News
Council Scrutiny improves
Local government scrutiny in Wales is improving but councils need to be more consistent in their approach if they are to add value on behalf of the taxpayer, according to a report released today by the Auditor General for Wales.
The report also points to a need for councils to do more to demonstrate the impact of scrutiny and clarify the role scrutiny committees play in promoting improvement and challenging decisions. In his report the Auditor General states that while councils are actively working to improve scrutiny the outcomes are not always clear, despite significant investment of time and resources in the scrutiny process. While the report found that there is a clear enthusiasm from councils to learn and improve their approach, it also highlights that councils are struggling to demonstrate the impact of scrutiny. This, together with some lack of clarity around the role scrutiny plays in holding the executive to account, can lead some people to question the importance and value of scrutiny. However, particularly when tough decisions need to be taken, the importance of effective scrutiny should not be underestimated. Auditor General for Wales, Huw Vaughan Thomas said today: “This study shows that while there are pockets of good scrutiny there is a lack of consistency. With public services facing great financial challenge, there has never been a more important time for councils to develop effective and robust scrutiny. Decisions need to be consistent, transparent and rigorous and greater recognition of the value of scrutiny is vital if councils are to see real benefits in securing value for money for the taxpayer”. The report makes a number of recommendations aimed at improving the recognition, effectiveness, and impact of scrutiny, including: * better planning of scrutiny activity; * aligning scrutiny programmes with other council improvement arrangements and the work of external review bodies; * improving the quality and range of information that scrutiny receives; * clarifying the role of executive members and senior officers in contributing to scrutiny; and properly evaluating the impact of scrutiny. The study, undertaken with all 22 Welsh councils, consisted of a process of self-evaluation followed by peer reviews, with partner councils observing and sharing views of each other’s scrutiny committees. Following on from the successful Scrutiny in the Spotlight conference that took place in November of last year, the Wales Audit Office also releases next week a collection of resources aimed at helping support continued improvement in Welsh councils’ scrutiny arrangements. The Wales Audit Office is keen to continue the conversation around this report and the resources and are encouraging councils to get involved via Twitter and the hashtag #scrutinywales. A Pembrokeshire County Council spokesperson told the Herald: “We have a positive relationship with the Wales Audit Office. “They have regularly observed our Overview and Scrutiny Committees and have commented favourably on the progress we are making on our journey of improvement.”
Crime
Pembroke Dock woman in court for failing to remove rubbish from property
A PEMBROKE DOCK resident is due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court later today (Nov 25) for multiple alleged breaches of a community protection notice.
Sheena Deacon, of 13 Wavell Crescent, Pembroke Dock, faces charges under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which carries a maximum penalty of a Level 4 fine.
The charges stem from allegations that Deacon failed to remove accumulated household waste from her property on several occasions. According to court documents, the breaches occurred on September 19, September 26, October 2, October 9, and October 17 this year.
The charges indicate that Deacon, despite being issued with a community protection notice, did not comply with the requirements to clear and appropriately dispose of refuse and household waste from her address.
The Herald will bring updates on the case as it progresses.
News
Welsh Conservatives urge Labour to scrap ‘family farm tax’
THE WELSH CONSERVATIVES have announced plans to bring forward a Senedd debate next week (Nov 27) calling on the UK Labour Government to abandon its proposed “family farm tax.”
The tax, introduced by the UK Labour Government, is being criticised as a move that will harm Welsh farming, threaten food security, and increase food prices. Alongside the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme and perceived “anti-farming agenda,” critics argue this new tax amounts to a coordinated effort to undermine the future of agriculture in Wales.
Shadow Minister warns of consequences
Ahead of the debate, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, James Evans MS, condemned the proposal, stating:
“Labour’s family farm tax will put family farms out of business, threaten our food security, and lead to food prices rising. Only the Welsh Conservatives will stand up for our farmers, and that’s why we’re bringing forward a Senedd motion calling on Labour to reverse this decision. No farmers, no food.”
NFU Cymru expresses alarm
NFU Cymru President, Aled Jones, echoed these concerns, highlighting the widespread opposition from the farming community. Speaking about the impact of the tax on Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief, Jones said:
“Earlier this week, hundreds of farmers from across Wales journeyed to London to meet with their MPs and register their deeply held concerns about these misguided and ill-thought-out reforms.
“The proposals unveiled by the Treasury last month to introduce a tax on the passing on of our family farms to the next generation are a massive added burden. They will leave many farmers without the means, confidence, or incentive to invest in the future of their business.
“NFU Cymru reiterates its call for the UK Government to halt these changes.”
The motion to be debated
The motion, set to be debated in the Senedd, reads:
“To propose that the Senedd:
Calls on the UK Labour Government to reverse its decision to impose a family farm tax on agricultural businesses.”
This debate is expected to attract significant attention, with Welsh farmers and rural communities keenly watching for the outcome.
Community
Internet outage for two villages after exchange box destroyed
RESIDENTS of Clunderwen and Llandissilio have been left without internet access following the destruction of an Openreach exchange box just outside Llandissilio village.
The incident occurred yesterday (Nov 23) when the box was reportedly demolished by a vehicle. The damage has resulted in a complete loss of internet services for the two villages, with repairs expected to take at least a couple of days.
Local residents have expressed frustration over the disruption, as the outage affects home businesses, remote workers, and households relying on internet connectivity for day-to-day tasks.
Openreach engineers have cordoned off the site, and work is ongoing to assess the extent of the damage. A spokesperson for Openreach has been contacted for comment but had not responded by the time of publication.
The vehicle involved in the incident has not yet been identified. Anyone with information about the collision is urged to contact the local police.
With repair timelines unclear, affected residents have called for increased communication from service providers to manage expectations during the outage.
“Bringing the community back online is a priority,” a local resident said. “We’re hoping Openreach can resolve the issue quickly and ensure it doesn’t happen again in future.”
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