Community

Homelessness bill passes first Senedd hurdle

Published

8 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

Civic service brings Pembrokeshire towns together in Haverfordwest

Published

3 hours ago

June 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A CIVIC service has been held at St Mary’s Church in Haverfordwest, bringing together civic leaders, councillors, cadets and community representatives from across Pembrokeshire.

The Mayor’s Civic Service took place at 11:00am on Sunday, 28 June 2026, at the historic High Street church, one of the county town’s most familiar landmarks.

The service was hosted by Haverfordwest Town Council and attended by the Sheriff of Haverfordwest, Cllr Dani Thomas-Turner, Deputy Lord Lieutenants, the mayors of Pembroke, Pembroke Dock, Neyland and St Davids, members of the Guild of Freemen, the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet and the Mayoral Cadet.

St Mary’s Church has stood at the heart of Haverfordwest for more than 800 years. Built in about 1200, its size and position have made it one of the town’s dominant historic buildings.

Cllr Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner said the occasion had been “truly special and humbling”.

He said: “It was an honour to gather in one of our town’s most historic and beautiful buildings, a church that has stood at the heart of our community since the 12th century, bringing people together in faith, service and reflection.”

Cllr Thomas-Turner and the Sheriff thanked all those who attended, saying the presence of civic representatives from neighbouring towns reflected the “strong spirit of friendship and partnership across Pembrokeshire”.

They also paid tribute to fellow town councillors, the Guild of Freemen, and the cadets who supported the service.

Cllr Thomas-Turner added: “Days like today remind us that civic life is about more than titles and chains of office. It is about service, community, friendship and working together for the good of our towns and our county.”

He said the event had been a proud day for Haverfordwest, adding: “Haverfordwest truly is the Best in the West.”

Community

Thousands line Cardigan streets for Lord Rhys homecoming parade

Published

3 hours ago

June 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THOUSANDS of people lined the streets and quayside in Cardigan on Saturday as the town marked 850 years since Lord Rhys held the first recorded Eisteddfod at Cardigan Castle.

The spectacular procession formed the finale of the Journey of Lord Rhys, a week-long celebration which has travelled across west Wales before returning to Cardigan, where the story began in 1176.

***Five-metre-tall puppet of Lord Rhys in the streets of Cardigan (Pic: Steve Greenhalgh)***

At the centre of the event was a 5-metre-tall puppet of Lord Rhys, created as part of the Carreg Filltir Las project to celebrate the origins of the National Eisteddfod.

***Thousands of people in Cardigan outside the castle for the celebration (Pic: Eisteddfod)***

Crowds gathered around the castle, quayside and town centre as music, performance and pageantry brought the story of the first Eisteddfod back to life.

One of the most striking moments saw George, one of the Gentle Giants Shire Horses, given the honour of carrying this year’s Eisteddfod Chair to Cardigan Castle, 850 years after chairs were first awarded there for poetry and music.

VIDE:O FACEBOOK/Steve Greenhalgh

The first recorded Eisteddfod was hosted by Lord Rhys ap Gruffudd at Cardigan Castle in 1176, with poets and musicians competing in what is widely regarded as the foundation of the modern Eisteddfod tradition.

VIDEO: FACEBOOK/Gentle Giants Shire Horses

This year’s National Eisteddfod, Eisteddfod y Garreg Las, will be held at Llantood from August 1 to 8. The location is less than four miles from Cardigan Castle, creating a direct link between the first recorded gathering and the modern festival.

VIDEO: SOLO CLOTHING/FACEBOOK

The Eisteddfod has described the anniversary as a chance to celebrate 850 years of tradition while inspiring new audiences across Wales.

Saturday’s homecoming brought that history into the streets of Cardigan, with families, visitors and local residents turning out in large numbers for one of the most significant cultural moments in the town’s recent history.

Community

Councillors needed for Kilgetty and Begelly Community Council

Published

2 days ago

June 27, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE community council, which only has half its council seats filled, is calling for anyone interested in becoming a councillor to think about joining it.

Kilgetty and Begelly Community Council which cover areas such as Reynalton, Thomas Chapel, Begelly and also Kilgetty, is on the lookout for new members, having six vacant seats out of 12.

Peter Adams, Vice-Chair said: “The community council currently has six vacancies for our council, and would very much like to hear from anyone who may be interested in becoming more involved in community matters.

“The only commitment asked, is for a monthly meeting at the Kilgetty community centre on the second Thursday of the month to assist in decision making in the community, apart from the summer break which is usually in August when there is no meeting.”

He added: “KBCC council has 12 seats for councillors to represent the community covering the areas of Reynalton, Thomas Chapel and Kilgetty-Begelly; in recent years councillors have left for various reason due to retirement and other commitments etc, leaving us currently with six people.

“A lot has been achieved in the community in the last two years with a new park being opened, and now the completion of the ownership of the community centre the council feel that we need to encourage new people to come forward with ideas, and to also assist in the running of the increasing community facilities.”

Anyone interested please contact the council’s clerk Gary Price using the council’s website (www.kilgettybegellycouncil.co.uk) or phone 07984991520.