News
Local government: Time for a change?

A GOVERNMENT White Paper released on Tuesday set out plans for a massive re-organisation in Local Government, and paved

Leighton Andrews AM: Spoke of need to recast the relationship between
National and Local Government’.
the way for increased Welsh Government involvement at a local level.
In the foreword to this paper, Leighton Andrews AM spoke of the need to recast the relationship between National and Local Government in Wales’.
A series of mergers is planned between county councils, some of which will be voluntary. The salaries of executives and councillors will also come under scrutiny and the Welsh Government will have greater powers to audit County Councils.
These mergers will be overseen by a national Statutory Public Services Staff Commission, which will play a major role in overseeing the transfer of staff between authorities, as well as playing a role in the recruitment and remuneration for senior positions in those authorities. The Welsh Government paper claims that this is necessary in order to ‘build an engaged, motivated, and high performing workforce’.
Certain services will be subject to what the paper describes as ‘a clearly defined leadership role for the Welsh Government’, leaving Local Government to ‘determine local priorities’. This will lead to greater involvement by the Welsh Government in education, social services, economic development, and the environment. It is unclear how this will affect budget provision for Local Councils.
Significant alterations are planned to the structure of Local Councils. The report questions both the number of directors and the salaries that they command. It also recommends that some cabinet positions become part-time. Also under consideration is the £13,000 annual salary paid to Councillors for a three day week. The report claims that this figure ‘is a significant extra income’ to people of retirement age, which ‘may help explain the over-representation of councillors over 60. On the other hand, it may only partially compensate someone whose ordinary job is higher paid, or disadvantage a single parent with a part-time job by moving them into a higher tax bracket’.
This announcement comes at the same time that a proposed £10,000 salary increase for AMs is under consultation.
The Paper also criticises the induction and training received by Leaders and Cabinet Members, describing it as ‘patchy and inconsistent at best’. A development scheme is recommended for all new and existing Council Leaders, potential Cabinet Members, and Leaders of the Opposition. This scheme will be run by the Welsh Government’s Public Service Academy.
Fixed terms of office will be introduced. A councillor will only be able to serve for five five-year terms, while Cabinet members may only serve two consecutive terms. While the paper claims that this will lead to more competitive elections and a more diverse pool of candidates, it has yet to be considered at Assembly or National level. The Chief Executive, an appointed rather than elected position, would also be subject to a maximum term.
The role played by Community Councils is set to increase. However, many smaller Community Councils could be forced to merge. These councils would then have to pass a number of ‘competency tests’. For example, two-thirds of the councillors must have been declared elected, and the minimum annual budget must be £200,000. Community Councils declared competent will ‘acquire a number of privileges over other Community Councils, including being able to raise money by charging for discretionary services’.
Community Councils will also be encouraged to work in conjunction with public services and volunteer groups. Land and leisure facilities currently under Local Authority control will in some cases be transferred to these groups in a return to the ‘cooperative’ methods currently being reintroduced in areas of London and other major cities.
News
Coastguard called to Goodwick breakwater after items found

HM COASTGUARD teams from Fishguard and Moylegrove were called into action on Tuesday morning (Mar 25) after personal belongings were discovered on Goodwick breakwater.
The lifeboat crew from RNLI Fishguard also launched, as emergency services responded to concerns that a person may have entered the water.
The incident began at around 10:34am when Dyfed-Powys Police requested assistance in conducting a coordinated search of the area, both by land and sea.
After a full search involving Coastguard teams and the lifeboat, no missing person was found and the operation was stood down.
A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: “If you’re ever out and about and see something that doesn’t look right, don’t ignore it. Call 101 to report non-emergencies or dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard if there’s any danger to life on the coast.”
Education
County’s musical talents celebrated at annual music festival

