News

Chief inspector of Immigration to review use of Penally Training Camp

Published

4 years ago

January 26, 2021

THE CHIEF INSPECTOR of Borders and Immigration, Mr David Bolt, is to commence a review into the use of hotels and barracks in the UK, including the Penally Asylum camp.

It comes as Pembrokeshire County Council continues to seek a reimbursement for its involvement with the camp.

At Tuesday’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Jonathan Preston said it was ‘shocking’ that the home office was not engaging with the council and said that they should ‘keep knocking on the door’.

Cllr David Pugh added: “Let’s get the tanks out and start shooting some really heavy bullets at them (Home Office).”

It was confirmed at the meeting that there had still been no agreement with the Home Office on any repayments.

Camp residents protest in Penally (Image G Davies Photography / Herald )

Director of Finance Jon Haswell said that costs had been estimated at around £55,000 a month.

Cllr Pugh said it was ‘horrendous’ that the authority would be almost half a million pounds out of pocket.

Cllr Preston also questioned if Penally Community Council would be able to recover costs for the work they had done but officers said they would need to look into that matter.

The use of the camp is set to end on March 21 and it is anticipated that a planning application will be made to extend that use.

The council’s Head of Planning, David Popplewell said that if there were any breaches of planning conditions that they would be able to consider enforcement action.

He also clarified the two conditions of the use of the camp which state that the applicant must notify the planning authority after the commencement of the use and that it should be returned to its former state once it has ended.

Use of the site commenced on September 21, 2020 and a letter to the authority indicated that the applicants would be applying for a six-month extension.

Demo to support asylum seekers in Penally in 2020 (Photo Herald)

There would need to be a pre-application consultation and any application would go to the council’s Planning Committee.

Mr Popplewell added that he had been in touch with the planning consultant regularly but said that he hadn’t had a further response.

Director of Development, Dr Steven Jones confirmed that the Chief Inspector would be commencing a review into the use of hotels, barracks and asylum accommodation. He added that the call for evidence was open until February 19.

Councillors agreed that the matter should be brought back to the committee if and when the need arises.

Cllr Pugh also asked about the council’s response to the recent marches into Tenby by some of the camp users which caused some anxiety amongst residents worried about the spread of Covid-19.

Rooms in the camp are said to be too small for social distancing (Pic: Camp user)

Darren Thomas, Head of Infrastructure, Transport & Environment, said that it was a public order policing issue and that it was for them to decide how they should police it.

Cllr Pugh said he didn’t think that the council should be criticised as much as it had been on social media.

Discussions have been ongoing with other organisations about understanding and addressing the impact and rise of extremist activity upon the County.

The report to the committee also stated that there had been opposition to the camp being used by the asylum seekers and that there was also support for those supporting the asylum seekers.

Mr Thomas said that this was not a reference to any specific group and said that it was a general point.

The camp was originally set up for the use of 250 occupants but many of them complained about overcrowded conditions and some have already been moved.

At the time of the report being written, on January 8, there were 124 people still in the camp. At the meeting on Tuesday, Mr Thomas confirmed that as of January 21, that number had gone down to 118.

Transfers to and from the camp have been halted under the Welsh Government’s Alert Level 4 coronavirus restrictions, except for medical or safety reasons.

Health

New Chief Medical Officer for Wales appointed

Published

34 mins ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PROFESSOR Isabel Oliver has been named the new Chief Medical Officer for Wales, bringing a wealth of experience to the role.

Prof. Oliver joins the Welsh Government from her position as Director General of Science and Research and Chief Scientific Officer at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). She will provide clinical leadership and offer independent professional advice to the Welsh Government on health and public health matters. Her role includes tackling health inequalities and leading efforts to improve healthcare quality and patient outcomes across Wales.

Having started her career in acute hospital medicine in the West Midlands and South West England, Prof. Oliver transitioned to public health. She previously served as Director of the National Infection Service at Public Health England (PHE) and is co-director of the National Institute for Health Research’s Health Protection Research Unit on Behavioural Science and Evaluation at the University of Bristol. She is also an honorary professor at University College London.

Cabinet Secretary’s Welcome
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles, praised the appointment, saying:
“Professor Oliver brings a wealth of experience to Wales after working at a senior level in public health in the UK, and I look forward to working with her.
“I’m delighted she has joined us as we work to improve health and wellbeing, and I’d like to offer her a warm welcome to Wales.”

Excited for the Challenge
Prof. Oliver expressed her enthusiasm for the role, stating:
“It is an honour to be appointed as the Chief Medical Officer for Wales, and I am very excited to work with the dedicated health professionals and communities across Wales to create a healthier Wales and safeguard our NHS.

