A SENEDD Member shared her own experience of sexual harassment in the workplace as she urged ministers to accelerate action to stamp out the blight on society.

Labour’s Hannah Blythyn said much of the evidence and experience of women makes clear that no workplace is immune from sexual harassment.

Ms Blythyn recalled attending her first big conference as a young and enthusiastic activist, telling the Senedd: “I was introduced to somebody who was then very senior in the trade union movement: they looked me up and down and said ‘oh, if I was 20 years younger’.

“At the time, I was so fresh to the scene that I didn’t know who they were so I replied with ‘if you were 20 years younger, you still wouldn’t have a chance’.

“The issue then was that person walked away but the people around me actually said to me, ‘I can’t believe you said that to him’.”

Ms Blythyn said she could raise other examples of sexual harassment since she stood for election “or that have been locked deep in my brain for decades”.

Leading a debate on March 5 ahead of Saturday’s international women’s day, she said: “I’ve shared what I have today simply because I think it demonstrates that real challenge of cultural change, power dynamics and the attitudes of so-called bystanders.”

She called for access to counselling services, legal assistance, confidential reporting and a hard-hitting public campaign aimed at making sexual harassment as taboo as drink driving.

Ms Blythyn said: “Tribunals are currently costly, which acts as an added deterrent. This needs reviewing because it cannot be the case that wealth wins in this respect.”

The Delyn Senedd Member, who chairs the standards of conduct committee, vowed to strengthen the Welsh Parliament’s processes for dealing with sexual harassment.

Plaid Cymru’s Sioned Williams said: “That power imbalance you talked of which plays such a huge role in sexual harassment, of course, is very much present in this place and in politics.”

Jenny Rathbone, who represents Cardiff Central, warned sexual harassment is an everyday occurrence at entertainment venues in the city.

“Exploitation of women continues to be a major issue,” she said, calling for additional training for permanent and temporary staff such as bouncers.

Joyce Watson, also a Labour backbencher, said sexual harassment remains underreported, with victims believing making a report will make problems worse or be completely ignored.

She said: “My call today will be to protect the whistleblower … unless they know they’re protected, they’re not going to call it out which is ultimately what they would want to do.”

Jack Sargeant, the Welsh Government minister responsible for fair work, thanked Ms Blythyn for sharing her truly unacceptable experience.

Mr Sargeant said the UK Worker Protection Act, which came into force in October, places a proactive duty on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment.

He added that the UK employment rights bill will strengthen the duty and extend the liability to include cases of staff being harassed by third parties such as customers or clients.

He told the Senedd: “We recognise that where we are now is not where we need to be, we have seen too many shocking and unacceptable examples of sexual harassment at work, including in some devolved public sector bodies.

“Let me be clear: there is no room for sexual harassment in workplaces nor anywhere else in Wales. This is a critical issue. We will continue to work tirelessly to accelerate our action to prevent and address sexual harassment in the workplace across Wales.”

CAMPAIGNERS from Pembrokeshire-based PARC Against DARC visited the Senedd on Wednesday (March 5) to present their opposition to the proposed Deep Space Advanced Radar Concept (DARC) at Brawdy. The group argues the AUKUS-backed military proposal, supported by US President Donald Trump, could escalate tensions in space with China.

Twelve Members of the Senedd (MSs) from various political parties have endorsed a Statement of Opinion recognising widespread opposition to the project. The statement highlights concerns over DARC’s visual impact, potential health risks, and regional security implications. A petition against the proposal has gathered nearly 17,000 signatures, with campaigners calling for a Welsh Government commission to assess the issue.

Political support growing

A spokesperson for PARC Against DARC said: “Today marks a significant shift in the political impact of our campaign. We now have cross-party backing, including from Welsh Labour MSs, strong support from Plaid Cymru, and support from the Welsh Liberal Democrats’ Senedd representative, Jane Dodds.

“For the many people opposing DARC in Pembrokeshire, this shows the Senedd at its best—reflecting the views of the people who elect it. We urge all MSs to heed our community’s concerns and support the Statement of Opinion.”

The spokesperson continued: “The proposal to construct a 27-dish radar array on the skyline of the St Davids peninsula—a natural treasure and a key attraction for Welsh tourism—has been ill-conceived from the outset. The Senedd Members we met today are standing on the right side of history by opposing it.”

Concerns over militarisation

Sioned Williams MS attended the event, stating: “Plaid Cymru has a proud tradition of promoting peace, and this US militaristic project has no place in Wales.”

The campaigners argue that the DARC radar would serve Trump’s agenda for US space dominance and support Elon Musk’s rapidly expanding SpaceX network. They said: “Local opposition to this project is strong, with Pembrokeshire having a long history of resisting such proposals.

