News

Council tenants could face two-year wait for repairs

Published

4 years ago

March 24, 2021

COUNCIL TENANTS waiting for maintenance to be done on their homes could face a delay of up to two years according to council officers.

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Housing team has prioritised emergency works and some tenants have become unhappy at the amount of time being taken.

Now, as the lockdown is being eased once again, the council are looking at clearing what has been described as a ‘huge backlog of maintenance’.

At Thursday’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee, councillors heard an update on housing building repairs and maintenance.

Peter Nicholas, Operations manager, said that once the floodgates open, it could be up to two years before they get on top of the backlog of work.

The council is looking at ways of improving this and will be looking to take on more contractors in the summer.

Cllr Michelle Bateman, Cabinet member for Housing, said that they hadn’t considered they would still be in the same position a year after the start of the pandemic and said its impact on housing had been ‘huge’.

She praised the housing team for their hard work in turning around a number of properties for use by homeless people and the building maintenance team for their work in getting schools ready.

The Council’s Chief Housing Officer, Gaynor Toft, said that there would be a ‘significant period of catch up’ and that they would not be able to respond to everybody as they would like. She pleaded with people who are waiting for work to be done to ‘be patient’ adding that they had a small number of staff who were taking on large volumes of work. Councillors shared their views on the work that had been carried out throughout the pandemic but Cllr Jonathan Preston said he had heard a couple of incidences where contractors had turned up to a house without PPE and said that one tenant was left feeling ‘quite intimidated’.

Cllr Tom Tudor called for a list to be done on work that had been carried out in different wards and said that some people felt they weren’t getting any feedback once they had reported an issue.

Cllr Bateman said the council was on a ‘digitisation journey’ which would make reporting much easier and provide feedback on issues.

She went on to say that a number of new builds in the county had been built with low cost maintenance in mind for the future so that the houses could be easily adaptable to people’s needs.

The council will be looking for people to help clear the backlog of work and Operations manager Peter Nicholas said that although they had taken 31 trades people in 2017, it was evident that they were ‘scraping the bottom of the barrel’.

He added that they would be changing their strategy on their tendering process and categorising works which would hopefully attract some of the smaller contractors in the county.

The council has also signed up to the shared apprentice scheme which would help apprentices get the experience they need and Peter added that as they had contact with them in their early years as a tradesperson, they could potentially take them on in future.

Peter was also asked about the backlog and he said that once a call had come in they would assess its urgency but added that a work which may not have been an emergency at the start could have become one which meant that would have been dealt with also.He described the non-urgent work as a ‘big unknown’ but said that items were being looked at regularly.

The council would normally deal with 10-12,000 emergencies in a year but in the last year that had gone up 16,000.Advertisements calling for contractors will be going out in June and July this year and officers are hopeful that more people will be encouraged to get involved. Cllr Michelle Bateman said there would be an element of managing expectations in the next year but said they needed to be honest with tenants about where they are and have open and clear communications. She added they did not want to over promise for fear of leaving some people feeling let down.

Councillors received the report while Cllr Tudor proposed that a letter of thanks be sent to all the housing and maintenance teams fortheir work during the pandemic.

Entertainment

Newport Winter Wonderland is the ideal treat for the family this Christmas holiday

Published

8 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THERE is still a chance to attend the Newport Winter Wonderland and experience a magical winter experience. Located next to Friars Walk Shopping Centre (NP20 1UH), the festive attraction opened its doors on Thursday, November 21, and will run until Sunday, January 5, closing only on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Visitors can look forward to a real ice rink under cover, ensuring skating fun whatever the weather. Alongside the rink, a large Christmas funfair offers thrills and entertainment for all ages, while stalls serving various Christmas foods promise festive treats to keep everyone warm and satisfied.

For those looking to unwind, a fire pit provides a cosy spot for roasting marshmallows, and a licensed bar offers seasonal drinks to enjoy. Entry to the Winter Wonderland is free, with tickets required only for specific attractions.

Families can also meet Santa Claus himself, making it a perfect outing for creating cherished holiday memories.

For more details, including ticket bookings and opening hours, visit www.newportwinterwonderland.co.uk.

Make sure to wrap up warm and head down to Newport Winter Wonderland for a truly festive day out this Christmas season.

Festive fun: Newport Winter Wonderland features an ice rink, funfair, and Santa Claus (Pic: Herald).

Crime

Arrest after fatal Carmarthenshire hit-and-run

Published

8 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A MAN has been arrested following a fatal hit-and-run collision in Llanpumsaint, Carmarthenshire, on Monday (December 23), which claimed the life of 38-year-old Aaron Jones.

The incident happened near Caer Salem Baptist Chapel between 6:45pm and 7:45pm while Aaron was walking his dog. Police said the vehicle involved, a blue car with noticeable damage, was travelling northbound through the village at the time of the collision.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that the vehicle believed to have been involved has now been located, and a 27-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop for a collision, and failing to report a collision.

Specially trained officers are supporting Aaron’s family, who have asked for privacy during this difficult time.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “We are appealing to anyone who may have seen the vehicle or has dashcam footage from the area during the relevant times to contact us immediately.”

The road remains closed while investigations continue, and residents can expect an increased police presence in the area.

Anyone with dashcam footage, doorbell camera recordings, or CCTV footage from the area is urged to check their recordings and contact Dyfed-Powys Police immediately using the details provided in the comments.

Community

Lord Nelson Hotel refunds lucky couple the full cost of their wedding day

Published

15 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Tom Sinclair

WHAT an amazing Christmas present!

In an extraordinary gesture of generosity, the Lord Nelson Hotel delighted one lucky couple by refunding the full cost of their 2024 wedding. Abby and Simon Hooper, who tied the knot at the historic venue on August 3, were thrilled to learn they were the winners of this year’s giveaway.

The initiative was part of a special promotion open to all couples who celebrated their weddings at the Lord Nelson in 2024. The winners were selected through a random draw using a fair generator system, with the Hoopers emerging as the fortunate recipients.

The hotel has announced plans to continue the tradition in 2025, offering next year’s couples the same opportunity to win their wedding costs back.

A spokesperson for the Lord Nelson Hotel said: “If you’re planning to get married in 2025, it’s not too late to book with us and secure your spot in next year’s draw.

“We are thrilled to celebrate love and create moments to cherish, and this is just one of the ways we give back to our incredible couples.”

Known for its elegant venue spaces and exceptional wedding team, the Lord Nelson Hotel remains a top choice for couples seeking a perfect wedding day. This annual giveaway further cements their commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences.

Abby and Simon Hooper shared their gratitude after their special day: “From start to finish, the team at the Lord Nelson Hotel was incredibly helpful, and nothing was too much to ask.

“The day went smoothly, the food was fantastic, and the staff were polite, hardworking, and attentive. Mia and Jenna, in particular, stood out for their thoughtfulness and attention to detail.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better experience.”