Politics
Latest from council leader Cllr David Simpson
COUNCIL Leader, Councillor David Simpson, has provided a further coronavirus update.
He said in the latest in his regular briefings: “Well what a year we have all had. Who could have imagined how this Pandemic would change our lives in such a way?
“As an authority we have worked hard to protect our communities and ensure we managed the delivery of our services.
“On December 30 a meeting was held with Ministers in relation to back to school.
“As an authority we are proceeding with our plans for distance learning until face to face teaching returns on Monday, 11th January.
“Critical worker and vulnerable children’s child care will be provided from the 6th January.
“We will continue to use the evidence provided by Welsh Government to make decisions about the safe reopening of schools. If there needs to be any changes we will let learners and their families know.
“The Health Minister outlined the continuing concerns about the rise in hospitalisations. And I would like to highlight that our NHS is working very hard, but facing unprecedented times as we also face the additional winter pressures.
“I would urge you to please continue to adhere to the stay safe messages from Welsh Government about socially distancing and following the guidance as we remain in alert level 4.
“Covid-19 is still present in our communities and we all have a continued role to play to reduce the spread of the virus.
“I appreciate that my messages throughout the year have been asking for your support and I am very grateful for the way everyone has helped each other and supported those in our communities.
“I want to thank everyone in Pembrokeshire for doing the right thing and ensured we minimised the impact of Covid. However, I am very aware that this has impacted on many so my thoughts go out to you.
“It would be wrong of me not to highlight my thanks to all the NHS staff, care workers and carers out in the community.
“They have all worked so hard to look after those who need care – even more so this year as the demands have been higher. I [would like to] thank everyone in our health and care sector for what they have done for us.”
“I want to wish you all a Happy New Year and please raise a toast at midnight to the end of 2020 and welcome in 2021.”
Education
Pembrokeshire free school transport call to be heard at County Hall
A CALL to allow school pupils from Johnston and Tiers Cross access to free school transport to the nearby Haverfordwest high school is to be heard by councillors next week.
Due to a change in catchment areas the pupils are no longer able to access free transport to Haverfordwest, instead coming under the Milford Haven catchment area.
A petition calling for the reinstatement of the former catchment area to access free transport for pupils to Haverfordwest was recently started in the county.
The e-petition, which ran from September 18-November 1 on the council’s own website, attracted 351 signatures, meeting the threshold for a debate at the relevant Pembrokeshire County Council overview and scrutiny committee, in this case the Schools And Learning Overview And Scrutiny Committee meeting of November 28.
The petition, started by Kirsty Coaker, reads: “We call on Pembrokeshire County Council to change Johnston and Tiers Cross School Catchment back to Haverfordwest.
“Children of Johnston and Tiers Cross are now ineligible for free school transport to Haverfordwest High due to the areas no longer being in ‘catchment’.
“Both Johnston and Tiers Cross are Haverfordwest postal codes and are classed as Haverfordwest, yet the school catchment is Milford Haven.
“Please help our children access suitable transport to and from secondary school.”
The e-petition will now be considered at the November 28 meeting.
Climate
Pembrokeshire group plans for larger community wind turbine
A NORTH Pembrokeshire group which has raised more than £76,000 from its community wind turbine for local projects is hoping to expand with a bigger turbine.
In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Abergwaun Community Turbine Ltd, through agent Machynlleth-based Dulas Ltd is hoping to get permission for a larger turbine to replace the existing Abergwaun Community Turbine.
The proposed turbine, in a pasture field at Trebover Farm, to the south of Fishguard, would be 67m tall, the existing 2015 one being 45 metres.
In supporting statements, parent company Transition Bro Gwaun said: “The Community Climate Fund (CCF) is the mechanism by which Transition Bro Gwaun (TBG) is fulfilling our ambition of funding projects in Fishguard, Goodwick and across North Pembrokeshire, using income from the community wind turbine.