“With ‘untrustable Trump’ in the White House and Keir Starmer acting as a subordinate UK partner, we cannot assume the US will remain a reliable ally by the time DARC is completed. If this goes ahead, we risk inviting the enemy inside the gate.”

The ‘Highlighting Militarism in Wales’ event featured speeches from local PARC campaigners Roy Jones and Jim Scott, along with presentations from Academi Heddwch, Cymdeithas y Cymod, Quakers Wales, the Cardiff UN Association, and Stop the War Cardiff.

Peace vigil held at Senedd

Following the presentations, a televised Vigil for Peace took place on the steps of the Senedd. Ali Lochhead from CND Cymru spoke about the group’s vision for a peaceful Wales. The event concluded with a performance by Côr Cochion Choir and the symbolic release of two peace doves.

Heledd Fychan MS, who sponsored the event, said: “On this UN International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness, I am proud to support this event highlighting militarism in Wales.

“Plaid Cymru has a long-standing history of opposing militarism and advocating for peace. We remain committed to supporting Pembrokeshire residents in their fight against the DARC project. Today’s discussions were insightful and provided Senedd Members with a deeper understanding of the strength of opposition.”

Call to reduce military spending

Campaigners also criticised the global arms race, stating: “While Trump’s erratic realignment of global power is dangerous and unpredictable, we support his suggestion that all superpowers should reduce military spending.

“Scrapping unnecessary AUKUS infrastructure like DARC would be a meaningful step towards ending the cycle of militarisation. We, along with other campaigners in the Senedd today, believe public resources should be invested in developing future technologies and improving lives, rather than continuing outdated and unaffordable military standoffs.”

PARC Against DARC is urging Welsh residents to sign their petition and email Senedd Members to oppose the project. A template for lobbying is available on the campaign’s website: www.parcagainstdarc.com/lobbying.

PEMBROKEHIRE taxpayers are to see their bills increase by 9.35 percent after “political tribalism was set aside,” but an alternative lower proposal by the Conservative group was defeated.

Today’s March 6 meeting of full council was to consider three potential increases in council tax, 9.85 percent previously recommended by Cabinet, a 9.35 percent rise proposed by the Independent group led by Cllr Huw Murphy, which was later supported by the ruling coalition, and a 7.5 percent rate proposed by the Conservative group.

The council was to decide the annual budget, which includes the council tax element, on February 20 but that meeting was deferred until March 6, in part awaiting the final Welsh government local government settlement, which saw the county gain a small amount of extra money, worth roughly an extra £500,000, reducing its funding gap to £26.9m.

At the March 6 meeting, Cabinet member for finance Cllr Joshua Beynon moved the Independent-proposed budget be adopted rather than the previous 9.85 percent council tax rise one, seconded by Independent group member Cllr Alan Dennison.

The 9.35 percent increase adds £141.25 to the average bill over last year’s rate.

The Conservatives’ alternate budget of 7.5 percent was proposed by group leader Cllr Di Clements, saying there was a need to make “tough choices” with “a limited pot,” adding last year’s council tax increase of 12.5 percent was “one of the highest in the UK,” with “a significant rise” again proposed this year.

The Conservative proposals included addressing deficits in council leisure services by partnering with a national leisure trust, along with increasing the education budget by £6.6 million in the next financial year.

Cllr Clements added: “The budget choices will get harder and harder, we believe we cannot keep doing the same thing, slicing services until there is nothing left, that is why we are looking at alternate ways of providing services.”

She was joined by group spokesman for finance Cllr Aled Thomas who said people were “sick and tired of the status quo,” adding: “Taxpayers shouldn’t be burdened with failures of this local authority, whether vanity projects or failures to make efficiency savings; it is the taxpayer that pays for this, we owe it to them to be responsible.”

Cllr Alec Cormack, the former Cabinet member for finance, said he sympathised and supported some elements of the Conservative proposals but felt some parts were “not fully developed,” with “a very serious risk that many  of these measures would not really deliver savings in 2025-’26,” adding: “I do not feel this really leads us to a balanced budget”.

After lengthy debate, the Conservative proposal was defeated by 45 votes to 13.

Leader Cllr Jon Harvey quoted from his speech when he was elected leader, saying he was happy to work on cross-party consensus politics, adding: “Cllr Huw Murphy shared a budget proposal, which we’re grateful for, not too dissimilar to the one proposed by Cabinet, considered to be a proposal we could jointly put forward, a pragmatic approach rather than an adversarial approach.”

