News

South Pembrokeshire: Council proposes ‘discontinuing’ schools

Published

11 years ago

August 31, 2015

Tom Sinclair

File photo: Angle school

RURAL COMMUNITIES south and west of Pembroke face the potential loss of their school following a formal consultation by the local authority.

Angle, Orielton, and Stackpole schools face closure and/or amalgamation on a single site under the proposals.

However, the proposals are not new and have been doing the rounds at County Hall since at least 2013, when Jamie Adams told The Herald that a review of schools provision on the Angle Peninsula was to be undertaken.

In October 2014, the Council launched a preliminary consultation on its plans for the schools that would be directly affected by any changes.

That consultation, prepared by former director for Children and Schools Jake Morgan, set out three options. Retention of all existing school sites; amalgamation of Orielton School with either Monkton Priory or Ysgol Gelli Aur with federation of Angle and Stackpole schools, and closure of Angle, Stackpole, and Orielton schools with a new school to be established on one of the existing sites whether under community or voluntary control.

While Jamie Adams has previously criticised the local press for their use of words in the Council’s own internal reports, it is noteworthy that the word ‘closure’ is used in all documents apart from the announcement of the statutory consultation.

At that time the review gave no steer on where a replacement school would be built; however, The Herald has noted the October 2014 document’s observation that whereas Orielton and Angle schools present significant challenges for expansion, the Stackpole school site is large enough to accommodate a larger building. However, difficulty in parking at that site is highlighted as a barrier to further development.

Estyn’s judgements at all the above schools are that they provide good value for money. However, the current pupil values are such that it costs £2284 more to fund a place at Angle VC School than the county average. Across the peninsula as a whole, pupils’ values are £1187 greater than the county average.

With the possibility of amalgamating at different sites, Monkton and Gelli Aur, assessed as poor, the Council has decided to proceed with the next phase of the consultation by presenting the option of closure of the three rural schools and their amalgamation under voluntary control for children aged 3-11.

However, the preliminary consultation document accepted that the isolation of the communities served by the schools, particularly Angle, meant that there was work to be done on ensuring transport provision was sufficient for any new school. The condition of the road network connecting the disparate villages is also a significant cause for concern, with pupils from Angle either facing travel through the village of Castlemartin or travelling as far as the top St Daniel’s Hill, under a mile from Ysgol Gelli Aur, to reach any combined school located in Stackpole.

It is noteworthy that three other sites were identified, with one in Maidenwells, at property already owned by the local authority, being cited as a possible location for a new purpose-built school to serve all three communities.

A consultation document and response form will be available on the County Council’s website from Thursday, September 3 and the closing date for responses is Friday, 16th October 2015.

There will also be a public information session at Pembroke Town Hall on Monday, 28th September from 6.30pm to 8pm. At that information session, Kate Evan-Hughes, Director for Children and Schools, will give a presentation on the proposal, to be followed by a question and answer session.

Parents, teachers, and other local residents are invited to come and give their views.

Information provided to children and young people will be presented in such a way that it is relevant to their age and level of likely understanding and be in accordance with the National Standards for Children and Young People’s Participation.

News

Rhun ap Iorwerth to chair first meeting of new Welsh Government Cabinet

Published

6 hours ago

May 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

New First Minister says government will focus on waiting lists, jobs, education and child poverty

FIRST MINISTER Rhun ap Iorwerth will chair the first meeting of his new Welsh Government Cabinet today, setting out what he says will be an agenda based on action, openness and results.

The meeting marks the formal start of the new government’s programme, with ministers expected to focus on improving public services, supporting families and growing the Welsh economy.

Ahead of the meeting, Mr ap Iorwerth said his Cabinet would work as “one team” and avoid what he described as unnecessary duplication across government.

The First Minister said: “This is a government of action, a government for all, and a government of new ideas. The hard work has now started.

“Our focus is on the issues that matter most to people in every part of Wales – cutting waiting lists, supporting families with the cost of living, creating good jobs, raising standards in education and tackling child poverty.

“As First Minister, I am determined to end siloed working and unnecessary duplication across government. This Cabinet will work as one team, with ministers focused on delivering together in the interests of the people of Wales.

