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News

​Council will not recommend special measures for Hywel Dda

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PEMBROKESHIRE County Council will not be recommending that Hywel Dda University Health Board should be placed into special measures.

Cllr Paul Dowson’s notice of motion calling for them do so was debated at the Full Council meeting on Thursday (Feb 21).

When it was put to the vote, Cllrs John Cole, Phil Kidney, Stephen Joseph and Jon Harvey were the only four to join Cllr Dowson in supporting his motion.

The motion was previously debated at the Partnerships Overview and Scrutiny meeting in January where it was decided to hold a seminar, closed to members of the public, to discuss it further.

Cllr Dowson had pointed out in his supporting statement that the Health Board had missed a number of targets and has a deficit of nearly £70m.
However it was felt that placing the board in special measures would be a ‘backwards step’ and ‘make the situation worse’.

At Thursday’s meeting, Cllr Vic Dennis said he could not support the motion saying: “It doesn’t do anything to support the morale of staff.”

Cllr Jamie Adams thanked the Scrutiny chair for calling the seminar and said there were assurances that there would be a recovery in the Board’s performance.

He added: “No Health Board is working to budget in Wales, simply suggesting that one of our key strategic partners should be placed in special measures is dangerous. I am amazed that any cabinet member has not taken part in the discussion so far.
“It would be highly detrimental to social care services if Hywel Dda was to be placed in special measures. The lack of confidence it inevitably brings would be difficult to get out of.”

Cllr Jonathan Preston said: “There is very little meat on the bone as to what special measures will look like. We will not be able to call the Health Board in to County Hall, we would lose that control and the dialogue we have with them will be gone.”

Cllr Mike John said: “I have challenged Hywel Dda on many occasions and met with the Chief Executive. I have attended the marches and done what I can for the voice of the people but I can’t see the benefit of handing over control to Cardiff.
“I would rather keep it with Hywel Dda and call them in when necessary. There is a plan in place that would bring children’s services back to Pembrokeshire and I suggest we monitor them closely.”

Cllr Dowson stated that a number of members had been concerned with what it would look like for the Council but said they should be concerned about how it looked to the people of the county.

He also called for a recorded vote but that was not supported.

Council Leader David Simpson said: “If the new hospital was built in Narberth it would be the best thing for my constituents, but that’s not what I want, what I want is for the hospital to be built, I don’t want downgrading of services. What we’ve got at the moment we want to keep.
“I don’t believe putting Hywel Dda in special measures will do us any good, it would be a backwards step.”

Cllr Paul Rapi said: “They are doing their best to put the wrongs right and the clinicians are taking on the role of taking forward the service.
“They are encouraging the type of people they need but they are not being encouraged down the M4 and that leaves us with shortages in the field. Special measures is not going to help, I think it would make the situation worse and have a negative effect.”

It was then put to the vote but a clear majority were against recommending that the Health Board be placed in special measures.

Crime

Tenby man charged after robbery incident

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A MAN is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court next month after being charged in connection with a late-night incident in Tenby town centre.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that no one was injured during the disturbance, which took place at a restaurant in Tudor Square on the evening of Sunday, March 30.

Mohammed Miah, aged 44, has been charged with robbery, possession of a bladed article in a public place, and criminal damage.

He appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court earlier this month, where he was remanded in custody ahead of his next hearing at Swansea Crown Court on Friday, May 2.

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Farming

Pembrokeshire Show elects first joint presidents

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DAIRY FARMERS TIM AND MARGARET JOHNS HONOURED BY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

HAVERFORDWEST dairy farmers Tim and Margaret Johns have been unanimously elected as the first joint Presidents of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society.

The couple, who farm at Pencnwc in partnership with their son Graham, represent the third generation of their family to work the land. Their 550-acre holding in Castlemorris includes dairy cattle and the cultivation of both winter and spring cereals.

Margaret and Tim have a long-standing association with the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society and the County Show. Margaret, in particular, has achieved considerable success in equestrian showing at events including Royal Windsor, the Great Yorkshire Show, and the Royal Cornwall Show. She also founded and continues to run Castlemorris Equestrian and Pet Supplies from the farm.

Speaking following their appointment, Tim said: “Margaret and I work as a partnership. The County Show is a major part of Pembrokeshire and is an integral part of farming in the county. We are looking forward to the year ahead. We have chosen RABI and the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society as our charities to support over the next 12 months.”

During the Society’s Annual General Meeting, held recently at the Pembrokeshire Showground, Mr and Mrs James Evans were voted in as Presidents Elect.

Other appointments for 2025 include Miss Alys Owens, who was named as the Society’s Ambassador. Alys, who lives in Haverfordwest and works for Castell Howell, is an active member of Llysyfran YFC. She served as Club Secretary last year, a role for which she was named Club Secretary of the Year at County level. A talented musician, Alys plays the cornet with Goodwick Brass Band.

Outgoing President Adam Thorne used the occasion to thank all those who had supported him during his term in office.

Alys Owens, the 2025 Ambassador, is pictured between Margaret and Tim Johns, the 2025/26 Joint Presidents.

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News

Casualty airlifted after fall on rocks at Manorbier

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A PERSON was flown to hospital with a suspected broken ankle after falling on rocks at Manorbier on Sunday afternoon (April 13).

Emergency services were called shortly after 1:30pm, with Tenby RNLI, the Wales Air Ambulance, land paramedics, and coastguard teams from Tenby and St Govans attending.

Tenby’s inshore lifeboat launched first, with two crew members going ashore just as the air ambulance arrived to land nearby. They were soon joined by a land ambulance and coastguard rescue officers.

A stretcher was brought ashore from the all-weather lifeboat, and RNLI crew assisted in stabilising the casualty and carrying them up the beach for transfer into the waiting helicopter.

Once the airlift was complete, both lifeboats were stood down and returned to station.

It was the third call-out of the weekend for Tenby RNLI volunteers.

The first incident took place at 2:20pm on Friday (April 11), when the all-weather lifeboat was diverted from a training exercise following a report of paddleboarders possibly in difficulty near Manorbier. As the lifeboat arrived, the paddleboarders were confirmed safe ashore and the crew resumed their exercise.

Later that evening, at 9:15pm, the lifeboat launched again to assist the operator of a seven-metre rigid inflatable boat that had broken down around a mile south of Old Castle Head. The boat was towed safely back to Freshwater East, from where it had launched earlier in the day.

(Photo: File image)

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