News

Dumped rubbish doesn’t fly with locals

Published

8 years ago

February 6, 2017

RESIDENTS of Pembrokeshire took to Facebook to display their disgust and outrage, after a photo was posted of fly tipping that had occurred earlier on that day near Carew Airfield in Sageston, Tenby, which consisted of orange bags, a sofa, two mattresses and metal frames.

According to Stats Wales, there were 1,199 incidents of fly tipping in Pembrokeshire between 2015 and 2016, which is 381 more incidents than between 2014-2015, with only 212 investigations taking place. Despite this, no warning letters, statutory or fixed penalty notices or prosecutions occurred. This cost Pembrokeshire £77,693 in clearance costs.

Locals mostly placed the blame on Pembrokeshire County Council, saying the charges at the landfill sites were too high for commercial vehicles, which could be catching out those advertising their services such as “man with a van,” who charge too little for their services, and are therefore unable to cover the costs at the tip.

One commenter posted: “Probably man with van doing tip run for a few quid. Happened at my hubby’s work it was dumped being his unit. He put it on Pembrokeshire-Bay to find out if someone recognised the stuff. The person who owned it was mortified that the person she paid did this and came collected it herself!”

The feeling seemed to be mutual among the majority of those commenting, with one person saying: “It is disgusting, but with the Council now charging £104 for a large trailer load we had better start getting used to it.”

They added:”It is embarrassing trying to justify it to customers for that very reason. Looks as though I am ripping them off.”

The Herald spoke to local businessman, Mr John Andrews [name changed] who said he couldn’t understand how people advertising “man with a van” can perform their legal obligations for the prices charged, and expressed his concerns over the consequences of hiring such people.

He said: “Fly tipping is getting worse. If I came to you to do a job for you and I had waste to take away, that would be industrial waste. I would need insurance on my van to be able to cover waste goods, so these people taking things away – are they covered? I don’t understand how people can do things for £20.

As explained on Natural Resources Wales’ website and gov.co.uk, you will need to be registered as a waste carrier if your main place of business is Wales, and you transport waste as part of your business, buy, sell or dispose of waste. If you just transport waste you produce yourself, registration is usually free and renews automatically, however, you’ll need to pay £154 and renew your licence every 3 years if you transport other people’s waste, or construction or demolition waste you produce yourself.

The Herald contacted three different people advertising ‘Man with a van’, two asking for £30 and one asking for £20 for a ‘tip run’. When asked if this amount would cover the cost at the tip, one person said “Hope so” while the other said “The charges are a nightmare. You can see why people fly tip!”

The Herald also asked Mr Andrews what he would charge if he were to, hypothetically do a ‘tip run’ for a customer. He said: “Looking at the waste that’s been dumped at Carew, it looks like more than one van load, so it’d probably be two trips, so taking this into account with my hourly rate, with diesel and covering a charge at the tip, you’re looking at around £100.”

In relation to the Facebook post, other suggestions came flying in as to why somebody would have fly tipping as an option in their mind, rather than take it to the tip where it would be disposed of properly; one of which was fortnightly bin collection.

The Council first proposed the controversial plans in February 2013, and introduced the new regime in October 2013. Irate residents and concerned local Councillors voiced their fears that the changed could potentially be hazardous, but the Council felt that the estimated £500,000 they save per year because of the change would be beneficial – more so perhaps, than having weekly bin collections that could prevent fly tipping.

Gary Venn, who commented on the post on the popular Facebook selling page, Pembrokeshire-Bay, said: “I’m not surprised to be honest. The bin men come every two weeks. I took loads of bags to the tip today doing a job that we pay tax for and they told me only four bags allowed to be dumped. I had to take away six bags.”

However, some said they found no problem with bringing their rubbish to the tip, but did say that he felt that the culprit could have made this decision due to landfill sites not being open as often like they are in the summer.