“We will lead with openness and purpose, building trust through practical action and visible outcomes.

“The people of Wales expect a government that listens, that stands up boldly for Wales, and that works together to get things done. That is exactly what this Cabinet is determined to deliver.”

The first Cabinet meeting will be closely watched as the new administration begins to turn election promises into policy, with pressure already mounting over NHS waiting times, household costs and the state of public services across Wales.

Local Government

Road resurfacing works welcomed after repeated pothole complaints

Published

9 hours ago

May 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Castle ward councillor thanks residents for patience as long-running issue near St Thomas’ Green finally addressed

ROAD resurfacing works at St Thomas’ Green in Haverfordwest have been welcomed by local county councillor Thomas Tudor, who says a long-standing pothole problem near a bus shelter is finally being resolved.

Cllr Tudor, who represents the Castle Ward, said he was pleased to see progress being made on the improvements, particularly in an area that had required repeated repairs over time.

The works, being carried out by Pembrokeshire County Council and contractors, include resurfacing along part of the road close to the bus shelter near St Thomas’ Green.

Cllr Tudor said the pothole had been reported and repaired on numerous occasions before more permanent resurfacing work was approved.

He said: “As County Councillor for the Castle Ward, which includes St Thomas’ Green, I am pleased to see works progressing very well with the road resurfacing, in particular the area by the bus shelter which had a pothole which I have been reporting and having repaired numerous times.

“Many thanks to Pembrokeshire County Council and the various contractors involved and I would also like to apologise to the residents and thank them for their patience and understanding during these essential works.”

The resurfacing has caused some disruption to local traffic while work is underway, with temporary traffic management measures in place.

Residents have been thanked for their patience as crews complete the improvements, which are aimed at providing a safer and smoother road surface for motorists and pedestrians.

Photo caption:

Improvements underway: Cllr Thomas Tudor pictured at St Thomas’ Green as resurfacing works progress (Pic supplied)

News

Cefn Sidan retains Blue Flag status as one of Wales’ top beaches

Published

9 hours ago

May 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CEFΝ Sidan has retained its place among the world’s best coastal locations after being awarded Blue Flag status in the Wales Coast Awards 2026.

The Carmarthenshire beach, located within Pembrey Country Park near Burry Port, has now received the prestigious award 38 times — more than any other beach in Wales.

Cefn Sidan was also the first beach in Wales to receive a Blue Flag when the awards were introduced in 1988.

The awards, announced by Keep Wales Tidy, recognise beaches that meet high standards for water quality, safety, facilities, environmental education and site management.

A total of 48 beaches across Wales were recognised this year, with 20 receiving Blue Flag status.

Cefn Sidan is an eight-mile sandy beach backed by dunes and forms part of Pembrey Country Park, one of Carmarthenshire’s major visitor attractions. The park also offers woodland walks, mountain bike trails, a dry ski slope, toboggan ride, crazy golf, train rides and a family campsite.

Owen Derbyshire, Chief Executive of Keep Wales Tidy said: “We are delighted to see Cefn Sidan once again retaining its Blue Flag Award status and continuing to hold the title of the Welsh beach which has received the most Blue Flags.

“As Wales’ very first Blue Flag Award winner, we appreciate the ongoing commitment of everyone at Carmarthenshire County Council and Pembrey Country Park in ensuring Cefn Sidan meets the high standards needed to gain the Blue Flag Award.”

He added: “These awards recognise high and consistent standards and we would like to thank staff, volunteers and everyone else at sites across Wales who work so hard to protect and preserve our natural landscape in the face of increasingly challenging circumstances.

“All of these places are beautiful but seeing that flag flying means visitors can be assured that they are clean, safe and well-managed with excellent facilities too.”

Other Blue Flag beaches in west Wales include Llangrannog in Ceredigion, Saundersfoot, Tenby South and Poppit Sands in Pembrokeshire.

Thirteen Welsh beaches also received Green Coast Awards, including Mwnt and Penbryn in Ceredigion, Freshwater East and Manorbier in Pembrokeshire.