News

MP calls for “urgent improvement” at DVLA

Published

2 months ago

April 1, 2022

Preseli MP Stephen Crabb has called on UK ministers to get a grip on the performance of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) which is trying to clear a backlog of applications for licences. The Agency has struggled during the pandemic with staff safety concerns and industrial disputes.

Dozens of frustrated constituents have contacted the MP over the last six months after failing to receive a response to applications. Some complex cases, such as those involving medical decisions about fitness to drive, are taking months to even receive an acknowledgement.

Mr Crabb attended a meeting with the Minister on Wednesday evening to feed in concerns about the length of time it is taking to turn around some applications.

Commenting on this, MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire, Stephen Crabb added:

“For months on end, I have had constituents get in touch about the lack of response they from the DVLA and the lengthy wait times they have endured. It is just not acceptable. With the pandemic behind us, ministers really need to make sure there is urgent improvement in the situation. “

“It is still taking over 25 working days for a paper application form to be processed. For a rural constituency like Pembrokeshire where driving is a necessity for so many people, delays in receiving a licence can have a real impact on daily life and even someone’s ability to get to work and make a living.”

“The minister has told me that the DVLA has introduced additional online services, recruited more staff, increased overtime working and secured extra office space in Swansea and Birmingham. We are starting to see the fruits of this now but I am aware that the DVLA medical department is still battling with a significant backlog which will take at least 6 months to clear. This is simply not acceptable.”

Offering advice to constituents, the MP added,

“ Anyone making an application is advised to do so online where possible, alternatively, the Post Office offer a digital form service with priority processing. If posting a paper form is the only option available then you are encouraged to ensure this is sent by special delivery. It is advisable to keep in regular contact with any medical professional for any outstanding documentation required.”

News

New Chairman for Pembrokeshire County Council

Published

2 mins ago

May 26, 2022

Carli Newell

THE NEW Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council is Councillor Pat Davies, who represents Fishguard North West.

Cllr Davies, previously the Authority’s Vice-Chairman, was installed at today’s Annual meeting of Council at County Hall in Haverfordwest.

She succeeds Cllr Mike James, the Elected Member for St Dogmaels.

Councillor David Simpson – who will remain as Council Leader – proposed a vote of thanks to Cllr James.

The new Vice-Chairman of the Council is Councillor Thomas Tudor (Haverfordwest Castle) who expressed his pride at the nomination.

Councillor Simon Hancock will remain as the Authority’s Presiding Member.

Cllr David Simpson, who was elected to Council in 2004, was the sole nomination for Leader.

Cllr Simpson will complete his Cabinet choices over the coming days but he announced that Councillor Paul Miller (Neyland West) will become Deputy Leader of the Council.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed, Miss Sara Edwards, and the High Sheriff of Dyfed, Mr Rowland Rees-Evans, attended the Annual Meeting as guests.

News

Monkton: One person flown to Cardiff following incident

Published

3 hours ago

May 26, 2022

Carli Newell

THERE was a large emergency services presence in Monkton last night (May 25).

At around 7.30pm, emergency services were called to a report of an incident.

Back Terrace was temporarily closed off while officers dealt with the situation.

An Air Ambulance was dispatched and flew one person to The University Hospital of Wales.

A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at approximately 7.30pm yesterday, Wednesday 25 May, to an incident in the Monkton area of Pembroke.

“We sent a rapid response car, an emergency ambulance and an air ambulance to the scene, where the crew were also supported by a duty operations manager.

“One person was flown to the University Hospital of Wales.”

Community

Nature is blooming at Withybush Woods three years after enhancement project

Published

7 hours ago

May 26, 2022

Thomas Sinclair

THREE years after the launch of a project to enhance Withybush Woods, there are abundant signs that biodiversity is thriving.

Swathes of early purple orchid – a scarce wild flower – have been spotted in shadier parts of the tranquil woodlands while a pair of rare breeding stock doves have made the woods their home for the second year.

Song thrushes can be heard everywhere on the 1.5km accessible footpath together with chiffchaffs, willow warblers, nuthatch, woodpeckers, blackbirds, blue tits and many other woodland birds.

Mallards and moorhens and their young can be seen on the restored lower pond, together with the resident swans, and a new wetland area nearby is providing a new habitat for other species of invertebrates and pollinators.

The EU-funded improvement project was led by Pembrokeshire County Council, which owns the woods on the outskirts of Haverfordwest.

Dr Steven Jones, Director of Community Services, said: “Withybush Woods has always been a beautiful and special place to visit and even more so now, thanks to its increasing range of species and biodiversity habitats.

The enhancement work received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

The scheme also received funding through the Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme, through the WCVA.