News
Counties in waste deal
CEREDIGION and Pembrokeshire County Councils have struck a new deal to process and export residual waste overseas.
The innovative approach will save each council over £350,000 a year – and also create 11 jobs at Pembroke Dock. It will also benefit the environment at home and abroad.
Under the new contract which the two councils have signed with Potters Waste Management, waste from the two counties that cannot be recycled will be exported to Sweden. There it will be used in a high efficiency power station to produce both electricity and heat for local Swedish households.
Cllr Alun Williams, Ceredigion County Council’s portfolio holder for Waste and Recycling said; “Ceredigion is always keen to work together with our neighbouring councils and we’re very happy to be doing so with Pembrokeshire on this occasion, thereby saving money for both councils. In addition to the cost savings, this agreement is also the most environmentally benign option available to us. We will be extracting additional recyclate from the waste before exporting and, once the agreement is up and running, our intention is that none of our waste will be going to landfill at all”.
The new contract starts on 1 March 2015 with the first shipment expected to take place at the beginning of June.
Waste collected by the two counties will first be processed at sites at Pembroke Port and in Lampeter to remove certain recyclable materials. It will then be shredded, baled and wrapped at Pembroke Port to create a Refuse Derived Fuel which can be shipped overseas.
The contract has been let under an innovative framework contract that Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion have created with advice from private sector partners, Eunomia. Under the framework, any other council can buy waste disposal services from one of seven suppliers, including two UK based and five export solutions.
The framework contract is available to all other councils in Wales and Pembrokeshire County Council has already had interest from a number of other authorities about joining.
The new contract provides a flexible, low-risk, value-for-money approach that enables us to divert waste from landfill in the short term, but avoids committing too much waste to incineration in the long term as recycling rates escalate.
Using the excess capacity in Swedish incinerators allows the waste to be disposed of at reduced cost, while the use of combined heat and power technology enables far more energy to be extracted from the waste compared with most UK incinerators, making it both a green and economical solution.
Debbie Potter, Operations Director of Potters Waste Management said the company was delighted to have won the contract, saying: “This is a new venture for us and we are delighted to be working with Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion County Councils on this innovative scheme to make best use of waste, while also creating employment opportunities.”
“The framework contract gives us the opportunity to work with all other councils in Wales to help them secure savings and meet their financial and performance demands.”
Education
Support from Blue Gem Wind boosts outdoor learning in Pembrokeshire

THE PEMBROKESHIRE OUTDOOR SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP (PODS) has received a significant boost in the form of a £7,500 contribution from Blue Gem Wind. The funding arrived at a pivotal time for the outdoor education initiative, enabling projects that connect learners with Pembrokeshire’s rich outdoor spaces, including its National Park.

One of the key focus areas to benefit from the funding was the development of bespoke learning resources for the Courage and Community – RNLI 200 Cymru exhibition, which is being hosted by Oriel y Parc, National Park Discovery Centre until June 2025.
The resources have been designed to engage learners with the vital work of the RNLI, whether they’re able to visit the exhibition or not. Put together by Pembrokeshire Outdoor Schools to include a range of partners, including the Park Authority, Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, Darwin Science, RNLI, Pembrokeshire Marine SAC, the Field Studies Council (FSC) and Câr y Môr, they cover topics such as renewable energy, coastal wildlife and Pembrokeshire’s maritime heritage.
Bryony Rees, Pembrokeshire Outdoor Schools Co-ordinator, said: “This funding has enabled us to develop engaging learning resources that bring the work of the RNLI to life. By exploring Pembrokeshire’s coastal heritage and maritime communities, these materials provide meaningful learning opportunities for children in and beyond the classroom.”
The funding also supported a landmark outdoor learning experience for Year 8 pupils from Henry Tudor School in Pembroke, who took part in a hands-on programme at Newgale Beach. The visit explored topics such as climate change, recreation management, geology, and ‘art in the environment,’ using the stunning coastal setting as an open-air classroom. Delivered by PODS in collaboration with the National Park Authority, Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, and local geologist Sid Howells, the sessions gave students a unique opportunity to connect with nature while deepening their understanding of these important themes.
As part of the programme, National Park staff trialled mobility equipment, enabling two students with additional mobility needs to fully experience the beach’s dynamic and challenging terrain.
David Jones, Stakeholder at Blue Gem Wind, said: “We absolutely loved taking part in some of the Pembrokeshire Outdoor Schools activity days, particularly doing it in collaboration with other partners and bringing renewable energy to school children in the outdoors. Providing funding for this crucial project allows us the opportunity to support future activity and highlight the exciting careers renewable energy could provide for young people in Pembrokeshire.”
PODS is co-ordinated by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, and supported by a network of specialist organisations, teachers and local authority advisors. It aims to enable learners to benefit from high quality outdoor learning experiences, encouraging children to become fully engaged with and confident in their local environment. Further information about the partnership can be found at https://pembrokeshireoutdoorschools.co.uk.
Education
Welsh university crisis deepens as Bangor announces 200 job cuts

