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New rates charges to hit charities

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charity shopA WELSH GOVERNMENT scheme to impose business rates on charity shops could have a serious impact on charities across the county.

The plans, which are currently under consultation, would mean that business rates for charities, which are at present treated on a discretionary basis, will be imposed. Around 200 groups, from national organizations like the British Heart Foundation and the Citizens Advice Bureau, to locally focused charities like PATCH, and numerous community groups will be affected.

At present, the Welsh government pays 80% of business rates for charitable organizations, with the other 20% being split between Pembrokeshire county council, who pay 15% and a donation of 5% from the Welsh Government. Under the new system, paying the latter 20% would be the responsibility of the charities concerned. The proposed rates could apply to all charities, although an option under consultation is to exempt local voluntary organizations from the charges.

Tracy Olin from PATCH said that if the proposal goes ahead it could cause ‘real problems’ for the charity. Speaking to the Herald, she said: “The rates on our headquarters, estimated at 20% would cost us £2300 pa. In addition to our monthly outgoings of £3000 we sometimes have to spend this much on provisions. This week, for example we have already spent £500 on food. The people of Pembrokeshire are so generous, but there are so many in this county in devastating circumstances, it would be a massive blow if these rates meant we could not provide the amount of assistance we do now.”

5 Comments

5 Comments

  1. Malcolm Calver

    February 20, 2015 at 8:13 pm

    Many of the charity shops I am told now sell new goods, in direct competition with businesses so perhaps a exception could be made for the shops that sell only used / second second hand goods.We do seem to have an abundance of charities with some very well paid employees.

  2. samuel

    February 22, 2015 at 2:44 pm

    I don\’t know who \”told\” Malcolm this information, going by the shops I visit the only \”\”new goods\” I see are Christmas cards

  3. Lucy in the sky with diamonds

    February 26, 2015 at 7:49 am

    Samuel I can agree with Malcolm even though I don’t know him, most of the charity shop chains do sell new stock which gets sent to them by companies (Oxfam online gets stuff from M&S)

  4. tomos

    February 27, 2015 at 9:35 am

    Sorry Lucy we’re talking about business rates, both you and Malcolm seem to be talking about the electric interweb which is completely different

  5. Lucy in the sky with diamonds

    February 27, 2015 at 1:48 pm

    Tomos I have seen rows of brand new clothes (all the same label) in a shop in Haverfordwest also in Tenby.

    I know of one shop that gets a lot of brand new items through the post (clocks for example and toys etc). I have had many of these items over the past few years.

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Charity

Christmas jumper fundraiser raises £360 for youth counselling

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A CHRISTMAS Jumper Day fundraiser held by staff at W.B. Griffiths & Son Ltd has raised £360 for the Megan’s Starr Foundation, helping fund vital mental health support for young people.

The money, presented to the charity by Carla and Liam, will pay for 10 professional counselling sessions for young people who are struggling and in urgent need of support.

The Megan’s Starr Foundation said the sessions provide a safe space for young people to talk, be listened to, and feel supported at a time when it matters most.

In a statement, the charity thanked the firm and its staff for getting involved, adding that access to timely support can be life changing and can help young people realise they are not alone.

The foundation said it was grateful to everyone at W.B. Griffiths & Son Ltd who took part, describing the donation as one that will have a real and lasting impact on local young people and their mental health.

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News

Investigation launched after man found dead near Carmarthen railway line

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POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man whose body was found in a field close to the railway track near Carmarthen railway station.

Emergency services were called to the area at just after 8:30am on Saturday (Jan 10). Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police attended alongside paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service.

Witnesses reported seeing police and ambulance vehicles outside the station’s main entrance, with officers also in an adjacent field near a railway bridge.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

A police spokesperson said enquiries are ongoing and the death is currently being treated as unexplained.

No further details, including the man’s age or identity, have been released.

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Crime

Former Gwent detective would have been sacked after off duty assault conviction

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Ex officer found guilty of gross misconduct following Devon incident and magistrates court conviction

A FORMER Gwent Police detective sergeant has been found guilty of gross misconduct after being convicted of assaulting a man while off duty in Devon.

Joanne Marston resigned from the force shortly before an accelerated misconduct hearing was due to begin at Cwmbran on Monday. The panel went ahead in her absence.

The hearing was told the incident happened in February 2024 while Marston was off duty in Devon. She was later arrested and charged with common assault, and was convicted at Exeter Magistrates’ Court in March last year.

A professional standards investigation concluded she had breached the police standards of professional behaviour relating to discreditable conduct. The panel upheld the allegation and found it amounted to gross misconduct.

Had she remained a serving officer, the panel ruled she would have been dismissed without notice.

Assistant Chief Constable Vicki Townsend, who chaired the hearing, said the former officer’s actions were “shocking and unacceptable” and warned that such behaviour damages public confidence in policing.

Marston will now be placed on the College of Policing barred list, preventing her from serving with any police force in the UK.

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