News

Reluctant councillors close Sunnybank

Published

9 years ago

March 28, 2014

COUNCILLORS were very reluctant to accept the closure of Sunnybank Residential Care Home at the Cabinet meeting on Monday, March 10.

A number of staff from the care home also attended the meeting to hear the decision. On November 4, 2013, Cabinet agreed to consult on the future of the care home in Narberth.

After a thorough consultation period it was agreed that while there was a strong desire to keep Sunnybank open there were a number of other factors that would mean the home would have to be closed. Sunnybank is valued by the current residents and their families but only a small number of people choose to go there.

The building was built in the 1960’s and was originally home for 52 people but that was reduced to 26 in 2002. The council continued to maintain the premises but as of November 2013 there were only 11 people living in the home.

One of the key factors in the closure of the home was: ‘The condition of the building and the facilities at Sunnybank do not meet modern standards’.

The report also states that the council cannot meet the £3m that would be required to refurbish the home. Councillors also recognised that staff at the care home have done an excellent job but said that the decision had to be made while Cllr Simon Hancock added: “The quality of care of the staff is not in question”.

Councillor David Simpson said: “I’ve had many conversations with the local member (Cllr Wynne Evans) over the last few years. He has had to deal with the school closure, the pool closure but this is by far the worst for him and it is terribly sad that there will not be a satisfactory outcome for all”.

Cllr Elwyn Morse added: “My sympathy does go out to the staff. They have worked very hard and have worked tirelessly with those in the community”. One of the recommendations added that the closure would be sensitively and carefully managed with residents being supported to move to alternative accommodation of their choice as soon as practicable, something which councillors agreed was very important.

Cllr David Pugh said: “It is being carefully managed, not only for the residents but for the staff as well. We have reached a stage where the building is not fit for purpose and we have to make this decision”.

Cllr Jamie Adams said: “The fact that the number of units in accommodation in use is around a third of the capacity, there is obviously a reason why people aren’t choosing Sunnybank and there are other alternatives. We will do all we can to support staff throughout this process”.

After the meeting, Narberth councillor Wynne Evans told the Herald: “I am disappointed by the decision of cabinet to close Sunnybank after 51 years of serving the people of the county. I have been given assurances that all will be done to support the staff in the coming difficult months as well as the relocation of the current residents. I wish to add that I thought the council consultation process was very fair and comprehensive; this is a sad day not just for Narberth but the entire county”.

Business

MPs to examine opportunities for defence manufacturing and cyber security in Wales

Published

4 hours ago

March 27, 2023

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH AFFAIRS COMMITTEE has today launched (Mar 27) a new inquiry examining the defence industry in Wales, looking specifically at defence manufacturing and cyber security.

From Airbus to Kent Periscopes, Raytheon to Qioptiq, there are over 160 companies supporting the defence sector that are based in Wales. Wales’ defence sector is further enhanced by the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Defence and Electronics Components Agency (DECA), based in North Wales, which has a £0.5 billion contract with the US Department for Defense.

However, there are concerns that a decrease in investment from the MOD will erode the prominence of Wales’ defence sector. In recent years, the number of jobs and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the sector has declined and MOD spending in Wales has fallen by £300 million since 2018. The Committee is keen to examine trends in defence spending and how SMEs can benefit from available opportunities.

Over the course of the inquiry, MPs will look at how important the sector is to the Welsh economy, investigate the opportunities for growth and examine the role of the UK Government in further promoting the defence sector in Wales.

Welsh Affairs Committee Chairman, Stephen Crabb, said:

“From maintaining fighter jets to hosting one of the most advanced aircraft surveillance and intelligence systems in existence, in Wales we have a ground-breaking defence sector that is routinely punching above its weight.

“However, MOD investment in Wales has decreased, as have the numbers of jobs and SMEs in the Welsh defence sector. Over the course of our inquiry, we will be considering the future opportunities and challenges to ensure defence industries in Wales – from defence manufacturing to cyber security – thrive.

“The defence sector is a major employer and helps support local economies across our nation and it is in all our best interests to support Wales’ defence prowess.”