PEMBROKESHIRE MUSIC SERVICE welcomed pupils from across the county to share their musical talents with a delighted audience at the Primary Valero Music Festival.
The overall winner of the festival, held at Ysgol Caer Elen on March 22nd, was Ysgol Bro Penfro pupil Wolfgang Evans on the piano, with his rendition of “Jackson Street Blues” by Martha Mier.
Wolfgang was also winner of the Open Brass class, performing “Rondino” by Allan Street on trumpet.
In the morning the children performed in the Open Classes and in the afternoon the audience enjoyed the Spotlight Concert that featured performances winners:
Open woodwind – Saxophonist Autumn Sheppard, Coastlands, who played “Bye Bye Blackbird by Ray Henderson
Open Strings – violinist Denisa Rusu, Saundersfoot School, who played “Gavotte” by Couperin.
Open Drums – Ifan Murphy, Ysgol Caer Elen, who played “Are You Gonna Go My Way.”
Saundersfoot CP School’s orchestra won the Ensemble category but sadly could not perform in the afternoon due to a variety of commitments. Earlier in the day they performed “Drive Time” by Jock McKenzie.

Head of Pembrokeshire Music Service Philippa Roberts said: “Congratulations to our dedicated primary pupils for their wonderful performances at the music festival. Their hard work and dedication shone through in a truly inclusive and supportive atmosphere, where every child was celebrated.
“It was a fantastic showcase of music and teamwork supported by dedicated tutors, parents and carers.”
Karin Jenkins, who adjudicated the strings classes, echoed Philippa’s sentiments, and added: “How amazing today’s music festival was for Pembrokeshire’s primary pupils. It was a fantastic opportunity to immerse ourselves in musical talent and I loved every moment. Everyone seemed to be having such a great time performing, and their energy was fantastic.”
Pembrokeshire Music Service Primary Valero Music Festival 2025 Results:
Woodwind
Initial Grade flute:
1st – Lyra Constable, Spittal
2nd – Maisie Parkin, St Oswalds
3rd – Lara Morgan, Wolfscastle
Initial Grade clarinet & saxophone:
1st – Maya Cunliffe, Cleddau Reach
2nd – Ellis Roberts, Bro Ingli
3rd – Lois Morgan, Wolfscastle
Grade 1:
1st – Mia John, Mary Immaculate
2nd – Ethan Stoney, Prendergast
3rd – Iolo Thomas, Bro Ingli
Grade 2:
1st – Eva Evans, St Aidans
2nd – Paige Youngs, Johnston
3rd – Phoebe Rees, Coastlands & Skyla Fletcher, Johnston
Open:
1st – Autumn Sheppard, Coastlands
2nd – Osian Kite, Roch
3rd – Hattie Phillips, MHCPS
Brass:
Initial Grade:
1st – Sam Triggs, Llandudoch
2nd – Wilf Davies, Llanychllwydog & Leila Mundy-Kearns, Llandudoch
3rd – Jaxon Price, PDCS
Lower Brass Grade 1:
1st – Phoebe Jones, Hafan y mor
2nd – Gwennan Davies, Bro Preseli
3rd – Eliana Barder, Hafan y mor
HC – Alfie Chester, Cleddau Reach & Molly Thomas, St Teilos
Trumpet & Cornet Grade 1:
1st – Noah Lewis, Wdig
2nd – Llion Davies, Bro Preseli
3rd – Penny de Wreede, Roch
HC – Olivia Conroy-Thornberry, Johnston & Chester Price, Tenby VC
Grade 2:
1st – Isaac Phillips, Saundersfoot
2nd – Edward Skidmore, St Teilos
3rd – TJ Stewart, Glannau Gwaun
Open:
1st – Wolfgang Evans, Bro Penfro
2nd – Carys Meiring, Hafan y mor
3rd – Ella-May Kirby, MHCPS
HC – Mali McFarlane, Caer Elen & Iolo Simms, Caer Elen
Strings
Initial grade:
1st – Archie Hayden, Redhill
2nd – Sara Thomas, Bro Preseli
3rd – Tillie Ward, Bro Preseli
HC – Phoebe Harries, St Oswalds, Nia Owen, Ger y Llan, Maisie Gray, Ger y Llan, Poppy Armstrong
Grade 1:
1st – Esme Phillips, Penrhyn Dewi
2nd – Haf Evans, Cilgerran
3rd – Rebecca Lowe, Caer Elen
