News

LIVE UPDATES: Election results day in Pembrokeshire

Published

3 years ago

May 6, 2022

James Hemingray

THE people of Pembrokeshire have had their say and the count will soon get underway in Haverfordwest.

There have been a number of changes to electoral wards for this election and it will deliver a new-look council.

Despite its new look there will still be similar issues for them to deal with like the council’s budget, Covid and education.

19 seats have been uncontested but there are still 40 wards which will be decided today and we will update this article as and when results come in.

There will also be results for Town and Community Council elections announced.

The sun was out for voting day on Thursday (May 5) giving residents the perfect chance to go out and cast their vote. Some wards were won by only a couple of votes in 2017 so every vote counts.

The article will be updated and results will appear below

15:50 That leaves us with 35 Independent councillors, 11 conservatives, 10 Labour, 2 Plaid Cymryu and 2 Liberal Democrats.

15:35 All 40 council wards have now been declared

15:33 Narberth Urban

Marc Tierney (Labour) 514

Victoria McAndrew 177

15:31 Saundersfoot South

James Bishop (Conservatives) 84

Mike Wainwright (Independent) 159

Chris Williams (Independent) 432

15:26 Boncath and Clydau

Hedd Harries (Plaid) 426

Iwan Ward (Independent) 464

15:24 Camrose

Jamie Adams (IPG) 537

Julian Rutter (Labour) 158

IPG HOLD

15:22 Haverfordwest Prendergast

Philippa Thompson (Labour) 276

Andrew Edwards (Conservatives) 391

15:20 Manorbier and Penally

Steve Thomas (Plaid) 171

Phil Kidney (Independent) 540

15:17 Milford North

Bill Abbott (Conservatives) 296

Alan Dennison (independent) 333

15:15 Pembroke Dock Central

Josh Beynon (Labour) 376

Rhian Cowen (Conservatives) 148

George Manning 60

Labour HOLD

15:13 Llanrhian

Neil Prior (Independent) 670

Rob Smith 65

Independent HOLD

15:10 Haverfordwest Garth

Jonathan Twigg (Conservatives) 119

Anji Tinley (Independent) 311

15:00 Still waiting on the results from the final 10 wards

Those wards are: Camrose, Haverfordwest Prendergast, Narberth Urban, Pembroke Dock Central, Haverfordwest Garth, Milford North, Saundersfoot South, Boncath, Manorbier and Llanrhian

Aled Thomas was elected to the Johnston ward by three votes

Simon Midway Rees (right) wins the Crymych and Mynachlog-ddu seat from Cris Tomos (left)

Bethan Price (right) wins the St Davids ward

14:25 Just ten more wards to be declared including Llanrhian, Manorbier and Boncath

14:17 David Lloyd only got in by 13 votes at the last election and he has now lost his seat

14:10 St Davids

Rachel Hurdley (Labour) 181

David Lloyd (Independent) 250

Keith Missen (Green) 43

Bethan Price 283

14:05 Crymych and Mynachlog-ddu

Cris Tomos (Plaid) 484

Simon Midway Rees (Independent) 561

Independent GAIN from Plaid

14:00 Burton

Danny Young (Conservatives) 399

Robin Howells 247

13:58 Pembroke Dock Bufferland

Billy Gannon (Independent) 64

Gordon Goff 76

Michelle Wiggins 240

13:56 Johnston

Daniel Metcalf (Labour) 226

Aled Thomas (Conservatives) 229

John Gray (Independent) 149

13:54 Lamphey

Tessa Hodgson (Independent) 466

Josh Carey (Conservatives) 147

13:52 Fishguard North East

Jordan Ryan (Labour) 399

Brian Murphy (Conservatives) 278

13:50 Milford West

Rhys Sinnett (Plaid) 325

Stephen Joseph (Independent) 146

Plaid HOLD

13:45 Goodwick

Nicola Gwynn (Labour) 354

Lynn Porter (Conservatives) 59

Peter John (Independent) 339

13:40 St Florence and St Mary Out Liberty

Rhys Jordan (Conservatives) 315

Jonathan Preston (Plaid) 242

Conservatives GAIN from Plaid

13:20 Lampeter Velfrey

David Simpson (Independent) 355

Lizzie Lesnianski (Conservatives) 176

Independent HOLD

13:10 The Herald understands that Jonathan Preston has lost his seat

Alec Cormack (right) wins the Amroth and Saundersfoot North ward from Tony Baron (left)

