Politics

Senedd staff stress levels ‘stubbornly high’ as expansion looms

Published

6 months ago

October 3, 2025

NEARLY half of Senedd staff are suffering significant stress, with a “worrying” workload fuelled by the Welsh Parliament’s expansion weighing on their wellbeing, a committee has heard.

Manon Antoniazzi, the Senedd’s chief executive, told the public accounts committee that 47% of staff are suffering from stress – a statistic that has proven “stubborn to shift”.

The pressure comes as the parliament prepares to expand from 60 to 96 politicians after May’s election, a change requiring an overhaul of buildings, budgets and processes.

Ms Antoniazzi said the Senedd commission, which runs the parliament’s support services, has developed a wellness strategy and targeted support for services under strain.

While the latest figure marks a slight improvement, she told the committee officials are working with managers to ensure factors affecting wellbeing are addressed promptly.

She said overall staff sickness has decreased significantly, from 8.6 days for each employee last year to 6.4 now, comparing favourably with the wider civil service average of 8.1 days.

But Ms Antoniazzi recognised a rise in absences due to mental health in the staff survey, attributing this largely to personal reasons rather than work-related stress.

Earlier in the evidence session on October 2, the committee questioned a £41,830 payment to ex-deputy chief executive Siwan Davies who left the £150,000-a-year post in January.

The £41,830 was an “extra-contractual” payment approved by the commission as part of a £71,320 package relating to Ms Davies’ departure – with the rest related to pay in lieu of notice and accrued annual leave, according to 2024/25 accounts.

Ms Antoniazzi assured the committee the payment was fully scrutinised by Audit Wales which was “satisfied appropriate governance steps were taken”.

She told Senedd Members: “All the circumstances were disclosed to Audit Wales and they looked at all the steps and gave that assurance to me, which I can pass on to you.”

The scrutiny of executive pay came as the Senedd revealed significant pay gaps elsewhere in its annual diversity and pay gap report.

While the median gender gap was 0%, meaning men and women are paid equally, the median pay for ethnic minority staff was 20% lower than for white staff.

The gap, which was down from 26%, is not due to unequal pay for the same job but a lack of diversity in higher-paid roles – with ethnic minority staff mainly employed on lower bands.

The meeting heard the number of applications from ethnic minorities has increased sharply to 20% of all applicants but this has not translated into job offers which have dropped to 7%.

Ms Antoniazzi recognised the need to monitor conversion rates, from application to offer, saying the commission is reviewing recruitment processes to identify and remove barriers.

Beyond the staffing and pay challenges, officials also detailed the top strategic risks facing the Welsh Parliament – effectively the commission’s “red alert” list.

Ed Williams, who is the commission’s director of resources, pointed to cyber-security, data protection and the Senedd expansion programme.

The annual report describes cyber-security as one of the Senedd’s most significant risks, which is subject to “constant monitoring” due to its evolving nature.

Delivering Senedd reform was also flagged amid concerns about the “capacity and capability of the commission to deliver against growing and changing demands”.

Business

Pembroke South Quay boat shed expansion plans submitted

Published

8 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PADDLEBOARDING and canoeing company’s call for an extension to a boat shed at Pembroke’s South Quay, below its historic castle, has been submitted to county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, G Booth of Paddle West CIC, through agent James Dwyer Associates, seeks permission for an extension to the stone-built boathouse, adjacent to the cliff on South Quay fronting the Mill Pond, Pembroke.

A supporting statement says: “It is intended to erect a single storey ‘lean-to’ building, or ‘shed’ for the storage of boats, such as canoes and kayaks, and related equipment, on a vacant space adjacent to the existing stone-built boathouse.”

It adds: “The boathouse and the intended adjacent boat storage shed is located, as is to be expected, in close proximity to water, the Mill Pond. The Mill Pond is the main area of activity for Paddle West, a Community Interest Company, providing boating activities, kayaking, canoeing and paddle boarding, frequently for young people and families.”