As stated on Pembrokeshire County Council’s website, every household in Pembrokeshire has a legal responsibility to dispose of its rubbish in the appropriate manner. It says: “If you have your rubbish removed and it ends up being fly-tipped, you could be held responsible and fined,” and you must remember to always ask to see a waste carrier’s certificate and do not use waste contractors who won’t show you an original certificate, keep a record of the waste carrier’s details in case they fly-tip your waste and it is traced back to you. It also states that businesses must always get a copy of a waste transfer note from the person who takes the waste away

Under the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 the penalty for fly-tipping/non-compliance can be a maximum of £50,000 and/or five years imprisonment.The Herald contacted Pembrokeshire County Council, to see if they felt the charges at landfill sites could be deemed as extortionate?

A spokesperson for the Council said: “Pembrokeshire County Council does not operate any landfill sites and has no control over the charges set by private operators.“A total of 74% of the cost of landfilling waste (commercial or domestic) is a tax of £84.40 per tonne, which is currently levied by Central Government. The remaining 26% is a cost set by the landfill operator.”

Education

Wales’ ‘best’ nursing college earmarked for closure in sweeping cuts

Published

59 mins ago

January 28, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Cardiff University nursing school at risk

THE PRESTIGIOUS Nursing School at Cardiff University, ranked the best in Wales and fifth in the UK by the Complete University Guide 2023, faces potential closure as part of a major restructuring plan. The university has announced proposals to cut 400 jobs, discontinue several degree programmes, and possibly shut down academic schools, including nursing, modern languages, music, ancient history, translation, religion, and theology. These changes are subject to a 90-day consultation period.

The news has sent shockwaves through the academic and healthcare communities, with staff and students expressing outrage and concern.

Unions and government respond

University and College Union (UCU) representative Andy Williams described the scale of the proposed cuts as “devastating,” warning of their impact on the university, the city of Cardiff, and the wider region.

A Welsh Government spokesperson echoed these concerns, expressing disappointment that nursing courses could be discontinued. They stressed the importance of collaboration between Cardiff University, trade unions, staff, and students to address the challenges posed by these restructuring plans. The government is particularly concerned about sustaining the pipeline of trained nurses in Wales and is working with Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) to respond to the situation.

Impact on healthcare

Helen Whyley, Executive Director for Wales at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), criticised the proposed closure, highlighting the severe nursing shortages already affecting Wales. She noted that Cardiff University’s Nursing School plays a vital role in producing skilled nurses who serve communities across the region. “This decision could undermine efforts to address critical staffing challenges in the healthcare sector,” she said.

RCN Wales has vowed to respond formally to the consultation process, advocating for the preservation of nursing education in Wales. The union has warned that closing the school would have far-reaching implications for the profession, healthcare infrastructure, and local communities.

Future of nursing at risk

The proposed cuts have sparked widespread concern, with stakeholders questioning the long-term impact on Wales’ healthcare system. As consultations continue, the future of Cardiff University’s Nursing School remains uncertain. The decision could significantly disrupt the nursing workforce, potentially leaving Wales ill-equipped to address the growing demands on its healthcare services.

This decision comes at a time of financial strain for higher education institutions, with Cardiff University citing budgetary pressures as the reason for the proposed changes. Critics argue that the closure of such a highly regarded institution would damage not only the university’s reputation but also the healthcare landscape across Wales.

Stakeholders await outcome

The potential closure has prompted calls for swift action to protect the future of nursing education in Wales. As consultations progress, unions, students, and healthcare leaders are urging Cardiff University to reconsider the plans.

The Herald will continue to monitor this developing story, providing updates on the implications of these cuts for Cardiff University, Wales’ nursing workforce, and the broader healthcare sector.

Health

Hywel Dda Health Board announces Community Vaccination Centres

Published

1 hour ago

January 28, 2025

Tom Sinclair

HYWEL Dda University Health Board is organizing pop-up community vaccine centres to make it easier for eligible individuals to access their flu and COVID-19 vaccines.

To check your eligibility for the flu and/or COVID-19 vaccine:

Visit: phw.nhs.wales
Contact the health board: 0300 303 8322 (Option 1)
Email: [email protected]

If you are eligible, you can either drop in at one of the centres listed below or book an appointment using the details above.

