News
Council criticised over education plans
THE COUNCIL has come under criticism from a number of councillors for its proposals for post- 16 education in mid and north west Pembrokeshire. At a meeting of the full council yesterday (Sept 10), councillors approved a number of recommendations but a number of councillors were unsure about how the council planned to move forward. The council discussed three matters for Haverfordwest, Welsh Medium Provision and Fishguard and St Davids as three separate items.
However, Cllr Mike Stoddart felt that all three were linked and that if they approved the plans for Haverfordwest they would be pointing the ship directly to the county town. He made an amendment on the final agenda item to get post- 16 education provided at a location in Haverfordwest, following further consultation, rather than at Pembrokeshire College. In a recorded vote, that amendment was defeated by 22 votes to 24 and the original recommendations were passed.
‘SHOULD BE DOING BETTER’ Council Leader Jamie Adams said: “We want all children to achieve their potential. I would like to congratulate all students from the county on their results but we should be doing better. In some areas the results are not good enough. “Estyn has previously challenged us on our slow progress and until me make decisions to address these matters, Estyn’s concerns will remain. “The fragmented approach is impacting on outcomes of our learners and a significant proportion of pupils are making wrong decisions at key points.”
HAVERFORDWEST – ‘ALL OPTIONS NEED TO BE CONSIDERED’
Cllr David Howlett accepted that discussions needed to go on in Haverfordwest but added: “All options need to be considered to allay the fears of the community of Haverfordwest and surrounding area. It needs to be for the benefit of the children.”
Cllr Tom Tudor said that further consultation was a ‘good thing to do’ and added that although there hasn’t been much dialogue with Trustees they are willing to meet with members of the council to discuss ways forward. Before the meeting, members of the joint board of Trustees for Sir Thomas Picton and Tasker Milward schools gathered outside County Hall on behalf of the pupils to continue to protest against the changes.
Council Leader Jamie Adams said there had been considerable attempts to arrange meetings with the Trustees but that they had refused to meet. He added: “I am not sure what jurisdiction a governing body has. There is no statutory regulation that covers governing bodies. I don’t know whether these are the views of themselves or of the trustees; the lines are getting very muddied.
“Tasker Milward is seen as a better way forward, it is the best site but there are other opportunities. It is the gift of the council to move this forward.” Councillor Myles Pepper added that he could not support the plans as there was no opportunity available in schools and added: “We have to deliver quality, this is not fair, right, balanced or proper.”
‘COUNCIL DOESN’T LISTEN’
Cllr Jonathan Nutting blasted the council and its cabinet for not listening to its residents and said that the council had ‘backed everyone into a corner’. He added: “We haven’t engaged with the real people of Pembrokeshire. No one challenges what is being said and this is becoming a real debacle.
“Everybody involved has their backs against the wall. We cannot blame the trustees, they are clear in what they say and we now know what the position is and we should discuss it with them. “The council is trying to railroad things through and we cannot honestly go the way we are being told to go.
“The people of Haverfordwest have clearly said they don’t want their children educated in a college and we have got to listen to them.” Cllr David Simpson, appointed to the board of the college a number of years ago, said that the trust ‘were not dictating terms’ and described it as a chance to move forward. He added: “I was told by the college, when I was on the board, that they would never want sixth form education in the college because it would be bad for the people of Pembrokeshire.
“I still wonder why we are heading in this direction and I am confused as to the way we are going to go. “Pupils have said they would find it better if there was sixth form provision at the school because they have a choice of where they want to go.”
DENYING CHOICE
Cllr Stan Hudson said that the proposals would establish two tiers of education in the county whereby the people in the south have a choice and those in the north do not. Cllr Hudson went on to say: “A Level results were disappointing but most of those are going to university and I know of two who are going to Cambridge.
“I am against sixth form going to college and we would be driving the ship in a particular direction. “If we pass this, we would achieve in 25 weeks what the college has been unable to achieve in 25 years. “The choice is still there for them but these plans take away the choice for people at the age of 16.
“The Assembly government are thinking of giving 16 year olds the choice of voting and yet we are denying them the choice of where they go for post-16 education.” The recommendation to go out to further consultation for the Haverfordwest area was approved by a majority vote.
