News
Email from Councillor prompts Pembroke Dock mayor to resign
AN EMAIL enquiring to why the Mayor of Pembroke Dock had been absent from his civic duties has led to confirmation from the town hall that he has now resigned.
Cllr Paul Dowson had sent an email on Thursday explaining that many in his ward were expressing concern that the Mayor had not been seen in a while
His email to the Pembroke Dock Town Council read as follows: “I am somewhat concerned about the situation regarding The Town Mayor Mr Terry Judkins. It appears he is not performing any mayoral duties or attending civic functions, although I am not a member of Pembroke Dock Town Council, As a county Councillor for the town I am seeking an explanation for this highly unusual situation.
“It appears that I am not the only person to notice the absence of the Mayor, as there is a great deal of speculation within the town and we could do without any unnecessary scandal or untruths circulating on the subject.
“I would be grateful for an explanation regarding this matter.”
Cllr Dowson said he then received a message to say that the Mayor had resigned.
The Town Clerk told The Herald by telephone on Friday morning: “The Mayor has resigned and will be replaced temporarily by Cllr Josh Beynon as Acting Mayor. The resignation was for personal reasons.”
The Town Council said that they would send an official statement in due course, following their next meeting.
Cllr Joshua Beynon said: “As the Mayor of Pembroke Dock has resigned from the office of Mayor of the town, as Deputy Mayor, I have administered the mayoral oath of office and I have been sworn in as the Interim Mayor of Pembroke Dock.
“It’s an honour to be the youngest Mayor in both the town and Pembrokeshire’s history and I look forward to promoting the town and the values I hold dear of compassion, equality and kindness.
Sarah Scourfield, Town Clerk has released a statement saying: “It is with regret that the office of Pembroke Dock Town Council has been informed that the Mayor Cllr Terry Judkins will be stepping down as Mayor with immediate effect. “Cllr Judkins has thanked Councillors for support during his short term, but due to personal reasons and extra work commitments this has resulted in him being unable to attend events and give his full attention to the role.
“He therefore felt it was best for him to step down and allow the Deputy Mayor Cllr Beynon to take over the role for the remainder of the term to allow for events to be represented in events throughout the County.
“Cllr Joshua Beynon will undertake the role as interim Mayor until the next meeting of Full Council which will take place on Thursday 2nd December 2021 where the official voting will take place for Mayor and Deputy Mayor, who will remain in office until May 2022.”
News
Closure of Tata Steel’s coke ovens sparks political and union backlash
THE recent announcement by Tata Steel to close the coke ovens at its Port Talbot plant in South Wales has ignited a firestorm of political and industrial action, highlighting the deepening crisis within the British steel industry and the challenges facing the transition to green steel.
Jo Stevens MP, the Shadow Welsh Secretary, expressed her concerns over the impact of the closure on the Welsh steel industry and the workers affected. Stevens emphasized the need for assurances about the workers’ immediate future and pledged that a UK Labour government would invest in the steel industry to support the transition to green steel, harnessing the skills, talent, and ambition of Welsh steelworkers.
The closure, slated for Wednesday due to concerns over the ovens’ “operational stability,” has been criticized by regional Senedd Members for South Wales West, Tom Giffard MS, and Dr. Altaf Hussain MS. They accused the Labour Welsh Government of neglecting its support for the Tata Steelworks in Port Talbot, highlighting a lack of financial assistance since 2019 and calling for a change in response to the current developments.
Unite, the UK’s leading union, has been vocal in its opposition to Tata’s decision, describing it as a shock and a “result of years of betrayal.” The union criticized Tata for not disclosing the imminent risk of closure during recent consultations and announced a ballot for industrial action among 1,500 Tata workers. Unite insists there should be no job losses at Port Talbot or Llanwern and that a blast furnace should remain operational.
Peter Hughes, Unite’s regional secretary for Wales, called for Tata to halt its closure plans in anticipation of Labour’s promised £3 billion investment to rejuvenate the UK steel industry. He accused Tata of managing the decline of UK steel while accepting government subsidies, describing the company’s actions as “deliberate industrial vandalism.”
The closure has not only raised concerns about the future of steel production in the UK but also spotlighted the political and economic strategies required to ensure the industry’s survival and transition towards more sustainable practices. The unfolding situation underscores the need for a collaborative approach between the government, industry stakeholders, and the workforce to navigate the complex challenges ahead.
News
Firefighters tackle blaze at block of garages in Monkton
ONE person was injured as a result of a sunday afternoon garage fire in a block of garages in Monkton.
A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service told The Pembrokeshire Herald said: “At 1.31pm on March 17, Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven crews were called to extinguish a fire in an alight central garage and were forced to use two breathing apparatus and two hose reels.
“The firefighters reportedly left the scene at 3.02pm after continuing to dampen the fire and check for fire spread.
“The casualty was treated by ambulance service personnel also in attendance.”
The police confirmed that a garage fire had been dealt with by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Welsh Ambulance Service attended.
News
Air ambulance called following incident at Aldi Pembroke Dock
THE WALES AIR AMBULANCE, along with the Welsh Ambulance Service and police were called on Monday morning to an incident at the Aldi supermarket car park in Pembroke Dock.
The Herald understands that the alarm was raised after a car hit a person in the car park after 9am.
We have been told that the incident involved a local taxi.
The emergency services have been asked for a comment.
MORE TO FOLLOW
-
Community6 days ago
Two Welsh codebreakers who helped shorten WWII celebrate their 100th birthdays
-
Community1 day ago
Residents hit back after YouTube video shows Milford ‘in decline’
-
Crime6 days ago
Local carer admits defrauding client by more than £7,000
-
Crime6 days ago
Dramatic arrest of three men after man hospitalised in assault
-
News14 hours ago
Air ambulance called following incident at Aldi Pembroke Dock
-
News5 days ago
Pembroke Dock grants scandal: A decade of deception unravelled
-
News6 days ago
Llŷr Davies, 16, was kind, funny and charming, says bereaved family
-
Crime7 days ago
Neyland motorist caught driving Mercedes four times over the limit