News
Council elects new Chairman and deputy
COUNCILLOR Tom Richards took over as the new Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council from Cllr Arwyn Williams at the annual council meeting Last Friday.
Cllr Wynne Evans will be his new Vice Chairman after he was chosen over Cllr Phil Baker by 40 votes to 15.
Outgoing Chairman Arwyn Williams said: “This is a sad day for me, but it has been a very happy and enjoyable past 12 months. I am pleased to be handing over the role into the very capable hands of Tom Richards”.
Cllr Williams went on to mention various events that he had the privilege of witnessing during his time as chairman – none more so than his visit with the Queen last week.
He also paid tribute to those who had worked tirelessly during the storms at the start of the year.
He concluded by saying: “I want to thank you, the members, I may not have seen eye to eye with all of you but I appreciate your support. I thank you for the honour you bestowed on me 12 months ago, I’ve done my best”.
Cllr Huw George gave a vote of thanks to Cllr Williams saying: “You can look back with pride on what you’ve done. You’ve done a good job, you’ve done it well”.
Cllr Tom Richards said: “I am looking forward to the next 12 months, not only outside but serving here in the chamber. I hope that we can make decisions for the benefit of our county”.
Councillor Tom Richards joined the Council in its inception in 1996 as the member for the Letterston electoral division.
Sixty-year-old Councillor Richards was born in St Ishmaels to a Pembrokeshire farming family which can trace its roots in the county back to the 1700s.
The family moved to farm in Hayscastle in 1963. Councillor Richards attended St Ishmaels and Hayscastle primary schools and later Haverfordwest Grammar School for Boys.
After school, he went back to the family livestock and arable farm in Hayscastle. The 200-acre farm is now tenanted, and Councillor Richards lives in a former rectory nearby with his wife Mel. He also owns a farm in Croesgoch.
Councillor Richards is vice-chairman of the Corporate Governance, Economy Overview and Scrutiny, and Audit committees, as well as being a member of several other committees.
He has also served as a community councillor since his twenties, and is still on Hayscastle Community Council as well as serving as a governor of Ysgol Ger y Llan.
He and Mel, who also comes from an established Pembrokeshire farming family, have two daughters. The eldest, Sophie, is a chemical engineer in France, and the youngest, Julie, is a consultant for Deloittes in London.
Councillor Richards succeeds Councillor Arwyn Williams of Pembroke as Chairman. He was proposed for office by Councillor David Lloyd and seconded by Councillor Rhys Sinnett.
A vote of thanks to the outgoing Chairman was proposed by the Deputy Leader of the Authority, Councillor Huw George.
The Council’s new Vice Chairman is Councillor Wynne Evans who represents the electoral division of Narberth.
Cllr Evans described it as “A very momentous day for me”.
The ceremony in County Hall, Haverfordwest, was attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed, The Hon Robin Lewis OBE.
Pictured left to right are: (seated) Councillor Arwyn Williams, Chief Executive Bryn Parry-Jones, Councillor Tom Richards, Mrs Mel Richards, Councillor Wynne Evans, The Hon. Robin Lewis, (standing) Mrs Elizabeth Williams, Mrs Sarah Parry-Jones, Councillor Rob Lewis, Councillor Jamie Adams, Councillor Huw George, Mrs Gwyneth John (Vice-Chairman’s Consort) and Mrs Judith Lewis
Health
Phone calls to reduce GP visits for 42% of patients this winter
NEW research from the Royal Voluntary Service has shown that a simple phone call could significantly impact well-being, reducing GP visits by 42% among patients who receive regular telephone support.
The charity urges those feeling isolated this winter, particularly the elderly, to use telephone support services as a way to improve health and free up GP appointments, potentially reducing waiting times. It is estimated that if people experiencing loneliness in later life reduced their GP visits by just one appointment a year, this could free up 588,000 appointments annually.
As winter approaches, the Royal Voluntary Service reports that isolation can sharply increase, especially for adults over 75, with nearly half (47%) of people in this age group feeling lonelier in the colder months. Among those who live alone, one in six say they feel forgotten during winter, and 20% report having no one to turn to for emotional support.
In addition to loneliness, older generations face several winter worries, including increased heating costs, cited by 55% of respondents, and reduced ability to go out, which 29% said they dreaded as winter sets in.
To address these challenges, Royal Voluntary Service has launched the Stay Safe, Warm and Well campaign in partnership with Yakult. The campaign provides a guide for practical and emotional winter preparation, encouraging sign-ups for telephone support services and offering access to the Virtual Village Hall online community for events and activities. Practical advice on money-saving and energy-saving tips is also available through the guide.
Royal Voluntary Service Ambassador Elaine Paige, who has herself made support calls for the charity, described the positive impact these calls can have. “A warm, friendly phone call can transform someone’s day. Some conversations leave you smiling long after the call ends—something we could all use, especially in winter. For those facing the season alone, there are amazing people ready to remind you that you’re not alone,” she said.
