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Rural schools to be protected from closure

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RURAL SCHOOLS in Pembrokeshire are set to receive a boost after the Education Secretary announced new rules which will protect them from closure.

Between 2006-07 and 2015-16, seven state schools in Pembrokeshire were closed due to financial pressures or surplus places.

The Education Secretary, Kirsty Williams, has said that closure will now be considered as a last resort, only once all other options have been considered.

She went on to say that federations with other schools should also be considered.

That has already happened in Pembrokeshire with Tavernspite and Templeton CP Schools becoming a federation.

Two schools in Milford Haven, The Meads Infant and Nursery School and Milford Haven Junior School, are also set to close in 2018 with the aim of creating one new school.

Three rural schools in the Angle peninsula, Angle, Stackpole and Orielton, are also being closed to make way for a new school in Hundleton, but concerns have been raised out transporting kids to the new school.

Under the rules, authorities must now consider the impact of closure on a child’s education, the wider community and travel arrangements.

They will also have to explain why closure would be seen as the best option.

Speaking in 2016, Kirsty Williams said: “Small and rural schools play an important role in our national mission in raising standards and extending opportunities for all our young people.

“Pupils in rural schools deserve the same opportunities as children in other areas of Wales. However, they face particular challenges including small pupil numbers, budget and resource pressures and greater difficulty in recruiting head teachers and teaching staff.

“Let me be clear – this isn’t simply about keeping all schools open. This is about raising standards in all of our schools, no matter where they are based, and ensuring all schools get a fair hearing when their future is being considered.

“These changes set out a presumption against closing rural schools and new incentives for rural schools to link up and work together for the benefit of both teachers and pupils. I want to see rural schools working more formally together and across the country, forming federations and looking into the possibility of sharing buildings with other services to ensure school buildings remain viable.”

Responding to the new rules, Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru shadow education secretary, said: “I welcome the commitment by the government to consider all options and consult fully before closing any school. The change of direction should mean less pressure on councils to close rural school. Previously the emphasis was on dealing with ’empty places’, which meant that councils were forced to close rural schools. There was no flexibility to cope with variations in population that happen in rural communities periodically. That is the nature of rural communities.

“But, if the government wants to assert keep small schools open, it must also recognise the additional cost for councils at a time of hardship and cuts. I will be seeking assurances that the new Code here means money will not be lost for our more urban schools. The £2.5m funding promised amounts to just £110,000 for every county in Wales – that will not go very far.

“The new code offers an opportunity to ensure the community has a greater voice and, if local people want to keep the school open or federate, then the Welsh Government should respect that opinion wherever possible to ensure the best education for our children.

“That said, the new Code does not mean that rural schools will not be closed and each must be considered individually. I really hope that we see a situation where thriving rural schools are never closed again. Full details of the plan will need to be scrutinise of course before reaching a final judgement about what is being offered.”

Education

Landfill odours breach air quality guidelines near Spittal School

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AIR quality near Spittal School has breached World Health Organisation (WHO) odour annoyance guidelines due to emissions from the Withyhedge landfill site, sparking health concerns among residents.

Public Health Wales (PHW) revealed that hydrogen sulphide levels exceeded the WHO odour annoyance threshold of 5ppb at the Spittal School monitoring station between October 1 and November 3. The colourless gas, known for its eggy smell, can cause symptoms including headaches, nausea, dizziness, and throat irritation when present at elevated levels.

Henry Tufnell MP (centre) at visit to Withyhedge Landfill Site

Community complaints lead to monitoring

Air quality monitoring began earlier this year after Natural Resources Wales (NRW) received numerous complaints about odours linked to the landfill. While other monitoring sites recorded no such exceedances between September 7 and 22, PHW acknowledged the distress caused by the smells.

A PHW spokesperson said: “Bad smells in your community can be upsetting and lead to physical symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and sleep problems. These effects usually pass once the odour is gone.”

Stop the Stink: There have been several protests by locals over smells from the landfill site

Health risk remains low

PHW emphasised that the long-term health risk to residents remains low. However, it advises residents to close windows and doors when odours occur to reduce exposure, while ensuring proper ventilation for safety. Once the smell dissipates, opening windows can help clear residual odours.

Calls for regulatory action

NRW stated that it is committed to ensuring the site operator, RML, takes steps to minimise emissions that could cause offsite odours. PHW, while monitoring the situation, clarified it has no regulatory authority over landfill operations.

“We understand the stress and anxiety caused by these odours,” said a PHW spokesperson. “We will continue reviewing and updating the health risk assessment as more data becomes available.”

Local residents continue to call for stronger action to address the issue, as the unpleasant odours disrupt daily life and raise ongoing concerns.