New clinics are being arranged for February. Stay updated by visiting the health board’s webpage:
Seasonal Flu Vaccinations

Vaccination Centres and Schedules

Carmarthenshire

Carmarthen Athletic RFC
Athletic Park, Johnstown, Carmarthen, SA31 3QY

Monday, January 27: 9:30am–4:45pm
Tuesday, January 28: 9:30am–4:45pm
Wednesday, January 29: 9:30am–4:45pm
Thursday, January 30: 9:30am–4:45pm

Llandeilo Fawr Civic Hall
17 Crescent Road, Llandeilo, SA19 6HW

Friday, January 31: 10:00am–4:45pm

Pontyberem Memorial Hall
Coalbrook Road, Pontyberem, Llanelli, SA15 5HU

Tuesday, February 4: 9:30am–4:30pm

Llandovery RFC
Church Bank Playing Fields, Llandovery, SA20 0BA

Thursday, February 6: 10:00am–4:30pm
Friday, February 7: 10:00am–4:30pm

Ceredigion

Tregaron Memorial Hall
The Square, Tregaron, SY25 6JL

Monday, January 27: 10:00am–4:30pm

New Quay Memorial Hall
Ffordd Towyn Road, New Quay, SA45 9QQ

Tuesday, January 28: 9:30am–4:45pm
Wednesday, January 29: 9:30am–4:45pm

The Pwerdy-Powerhouse Community Arts Centre
Chapel Street, Pont Tyweli, Llandysul, SA44 4AH

Tuesday, February 4: 10:00am–4:45pm
Wednesday, February 5: 10:00am–4:45pm

Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire Archives
Prendergast, Haverfordwest, SA61 2PE

Tuesday, January 28: 9:30am–4:50pm

Regency Hall
King George V Playing Fields, Milford Street, Saundersfoot, SA69 9NG

Friday, January 31: 9:30am–4:45pm

Neyland MVC
Unit 1, Honeyborough Retail Park, SA73 1SE

Monday, February 3: 9:30am–4:45pm
Wednesday, February 5: 9:30am–4:45pm

Llwyngwair Manor
Newport, Pembrokeshire, SA42 0LX

Thursday, February 6: 10:00am–4:30pm

Bloomfield House
Redstone Road, Narberth, SA67 7ES

Friday, February 7: 10:00am–4:45pm

News

Brynderwen beach hut to remain operating as an Airbnb

Published

2 hours ago

January 28, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A call to allow an airbnb beach hut once sited on a Dorset sandbank to continue to be used for holiday accommodation on the edge of a Pembrokeshire village has been approved.

In an application before Pembrokeshire County Council planners, Mr and Mrs Bazeley sought permission for a retrospective change of use of a timber hut to a glamping holiday accommodation with outdoor kitchen and services at Brynderwen, St Dogmaels.

Local community council St Dogmaels objected to the application on the grounds that the proposal is outside the boundary of the village.

A supporting statement through agent Llyr Evans Planning Ltd said: “Brynderwen has been in the ownership of the applicants’ family for 150 years, originally by the applicants great-great-great-grandfather, before being handed down through the generations.

“When the applicants father died in 2022 Mr and Mrs Bazeley moved back to Brynderwen to manage the holding and make it financially viable. This includes recently gaining planning permission for two bespoke holiday cottages to the northeast of this site.”

It adds: “The hut was sited on Mudeford Sandbank in Dorset from 1962 to 2007 where it was a holiday destination for the applicants’ family. In 2007 the hut was moved from Dorset to its current position at Brynderwen.”

It says the hut was originally used as a feed storage and then a family day hut/ leisure use for BBQs and campfires before being renovated in 2022, subsequently offered for short-term lets between Jun and September of last year.

The statement adds the tourism development would contribute to the small-scale agricultural operations of 13-acre Brynderwen and “would make a valuable contribution towards the provision of tourism accommodation in the area, to economic development and to the resilience of the rural economy”.

The beach hut, called Salad Days, is listed on Airbnb, where it has already attracted 50 reviews, with an overall 4.98 out of five.

An officer report recommending approval said the small scale of the accommodation “provided within such close proximity to the settlement is considered acceptable in regard to the impact on the area,” and “Due to the location of the building being some distance from any neighbouring properties the development does not have a significant impact on neighbouring amenity.”

The application was conditionally approved by county planners.