It goes on to say: “It is intended that the structure would be lightweight, erected on the exiting hard standing. The ‘shed’ would be used for the storage of boats and related equipment.”

With regard to the historic setting, it adds: “Although the stone-built boathouse appears not to be listed, it is recognised that the walls above are listed and together they are a piece.

“Accordingly, through form and external materials proposed, timber cladding and profile sheet roofing, the aim is to ensure that the structure would be subservient and muted and not detract or compete with the visual aesthetic of the boathouse or historic walls. In effect the addition would blend into the background.”

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

The boathouse is sited near to the new Henry Tudor Centre in South Quay, which is due to open in Spring 2027.

The centre, expected to receive around 30,000 visitors a year, will tell the story of Henry Tudor, son of Pembroke, his Welsh ancestry and his impact on our national story, Welsh culture and our wider British heritage.

The restored derelict South Quay buildings will also house a new library and community café, and a healthcare, social services and supported employment facility in the adjoining premises.

Community

First person of colour to be elected mayor of Haverfordwest

Published

10 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE town council will soon have its first-ever person of colour as mayor, and its youngest mayor in a century.

Haverfordwest Town Councillor Randell Iziah Thomas-Turner, aged 37, is to become mayor this May.

Cllr Turner said: “Tonight [March 19], I had the honour of accepting the nomination as mayor-elect — a moment that will forever stay with me.

“In doing so, I am humbled to be making history as the first mayor of colour in Haverfordwest and the youngest mayor in a century. This is not just my achievement, it belongs to every person who believes in progress, representation, and the power of community. This is a new chapter for our town — one built on unity, opportunity, and hope.

“My mayor-making will take place this May, and I cannot wait to officially step into the role and begin serving the people of Haverfordwest with pride, passion, and purpose. Haverfordwest is the best in the West — and together, we are just getting started.

“Diversity is not a challenge to overcome, but a strength to embrace. When people from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives come together with respect and openness, we unlock new ideas, stronger solutions, and deeper understanding.”

It’s a double celebration for the Thomas-Turner family.

Wife, and fellow town councillor, Dani, has been voted as sheriff of the town for the second-year-running, the first woman to serve as sheriff for two consecutive years.

“The coming civic year will be one to watch as my husband Councillor Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner is becoming the first mayor of colour in Haverfordwest’s history,” said Cllr Dani Thomas-Turner, adding: “It’s going to be a year of history and memory making for sure.”

Business

Pembrokeshire hospitality rates relief scheme backed

Published

10 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A WELSH Government-funded scheme to provide rates relief for hospitality businesses has been backed by senior Pembrokeshire councillors.

A report for members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet at their March meeting said: “Welsh Government has introduced the Food and Drink Hospitality Rates Relief, this relief is aimed at eligible businesses in Wales in the food and drink hospitality sector for example, pubs, restaurants, cafes, bars and live music venues.

“The aim of the relief is to support eligible businesses to manage continued cost pressures. The relief will apply to all eligible occupied properties by offering a discount of 15 per cent on non-domestic rate bills for the period April 1 to March 31, 2027. The relief is capped at £110,000 per business across Wales.

“As this is a temporary measure, Welsh Government is providing the relief by reimbursing local authorities that use their discretionary relief powers under Section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988.”

It concluded: “The food and drink hospitality rates relief 2026-27 requires the local authority to adopt a discretionary scheme [as outlined] and in accordance with the criteria and conditions specified in the guidance issued by Welsh Government.

“It is proposed that Cabinet resolve to adopt [the scheme] which can be applied to administer the relief. Welsh Government will reimburse local authorities for the relief provided in line with their guidance via a grant under section 31 of the Local Government Act 2003.”

Members backed the recommendation.

All eligible businesses must apply for this relief by the March 31, 2027, and an application form will be available on the council’s website from the April 1.

The maximum cash value of the rates relief allowed, across all properties in Wales occupied by the same business should not exceed £110,000. Businesses claiming the relief must declare that the amount being claimed does not exceed those limits.