News
New bill will improve access to housing in Wales
THE HOUSING (Wales) Bill, published by the Welsh Government, has been welcomed by the WLGA as a real opportunity to improve people’s access to good quality housing in Wales. Commenting on the new bill, Cllr Dyfed Edwards, WLGA Spokesperson for Housing said:
“The WLGA supports the ambition set out within this new legislation, which is wide in scope and focuses on a number of fundamental issues affecting people’s lives in Wales.
“Local government is now committed to working with Welsh Government and other partners to deliver the changes outlined in the new legislation, many of which will reinforce and support the work which is on-going within local councils across Wales. Councils specifically welcome the increased emphasis on preventing homelessness which is at the heart of this new bill, as well as the reform of the Housing Revenue Account Subsidy System which offers councils a clear opportunity to increase the financial resources that they have available to improve housing stock and potentially build new homes.
“While some of the changes proposed by the new legislation can clearly be introduced without requiring additional resources, some aspects of the legislation will undoubtedly be challenging for local authorities to deliver within the current financial climate. The WLGA will now test ‘deliverability’ of the new legislation with local authorities, and continue to work closely with Welsh Government to increase access to good quality housing in Wales.”
Cllr Aaron Shotton, WLGA Spokesperson for Finance added:
“Many households are already struggling as a result of the poor economic climate, and there is a real fear that welfare reforms such as the ‘bedroom tax’ will add to this misery, and increase the number of families facing homelessness in Wales. Against this backdrop, it is vital that Welsh Government, local authorities and their wider partners do more to prevent homelessness, and to take early action to limit the hugely negative impacts that being made homeless can have, particularly on children.
“The additional funding that has been identified in the Welsh Government’s budget for 2015-16 will enable an increased focus on preventative services and must be welcomed, and we look forward to continued discussions with the Minister to ensure that local councils have the resources required to deliver the ambition of this new bill.”
Cllr Lynda Thorne, WLGA Deputy Spokesperson for Housing said:
“Building more affordable homes is very important, but we also need to make the best use of existing housing, including housing within the private rented sector. This legislation will help us to work more closely with landlords to improve the private rented sector, which is becoming an increasingly important part of the housing market. We welcome the proposal to introduce a registration and accreditation scheme for all landlords and letting and management agents in Wales as one means of improving standards. Cardiff Council has been running a voluntary registration scheme for landlords for a number of years and we believe it has proven effective in developing better relationships with landlords, and helped to improve housing conditions in the city.”
Crime
Four youths stabbed at Tenby railway station as two arrested
British Transport Police lead investigation after serious disorder involving group of youths
FOUR youths suffered stab wounds during a major incident at Tenby railway station on Tuesday night (Apr 7), police have confirmed.
Emergency services were called to reports of serious disorder involving a group of youths at around 9:50pm. The Herald was at the scene as a major response unfolded, with at least four ambulances and around 15 police cars and vans sent to the area.
Video circulating on social media appeared to show a number of children involved in a fracas on the railway platform. In footage seen by The Herald, at least one youth could be heard saying he had been stabbed.

In a statement issued shortly after midnight, a Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Dyfed-Powys Police were called to reports of serious disorder involving a group of youths at Tenby train station at approx. 9.50pm this evening (Tuesday, April 7). During the incident, an individual was in possession of a knife, which resulted in four youths sustaining stab wounds.”
Police said all injuries are currently assessed as non-life-threatening and those affected are receiving appropriate medical treatment.
Officers attended the scene promptly and a 16-year-old youth and a 19-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of Section 18 assault. Both remain in police custody.
Dyfed-Powys Police said British Transport Police have primacy for the incident and are leading enquiries.
The force added that the incident has now been brought under control and that the scene is secure. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to provide reassurance.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that could help the enquiry is asked to contact British Transport Police online, call 0800 40 50 40, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
News
Major emergency response in Tenby after incident near train station
Witnesses report injuries as police and ambulance crews remain at scene on Warren Street
POLICE and ambulance crews remain at the scene of a major incident in Tenby tonight.
The incident is understood to have taken place at around 9:30pm on Tuesday (Apr 7) near Tenby railway station. This picture was taken from Warren Street looking towards the station.
Witnesses reported seeing around 15 police cars and vans at the scene, along with multiple ambulances. Emergency vehicles were still arriving as of 10:30pm.
A witness told The Herald that a number of young people were involved and that some people appeared to have been injured following the incident.
There has not yet been any official confirmation from the emergency services about the nature of the injuries or exactly what happened.
However, the scale of the response suggests the incident is serious.
The Herald has contacted the police for comment.
News
White House defends Trump after Herald asks about Iran remarks
US response fails to answer legal question over threats to bridges, power stations and desalination plants
THE WHITE HOUSE has defended President Donald Trump after The Pembrokeshire Herald asked whether international law would constrain any US military action following his remarks about bombing bridges, power stations and desalination plants in Iran.
In response to a question sent by this newspaper on Friday (Apr 3), a White House Press Office spokeswoman issued a strongly worded statement attacking the Iranian regime, but did not directly address the legal point raised by The Herald.
She said: “The Iranian regime has committed egregious human rights abuses against its own citizens for 47 years, just murdered tens of thousands of protestors in January, and has indiscriminately targeted civilians across the region in order to cause as much death as possible throughout this conflict.
“As President Trump said, Iran can never have a nuclear weapon, and the Iranian people welcome the sound of bombs because it means their oppressors are losing.
“The President will always stand with innocent civilians while annihilating the terrorists responsible for threatening our country and the entire world with a nuclear weapon. Greater destruction can be avoided if the regime understands the seriousness of this moment and makes a deal with the United States.”
The Herald had asked whether the President believed international humanitarian law continued to apply in light of protections for civilian infrastructure and facilities essential to civilian survival.
The newspaper also asked the White House to set out the legal basis on which such threats or actions would be considered lawful.
No direct legal justification was provided in the response.
Instead, the White House framed the issue as part of a wider effort to pressure Iran over its nuclear ambitions and its conduct in the region.
The exchange follows President Trump’s public remarks about striking key Iranian infrastructure, which have prompted wider scrutiny over whether such targets would be lawful under the rules of armed conflict.
The White House statement, however, offered no further explanation of how threats against bridges, power stations or desalination plants could be reconciled with international legal protections for civilian sites.
That omission is likely to fuel further questions over the administration’s position, particularly as tensions continue to rise.
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