The Committee is inviting written submissions by Friday 5 May. These should focus on, but not be limited to:

What are the reasons underlying the trends in MoD spending in Wales since 2019?
What is the MoD’s understanding of how funding flows from prime contractors to small and medium sized defence sector businesses in Wales?
What is the relationship between Wales-based prime contractors, Welsh academic and research bodies, and the development of new defence technologies?
Can Wales play a role in enhancing the UK’s defence industrial capacity?
Do skills and knowledge exist within Wales’ workforce to support the growth of the Welsh defence sector?
How might the reorganisation of Wales’ defence estate affect employment in the defence sector in Wales?
Will the 10% social value weighting applied to MoD procurement support the Levelling Up agenda in Wales?

News

Dog in difficulty rescued between St Nons and Caerfai Bay by RNLI

Published

4 hours ago

March 27, 2023

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS inshore lifeboat was tasked at 11am on Monday (Feb 27) to a dog in difficulty at the bottom of cliffs between St Nons and Caerfai Bay.

Marian and Alan Clayton made best speed to the scene where a HM Coastguard team from St Davids assisted the crew by locating the dog.

Once recovered from the base of the cliffs, “Bosun” was reunited with its relieved owners at Porthclais Harbour.

Pictured are crew members Ellen, Tom and Martin with Bosun.

The lifeboat returned to Station before a wash down and refuelling, ready for service by 12:42pm, according to an online report from the RNLI

Business

Economy Minister congratulates Celtic Freeport consortium on winning bid

Published

9 hours ago

March 27, 2023

Tom Sinclair

ECONOMY MINISTE, Vaughan Gething, was in Port Talbot today to congratulate the Celtic Freeport consortium on their successful bid to be Wales’ first freeport, which is set to deliver tens of thousands of new, high-quality jobs in south west Wales.

Last week, the Welsh and UK governments jointly announced the Celtic Freeport in Milford Haven and Port Talbot, and Anglesey Freeport on Ynys Mon, have been chosen as Wales’ first freeports.

The two freeports aim to collectively create around 20,000 jobs in the green industries of the future by 2030 and attract up to £4.9 billion in public and private investments.

The Celtic Freeport will be based around the port of Port Talbot in Neath Port Talbot, and the port of Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire.

The freeport plans focus on low carbon technologies, such as floating offshore wind (FLOW), hydrogen, carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) and biofuels to support the accelerated reduction of carbon emissions.

The freeport aims to attract significant inward investment, including £3.5 billion in the hydrogen industry as well as the creation of 16,000 jobs, generating £900 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) by 2030, and £13 billion by 2050.

The Minister visited the port of Port Talbot earlier today, which will become one of the focal points of the new Freeport – which is expected to be operational later this year.

Speaking during a visit to Port Talbot, Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething said: “It was great to be in Port Talbot today to congratulate the Celtic Freeport team on their successful bid.

“From off-shore energy to advanced manufacturing, the Celtic Freeport will help create tens of thousands of new, high quality jobs in the green industries of the future. it will support our highly ambitious plans to reach net zero by 2050, while also supporting our young people to plan their futures here in Wales.

“All this will help us transform the economy of south west Wales, helping us create a stronger, fairer and greener future for local people and communities.”

Roger Maggs MBE, Chair of the Celtic Freeport consortium said: “Wales is on the cusp on an exciting green journey.

“The freeport decision will cause a chain reaction.

“Upgrading our major energy ports in Milford Haven and Port Talbot will enable floating offshore wind, create the cradle to nurture new green tech companies and take a step on the path to greening Wales’ steel industry.

“Now is the time for action so that Wales captures the renewable energy supply chain.”

Andrew Harston, Director, Wales and Short Sea Ports, Associated British Ports (ABP) said: “The roll-out of floating offshore wind, or FLOW, in the Celtic Sea provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Wales. Port Talbot is the ideal location for the deployment of FLOW, and ABP is ready to invest over £500m in new and upgraded infrastructure to enable this and to ensure first-mover advantage to capture this global market. The Celtic Freeport provides a huge opportunity, and not just for FLOW, but for sustainable fuels and hydrogen too.