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Church welcomes Welsh law to protect history

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Legal protection: The ancient Nevern Cross at St Brynach’s Church, Nevern, Pembrokeshire

Legal protection: The ancient Nevern Cross at St Brynach’s Church, Nevern, Pembrokeshire

HISTORIC churches hope to benefit from the first Wales-only legislation to protect Wales’ built heritage.

The Historic Environment (Wales) Bill, passed this week by the National Assembly for Wales, will introduce new measures to protect Wales’ historic environment, including churches and ancient monuments in churchyard, when it becomes law next month.

Alex Glanville, head of property services for the Church in Wales, said, “We congratulate the Welsh Government on the completion of this Bill. The consultative and preparatory work behind it has been exemplary and we look forward to working with the Welsh Government on aspects arising from the Bill – in particular future guidance on ecclesiastical buildings and the newly formed Welsh Places of Worship Forum.”

The Church in Wales owns 1,352 churches actively continuing worship and ministry across Wales, two-thirds of which are listed buildings. 147 of these are Grade 1 Listed buildings (29% of all Grade 1 Listed buildings in Wales) which include our six Cathedrals. Many of our churches are regularly open to the public and together attract two million visitors each year.

The new Bill includes powers to take urgent action to stop unauthorised work to historic sites and to prevent historic buildings from falling into disrepair.

Once the Bill is law, Wales will also become the first country in the UK to put historic environment records on a statutory footing – a measure that stakeholder groups have been calling for across the UK. These records allow advice on decisions by planning authorities and land managers to be based on sound information. They will also provide access to the new list of historic place names in Wales – another first for Wales.

The Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates, said, “Wales’ rich historic environment extends beyond our well-known ancient monuments and historic buildings. It also includes historic parks and gardens and our country’s great legacy of historic place names, both of which will, for the first time, be placed on statutory registers.

“Our heritage tells the fascinating story of our past; it brings social and cultural benefits; and it makes a significant contribution to our economy through tourism. It is something that people really care about. We often see anger and concern when people are made aware of the deliberate neglect of a listed building or the careless destruction of a scheduled monument.

“The Bill has been the result of extensive conversations with heritage professionals, voluntary organisations and the public. This gave us a clear idea of the challenges and the need for effective and flexible mechanisms for how we manage change.

“I am proud that in passing this Bill we are giving greater protection to our historic environment, raising awareness of its significance and supporting its sustainable management. Our outstanding historic sites and buildings need this protection so that they can continue to fascinate and inspire people for generations to come.”

The Bill will also simplify some of the systems in place for the management of scheduled monuments and listed buildings by allowing owners to enter into voluntary heritage partnership agreements with consenting authorities.

It will make it more difficult for individuals who damage protected monuments to escape prosecution by pleading ignorance of a monument’s status or location.

It will allow the development of a system of preservation notices and will give local authorities new ways to recover their costs when they have to take direct action.

It will also create an independent panel to provide the Welsh Ministers with expert advice on policy and strategy; introduce formal consultation with owners of buildings or monuments before a decision to protect them is made, and extend the definition of what can be protected as an ancient monument to include some battlefield sites and prehistoric settlements.

The Bill will become an Act when it receives Royal Assent in March 2016.

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News

Council agrees change to long-term empty properties council tax premium

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PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL have voted to revise and simplify the long-term empty properties council tax premium. 

Previously the premium increased incrementally. However, Members agreed in December that from April 1st 2025 one rate of 300% will apply to all properties that have been empty for two years or more. 

Cllr Joshua Beynon, Cabinet Member for Corporate Finance and Efficiencies, said:

“The premium is in place to encourage the return of properties into use as much needed homes in Pembrokeshire and to reduce the impact of empty homes on the communities around them.”

The premium is in addition to the standard council tax charge and applies to all three elements – Council, Police & Crime Commissioner and Town & Community Councils.

Council taxpayers who are renovating their properties can apply for a council tax exemption which can be applied to the property for a maximum period of 12 months if the property requires major repair works or structural alteration.