HC – Huw Tamplin – Narberth, Efa Britton – Johnston, Suki Heulwen – Bro Penfro, Gracie Jones – Waldo Williams, Patsi Reynolds – Caer Elen, Ashley Cristabel – Prendergast, Aled Hooper – Caer Elen, Saskia Winton – Narberth, Maisie Torok -St Oswalds & Harper Wallis – Hafan y mor
Open:
1st – Denisa Rusu, Saundersfoot
2nd – Alice Ng, Caer Elen & Leila Powell
3rd – Elsa Rae Gibbons, Caer Elen & Fred Powell
HC – Harrison Sheppard, Caer Elen & Bella Raymond, Caer Elen
Piano & Harp
Initial grade piano:
1st – Harry Brace, Penrhyn
2nd – Efa Harries, Penrhyn Dewi
3rd – Maiya Cunliffe, Redhill
HC – Dougie Nevinson, Lamphey
Grade 1 piano:
1st – Carys Callan, Redhill
2nd – River Regelous, Penrhyn
3rd – Evelyn James, Tavernspite
HC – Michael Aulehla-Atkin, Caer Elen & Elodie Voaden, Tavernspite
Grade 1 Harp:
1st – Efa John, Maenclochog
2nd – Haf Evans, Cilgerran
3rd – Ruby Robinson, Caer Elen & Bella Grove, Maenclochog
HC – Delun Hancock-Phillips, Caer Elen
Grade 2 piano:
1st – Harry Hayden, Redhill
2nd – Emily Thomas-Ward, Redhill
3rd – Ella Schwierzi, Nant y Cwm
HC – Seth Morris, Croesgoch
Grade 2 harp:
1st – Elen Davies, Bro Preseli
2nd – Olivia Davies, Caer Elen
3rd – Ffion Fenrick, Cilgerran
HC – Ethan Dunkeld, Cilgerran
Open piano & harp:
1st – Wolfgang Evans, Bro Penfro
2nd – Eva Evans, St Aidans
3rd – Gethin Wade, Maenclochog
HC – Cadi Haf Marshall-Jones, Bro Preseli
Percussion
Initial Grade:
1st – Luca Rebiga, Saundersfoot
2nd – Harper Wolverson, St Florence
3rd – Dylan Chan, Saundersfoot & Madi Wright, Saundersfoot
Grade 1:
1st – Sadie Neuman, Roch
2nd – Felix Livock, Tenby VC
3rd – Alfie Hughes, Tenby VC
HC – Harry D’Ortez, Tenby VC
Open:
1st – Ifan Murphy, Caer Elen
2nd – Ollie Holloway, Roch
3rd – Aled Hooper, Caer Elen
HC – Esme Muir, Gelliswick
Ensembles
1st – Saundersfoot School orchestra
2nd – Bro Preseli Harp ensemble & Cilgerran Harp ensemble
3rd – Violin duet (Fred & Leila Powell) & Wiston piano duet (Eva Evans & Millie Griffiths)
HC – Hook ensemble & Caer Elen harp ensemble
Community
Loved and lost baby remembrance service to be held in Carmarthen

THE ANNUAL Hywel Dda ‘Loved and Lost Baby Remembrance Service’ will take place at midday on Saturday (Apr 26) in Carmarthen.
The service, organised by Hywel Dda University Health Board and led by the Spiritual Care Department (Chaplaincy), is intended to offer comfort and reflection for parents and families who have experienced the loss of a baby.
It will be held at Bethel Chapel, Hill House, Picton Terrace, SA31 3BT. The chapel is behind the Welsh Government offices and the Army Reserve Centre, with parking available nearby.
Senior Chaplain Euryl Howells said the service is an opportunity for people to come together and remember babies who have passed away, regardless of when the loss happened or at what stage of pregnancy.
A parent who attended a previous service said it meant a great deal to them in remembering their child.
Cerian Llewellyn, interim head of midwifery, said the service also allows health professionals to show support for grieving families and to honour the memory of the babies who have died.
Parents are invited to bring a photograph or a small item such as a blanket, toy, or something bearing the baby’s name to place on a memory table during the service.
Refreshments will be provided by Pastor Tim and members of Bethel Church.
Those unable to attend but who wish to commemorate their baby can email a message to [email protected] by Tuesday (Apr 22).
Further information is available by calling Euryl Howells on 01267 227563 or by email at [email protected].
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