“The core themes for grants are climate change mitigation and adaptation, enhancement of biodiversity and improvements to community resilience through promotion of community engagement and resource sharing.”
In 2015, TBG raised its 50 per cent share of capital funding for the project by means of loans from 28 local individuals and four community groups, contributing a total of £286,500, the other 50 per cent contributed by landowners Parc-y-Morfa Farms Ltd.
The statement added: “Profit generated by sale of electricity from the turbine is split 50:50 between TBG and Parcy-Morfa Farms Ltd through the jointly owned trading arm, Abergwaun Community Turbine. By the end of 2022, all loans had been repaid, allowing the launch of TBG’s Community Climate Fund. This year we have awarded our third round of grants bringing the total amount granted to £76,036.”
In 2022, £15,274 was awarded to seven projects, including Fishguard Sports AFC to install solar panels on their clubhouse as part of their Tregroes Park development, Ysgol Bro Gwaun for their Increasing Biodiversity and Bees project, and Nevern Valley Veg / Llysiau Cwm Nyfer to install a solar powered vegetable irrigation scheme.
In 2023, £39,85 was made available for seven projects, including Sea Trust Wales to part fund the installation of solar panels on the Ocean Lab roof and to produce a display on solar technology, Letterston Memorial Hall to part fund the installation of an air source heat pump heating system, and Fishguard and Goodwick Rugby Club to install solar panels on their clubhouse.
2024 awards of £20,917 were made to six projects, including Theatr Gwaun to insulate their loft to reduce heating loss, Parc Cerrig Growers for developing a rainwater harvesting system with a pond to irrigate their allotments, Caerhys Organic Community Agriculture for an electric cargo bike for delivering organic vegetables in the Fishguard and St Davids areas, and Nevern Valley Veg to develop wildlife ponds and rainwater harvesting for food production.
The supporting documentation concludes: “The repowering of the existing turbine at Trebover would require a limited increase in turbine size which would result in a very limited change in landscape and visual effects in comparison to the existing Trebover turbine.”
The application will be considered by planners at a later date.
Business
Call to end ‘fad’ of ‘school dogs’ in Pembrokeshire
A CALL to end the ‘fad’ of permanent ‘school dogs’ in Pembrokeshire for their benefit and the befit of the schools, instead using visiting ‘therapy dogs’ is to be heard next week.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s Schools And Learning Overview And Scrutiny Committee meeting of November 28 will consider a public submission by Robert Thomas – who works with therapy dogs – on the subject of school dogs.
The submission reads: “My definition of a school dog is one that spends long periods in the school and is managed and owned by school employees not outside assessed and insured visiting therapy dogs who stay for an hour with a competent handler.
“The welfare of many dogs in schools in Pembrokeshire has been compromised over the last few years and we are concerned that the rise in the popularity of school-owned or teacher-owned dogs is an animal welfare issue.
“I can think of several school dogs in Pembrokeshire where it has gone wrong for the animal.”
He cites examples of ‘school dogs’ the county, where he says they have had to be removed, with the animals being unsettled, barking and even nipping on occasions, showing “a lack of understanding of animal welfare”.
His submission adds: “We have done some work with the Animal Welfare team at the Welsh Government around licensing this field, a consultation was completed in March 2023, currently awaiting the outcome.
“It has become a fad across the country and many dogs spend all day in schools supported by staff members who have another job to do. It feels like PCC does not have a policy overarching animal welfare policy in schools to protect dogs from being seen as staff members and there purely for human benefit, not the dogs.
“Dogs need to rest and sleep during the day and not in school. The visiting therapy dog model works best as the impact is greatest and the welfare of the dog is managed externally. If the dog is there all the time that can diminish the impact, and the novelty can wear off for the pupils.
“In my experience schools should concentrate on teaching and leave the therapy dog introduction to those that have the expertise in animal welfare.”
The submission will be considered by committee members at the November 28 meeting.
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