News

Cath takes on top planning role

Published

12 years ago

February 6, 2014

A PEMBROKESHIRE planner is to play a key role in her profession this year. Cath Ranson was inaugurated as President of the Royal Town Planning Institute earlier this month.

The mother-of-three from Crymych takes over in the Institute’s Centenary year at a time when planners across the UK and Ireland are facing the demands of difficult economic times, a housing crisis and controversial issues such as fracking. Cath, who has been Development Plans and Conservation Manager for Pembrokeshire County Council since 2009, is looking forward to meeting the challenges during her year in office.

“The Centenary is about both our past and our future,” she said.

“We must use the anniversary not just to reflect on what has gone before in the 100 years of professional planning, but also look to the future in both the medium and long term and try to anticipate and meet the challenges we will face.”

Born and raised in the Midlands, Cath came to Wales initially to study Geology at the University of Wales, Swansea.

Her route into planning began through holiday jobs and a job creation post at West Glamorgan County Council before working for several local authorities in Wales, including the Snowdonia National Park Authority and, for a spell in its early days, the Welsh Government. She has a post graduate diploma in Town and Country Planning at Bristol Polytechnic (now University of the West of England) and a post graduate certificate in Leadership for Collaboration at Bangor University.

Planning, she says, is not merely a process but something to feel passionately about because it affects everybody’s lives – although people are often unaware of it.

“It affects the way that we live and regulate ourselves in society and without it there would be chaos,” she said.

“As planners we plan for and manage new development, to secure the right development, in the right locations and at the right time and to ensure that the community has a voice in such decision making, to deliver development that is sustainable, fair and transparent.”

Councillor Rob Lewis, Deputy Leader said he was delighted with Cath’s new role.

“She is a wonderful ambassador for both planning and Pembrokeshire,” he said.

News

Reform reveals west Wales candidates for Senedd battle

Published

15 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Monkton councillor tops Pembrokeshire list as party confirms Carmarthenshire names and includes Haverfordwest councillor in unwinnable Swansea spot

REFORM UK has unveiled its full list of candidates for the 2026 Senedd election, setting out its challenge across west Wales including Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

The party has named Susan Claire Archibald, a sitting councillor for Monkton on Pembroke Town Council, as its lead candidate for the Ceredigion Preseli, Mid and South Pembrokeshire regional list.

Speaking to The Herald, Archibald said: “I am honoured to represent Reform UK and Wales.” She added that a fuller statement outlining her priorities would be released in due course.

The remaining candidates on the Pembrokeshire regional list are Paul Marr, a former prison officer, Michael Allen, Elisa Randall, Peter John and Bernard Holton.

Carmarthenshire candidates named

Reform has also confirmed its list for the Caerfyrddin and Llanelli region, with Gareth Beer placed first, followed by Carmelo Colasanto, Sarah Edwards, Christopher Brooke, Alan Cole and Michelle Beer.

The announcement forms part of a nationwide rollout of candidates as the party seeks to establish itself as a credible electoral force ahead of the 2026 vote.

Thorley listed in Swansea region

Among the names included elsewhere is Scott Thorley, a Haverfordwest-based councillor and the first Reform representative elected to Pembrokeshire County Council.

Thorley appears on the party’s list for the Gower and Swansea West region, where he is placed sixth.

Under the Senedd’s proportional representation system, candidates placed lower on regional lists are significantly less likely to be elected, meaning his position is widely viewed as a paper candidacy to complete the slate.

Election framing

Reform Wales leader Dan Thomas said the party was offering voters a stark political choice.

He said: “After a hundred years of failure, Labour are finished in Wales. The choice at this election is what comes next — common sense and a fresh start with Reform, or independence by stealth with Plaid Cymru.”

The Herald understands that further announcements, including candidate profiles and policy details, are expected in the coming weeks as the campaign begins to take shape.

Crime

Man bailed after serious assault in Fishguard town centre

Published

16 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault in Fishguard that has left a man in hospital.

The incident happened on Main Street at around 11:00pm on Saturday (Mar 21), when the victim was reportedly punched, sustaining head injuries. He remains in hospital receiving treatment.

A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm (GBH) and has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.

Dyfed-Powys Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have information that could assist the investigation, to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police quoting reference: 26*227686.

Information can be provided online via the Dyfed-Powys Police website, by emailing [email protected], by calling 101, or by sending a direct message on social media.

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

News

Childcare funding boost announced in Wales

Published

16 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Hourly rate to rise as costs increase

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has confirmed an increase in the hourly rate paid to childcare providers under its Childcare Offer, following a review of funding levels.

The Minister for Children and Social Care, DAWN BOWDEN MS, announced that the rate will rise to £6.67 per hour from April 6, 2026. The increase of 4.18% comes after feedback from childcare providers and sector data gathered during 2025.

The Welsh Government said the change is designed to help providers cope with rising costs, including increases to the National Living Wage.

The Herald understands the review drew on responses from the Childcare Offer’s Annual Survey, as well as information from Care Inspectorate Wales’ Self-Assessment of Service Statement (SASS).

The move follows a policy shift announced last year to review the rate annually, rather than every three years, in a bid to make funding more responsive to pressures facing the sector.

As part of the update, the maximum charge for meals will also increase by 4.18%, which ministers say is intended to balance affordability for both providers and parents.

Dawn Boden said the Welsh Government remains committed to supporting the long-term sustainability of childcare services, adding that officials will continue working with the sector to explore further improvements.