Business
West Wales man raising funds for craft cider venture
A PENYBRYN resident is appealing for community support to launch a small-scale craft cider business in West Wales. Olly Craigan, the organiser of the GoFundMe campaign titled “Craigans Cider,” has already raised £545 towards his goal of £12,000. The funds will go towards purchasing essential equipment to establish a permanent apple press and cider workshop.
Since 2014, Craigan has honed his cider-making skills under the mentorship of experienced cider maker John Whitfield. Now living on a community organic farm in Pembrokeshire, Craigan is seeking to create a dedicated space for producing his craft cider.
The funds raised will help purchase an apple press (£4,500), scratter apple mill (£1,500), filtration and pumping systems (£950), stainless steel tanks (£2,500), and bottling equipment (£1,000). Any donations beyond the target will support operational costs and community cider-making workshops.
Craigan plans to thank supporters by inviting them to a grafting day on the farm, where attendees can sample cider and take home an apple tree.
Further information and donations can be made on the GoFundMe page here.
Community
Support and advice reminder as winter approaches
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL and partner organisations are reminding residents of support and advice available for those impacted by the cost of living as Winter approaches.
A number of organisations can help signpost anyone struggling to support and advice, along with practical advice on access financial support where eligible.
Pembrokeshire County Council has dedicated webpages to signpost to support for those with concerns about education and school costs, health and wellbeing, help for older people, claiming benefits and household and energy bills.
It also links to Pension Credit information, which is worth on average £3,900 per year and unlocks additional support including Winter Fuel Payments, help with Council Tax, NHS dental care and glasses and for those over 75, a free TV licence.
Find out if you are eligible by contacting the Pension Service at www.gov.uk/pension-credit/eligibility. You can also apply by telephoning: 0800 99 1234, lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm. Before you apply have details of your and any partner’s national insurance number, all income and savings.
You must apply for Pension Credit by 21 December 2024 to qualify for the 2024 – 2025 Winter Fuel Payment.
The Pembrokeshire Community Hub is a one-stop-shop for all sorts of information from events, community activities, making connections to cost of living resources.
You can contact the Hub via its website, social media or by calling 01437 723660.
PAVS launched a Live Well for Less programme earlier this year that aims to help people take steps to maximise income and reduce expenditure using a range of tools and services. This can also be accessed through the Community Hub.
Cabinet Member for Social Services Cllr Tessa Hodgson said: “There are a number of resources available for those concerned about heating and energy bills and I would encourage anyone with concerns or looking for advice to contact the Pembrokeshire Community Hub as soon as they can.
“I would also highlight that residents can also check whether they are eligible for pension credits which can open doors to further financial help.”
News
Paul Davies MS visits Forest School outdoor education facility
LOCAL Senedd Member Paul Davies has visited Forest School Pembrokeshire, an outdoor education facility based near Haverfordwest. Mr Davies had a tour of the facility and met with Kate Morgan to hear more about the type of experiences that the Forest School provides. Mr Davies then took part in some pumpkin carving with Kate and some of the children.
Mr Davies said, “I’ve been a longstanding supporter of outdoor learning and so it was a pleasure to visit the Forest School and learn more about their facilities and the type of activities that they provide.”
“The Forest School offers inclusive and accessible experiences in a forest setting, and it was clear to me that the children were fully engaged and very enthusiastic during the pumpkin carving session.”
“Kate and her team have done a wonderful job in developing the Forest School and I’d encourage parents across Pembrokeshire to find out more about what the School offers.”
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Tomos
September 24, 2015 at 5:10 pm
I always thought that Carmarthenshire CC were very similar to Pembrokeshires in many ways and one of those ways was councillors were not allowed to comment unfavourably on council business as our public servants rule the roost – having said that Jamies getting quite good at this politicing business.
He supposedly is the Leader of the Council that makes policy regarding education, BUT when parents actually engage in the political process i.e the IPIGs are scared of being thrown out at the next election Jamie actually criticises the decision that he made – or am I a BIG silly and have I got it all wrong?