THE FORMER leader of Pembrokeshire County council is to ask the current administration why pupils in the county were not allowed to take part in the ‘wellies to school’ protest against changes to inheritance tax on agricultural property.

The wellies to school spectacle was part of a wider November 19 protest, led by the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), held in response to the UK Government’s budget.

At the Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced farmers would have to pay inheritance tax on agricultural property and land worth more than £1 million at a rate of 20 per cent, with a £3m threshold for couples passing on their farms.

This compares to a 40 per cent rate on other estates.

However, Pembrokeshire schools were not allowed to engage in the wellies to school message.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council said at the time: “The Education Act 1996 clearly prohibits practitioners from promoting partisan political views, and therefore, our schools are not permitted to promote the farmers’ protest taking place in London today.”

Former council leader Cllr Jamie Adams is now asking why the decision was taken.

In a question submitted to the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Jamie Adams says: “The recent spectacle of children wearing wellies to school on November 19, served as a powerful message that rural communities are concerned about the long-term sustainability of agriculture following the Government’s alterations to Agricultural Inheritance Tax.

“This widespread industry underpins the economy, social fabric, community cohesion and in many parts the Welsh language here in Pembrokeshire as much as any rural county due to the high prevalence of family farms.

“It was therefore concerning to hear that Pembrokeshire Local Education Authority sought to prevent children from overtly demonstrating their support by this action deeming it as ‘political’.

“I would therefore like to ask the Leader [Cllr Jon Harvey] how this position was adopted and who actually made the decision?”

Cllr Adams’ question will be heard at the December 12 meeting. 

A CALL for an update on a south Pembrokeshire school and the timeline for its rebuild more than two years after it was devastated by fire is to be heard later this week.

Manorbier Church in Wales VC School and its adjoining schoolhouse was severely damaged by a fire on October 11, 2022, which broke out in the school roof space.

Pupils and staff were successfully evacuated with no injuries, and a ‘school from school’ was set up in Jameston Village Hall, after a brief period of sanctuary at the nearby Buttyland caravan site.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s insurers have previously said the fire was accidentally started while ‘hot works’ were being carried out by contractors to renew an adjacent flat roof, but, as has previously been stressed, no liability has been accepted to date.

Councillors have previously heard the majority of costs were likely to be met from the council’s insurers, with the caveat of the unknown issue of liability and its effect on a £200,000 insurance excess.

They have also been told that, if liability was found or accepted, the council would “pursue for the full maximum claim of the costs associated with the fire”.

In a question submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council ahead of its full council meeting of December 12, local councillor Cllr Phil Kidney asks: “Manorbier School was subject to a serious fire in October 2022, so serious that the school premises has not been used since.

“At Schools O&S on February 6, 2023, Manorbier school was discussed and Councillor Stoddart queried the possibility of the contractor insurance covering the cost of the rebuild, to which the cabinet member advised, legal discussions were ongoing.

“At full council on October 12, 2023, Councillor Aled Thomas asked: ‘had the Authority been successful in recouping any of the £200,000 insurance excess that PCC had to bear.’

“At the same meeting I asked a question requesting an update on the rebuild of Manorbier School and was informed by the Cabinet Member that it would be included as part of a business case for further consideration by Cabinet.

“Over two years have now lapsed, since the fire and considerable disruption it has caused to the school and community, therefore could full council be provided with a full update with regards to the insurance claim in respect of the school fire and some timelines for the rebuild?”

Cllr Kidney’s question will be heard at the December 12 meeting.

A SPECIAL event highlighting the voices of young people across Pembrokeshire was held at County Hall on Tuesday (Dec 5). The event featured the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Rocio Cifuentes, alongside key figures in education and youth advocacy.

The Voice of Learners event, organised by Councillor Pat Davies and the Children and Young People’s Rights Office, brought together representatives from secondary schools and Pembrokeshire College.

Joining the panel were Director of Education Steven Richards-Downes and Principal Educational Psychologist Lorraine Silver. Pembrokeshire County Council Chairman, Councillor Steve Alderman, chaired the session, during which attendees posed a series of challenging and thought-provoking questions to the panel.

The event was driven by the findings of an extensive survey conducted with Pembrokeshire’s young people. Mental and emotional health emerged as a top concern, alongside issues such as access to sports, diagnosis and support for additional needs, exam stress, healthy eating, and the influence of technology on daily life.

Cllr Pat Davies said: “I started this focus on young people and democracy during my time as Council Chairman, and it has not only been popular but incredibly informative for both our school-goers and us as councillors.
“We are determined to engage with young people and ensure their concerns and views are heard. Events like this, as well as a previous session with the Electoral Commission, provide us with valuable opportunities to connect.

“Continuing this important work with the Children and Young People’s Rights Office is a real positive, and we look forward to welcoming more young people to County Hall for future events.”

The Voice of Learners event underscores Pembrokeshire County Council’s commitment to empowering young people and addressing the issues that matter most to them.