The charity’s support services match volunteers with individuals across the UK for friendly chats, reducing isolation and boosting mental health. Catherine Johnstone CBE, Chief Executive of Royal Voluntary Service, said: “The feedback that conversations with volunteers are helping people to visit their GP less is testament to the value of connection.”
Yakult Marketing Manager Reshma Patel added: “Our research with Royal Voluntary Service shows that one in four adults over 75 feel they’d benefit from practical and emotional support over winter. We are committed to helping people access the Stay Safe, Warm and Well guide to support their overall well-being.”
Crime
Welsh shop workers face ‘surge in shoplifting linked violence and abuse’ says union
A NEW survey by retail trade union Usdaw has revealed disturbing figures on the abuse, threats, and violence endured by Welsh shop workers, with incidents increasingly linked to shoplifting. Released during Respect for Shop Workers Week, which runs from November 11 to 17, the statistics highlight a troubling trend that is impacting thousands of retail employees.
Usdaw’s survey, based on responses from over 4,000 retail staff, shows that in the past year:
- 69% experienced verbal abuse.
- 45% were threatened by customers.
- 17% were assaulted.
Usdaw General Secretary Paddy Lillis commented on the findings, saying: “Shop workers deserve far more respect than they receive. These reports from Welsh retail staff make grim reading. It is shocking to see over two-thirds of our members subjected to abuse, threats, and violence. Seven in ten of these incidents are related to theft, much of it tied to addiction and organised crime.”
Usdaw’s survey suggests that shoplifting is increasingly becoming a flashpoint for violence. Many shop workers report encountering hardened criminals who appear to steal goods “to order” or to fund addictions. According to the union, incidents are on the rise across Wales, with police-reported shoplifting up by 33% in the past year.
Usdaw member testimonies paint a vivid picture of the dangers faced on the shop floor:
- One respondent described being “spat at, pushed against a wall, punched, and threatened with a knife.”
- Another reported that, after refusing to sell alcohol, they were told to “F**k off” and threatened with a beating by a group of five.
- Others spoke of being punched, spat on, and verbally abused, with threats that often left lasting emotional scars.
New measures on the horizon
Usdaw has been calling for greater legal protection for retail workers for years, and it appears these calls are finally being heard. The recent Crime and Policing Bill, announced in the King’s Speech, proposes to:
- End the £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters, which has been a source of frustration for retailers.
- Introduce town centre banning orders for repeat offenders.
- Allocate funding for tackling organised shoplifting and increase police presence in shopping areas.
“We welcome these new measures and hope they will provide much-needed protection,” said Mr. Lillis. “After 14 years of neglect under successive Tory governments, we are encouraged by the steps the new Labour government is taking to address the retail crime epidemic.”
As Christmas approaches—a time when retail crime tends to peak—Usdaw is urging the public to “respect shop workers” and remain calm as stores become busier.
Usdaw, which represents around 360,000 members, primarily in retail, launched its Freedom From Fear Campaign to tackle the growing issue of violence against shop workers. The final results of the 2024 survey are expected in March 2025.
Charity
Milford Haven RNLI celebrates heartfelt donation from Neyland Ladies Choir
MILFORD HAVEN RNLI Fundraising Group received a generous donation of over £1,000 from Neyland Ladies Choir this October, marking a touching tribute to Mrs. Dorothy Beckett, one of the RNLI’s longest-standing supporters.
The Neyland Ladies Choir held a special concert at St. Mary’s Church on Waterloo Road, Hakin, to celebrate Dorothy Beckett’s 90th birthday. A lifelong supporter of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Dorothy has played a crucial role in lifeboat fundraising in the Milford Haven area, dating back to the 1970s. She was instrumental in establishing the Hakin Point RNLI fundraising group, which has raised over £500,000 to support the RNLI’s lifesaving work.
The concert’s proceeds were presented in a moving ceremony at Bethesda Baptist Church in Neyland. Accepting the donation on behalf of the RNLI were Steve Lewis, Chairman of the fundraising group, and Thomas Kehoe, Deputy Coxswain of the Angle Lifeboat.
Adding to the evening’s celebrations, Alice Coleman, RNLI Community Manager, presented Dorothy with the Long Service Medal, recognizing her fifty years of dedication to the institution. This award, given by the RNLI, honors Dorothy’s unwavering commitment to saving lives at sea.
“Thank you, Neyland Ladies Choir and Dorothy Beckett,” said the RNLI in a heartfelt message to the community. “Your support and dedication mean the world to us.”
The Milford Haven RNLI Fundraising Group encourages supporters to share and spread the word, hoping that Dorothy’s legacy inspires continued community support.
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