News

Pembrokeshire County Council: Leader’s coronavrius update, Thursday, 9th April

Published

6 years ago

April 10, 2020

Pembrokeshire County Council Leader, Councillor David Simpson,
has provided a further coronavirus update for Thursday, 9th April, as
follows:

‘Once again I want to reinforce this week’s message which is: “stay at
home and help stop the virus spreading.”

‘I appreciate that the lockdown is difficult and I want to thank you for
sticking to the rules. We are all making sacrifices each day. However,
it is vital that we continue to do so in order to beat this pandemic. Now
is not the time to ignore the advice.

‘Easter weekend is a special time so please spend time with your
family at home, enjoy the garden but please stay at home.
‘Most people are sticking to the rules but, frustratingly, some people
are ignoring the advice. Sadly many have died after catching
coronavirus. If we all do not act now more lives will be lost.

‘Your actions and decisions over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend
and coming weeks will shape our county – so Stay at Home!

‘I can confirm that we will be working with the Police to monitor “hot
spots” over the Easter weekend to ensure people are complying with
government advice and legislation. Enforcement officers will also be
working over the weekend.

‘‘During these unprecedented times we are asking people not to visit
Pembrokeshire now. Please visit us later when the crisis is over.
‘I now want to highlight some key items.

‘Safeguarding children and adults at risk is a critical area for social
services which remains fully operational.

‘Our Children and Adults duty teams remain in operation to receive
calls about children and adults at risk of harm, abuse or neglect. We
all have an important role to play in helping to protect children, young
people and adults from harm.

‘If you think a child or young person is being abused, or at risk of
being abused, please report it by ringing the Child Care Assessment
Team on: 01437 776444.

‘If you think an adult is being abused, or at risk of being abused,
please report it by ringing the Adult Safeguarding Team on: 01437
776056.

‘If you have concerns outside of office hours, you should contact the
Emergency Duty Team on: 0300 333 2222.

‘I want to confirm that there are no changes to the waste and
recycling kerbside collections over the Bank Holiday weekend. These
services continue to run as normal.

‘Please help our collection crews by minimising the amount of
household waste you create over the Easter weekend. With pressure
on services and with waste and recycling centre’s temporarily closed,
try and avoid any big clear-outs at home or undertaking any DIY or
garden projects which are likely to generate large amounts of waste.

‘And please do not burn household waste at home. This creates air
pollution that could harm people nearby who may already have
breathing difficulties due to Covid-19. There is also the danger that
fires could get out of control. Fire services around the country are
reporting an increase in call-outs due to garden fires.

‘I want to end my newsletter by wishing everyone a Happy Easter
weekend. I appreciate we are all facing difficult times. However, we all
need to pause and reflect and ensure we act collectively to beat this
pandemic

‘Remember: together we are stronger and together we will get
through this.

‘Public Health Wales is updating and adding to their resources
regularly. Please find all assets here:
https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-
covid-19/coronavirus-resources/

‘Press releases issued since my update yesterday are:
 Hundred Helped By Coronavirus Hub Team:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom/hundreds-
helped-by-coronavirus-hub-team

 Police And Council Work Together:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom/police-and-
council-work-together-to-enforce-coronavirus-restrictions

 Council Staff To Work Easter To Keep Grant Cash Flowing:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom/council-staff-to-
work-easter-weekend-to-keep-grant-cash-flowing

 Next Batch Of School Meal Vouchers On Their Way:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom/next-batch-of-
free-school-meals-vouchers-on-their-way

 Council Kick-Starts PPE Facemasks Project:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom/county-council-
kick-starts-ppe-facemasks-project

 Pembrokeshire Extends Suspension of Parking Charges:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom/pembrokeshire-
extends-suspension-of-car-park-charges

‘Also, please keep an eye on our newsroom at:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom

‘And to get daily email updates, log onto our website and sign into My
Account at:
https://myaccount.pembrokeshire.gov.uk