“Today, we face challenges from our ageing population, inequalities, and global factors such as climate change. For someone like me, with a great passion for health and wellbeing, Wales offers unique opportunities to secure major improvements in public health and health services, thanks to innovative policies and effective collaboration between sectors. It will be my privilege to serve the people of Wales to secure healthy, resilient, and prosperous communities.”

Prof. Oliver, a keen runner like her predecessor, is set to participate in the Newport Marathon later this year. She succeeds Sir Dr. Frank Atherton, who steps down at the end of January.

Contact Details:
William Davies
0300 0258 788
[email protected]

Let me know if further tweaks are needed!

Crime

Three men jailed for £620,000 cannabis production at former Llandysul school

Published

43 mins ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THREE men have been sentenced for producing cannabis worth up to £620,000 at a former school building in Llandysul.

Njazi Gjana, 27, and Ervin Gjana, 24, were each sentenced to two years and six months in prison, while Armeld Troski, 29, received a three-year and four-month prison sentence.

The operation followed a warrant executed by Dyfed-Powys Police on Friday, November 15, 2024, after reports from the public about suspicious activity at the site. Upon entry, officers discovered a large-scale and sophisticated cannabis cultivation setup spanning three floors. The building had been heavily modified to accommodate the illegal operation.

***Llandysul school burned down after the cannabis grow was discovered (Pic: Herald)***

Arrests made after pursuit

During their search of the property, officers heard movement downstairs and arrested two individuals, Njazi and Armeld, on-site. A third man, later identified as Ervin Gjana, escaped by climbing over a wire fence and fleeing into nearby fields. However, police used a drone and conducted a physical search, eventually locating Gjana on a roadside. He was soaking wet and scratched from brambles when arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis.

All three men were charged with producing a Class B drug and pleaded guilty at Swansea Crown Court on Friday, December 20, 2024.

***The police took photos after the grow was discovered (Pic: DPP)***

Police praise public for vigilance

Detective Constable Ben Nicholls said: “I’d like to thank the Llandysul community for their vigilance and proactivity in reporting suspicious activity to police.

“The information we receive from members of the community helps us build the picture of illegal activity that allows us to execute warrants such as this to ensure our area remains hostile to those who deal drugs.

“Monday’s sentencing serves as a reminder of our dedication to removing and preventing harmful substances damaging our communities, and we thank the public for the crucial role they play in this work.”

Signs of cannabis cultivation

Police encourage the public to report any concerns or suspicions about cannabis cultivation. Indicators include:

A distinctive aroma coming from a property and noises from ventilation fans.
Blacked-out windows to avoid detection.
People and vehicles arriving at odd hours.
Bright lights on continuously in seemingly vacant properties.
Excessive condensation on windows.
Unusual wiring or bypassed electricity meters.
‘Garden’ rubbish, such as plant pots, fertiliser, and chemicals.

Any information, no matter how small, could assist in tackling drug-related crime. Reports can be made via:

🖥️ | Online contact
📧 | [email protected]
💬 | Social media direct messages
📞 | Non-emergency: 101

For the deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired: text 07811 311 908.

For updates on local policing, appeals, and events, follow Lampeter, Aberaeron, and Llandysul Police on Facebook.

Community

Drop in sessions to help reshape Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service

Published

51 mins ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) is pleased to announce the launch of a series of community drop-in sessions designed to gather feedback from residents and stakeholders. This initiative aims to identify issues and challenges that may impact the delivery of the Community Risk Management Plan 2040 (CRMP 2040).

The CRMP 2040 outlines the Service’s commitment to addressing risks, threats, and challenges faced by communities. These drop-in sessions provide an opportunity for residents to help shape the future of fire and rescue services in Mid and West Wales, ensuring safety and well-being remain a priority.

Shaping the future together

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Iwan Cray said: “We believe the best way to serve our communities is by involving them in the planning process. These drop-in sessions are an opportunity for us to listen, learn, and collaborate with the people we serve.”

The drop-in sessions, details of which are available on the MAWWFRS website, offer a platform for open dialogue. Residents can share their insights, concerns, and suggestions, contributing to the development of a modern Fire and Rescue Service tailored to their needs.

A data-driven approach

The CRMP 2040 adopts a data-driven approach, focusing on prevention, protection, and response to reduce emergencies’ impact and enhance public safety. By tailoring services to community needs, MAWWFRS is committed to building safer and more resilient communities.

Get involved

Community members are encouraged to attend these sessions and provide their feedback. To thank participants, MAWWFRS is offering a chance to win a £100 Amazon voucher. To enter, simply attend a session and complete the survey.

For more information about the plan or the upcoming drop-in sessions, visit the MAWWFRS website or contact the team at [email protected].

About MAWWFRS

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is dedicated to protecting and serving the communities of Mid and West Wales. Through prevention, protection, and response, the Service works tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents and visitors.