This exemption means that no council tax is payable for this 12-month period.

If the exemption has already been awarded taxpayers can apply for a discretionary discount, which can be awarded up to the level of the long-term empty property premium. In such instances the standard council tax charge is still payable. 

Each case is considered on its own merits and taxpayers are required to provide written details of the works required together with photographic evidence. 

This discount is normally awarded for up to maximum period of 12 months.

If you wish to apply for this discount, email revenue.services@pembrokeshire.gov.uk or write to Revenue Services, County Hall, Haverfordwest, SA61 1TP.

Pembrokeshire County Council is also participating in the National Empty Homes Grant Scheme which will give owners of empty properties access to a grant of up to £25,000 if their property meets the required criteria and further information on this grant can be found online: https://www.nationalemptyhomesgrant.wales

Interest free loans are also available and further information on who is eligible can be found via https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/private-housing/empty-home-loans

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News

Snow and ice alert issued for Pembrokeshire: What you need to know

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Residents in Pembrokeshire are being urged to prepare for potential travel disruption as a yellow weather warning for snow and ice is in place from 3am to 12pm. The Met Office has advised that areas above 100 metres could see a few centimetres of fresh snow, accompanied by icy patches that may create hazardous conditions.

What to Expect

The yellow warning, which indicates a medium likelihood of adverse weather with a low overall impact, highlights several potential issues:

  • Travel disruption: Longer journey times are likely on roads, as well as delays to bus and train services.
  • Icy conditions: Untreated roads, pavements, and cycle paths could develop icy patches, increasing the risk of slips and falls.
  • Injuries: There’s a chance of injuries resulting from slips on icy surfaces.

Preparing for Snowy Conditions

To stay safe during the snowy spell, the following steps are recommended:

  • Plan ahead: Allow extra time for your journey and check for any road closures or public transport delays. Amend your travel plans if necessary.
  • Be prepared: If driving, ensure your car is stocked with essentials such as warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, an ice scraper or de-icer, a warning triangle, a high-visibility vest, and an in-car phone charger.
  • Stay updated: Weather warnings can change quickly, so regularly check the forecast in your area for updates.

Driving in Icy Conditions

Navigating icy roads requires caution and preparation. Here are some tips for driving safely:

  • Look well ahead for potential hazards and keep your speed low.
  • Accelerate, brake, steer, and change gear as smoothly as possible to minimise the risk of skidding.
  • Use a higher gear to help grip on packed ice and maintain traction.

Driving Safely in Snow

Snowy conditions call for additional precautions:

  • • Use dipped headlights to improve visibility.
  • • Accelerate gently and maintain a safe, steady speed.
  • • When descending hills, use a low gear to maintain control.

As the weather warning remains in effect, residents are advised to exercise caution, especially in elevated areas, and to follow safety guidelines to minimise risks during the wintry spell.

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Crime

Man avoids jail after punching police officer twice

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A 58-YEAR-OLD Haverfordwest man narrowly avoided jail after punching a police officer twice in the face.

Police were called to a property on Dew Street just after 10:00pm on July 6, following reports of a male motorist involved in a road traffic collision.

At the scene, officers encountered Barrie Knight.

“He’d been to the Mariners to pick up a family member and clearly there’d been an incident,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

“For some reason, the police came to his address, and [Barrie Knight] threw his fist towards one of the officers, who felt a sharp pain to his nose, where contact was made.”

Ms James explained that the officer was struck at least twice, although no visible injuries were caused.

“It was more luck than judgement that he wasn’t hurt, and this should not be tolerated,” she added.

When asked to provide a breath sample, Knight refused.

“He was taken to the police station, where officers again tried to obtain breath samples from him, but there was a deliberate refusal,” Ms James continued.

Knight pleaded guilty to common assault of an emergency worker and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

He was sentenced to eight weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months. Additionally, he must carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, was disqualified from driving for 18 months, and ordered to pay £100 compensation to the officer, a £154 court surcharge, and £85 in costs.

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