News
Mustang creditors furious
ANGER is growing amongst creditors of insolvent Pembroke Dock company Mustang Marine.
Local companies that have extended credit to the boat building firm have been left vulnerable, and in financial difficulty.
The Herald understands that other Pembrokeshire businesses are owed £330,000, with one firm claiming that they are owed nearly £70,000.
Speaking on the grounds of anonymity, the director of one local firm said: “We felt safe doing business with Mustang because it was listed as a subsidiary company of Milford Haven Port Authority.”
He added: “The Port Authority is sitting on a bank balance of millions of pounds, there is a moral responsibility to sort this mess out. That would provide economic and social benefits as it will prevent companies such as mine from laying off staff.”
The Milford Haven Port Authority Act 2002 says that the Port Authority’s right to invest in local firms ‘may be exercised if, and only if, in the opinion of the Authority the exercise of the powers is likely to provide economic, social, cultural or environmental benefits to all or some of the population of Pembrokeshire or any part of Pembrokeshire.’
Questions have been raised by the Welsh Government in Cardiff regarding the Port Authority’s responsibilities to local firms, but last week, Alec Don, Chief Executive of the Port Authority said: “The Port of Milford Haven is a 50% shareholder and remains a separate corporate entity to Mustang Marine. The Port is not liable for Mustang’s debts. Any specific questions about that business, including queries about creditors, must be directed to the administrators Grant Thornton.
“As a Trust Port we continually look to invest in growth and economic activity in the Port. On this basis, and in good faith, the Port of Milford Haven invested in Mustang Marine. The company approached us with a firm business plan and orders that required our support and investment to achieve.
“Any investment we make has to be balanced with our central commitment to keep the UK’s largest energy port operating efficiently, and safe for everyone who uses the waterway.
“This is a difficult time for all those involved in Mustang. Our priority now is to get new and sustainable businesses established as quickly as possible, both for employees and for businesses up and down the Haven who rely on this busy working port.”
MP’s questions
Simon Hart MP has written to Port Authority raising questions about the organisation’s responsibilities to local firms who are out of pocket. He spoke exclusively to the Pembrokeshire Herald yesterday about his concerns.
Simon Hart said: “The fact that Pembrokeshire companies are owed hundreds of thousands of pounds seems to have been glossed over. They cannot talk about growth and activity on the one hand and then refuse to even consider the plight of local people left out of pocket on the other. These people undertook work for Mustang as they felt comfortable that the company was part of a larger trading operation of which the Port was a central part.”
He added: “As far as the port accounts are concerned, Mustang was listed as a trading subsidiary. The Authority’s responsibilities are a legal question that I have put to chief executive, Alec Don. If you have a trading subsidiary then this is a different position, in my view, than if you are a minor shareholder. The Port Authority has always referred to Mustang as a subsidiary company. Every conversation that I have had about Mustang has been with Alec Don. He was very much sewn in the structure at Mustang. At the very least, the Port Authority should explain why it thinks it has no obligation at all to the many local creditors.
“I know that local companies did business with Mustang because they felt comfortable that it was part of a bigger organisation. Nothing was ever done to suggest that MHPA had no responsibilities. Rather than just say it’s not our problem, Alec Don should explain what the true legal position is.”
“The Port Authority’s employees have been embedded in the company. Frankly, I can understand why creditors may want to challenge the assertions of the Port Authority.”
Simon Hart concluded: “A question that I would like to ask is – Who in the Port Authority did the due diligence over the purchase of 50% shares in Mustang? Alec Don should explain very clearly, after the Port Authority has had such an intimate relationship with the company, why is it that now they are distancing themselves.”
Help for workers
Rebecca Evans, AM for Mid and West Wales, has welcomed an update from the Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science on the situation facing Mustang Marine and its workforce. In a letter to Assembly members, the Minister said: “The administrator is currently exploring all options for securing the future of operations at the site within the Enterprise Zone. My officials are working with the administrator and a number of potential third party investors to seek to secure the long term viability of the company. Those discussions are on-going and I will update members of the outcome of those commercial discussions as soon as I am able.
“As a government, we are determined to do all that we can to support the employer and its workforce at this difficult time and are working with the administrator to provide support and advice to any of the workforce in Wales facing redundancy through our ReAct scheme.”
Mrs Evans continued: “The news that Mustang Marine in Pembroke Dock had gone into administration with the loss of 66 jobs was a bitter blow for the area.
“I am glad that the Welsh Government is working closely with the administrator to try and find a secure way forward for Mustang Marine, and to ultimately save the remaining jobs. I sincerely hope that the Welsh Government’s work with the administrator leads to a positive outcome.
“I recently asked the First Minister what support and assistance will the Welsh Government offer to those 66 workers facing redundancy, and he told me that ‘those threatened with redundancy will be offered ReAct support and advice.’ I am glad that this is in place.
“I look forward the next update from the Minister, and hope for good news.”
ReAct is the Welsh Government’s Redundancy Action Scheme which has been put in place to help people affected by redundancy gain new skills and encourage recruiting employers to employ a worker who has been made redundant.
News
Campaigners urge Welsh Government to adopt proportional representation for Local Elections
CAMPAIGNERS are calling on the Welsh Government to introduce the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system for local elections, following moves by two councils to shift away from the First Past the Post (FPTP) system being blocked on technical grounds.
Yesterday (Nov 14), Ceredigion Council voted narrowly, with an 18 to 17 majority, in favor of adopting STV. This follows Gwynedd Council’s decision last month, where 65% of councillors backed the move. However, both councils have been prevented from implementing STV due to a requirement for a two-thirds majority under the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021.