He told members the 9.35 percent increase would lead to a county council part of the overall tax bill for the average Band D property would now be £1,651.97 in Pembrokeshire against Ceredigion’s £1,886.57 for the forthcoming financial year.

The final bill is calculated by adding the police precept, set at £360.68 for a Band D property, and individual town and community council precepts.

He warned there were still elements in the budget that were “a risk,” with challenging efficiency savings needed.

The 9.35 percent rise was backed by 46 members, with 13 against.

Speaking after the meeting, Independent group Leader Cllr Murphy said their supported proposal was “about doing what’s right by our most vulnerable, not doing what’s necessarily popular”.

He reiterated his party being “critical friends to the Administration” who would not “oppose for the sake of opposition,” welcoming the Cabinet support his party’s proposal, where “political tribalism was set aside for the good of our residents,” welcoming it as “progressive and mature politics on a very difficult subject, namely council tax”.

“In life it’s about making the difficult decisions not about making popular decisions that we are measured against.

“No tax rise is welcomed but today was a balance of offering the lowest council tax that was realistically possible versus the services we provide, much of it statutory.”

Cllr Aled Thomas of the Conservative group reacted to the vote, saying: “It’s disappointing that the Independent Group and Cabinet came together today to vote for the continued tax and spend mindset, at the expense of Pembrokeshire residents.

“The Conservative group proposed an ambitious budget with innovative ideas signalling change, and it was great to hear members across the chamber agree that change can’t come quick enough.

“Despite today’s result, the Welsh Conservative group will continue to fight for the best value for money for the hardworking Pembrokeshire taxpayers.”

‘Your needs and priorities at the forefront’

After the meeting Cabinet Member for Corporate Finance and Efficiencies Cllr Joshua Beynon, said: “I want to reassure residents that this budget has been set with your needs and priorities at the forefront.

“Pembrokeshire, like all local authorities, faces significant challenges and increasing demands on key service areas. But we are determined to navigate them in a way that safeguards our communities and ensures we continue to deliver for Pembrokeshire.”

Leader of the Council, Cllr Jon Harvey said: “Setting a balanced budget is a legal requirement and is the responsibility of Council, not Cabinet. When I was elected to the role of Leader last May, I made reference to the fact that I wished to build as much consensus as possible within the Chamber.

“This budget highlights that by working together to identify common aims and objectives, we can achieve an agreed outcome.

“As we are all too aware, the pressures across Welsh local government services are immense.

“In light of the challenges we’ve faced in recent years and continue to face, this budget will help us to avoid devastating, deeply unpopular cuts to services. It’s the only way we can protect the vital services our community relies on, while laying the groundwork for a sustainable, thriving future for Pembrokeshire.

In approving this budget we have sought to find a delicate balance between safeguarding our future and recognising the very real cost-of-living pressures faced by families in Pembrokeshire every single day.

“I became a Councillor to improve peoples lives, to help those in need and to support those who are struggling.

“Those of us that represent wards with high levels of social deprivation will only know too well how much our residents rely upon the services provided by the Council. This budget will support those in our communities that need our services most, whether this is our school children, vulnerable children and our elderly residents.

“Finally, I would like to thank the Finance Team and the Cabinet Member for Finance for all the hard work they have put in over many months on the budget proposals, to ensure we are best positioned to face the challenges ahead.”

Cllr Huw Murphy added: “On becoming Independent Group leader with Cllr Anji Tinley elected Deputy we released a statement that as a Group of Independent Councillors we would be critical friends to the Administration, and neither would we “oppose for the sake of opposition” and this can be clearly evidenced over the last 10 months within Council. 

“We also stated that the Independent Group would challenge decisions which might have a negative impact on residents and where possible present alternative options. The recent budget setting is a testament to the integrity of the Independent Group where on Feb 20^th we prevented a possible Council Tax of 9.85% by adjourning a meeting of Council to await a final financial settlement from WG.

“The Independent Group then prepared & submitted an alternative budget offering a lower Council Tax of 9.35% along with fewer cuts in services, which passed today (at Full Council). The decision of Cabinet in supporting the alternative budget rather than opposing it is to be welcomed where the (vast) majority of Councillors accepted the need to discharge their statutory duties where political tribalism was set aside for the good of our residents is welcomed as progressive and mature politics on a very difficult subject, namely Council Tax.

“No Tax rise is welcomed but today was a balance of offering a lower Council Tax whilst recognising the need to find appropriate reductions in certain service areas.

“Moving forward there is much work to be done within Pembrokeshire and further afield in Cardiff & London to secure adequate funding to provide services Pembrokeshire residents deserve. As a Group of Independent Councillors, we will continue to work hard for all Pembrokeshire residents in raising their concerns and holding the Administration to account.”