News
Dyfed-Powys Police detain dog for two years
A DOG has been detained by Dyfed-Powys Police for over two years as part of an inquiry. The police have yet to decide on whether the dog will be destroyed, re-homed or returned to its owner.
Full details were not provided as to why the animal has been kept in kennels for so long, with the force insisting that it was ‘an ongoing case’.
The costs of upholding the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act have been investigated by the BBC in Radio 4’s You and Yours programme, finding that dogs suspected of being pit bull terrier types were regularly held for longer than 14 weeks.
Senior Police have said that forces in both Wales and England were having to spend £3m annually for kennels, with delays blamed on lengthy disputes over breeds in court.
Last year, over 2,000 dogs were detained, most under the Dangerous Dogs Act, according to the 29 forces of England and Wales which responded to a Freedom of Information request. Of those dogs, at least 334 were detained due to suspicion of being a dangerous breed, although not necessarily a threat or out of control.
No more details have been released regarding the Dyfed-Powys case, but the programme found it to be the longest period of detention from the data they had.
Figures show that £105,246 in kennel, veterinary and transportation fees have been paid by Dyfed-Powys Police for 53 animals since 2014.
In the same time frame, North Wales Police had paid £154,307 but the number of animals detained by that force have not been revealed.
The 1991 Act banned four types of dogs, the Pit Bull Terrier and the Japanese, Argentinian and Brazilian Mastiffs. When such a dog is found, they can then be destroyed.
The National Police Chiefs Council’s lead for dangerous dogs, Gareth Pritchard, told BBC Radio Wales’s Good Morning Wales there had been more than 30 dog related deaths in England and Wales since 2005.
Mr Pritchard, the Deputy Chief Constable for North Wales Police, said there was a ‘public safety issue’ with dangerous dogs but forces wanted to ‘speed up the process’ of dealing with cases.
“We in policing spend over £3m a year on kennelling costs and we are desperate to reduce those costs and maintain the appropriate animal welfare standards for the dogs that are in our kennels.”
South Wales Police said it does not hold any data and Gwent Police did not respond to the request for information.
News
Visitor levy and accommodation register proposals to boost tourism
THE Welsh Government has announced plans to introduce new legislation to support the tourism industry and local communities across Wales. Two proposed Bills aim to give local authorities the power to introduce a visitor levy and create a national register for visitor accommodation.
The announcement, made by Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford and Economy Secretary Rebecca Evans, outlines a Visitor Accommodation (Register and Levy) Etc. (Wales) Bill set to be introduced to the Senedd on 25 November, pending approval.
Under the new proposal, local councils would have the authority to introduce a small levy for overnight stays in visitor accommodations, generating additional funds to support sustainable tourism initiatives. Each local authority would decide on the levy based on local needs, potentially easing the burden on resources in popular tourist areas.
Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford said that the levy would be “a small charge,” intended to help councils manage the impacts of tourism and invest in community infrastructure. “This will support the long-term sustainability of our tourism industry,” he added, emphasising that the approach is in line with the Welsh Government’s commitment to collaborative tax development.
Consultations led by the Welsh Revenue Authority highlighted the importance of a registration system to support the proposed levy. Feedback from stakeholders led to the decision to include a national register of all visitor accommodation providers in Wales as part of the Bill, aimed at ensuring quality standards across the sector.
In addition to the visitor levy, the Welsh Government previously consulted on a licensing scheme for visitor accommodation to create a fair playing field for providers and ensure visitors receive high-standard services. The proposed registration scheme within the Bill marks a first step toward this broader licensing framework.
The second phase of the initiative will involve a separate Bill aimed at establishing a statutory licensing scheme for visitor accommodations. This would allow providers to demonstrate compliance with certain conditions, enhancing transparency and standards. Welsh Government representatives confirmed they would continue discussions with tourism stakeholders, accommodation providers, and local authorities as the proposals progress.
If approved, the Bills will mark a significant shift in how Wales manages its tourism sector, balancing visitor demand with community needs and sustainable practices.
Business
Small business briefing hosted by Local MS
A BRIEFING event which considered how to best support small businesses in Wales has been hosted by Preseli Pembrokeshire Senedd Member Paul Davies. Mr Davies hosted the event in partnership with the Development Bank of Wales, Economic Intelligence Wales and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Wales at the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay. The theme of the event was ‘productivity’, given that Wales has had a persistent productivity gap with the UK as a whole and with other international competitor regions.
Mr Davies said, “It’s always a pleasure to help facilitate discussions on how we can support small businesses across Wales. 99.3% of businesses in Wales are small or medium enterprises (SMEs) and it’s important for us to explore the opportunities there are to boost SME growth.”
“Business-friendly policies are needed to address Wales’s persistent productivity gap, and we heard from the speakers today that more support is needed in areas like skills development, infrastructure enhancements and planning.”
“As I’ve said before, the Welsh Government has some significant economic levers, and it must now use those levers to create conditions for growth in Wales. We know that when small businesses thrive, they create jobs, spread prosperity and keep our communities vibrant and it’s crucial that governments at all levels do more to support our small businesses and enable them to grow.”
Business
Bristol Trader to temporarily serve menu at the Castle Hotel
The team of a popular riverside pub in Pembrokeshire, devastated by a recent fire, will relocate to a new town centre location while repair work is carried out on the original site.
On Wednesday, 6 November, a fire broke out at The Bristol Trader, situated on Haverfordwest’s riverside, causing significant damage to the building. The fire affected two floors of the pub as well as the roof space, forcing its closure. Smoke from the blaze was visible across the town as firefighters from Haverfordwest and Milford Haven worked for two hours to extinguish the flames.
Following the incident, the pub’s owners expressed their sadness, describing the team as “absolutely heartbroken” but determined to reopen and come back stronger. They extended their gratitude to the regulars, locals, friends, and family who have offered their support during this difficult time.
In the meantime, The Bristol Trader team will continue operating from an alternative venue. Beginning Monday, 18 November, the pub will relocate to the restaurant of the Castle Hotel, located on Haverfordwest Square, where they’ll serve the same menu.
“While repairs are being made to The Bristol Trader, Team Trader are being temporarily relocated to The Castle Hotel Restaurant from Monday the 18th of November,” announced the team in a social media post. “All our menus are attached to our Facebook page, and the phone lines are being redirected.”
Anyone with a booking at The Bristol Trader who hasn’t been in touch since the fire on 6 November is encouraged to contact the team at 01437 762122.
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