the entertainment, and celebrate our maritime heritage.

“The atmosphere throughout the day was fantastic, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who attended, performed, volunteered, and contributed to such a memorable event.”

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts.

The charity operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands.

Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved more than 146,700 lives.