THE FINANCIAL crisis gripping Welsh universities has worsened, with Bangor University announcing plans to cut 200 jobs in an effort to save £15 million. The move follows similar measures at Cardiff University, which is set to axe 400 positions, and the University of South Wales, which will shed 90 jobs and shut down several courses.
Bangor’s Vice Chancellor Professor Edmund Burke outlined the university’s dire financial position in an email to staff, citing a drop in international students, rising costs, and changes to national insurance as key factors. While the university hopes to avoid compulsory redundancies by extending its voluntary redundancy scheme, it has warned that enforced job losses may be necessary.
The crisis has sparked a political row, with Labour’s funding policies and tax hikes under fire. Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education, Natasha Asghar MS, placed the blame squarely on the Labour Government’s handling of higher education:
“Labour’s National Insurance hike continues to heap pressure on industries across Wales and following the similar news from Cardiff University last month, it was inevitable these pressures would ripple across the higher education sector.”
“With universities already grappling with a £100m deficit and Labour’s tuition fee increases making higher education less appealing for many young people, Labour’s funding cuts and tax hikes are now jeopardising the future of our institutions, their staff, and students.”
“After 26 years of Labour failure in education, it’s clear that only the Welsh Conservatives have the solutions to fix these deep-rooted problems and secure a brighter future for Wales.”
The UK Government has also been criticised for immigration policies that discouraged international student enrolment, worsening financial struggles across the sector. Prof Burke noted that some top-tier universities have responded to the drop in international students by lowering entry grades, making it even harder for institutions like Bangor to attract students.
On Tuesday, Welsh Higher Education Minister Vikki Howells announced a further £19 million in funding for the sector, despite stating earlier this month that no extra money was available. However, universities have warned that this support falls short of what is needed to prevent further cuts.
Meanwhile, the University of South Wales has confirmed its own job losses and course closures. The institution will withdraw from some research topics and concentrate on crime, security and justice, health and wellbeing, the sustainable environment, and creative innovation. The university said it is making efforts to limit compulsory redundancies and provide support to affected staff and students.
With the financial future of Wales’ universities hanging in the balance, opposition leaders and university officials alike are calling for a long-term solution to prevent further disruption to students, staff, and the wider economy.
News
Councils pay over £100,000 to Crown Estate annually

CALLS FOR DEVOLUTION
NEW data has revealed that councils in Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and Carmarthenshire pay a combined £105,589.29 each year to the Crown Estate for public access to land.
The figure was obtained through Freedom of Information requests by the office of Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd for Mid and West Wales (pictured). Mr. Campbell argues the findings strengthen his party’s call for the devolution of the Crown Estate’s responsibilities to Wales.
Currently, profits from the Crown Estate are received and managed by the UK Treasury on behalf of the royal family.
PLAID CYMRU PRESSURE
In the Senedd today (Wednesday, February 19), Mr. Campbell questioned Jayne Bryant, the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Housing. He raised concerns about the financial strain on local councils and the impact of rising costs.
“Local authorities, facing the cost-of-living crisis and increased national insurance contributions, are having to consider cuts to public services to balance their budgets,” he said. “Ceredigion Council, for instance, is facing a £5 million deficit and considering a council tax rise of up to 14%.”
He added: “Do you agree with me and my Plaid Cymru colleagues that it is impossible to justify councils in south-west Wales sending over £100,000 to the UK Treasury and royal family each year? Shouldn’t the process of transferring responsibility for the Crown Estate to Wales begin as soon as possible?”
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David Robinson
February 22, 2015 at 11:26 pm
Remember what Pete Seeger said:
“If it cannot be reduced, Reused, Repaired, Rebuilt, Refurbished,Refinished,Resold,Recycled or composted, then it should be Restricted, Redesigned or Removed from production.
Then we might at last be on the road to “Zero Waste”.