‘Stay Safe. Thank you.’
Useful links:
 www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/coronavirus
 www.sir-benfro.gov.uk/coronafeirws
 https://phw.nhs.wales/
 Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru – Coronafeirws Newydd (COVID-19)
– Cyngor hunan-ynysu
 https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-
19-list-of-guidance

News

Reform reveals west Wales candidates for Senedd battle

Published

4 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Monkton councillor tops Pembrokeshire list as party confirms Carmarthenshire names and includes Haverfordwest councillor in unwinnable Swansea spot

REFORM UK has unveiled its full list of candidates for the 2026 Senedd election, setting out its challenge across west Wales including Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

The party has named Susan Claire Archibald, a sitting councillor for Monkton on Pembroke Town Council, as its lead candidate for the Ceredigion Preseli, Mid and South Pembrokeshire regional list.

Speaking to The Herald, Archibald said: “I am honoured to represent Reform UK and Wales.” She added that a fuller statement outlining her priorities would be released in due course.

The remaining candidates on the Pembrokeshire regional list are Paul Marr, a former prison officer, Michael Allen, Elisa Randall, Peter John and Bernard Holton.

Carmarthenshire candidates named

Reform has also confirmed its list for the Caerfyrddin and Llanelli region, with Gareth Beer placed first, followed by Carmelo Colasanto, Sarah Edwards, Christopher Brooke, Alan Cole and Michelle Beer.

The announcement forms part of a nationwide rollout of candidates as the party seeks to establish itself as a credible electoral force ahead of the 2026 vote.

Thorley listed in Swansea region

Among the names included elsewhere is Scott Thorley, a Haverfordwest-based councillor and the first Reform representative elected to Pembrokeshire County Council.

Thorley appears on the party’s list for the Gower and Swansea West region, where he is placed sixth.

Under the Senedd’s proportional representation system, candidates placed lower on regional lists are significantly less likely to be elected, meaning his position is widely viewed as a paper candidacy to complete the slate.

Election framing

Reform Wales leader Dan Thomas said the party was offering voters a stark political choice.

He said: “After a hundred years of failure, Labour are finished in Wales. The choice at this election is what comes next — common sense and a fresh start with Reform, or independence by stealth with Plaid Cymru.”

The Herald understands that further announcements, including candidate profiles and policy details, are expected in the coming weeks as the campaign begins to take shape.

Crime

Man bailed after serious assault in Fishguard town centre

Published

5 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault in Fishguard that has left a man in hospital.

The incident happened on Main Street at around 11:00pm on Saturday (Mar 21), when the victim was reportedly punched, sustaining head injuries. He remains in hospital receiving treatment.

A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm (GBH) and has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.

Dyfed-Powys Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have information that could assist the investigation, to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police quoting reference: 26*227686.

Information can be provided online via the Dyfed-Powys Police website, by emailing [email protected], by calling 101, or by sending a direct message on social media.

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

News

Childcare funding boost announced in Wales

Published

6 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Hourly rate to rise as costs increase

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has confirmed an increase in the hourly rate paid to childcare providers under its Childcare Offer, following a review of funding levels.

The Minister for Children and Social Care, DAWN BOWDEN MS, announced that the rate will rise to £6.67 per hour from April 6, 2026. The increase of 4.18% comes after feedback from childcare providers and sector data gathered during 2025.

The Welsh Government said the change is designed to help providers cope with rising costs, including increases to the National Living Wage.

The Herald understands the review drew on responses from the Childcare Offer’s Annual Survey, as well as information from Care Inspectorate Wales’ Self-Assessment of Service Statement (SASS).

The move follows a policy shift announced last year to review the rate annually, rather than every three years, in a bid to make funding more responsive to pressures facing the sector.

As part of the update, the maximum charge for meals will also increase by 4.18%, which ministers say is intended to balance affordability for both providers and parents.

Dawn Boden said the Welsh Government remains committed to supporting the long-term sustainability of childcare services, adding that officials will continue working with the sector to explore further improvements.