Politics
Plaid promotes ‘shot in arm’ for tourism
PLAID highlighted their plans to boost the tourism industry during First Minister’s Questions in the National Assembly.
Simon Thomas has also questioned the Welsh Government on the future of Tenby museum and art gallery.
Assembly Member Simon Thomas stressed the importance of the tourism and farming industry for Pembrokeshire in the National Assembly.
Mid and West AM for the Party of Wales Simon Thomas said:
“The people of Pembrokeshire give a warm welcome to visitors. The tourism industry is crucially important along with agricultural sector in the county.
“The Party of Wales has announced we would double the budget for Welsh tourism – from £7m to £14m. We see tourism as a mainstay of our economy particularly in rural areas. I asked the First Minister what the Welsh Government has done to promote tourism in Pembrokeshire.”
“I’ve also quizzed the Economy Minister about support available for Tenby museum and art gallery. Concern locally has been raised with the Plaid Cymru team about the support available in the future by Pembrokeshire Council.”
Plaid Cymru Leader Leanne Wood said:
“Wales is home to some of the most beautiful scenery and best produce in the world, but more needs to be done showcase this and boost our vital tourism industry.
“A Plaid Cymru Welsh Government would also designate 2018 a Year of Welsh Food and Drink. This would not only boost local producers and our vital agricultural industry, but also the small businesses and sellers who form the stepping stone between farm and fork.”
“We have long supported the campaign for a VAT cut from 20% to 5% for the tourism industry and will continue to do so. Latest figures show that such a move could create around 5,500 jobs and would mean an additional £166.4m to the Welsh economy.”
Politics
Dowson dissents on new CEO

A PEMBROKESHIRE county councillor has come forward to oppose the appointment of the authority’s new Chief Executive despite not voting against it when an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council considered.
Controversial Pembroke Dock Central county councillor Paul Dowson issued a press release in which he said that the new CEO had ‘no track record’ in the role.
Last Wednesday (March 31) Pembrokeshire County Council overwhelmingly voted in favour of Major-General Will Bramble’s appointment.
Councillors voted 48 votes for with two abstentions and one against.
Milford Central councillor Stephen Joseph’s was the sole vote against the appointment.
Cllr Joseph is a noted booster of former CEO Ian Westley, whose departure with a £95,000 pay-off caused controversy.
An Audit Wales investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr Westley’s pay-off is due to report within a few weeks.
Major-General Bramble is currently the Senior British Officer in Italy and Deputy Commander of the NATO Corps in Italy.
His track record was not enough to impress Cllr Dowson, however.
Cllr Dowson said: “He has no experience in a local authority having spent his career entirely in the military.
“I felt that the massive responsibility that comes with this role and the salary level requires more than just one candidate at final stages.
“Cllrs Josh Beynon and Di Clements both stated, ‘give him a chance”.
“I’m afraid at this level you don’t give someone a chance,especially one with no track record in the job.
“He was a very good candidate but I’m not prepared to make a decision on an option already chosen by the senior staff committee and presented to the full council for approval.
“The candidate was strong but the post should have been readvertised and he should have been put forward for the final round when others were competing for the job too.”
Politics
Criticism of Labour’s water pollution policy grow

RIGHT OBJECTIVE WRONG METHOD
Fraser McAuley, CLA Policy Advisor, said: “The Government’s laudable objectives can be better met by an approach which focuses attention where it’s most needed. Where a problem doesn’t exist, we should not be imposing unnecessary costs on a hard-pressed sector in a future of uncertainty.
WG HASN’T LISTENED TO THE SCIENCE
Janet Finch-Saunder said: “CLA Cymru is bang on the money here over Labour’s unfair stance on nitrate vulnerable zones (NVZ).
‘CULTURE WAR’
Carmarthen East & Dinefwr’s MP, Jonathan Edwards, went further and accused the Welsh Government of stoking a ‘culture war’ between farmers and the environmental lobby for electoral advantage.
“The Labour Government have also failed to consider the emergence of innovative slurry management technology.
UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES
Plaid Cymru’s candidate for Preseli Pembrokeshire, Cris Tomos, said: “It is concerning that the Labour Welsh Government continues to ignore farmers and the farming unions.
“These regulations could be detrimental to the farming community, especially to the Welsh family farm.
A TIGHT TIMETABLE
If Labour intends to plough on with its legislation, it really has to get its skates on.
‘GREEN’ CREDENTIALS
Having promised a Clean Air Act for Wales in its 2016 manifesto, it is nowhere near bringing any such legislation forward. It appears it’s more in the presentation and consultation than in the statute book.
As Jonathan Edwards notes above: you’d think there was an election coming.
Suppose Labour cannot form a majority government propped up by votes from individuals like Dafydd Elis Thomas. In that case, it will need to haggle over its future plans or face legislative deadlock.
Education
Senedd approves Wales’ National Curriculum

-
News2 days ago
Ten years in prison for Milford Haven taxi driver who raped passenger
-
News1 day ago
Primary school teacher described as ‘touchy-feely’ on day two of trial
-
News2 days ago
Trial of Haverfordwest primary school teacher starts at Swansea Crown Court
-
News6 days ago
Jail over wounding and chisel charges
-
News4 days ago
Tenby’s famous walrus ‘Wally’ has been spotted again
-
News1 day ago
‘We don’t want it’: councillors object to HGV tanker park plans
-
News2 days ago
Kill the Bill protest to take place in Haverfordwest on Saturday
-
News6 days ago
Lola’s inquest adjourned due to police investigation