In recent consultations, public support for STV has been overwhelming, with over 70% in Gwynedd and 67% in Ceredigion favoring the change. Only Powys Council rejected the proposal, despite 60.5% of its respondents supporting STV. Campaigners argue that the current system deprives voters of representation, citing that over 100,000 people were denied a vote in the 2022 elections due to uncontested seats.
The Electoral Reform Society Cymru (ERS Cymru) highlights the contrast with Scotland, where the introduction of STV for local elections in 2007 has significantly reduced uncontested seats. According to ERS Cymru, Scotland has had fewer uncontested seats in the last four elections combined than Gwynedd Council recorded alone in 2022.
Jess Blair, Director of ERS Cymru, said:
“Decisions made in council chambers affect everyone in those areas, so every vote should count. It’s absurd that councils choosing STV are blocked by a technicality, leaving them stuck with an outdated system that denies representation to thousands. The Welsh Government must act to avoid repeating the undemocratic outcomes of the last elections.”
Campaigners are now calling on the Welsh Government to introduce STV across all councils in Wales, ensuring representation that reflects the electorate’s wishes.
Business
Upgrades completed at Port of Milford Haven’s simulator suite
UPGRADES have been completed to state-of-the-art equipment within the Port of Milford Haven’s navigation simulator suite at Milford Waterfront enabling marine professionals to receive bespoke specialist training. The virtual reality simulation system can safely replicate a range of scenarios that seafarers may experience in real world situations such as extreme weather conditions, emergency situations and escort tug work.
The upgrades provided by Netherlands-based company MARIN contain the latest hardware in terms of processing power and graphics, as well as upgrades to MARIN’s ‘Dolphin’ software, increasing the capability to create scenarios. These are complemented with new 4k visuals on 75” screens which increase the depth and field of vision, adding to the realism.
Recently, a training day was led by Training Pilot Captain Mark Johnson, assisted by ex-Pilot Andy Hillier, involving members of the Svitzer team as well as Pilots Matt Roberts and Ian Coombes. As part of the scenario, they were faced with a loss of engine power and steering along with worsening weather and sea conditions. The Pilots had to communicate with Svitzer in order to successfully instruct them on how to tow and direct a drifting tanker. While scenarios like these are uncommon within port operations, it is important to rehearse procedures that would be implemented if they are required and enhances participants’ skill sets.
Marine Pilot and Simulator Instructor, Captain Ewan McNicoll, said “This simulator suite has future proofed our training capabilities, both internally for Pilots and marine staff, but also externally for clients wishing to use the facility, be it for training purposes or research and development. We can create any type of scenario with any type of ship, ranging from practicing ship handling manoeuvres to emergency situations, it really is game changing! Working with our partners at MARIN has been a complete success and I am very proud of our new facility.”
For more information about training at the navigation simulation suite please contact the Port of Milford Haven at [email protected] or 01646 696100.
Business
Thousands of homes in rural Wales gain from faster 4G boost
RURAL Wales is seeing a major upgrade in mobile connectivity, with faster 4G now live in several areas. Seven locations across North, South West, and West Wales are benefitting from new 4G mast upgrades funded by the UK Government’s Shared Rural Network (SRN), aimed at closing the digital gap between rural and urban areas.
The upgrades, which went live on Thursday (Nov 14), bring improved 4G coverage to communities including Bontddu, Llanelltyd, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, Penmaenpool, Tabor, Snowdonia National Park, and Bontgoch. Local businesses, emergency services, and residents are expected to benefit from faster internet access, which supports daily communication, business opportunities, and economic growth.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: “Fast, reliable connectivity is essential for modern life and should be available from Cardiff to the remotest parts of Wales. Today’s upgrades bring us closer to making this a reality.”
SUPPORTING DIGITAL INCLUSION
As part of the rollout, Peter Kyle and Telecoms Minister Sir Chris Bryant visited Ebbw Vale to discuss digital inclusion with charity and industry leaders. They met with representatives at BGfm, a digital inclusion hub in Blaenau Gwent, to learn about how connectivity impacts daily life in Welsh communities.
Telecoms Minister Bryant said: “We are working tirelessly to make sure rural communities aren’t left behind online.
“These upgrades mean businesses can now operate without connectivity limitations, 999 services are better equipped to respond, and residents and tourists can stay connected across the Welsh countryside.”
ADDRESSING CONNECTIVITY GAPS
An estimated 1.5 million homes across the UK remain without internet access, limiting people’s ability to access essential services such as banking and healthcare. In addition to the SRN upgrades, the Chancellor has allocated over £500 million in next year’s budget for digital infrastructure expansion, targeting these underserved areas.
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens highlighted the importance of this investment, particularly for rural Wales, where fast, reliable internet can be transformative.
“Connectivity is critical for day-to-day life in rural areas – from supporting local businesses to ensuring emergency services are just a call away,” Stevens said.
The upgraded masts, previously limited to EE customers and emergency 999 calls, now serve a wider user base, bringing essential internet access to more people without requiring new infrastructure.
Ben Roome, CEO of Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited, said: “With the activation of five new SRN sites, Wales is seeing the tangible benefits of the Shared Rural Network, bringing crucial connectivity to rural communities.”
GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT IN REMOTE WALES
The improvements come alongside a £170 million agreement with Openreach to provide gigabit-capable broadband to 70,000 remote Welsh properties, helping future-proof digital access in even the most isolated locations.
The latest upgrades mark another step in the Government’s mission to improve mobile coverage and close the connectivity gap across Wales, creating opportunities and supporting economic growth across rural communities.
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