A national secularist organisation has backed Pembrokeshire County Council’s plans for Cilgerran school, while the Church in Wales continues to oppose the proposed change and has warned of possible legal action

PLANS to replace Cilgerran Church in Wales VC School with a community school have prompted sharply differing responses from education and religious organisations.

Pembrokeshire County Council has proposed discontinuing the existing voluntary controlled school and establishing a new 3-11 community school on the site.

The authority has argued that changing the school’s status could provide greater flexibility when considering its long-term future, including the possibility of federation with other nearby community schools.

However, the proposal has faced strong opposition from the Church in Wales, the Diocese of St Davids and members of the school community.

The Church has questioned the council’s justification for the change and says the overwhelming majority of responses submitted during the statutory consultation opposed the proposal.

It has also raised concerns about the future use of the school buildings and land, which are owned by the Diocese of St Davids.

The Church in Wales has issued formal notice that legal action may follow if the council proceeds and has said the diocese would not agree to the premises being used for a community school without the relevant legal and property matters being resolved.

Pembrokeshire County Council has said no change would be implemented until questions surrounding land ownership and occupation rights had been addressed in accordance with legal and statutory requirements.

The National Secular Society has now entered the debate, welcoming the council’s proposal.

The organisation, which campaigns for the separation of religion and the state, said community schools were more inclusive and better reflected the religious diversity of modern Wales.

It said: “Inclusive schools which educate pupils together are one of our best means of promoting community cohesion.”

The society also argued that publicly funded schools should be managed in the interests of families from all religious and non-religious backgrounds.

Its intervention is unlikely to resolve the disagreement surrounding the future of the school, with the council, the Church and local stakeholders continuing to hold significantly different views.

The proposal concerns the legal status and governance of the school. It does not mean that pupils or families with Christian beliefs would be excluded from attending the proposed community school.

Equally, opponents of the change argue that Cilgerran school’s Church in Wales identity is an important part of its history and relationship with the local community.

Any final decision will need to take account of the consultation responses, the council’s education strategy, the interests of pupils and staff, and the unresolved legal and property issues surrounding the site.

Help to Buy Wales, Help to Stay Wales and the Empty Homes Grant will continue until March 2027

HUNDREDS of households across Wales are set to benefit after the Welsh Government announced extensions to three schemes designed to make housing more affordable.

Help to Buy Wales, Help to Stay Wales and the Empty Homes Grant will all continue until March 31, 2027.

The extensions could help up to 400 additional households purchase a newly built home, while funding will be available to renovate as many as 300 empty and neglected properties.

Help to Buy Wales allows eligible buyers to purchase a new-build property with a smaller deposit, supported by a shared-equity loan from the Welsh Government.

The scheme has provided a route into homeownership for many first-time buyers who might otherwise struggle to raise a deposit or secure an affordable mortgage.

Help to Stay Wales will also continue for another year, providing support to homeowners who are experiencing difficulty meeting their mortgage repayments and are at risk of losing their homes.

Meanwhile, the Empty Homes Grant will continue to support the renovation of long-term empty properties, bringing neglected buildings back into use as safe and energy-efficient homes.

The Welsh Government said the three schemes would support people at different stages of homeownership, from those purchasing their first property to existing homeowners facing financial difficulties.

Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning Siân Gwenllian announced the extensions during a visit to Hollybrook Park in Connah’s Quay, where she met residents who had purchased homes through Help to Buy Wales.

She said: “This government is committed to the principle that every family deserves a safe and affordable home in which to live.

“Increasing the supply of social homes is one way of achieving this, and we have announced our target of delivering 20,000 additional homes.

“We are also offering targeted support for those who own or wish to own their homes, an option that is not affordable or accessible for many as prices continue to grow beyond the reach of local people across many parts of Wales.

“Today I am announcing the extension of three schemes that support people buying their first home, help families avoid losing their homes and help renovate empty properties so they can be brought back into use.

“The cost-of-living crisis has hit hard, and these extensions are about helping families and young people to buy and keep their homes through challenging times.

“I am hugely grateful to our partners, including homebuilders, local authorities, mortgage lenders and the Development Bank of Wales, whose commitment makes all of this possible.

“Together, we will keep pushing to make homeownership a reality for more people right across Wales.”

Louisa Edwards, marketing manager at Edwards Homes Ltd, welcomed the continuation of Help to Buy Wales.

She said: “This is excellent news for first-time buyers, providing continued support to help them purchase a new home in Wales.

“To date, 45 per cent of Edwards Homes’ sales have been made through the Help to Buy Wales scheme, demonstrating just how important and valuable it has been in helping people take their first step onto the property ladder.”

Max Dangerfield will be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court after collision involving a BMW and Toyota Prius

A YOUNG driver has admitted causing serious injury in an early-morning collision on the A48 after his BMW failed to stop for police.

Max Dangerfield, aged 20, of Cwmllethryd Ganol, Felinfoel, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 23.

Dangerfield indicated a guilty plea to causing serious injury to Imran Ilyas by driving dangerously on the A48 at Cross Hands.

The offence involved a BMW M140i and happened on January 25, 2025, when Dangerfield was 18.

The collision occurred at around 4.20am on the westbound carriageway between Cross Hands and Pont Abraham.

The Herald reported at the time that the crash involved a black BMW and a white Toyota Prius.

Dyfed-Powys Police said four people were taken to hospital following the collision. Their injuries were initially described as not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.

Police also confirmed that the BMW had failed to stop for officers before the collision.

Because of the police contact before the crash, the force notified the Independent Office for Police Conduct and began a formal referral process.

The A48 was closed in both directions between Cross Hands and Pont Abraham for much of the day while collision investigators examined the scene.

Diversions were put in place, with motorists advised to avoid the area as emergency services and investigators continued their work.

Dangerfield has now admitted that his driving caused serious injury to Mr Ilyas.

District Judge Mark Layton committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

A pre-sentence report was ordered and Dangerfield was placed under an interim driving disqualification.

He was released on unconditional bail and is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday, August 13.