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Wales tourism tax: £1.25 levy proposed from 2027

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A NEW tourism tax of £1.25 per person per night could be introduced in Wales starting April 2027, following the publication of draft legislation by the Welsh government. The levy, applicable to hotels, B&Bs, and self-catered accommodation, would be charged per person, including children. A reduced rate of 75p would apply to stays in hostels and campsites.

The Welsh government argues the levy will raise approximately £33m annually, supporting services and infrastructure in tourism hotspots. Funds raised will be ring-fenced for projects such as promoting tourism, improving visitor services, and supporting the Welsh language. However, the plans have sparked criticism from opposition parties and industry groups, who warn the tax may deter tourists and harm Wales’ vital tourism sector.

Industry concerns

The tourism sector, employing 159,000 people—nearly 12% of Wales’ workforce—has expressed concerns about the impact of the levy on visitor numbers. Critics, including the Wales Tourism Alliance, argue there is no guarantee the revenue will enhance the visitor experience, potentially making Wales less attractive compared to neighboring regions without similar taxes.

The Welsh Conservatives oppose the measure, calling it a “barrier to tourism” and warning of increased costs for families and additional bureaucracy for small businesses. Shadow Minister for Finance Peter Fox stated: “This tax is the wrong one for Wales and the wrong one for our tourism industry.”

How it works

The levy will not apply to stays of more than 31 nights or to individuals in temporary accommodation or homeless hostels. The tax will also require providers of short-term accommodations, such as Airbnbs, to register under a licensing scheme set to be introduced through additional legislation before 2026.

Councils adopting the levy must consult stakeholders and provide 12 months’ notice before implementing or increasing the charge. While the levy is optional for local authorities, it is expected to be a divisive issue among councils. Some may view it as a means to generate revenue for improving tourism infrastructure, while others may fear it could drive visitors to neighboring regions without the tax.

Broader context

Visitor levies are not new; countries worldwide employ similar systems to fund local services and improve tourist destinations. Welsh Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford defended the plan, saying, “It’s fair visitors contribute towards local facilities, helping to fund infrastructure and services integral to their experience.”

Cardiff Council has indicated interest in exploring fiscal powers like the levy as part of its broader strategy to invest in the tourism sector. Meanwhile, critics remain skeptical, with some calling for clearer commitments on how funds will be spent to ensure the levy provides tangible benefits for tourists and communities alike.

Next steps

For the tax to take effect, the proposed legislation must pass through the Senedd. If approved, councils will have discretion over implementation, ensuring any decision is tailored to local priorities and needs.

Whether this initiative strengthens Wales’ position as a leading destination or creates obstacles for the tourism industry remains a point of contention.

Expert’s viewpoint

Corporate partner at law firm Spencer West LLP: “The introduction of a tourism levy in Wales could have significant implications for the leisure, tourism, and hospitality sectors. Whilst the legislation aims to reduce the burden on local infrastructure and services resulting from a regular influx of tourists by providing additional funding for them, it may also create financial and operational challenges for businesses in these industries.

From a positive perspective, the reinvestment of funds into local infrastructure could enhance visitor experiences, potentially attracting more tourists over the long term. Improved facilities and local amenities could also help bolster community support for tourism, fostering a more sustainable relationship between visitors and local communities.

However, the levy could impose additional costs on tourists, potentially deterring budget-conscious visitors or driving them to alternative destinations without such charges. This risk may disproportionately affect smaller accommodation providers, hostels, and campsites, which rely on price-sensitive customers. Additionally, implementing the scheme and managing the levy collection could increase administrative burdens and compliance costs for businesses.

Concerns raised by industry representatives, such as the potential impact on employment and competitiveness, highlight the need for careful planning and extensive consultation and local authorities will have to balance the need for increased revenue with the industry’s overall economic health.”

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Storm Bert aborts Pembrokeshire lifeboat in search for missing person

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A major sea search got underway on Sunday evening following reports of a missing person in the sea off Rhossili.

Tenby Lifeboat received a call shortly after 11 pm on Sunday, November 24 from the coastguards, requesting the crew’s assistance.

“The volunteer crew was soon on the water and got to Rhossili in extremely rough seas as a result of Storm Bert,” commented a spokesperson for the Tenby crew

“The crew was requested to search around Worm’s Head using lights and night vision equipment.”

But after searching the coastline for around two hours, the crew was forced to stand down.

“It soon became obvious that the conditions were too rough for the lifeboat to get in close enough to be of any assistance, so with the lifeboat unable to safely provide assistance due to extremely rough seas, the crew stood down.”

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