Young people from Pembrokeshire’s secondary schools recently attended a special event designed to help them become Democracy Champions.
These Democracy Champions will raise awareness of the importance of democracy to everyone’s lives and encourage their peers to register to vote.
Organised by the Electoral Services Team and the Children and Young People’s Rights Office the event focused on what democracy means to the pupils and what impact it has on their everyday lives.
Young people from Ysgol Bro Preseli, Ysgol Harri Tudur, Ysgol Bro Gwaun, Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, Ysgol Caer Elen, Milford Haven School, Haverfordwest High VC School and Castle School attended the event at Pembrokeshire Archives.
Throughout the day there were a number of activities that aimed to generate ideas and discussion, as well as raising awareness of the rights of young people in Wales to vote in some elections from age 16.
There was a game of democracy bingo, workshops on the history of democracy and why votes matter as well as a mock election and vote, including polling booths, along with discussions on how to get even more young people involved and share information.
They also heard from senior Council staff about the value in voting, with Assistant Chief Executive Richard Brown opening the event and a closing address from Director of Education Stephen Richards-Downes.
There was positive feedback from the young people involved and they will also be helping to shape the resource pack to be made available to all schools for future events.
Senior Youth Worker, Engagement, Performance and Community, Nadine Farmer said: “It was fantastic to meet such an enthusiastic group of young people who will help spread the word of the importance of democracy and using your vote. With the introduction of votes for 16-year-olds for some elections in Wales it is vital that more and more young people get involved in their democracy and understand that democracy is for everyone!
“The information and resources developed at the Democracy Champion events will allow the representatives of each school to hold future events and inform learning for their peers.”

A PROSECUTION launched against a homeowner who failed to comply with National Park enforcement action, has left him nearly £3,000 out of pocket.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park officers served an enforcement notice last March due the unauthorised erection of two pole-mounted CCTV cameras and a 2.7metre high metal fence at Overhaven House, Blockett Lane, Little Haven.

Members of the park’s development management committee heard last June that this enforcement notice had not been complied with nor appealed within the relevant timescales and permission was granted to start prosecution proceedings.

A report for Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Development Management Committee members, before their June 7 meeting, says: “The case was heard at the Haverfordwest magistrates court on May 4 in which the defendant [Mark David Chapman] pleaded guilty for the non-compliance of the Enforcement Notice issued on March 23, 2022.

“At the same court hearing, charges had also been brought against the defendant by the National Park Authority concerning the unauthorised display of numerous advertisement signs in contravention of [regulations].

“The defendant also pleaded guilty to 11 charges relating to the unauthorised signage. The defendant pleaded not guilty to a further two charges relating to unauthorised signage, which were dropped. All unauthorised signage had by then been removed and the height of the fence reduced.

“The court imposed a six-month conditional discharge on the defendant and was ordered to pay the full prosecution costs of £2,783.37 to the National Park Authority and a surcharge of £26.”

The report before members adds: “Whilst the Enforcement Notice relating to the CCTV cameras and fence has not been complied with, the defendant has reduced the height of the fence and intimated that it is his intention to appeal against an earlier planning application for retention of the CCTV cameras and the fence at the reduced height which was refused on February 9.”

The report says no written confirmation has yet been received whether an appeal for that decision has been made to PEDW (Planning and Environment Decisions Wales).

“In the absence of a valid appeal being made to PEDW within the allowed timescale, officers will write to the offender reminding him that the Enforcement Notice remains in force and requiring him to remove the CCTV cameras and fence within a short timescale (i.e. 28 days) or face further prosecution in the magistrates court for failing to comply with the Enforcement Notice,” the report adds.

Committee members are recommended to note the contents of the report.

A ONE PLANET Development in north Pembrokeshire – prepared with ‘military precision’ was unanimously backed by Pembrokeshire planners present.

Applicants Simon Hillam – a former British Army warrant officer – and nurse Clare Gray sought permission for a One Planet Development on three fields at Y Gaer Pencraig, Llangolman.

One Planet Developments allow people to live off the land in the open countryside in a self-sufficient and eco-friendly way.

The application, which included the siting of a residential unit, yurt, produce shed, solar shed, goat shed, toilet, shower unit, storage containers and polytunnel and the creation of ponds, was recommended for conditional approval by Pembrokeshire planners at their May meeting.

Planners heard the couple, who currently live in nearby Hermon, already ran a successful business from the site called ‘Blossoms and Berries,’ which specialises in producing high-quality flower bouquets and fruit for sale at local farmers’ markets, making just over £12,000 a year.

Members also heard the site includes Pencraig-Fawr Camp, a scheduled monument of national importance, believed to date to the Iron Age.

Local council Mynachlogddu Community Council had commented: “Councillors remain sceptical of development. Pembrokeshire County Council must urge the applicant to respect the iron age fort which is part of the site and to adhere to the strict rules governing the development of one planet.”

Eight letters of support, and four in opposition to the development were also received.

Applicant Simon Hillen told planners he and his wife were “passionate growers,” who wanted to make a positive contribution to the area, conceding: “a One Planet Development lifestyle is not for the soft-hearted.”

Speaking against the proposal, neighbour Michael Ritchie, felt the application – in an area of “unspoilt countryside” was neither appropriate to the area or the One Planet policy.

He also raised concerns of the proximity to Pencraig-Fawr Camp, and felt the village was already “inundated with One Planet Developments”.

Councillor Brian Hall, who moved approval, said the application was very different to earlier One Planet submissions, which often were difficult to support, adding: “I have no hesitation in going with the recommendation and wish them all the success.”

He was seconded by Councillor Mark Carter, who said: “It seems a business to me that is going to go forward.”

Fellow planner Councillor Rhys Jordan said it was “really pleasing to see such attention to detail,” describing the application as “effectively military precision in the way this has been carried out”.

Councillor Tony Wilcox also compared the application with previous examples: “Over the years we’ve had some real doozies, but I’m fully confident this one will be successful.”

One member of the planning committee, Councillor Michael Williams, who has previously been critical of the One Planet Development scheme had withdrawn from the debate, citing a “prejudicial interest”.

Cllr Williams has previously – at the February meeting of the county council’s Cabinet – called for a Wales-wide moratorium on all such future developments.