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News

Delyth Evans: Business and young people a priority

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As part of a series of interviews with local parliamentary candidates standing at the general election in May, Deputy Editor Jon Coles spoke to
Delyth Evans, Labour candidate for South Pembrokeshire and West Carmarthenshire.

42 DIMOND STREET at 2pm, Pembroke Dock was the appointment. And I was late. Having abandoned the idea of Fish Week, the delythevanscouncil had instead elected to host the International Festival of Road Works across Pembrokeshire.

Through the door of the campaign office, which used to be a shop, and there are some bare tables a few chairs and Delyth Evans on the phone trying to find out where I am. Quick introductions and apologies are in order. Time is a precious commodity for an election candidate and she has places to be.

The purpose of the interview is to find out more about the person who wants to unseat incumbent Conservative Simon Hart. Bearing in mind the time constraints, we move briskly to business.

“I was brought up in Carmarthenshire.” Delyth opens: “I was a journalist who worked for the BBC and HTV for ten years. When I felt I could no longer be politically neutral in my job, I left to join the Labour Party. I was very lucky to work for John Smith when he was Labour leader. I was John’s speechwriter for two years, he was a very good man, who died very suddenly. I left politics before returning to sit in the Welsh Assembly during its first term. I had very young children and it was tough combining a political career with being a parent. After the Assembly, I worked for a charity focussing on helping women from difficult backgrounds access employment and other services.”

The challenges facing a candidate – any candidate – in the current climate are well-known and we asked Delyth Evans her view about them: “The main challenge is that people think politicians are the same. There is a cynicism about politics and disengagement by the electorate. The biggest challenge for politicians is dispelling the notion that we are all the same. Someone said to me recently that politicians never seem to have had any work experience outside politics. I would say that I certainly have a lot of work experience and a broader life experience upon which to draw.”

Looking at Carmarthenshire West and South Pembrokeshire, Delyth was clear as to the task that would face a new member: “For this constituency, the major challenge is the regional economy. I am convinced that what is needed is a government that is prepared to intervene to help businesses. The market alone, which is the current government’s approach, cannot and will not work. There are different choices the government could make that would make a positive difference to their lives.”

On local businesses and issues that affect them Delyth Evans had spoken with them about their priorities: “I spend a lot of time talking to local businesses and try to find out what local businesses need from government to help them grow. As an MP, my role will be to support and help businesses get the best deal from government.”

On the European issue, Delyth is eager to make a clear statement about the importance of Europe to local businesses: “Europe – and our future trading relationship with Europe – is often raised with me. Businesses are clear about the importance of European markets to them. The Tories are, in my view, playing fast and loose on the issue. Businesses need certainty and, for their own reasons, the Conservatives are creating uncertainty.”

On her personal priorities, she expresses a similarly clear viewpoint: “Young people are a priority. It’s about helping them find opportunities in their own areas without moving away. It’s about things like apprenticeships, training, housing – on which Labour has very good proposals: it is important that young people’s voices are heard and that they are engaged in the political process and on political issues. One of the things I am very keen on is to get young people to vote and to participate. It is not just about getting them to vote for me, but to vote.”

On the thorny issue of voting, the measure of the challenge is not lost on her: “Most of the people I speak to tell me they haven’t made up their mind about how they are going to vote. An awful lot of people have an open mind and are waiting to be persuaded. My job, if you like, is to persuade them to vote for me. I’ve been the Labour candidate here for over a year. It has become a lot easier to engage with people on the issues as the election has drawn nearer. People are now focussed on May’s election.”

As for what would come after a possible Labour victory, she told The Herald: “The main challenge a Labour government would face would be how to get real growth back into the economy. Austerity is making harder for new businesses to succeed and for the economy to grow. That is why we cannot afford another five years of a Conservative government. In Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire the focus needs to be on encouraging high skilled jobs in new technologies. Labour is talking about creating a regional investment bank to support new businesses. For young people it is very much getting those apprenticeships and training opportunities. Labour is looking at vocational training equivalent to A Level and beyond. It is vital the building blocks are in place to help us capitalise on economic growth and be ready for the future.”

The difficult ground in the constituency was not shirked: “The issues that come up most often are jobs and health. That’s what comes up on the doorstep. People do not like it when English politicians, like David Cameron, run down the NHS and the NHS in Wales. Any other party in power in Wales would have had to make similar, if not the same, decisions about the health service in Wales as those decisions were based on clinical guidance. I agree with the idea that part of the problem is the failure of the Health Board to communicate properly about its strategy. I spoke with Bernadine Rees, the Chair of the Health Board this morning, and we discussed that point. I know that the Board is currently holding a series of public engagement events across the area and that the feedback being generated from those is being taken on board in terms of how the Board can better communicate. There was always going to be huge opposition to services being moved and I completely understand that. What we need to know now is that there will not be continuous revolution; that Withybush’s future is secure; that the right model is in place for the future. There is a job to be done to reassure people about that.”

Read part two of this interview in next week’s edition of The Herald.

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Crime

Over 120 Carmarthenshire people identified as ‘money mules’ in fraud probe

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More than 120 people in Carmarthenshire, mostly living in the Llanelli area have handed over their personal bank details to criminals involved in money laundering in exchange for financial gifts.

Economic Crime Team officers from Dyfed-Powys Police identified the individuals as part of an ongoing criminal investigation and issued notices advising them to stop the activity immediately or face prosecution.

Throughout February, the team visited people who had been linked with a suspected fraudster, as part of Operation Henhouse – a month-long nationwide clampdown on fraud offences.

On speaking to those involved, officers learned how the individuals opened online bank accounts using their personal information and identification and gave their account login details to criminals in return for cash, who then used their bank accounts to launder money obtained through crime.

