Community

Homelessness bill passes first Senedd hurdle

Published

5 months ago

November 6, 2025

SWEEPING plans to abolish the “exclusionary” priority need and intentionality tests for homelessness support in Wales have cleared the first hurdle in the Senedd.

Senedd Members agreed the principles of the homelessness bill without objection, doing away with the need for a vote following Tuesday’s (November 4) “stage-one” debate.

Housing secretary Jayne Bryant explained the bill would better protect the workforce as well as abolish the priority need and intentionality tests for homelessness support.

She told the Senedd: “Our focus is how to help people – not whether to help people,” outlining a trauma-informed approach focused on prevention and early intervention.

She said phased implementation is expected to cost £247m over ten years, outweighed by estimated benefits of £481m – “meaning every £1 invested will generate £2”.

Ms Bryant added that every £1 will generate £4 if wider societal benefits are included.

Her Labour colleague John Griffiths, who chairs the Senedd’s housing committee, said: “Nobody should have to experience the trauma of homelessness and, as such, we welcome action that aims to take us further towards the goal of ending homelessness in Wales.”

But Mr Griffiths stressed legislation alone will not be enough to achieve the ambition, saying delivering more social housing and sufficient resources must be prioritised.

He raised councils’ concerns about increased demands on an under-pressure system.

He added: “We have highlighted our significant concerns about providing local authorities with a power to determine categories of people eligible for social housing allocation.

“Such a power will move us away from the universal idea that anyone can apply for social housing and we are skeptical as to its inclusion in the bill. We didn’t hear evidence in support… and we do not feel the Welsh Government has sufficiently made its case.”

Finance committee chair Peredur Owen Griffiths expressed concerns about the robustness of evidence used as a basis for cost estimates. He said: “While we accept that the best available evidence has been used, we believe further modelling is needed.”

South Wales East's Plaid Cymru MS Peredur Owen Griffiths — South Wales East’s Plaid Cymru MS Peredur Owen Griffiths

Conservative Joel James backed the bill but warned it will not be a “silver bullet” due to the scale of the homelessness crisis and the “lowest-ever” rate of housebuilding in Wales.

Mr James told the Senedd: “If this bill is to succeed, it must be accompanied by substantial support,” pointing to recurring concerns about short-term funding cycles.

He called for an exemption for veterans from the local connection test for social housing.

“While we support the bill’s general principles, we must be clear about its limitations,” said Mr James. “Ending homelessness in Wales will require far more.”

Siân Gwenllian, Plaid Cymru’s shadow housing secretary, supported moving to more of a proactive, preventive approach to homelessness.

But she emphasised the need to strengthen the bill, with more than 10,000 people, including 3,000 children, living in temporary accommodation – often without basics such as a kitchen.

She said: “Although the Welsh Government has claimed it is prioritising homelessness, the figures show a different reality: it is forecast homelessness could increase by 24% by 2041.

“It is a crisis, isn’t it? There is no doubt the bill does include positive steps and I welcome the ask-and-act approach but I do feel there is an opportunity to go further.”

Labour’s Julie Morgan called for greater support for care leavers – who are too often discharged into the homelessness system, “which is totally unacceptable”.

The bill now moves to second and third stages – detailed consideration of amendments by the housing committee then the whole Senedd before a final stage-four vote.

Community

Charlie the ventriloquist doll returns to Pembroke Dock after 100 years

Published

2 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Beloved character to greet visitors as Heritage Centre reopens for new season

CHARLIE the 100-year-old ventriloquist’s doll is coming out of retirement — and back to where it all began.

Visitors to Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre will be greeted by the much-loved character when the attraction reopens for the new season on Monday (March 30).

It marks a nostalgic return for Charlie, who once performed in the very same building — then the Royal Dockyard Chapel — alongside his original owner, Ernie James, a Pembroke Dock bus company proprietor. Over the years, the duo became a familiar and popular act on the Pembrokeshire variety circuit.

Today, Charlie is cared for by Paul Elliott, of Llanreath, who inherited the doll from his father, Fred Elliott — better known locally as magician ‘Mr E’, whose shows delighted audiences for decades.

Charlie has also recently enjoyed a brush with national attention, appearing alongside Paul at a BBC Antiques Roadshow event in Swansea.

The Heritage Centre will offer free entry on opening day, with Charlie and Paul on hand to meet visitors and share stories from a century of entertainment.

Community

First person of colour to be elected mayor of Haverfordwest

Published

11 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.”

Community

Kurtz welcomes £4.3m National Lottery boost for local communities

Published

2 days ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SAMUEL Kurtz MS has welcomed more than £4.3 million in National Lottery funding awarded to community projects across Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire since 2021.

Figures released by The National Lottery Community Fund show that £4,318,484 has been distributed through 122 grants in the constituency since the 2021/22 financial year, the same year Mr Kurtz was elected.

The funding has supported a wide range of grassroots charities, voluntary organisations and community groups through programmes including National Lottery Awards for All, offering grants of up to £20,000, and People and Places, which provides larger awards of up to £500,000.

Projects backed locally include mental health support for young people, environmental and sustainability initiatives, community workshops, outdoor wellbeing activities, support for vulnerable adults, and programmes aimed at building skills and confidence.

Among the organisations to benefit is Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, which received £343,584 for its Routes to Discovery project, helping improve mental and physical wellbeing through accessible outdoor activities.

St Davids Diocesan Council for Social Responsibility was awarded £398,078 to deliver its Plant Dewi: Strengthening our Communities initiative, supporting families and local groups.

Other recipients include The VC Gallery, Redberth Croft CIC, The Tenby Project CIC and Neptune’s Army of Rubbish Cleaners, with funding supporting projects ranging from food initiatives and nature-based wellbeing to volunteering and environmental action.

Mr Kurtz said: “Community groups and charities across Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire do incredible work supporting people and strengthening local communities.

“It is fantastic to see more than £4.3 million of National Lottery funding invested in projects that are improving wellbeing, tackling isolation and creating opportunities for people of all ages during my time in office.

“The voluntary sector plays a vital role in our area, and this funding is helping organisations deliver projects that bring people together and make a real difference to people’s lives.”

The National Lottery Community Fund is the largest funder of community activity in Wales, supporting initiatives that bring communities together, promote environmental sustainability, help children and young people thrive, and improve health and wellbeing.

Organisations across Wales can apply for funding through the Awards for All and People and Places programmes to support projects that matter most to their communities.

Further information is available on The National Lottery Community Fund website.