The team offered safeguarding advice and warned them about the dangers of opening bank accounts to be used by someone else for criminal activity. 

Many were unaware of the implications of what they had done and thought it was an easy way to make some money. Some were given financial gifts ranging from £50 to £200, while others were promised money but did not receive it.

Dyfed-Powys Police Fraud Investigator Sian Stevens said: “Through intelligence, we were made aware of a fraudster who recruited a number of people in the Llanelli area to open bank accounts, which were then subsequently used for money laundering purposes.

“The Economic Crime Team visited over 120 individuals in February to explain that they had been used as a money mule – this is someone, who has allowed their bank account to be used to send criminal money. We issued them with cease and desist notice to interrupt any further fraud by making sure they were aware what they were doing was a criminal activity.  

“Many of the people were linked to each other. Some were family members or in the same friendship groups, ranging from young adults to pensioners. The accounts had been opened as a direct or indirect interaction with the fraudster. 

“For example, there were some instances where an individual opened a bank account after contact with the fraudster and then went on to tell their friends, ‘you can earn £50 if you open up a bank account and give the details to this person’ and so on. That was just one of many examples how the fraudster managed to obtain personal bank details.”

Dyfed-Powys Police Economic Crime Team Manager Paul Callard said: “People fall victim to fraud every day and the impact on victims can be devastating, both financially and emotionally.

“They can be taken advantage of by criminals and encouraged to allow their accounts to be used. People should be very careful about who they provide their personal information to.

“We will not tolerate fraudulent activity and will look to tackle criminals at every opportunity.”

How to avoid becoming a victim of fraud

  • Always use the ABC of scam awareness. Never Assume or Believe a caller, email or text is genuine. Always Confirm by contacting a trusted relative, friend, your bank’s fraud department or the police to check it is genuine.
  • Remember the police will never call you asking you to assist with an investigation by withdrawing cash for them to collect, or requesting to collect your bank card. If you receive a call purporting to be from the police and are unsure it is genuine, ring them back via 101 using a different telephone.
  • Avoid clicking on links in emails and text messages from unknown sources, as they are liable to be a scam.
  • Always use a strong and separate password for your email address by using three random words.

Do you know what will happen if you are caught allowing criminals to use your bank accounts to money launder?

⚠️ You could face prosecution and go to prison for up to 14 years.

⚠️ It will be difficult to get a phone contract.

⚠️ Your bank accounts will be closed.

⚠️ You will have problems applying for credit.

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Community

Pembrokeshire projects are building success

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PEMBROKESHIRE County Council’s Building Control Team is congratulating local building and design projects for success in the LABC Building Excellence Awards 2024.

The LABC Building Excellence Awards are the largest business to business awards in the building control sector.  

They celebrate buildings and design teams that have overcome the challenges of complex technical and construction issues and put the spotlight on innovative and creative building work.

In Pembrokeshire, D & O Construction Ltd, Julian Bishop Architect, Redstone Architecture  and AB Rogers & Son Ltd, Hayston Development & Planning Ltd all achieved success on some high profile local projects.

In the Regional LABC Building Excellence Awards 2024, Berry Lodge, Newport won the Best Residential Extension in Wales prize with work carried out by D & O Construction Ltd and with agents Julian Bishop Architect and Redstone Architecture.

Highly Commended was the development at Plas Y Castell, Llawhaden, carried out by AB Rogers & Son Ltd and Hayston Development & Planning Ltd.

The Berry Lodge development then went forward to the Grand Finals at Grovesnor House in London where the top projects across the UK were celebrated.

Council Building Control Manager Sam Goodwin said: “Building Control is delighted to work on these projects which highlight the skill and innovation of developers locally.

“Pembrokeshire County Council Building Control is proud to be part of LABC Awards. The Local Authority Building Control (LABC) awards were set up to celebrate excellence achieved through high building standards, technical innovation and sustainable designs.

“The Awards are an opportunity for the industry to celebrate good building practice and winners demonstrate how positive working relationships with local Council building control teams achieve high quality, sustainable buildings.

“The awards are unique because they recognise how this cooperation improves building standards and professionalism across the industry and it is great to see local contractors, agents and designers within Pembrokeshire receive recognition in achieving these standards.”

If you would like to contact Building Control at Pembrokeshire County Council, please contact Building Control via the website www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/building-control or alternatively contact 01437 764551

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Community

Forties dance to mark end of Second World War

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PEMBROKE DOCK will step back in time this summer to mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War, with a special one-off Forties-themed dance.

The event, taking place on Saturday, June 21, will commemorate both VE Day and VJ Day in a night filled with 1940s fashion, music, and nostalgia. It will be held in a 400-capacity marquee at the former Royal Dockyard, generously sponsored by the Port of Milford Haven and supported by street food vendors.

Organised by the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre team, the dance will also raise funds for a unique heritage project – returning the RAF Pembroke Dock Memorial Window to the town. The memorial has been on display at the RAF Museum in London for the past 30 years.

Wartime favourites will be brought to life by the renowned Phil Dando Big Band, making a welcome return to Pembroke Dock. The band, known for its Glenn Miller-era repertoire, has delighted local audiences in previous Forties dances that saw guests turn out in period fashion and vintage military uniforms.

Peter and Marilyn Mitchell, long-standing members of the Heritage Centre’s volunteer team, are already planning their outfits.

“Check out local charity shops for wartime-era fashions,” they said. “Forties fashion was stylish, and it’s surprising what you can still find today – or recreate quite easily and affordably.”

Tickets for the dance cost £25 and are available via Eventbrite, directly from the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre (01646 684220), or from the Pembroke Dock Town Council offices on Dimond Street.

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