Milford Central: Tom Sinclair (left) and newly elected councillor Terry Davies (right)

Solva: Josh Phillips (left) and Mark Carter (right)

Steve Alderman (left) is re-elected to the Hundleton ward

Mike John is re-elected to the Llangwm ward having been unopposed at the last election

Mark Carter holds on to his seat in Solva by only 9 votes

12:45 Hundleton

Steve Alderman (Independent) 348

Julie Cooper (Independent) 264

12:43 Llangwm

Mike John (IPG) 466

Dave Golding 409

12:40 Carew and Jeffreyston

Peter Everall (Independent) 111

James Harrison-Allen (Independent) 173

Vanessa Thomas (Independent) 433

12:35 Solva

Josh Phillips (Labour) 373

Mark Carter (Conservatives) 382

Conservatives HOLD

12:25 Bro Gwaun

Bob Kilmister (Liberal Democrats) 310

Delme Harries 340

12:20 Milford Hakin

Lee Bridges (Conservatives) 125

Duncan Edwards (Independent) 176

Mike Stoddart (Independent) 286

Independent HOLD

12:17 Pembroke St Mary North

Deborah Willcocks (Conservative) 159

Jon Harvey (Independent) 404

Independent HOLD

12:15 Amroth & Saundersfoot North

Tony Baron (Conservatives) 256

Alec Cormack (Liberal Democrats) 466

Leigh McShane (Green) 78

Liberal Democrats GAIN from Conservatives

12:10 Milford Central

Anthony Powell (Conservatives) 135

Terry Davies (Independent) 147

Tom Sinclair (Independent) 109

Martin Jones (Independent) 102

12:05 Pembroke St Mary South

Daphne Bush (IPG) 227

Aaron Carey (Conservative) 364

Reg Ebrey (Independent) 159

David Edwards (Labour) 265

Lee Herring (Liberal Democrats) 88

Jonathan Grimes (Conservative) 293

Marcel Laval (Labour) 201

Jonathan Nutting 219

Aaron Carey and Jonathan Grimes are elected to the new dual-ward

12:00 Kilgetty and Begelly

Peter Adams (Plaid) 122

Chris Ebrey (Independent) 28

Paul Wyatt (Independent) 85

David Pugh (IPG) 115

Alistair Cameron (Liberal Democrats) 397

Greta Marshall (Propel) 14

Liberal Democrats GAIN from IPG

11:57 The Herald understands that sitting Cabinet member Bob Kilmister has lost his seat

Aden Brinn (Left) and new councillor Mel Phillips (right)

11:30 Aden Brinn was only elected in 2017 but he loses his seat to Mel Phillips

11:27 Maenclochog

Ben Levy (Labour) 177

Hefin Wyn (Plaid) 188

Simon Wright (Independent) 505

11:25 Pembroke St Michael

Aden Brinn (Conservatives) 375

Mel Phillips 418

32 rejected votes

11:15 Reg Owens is elected with a majority of 70 having been elected unopposed in 2017

11:10 St Ishmaels

Reg Owens (IPG) 326

Janie Harwood (Green) 116

Martyn Cheshire 256

Claire George 227

IPG HOLD

11:08 Newport and Dinas

Maya Donnelly (Plaid) 243

Huw Thomas 325

Jano Williams 279

Huw Thomas is elected to the new ward of Newport and Dinas

Sarah Harvey (Left) and Maureen Bowen (right): Maureen Bowen is elected to the Pembroke Dock Bush ward – Paul Dowson wasn’t present

11:00 Peter Morgan wins The Havens with an increased majority and Sam Skyrme-Blackhall is elected to the Tenby South ward which was previously held by Michael Evans

10:53 Tenby South

Paul Rapi (Plaid) 309

Sam Skyrme-Blackhall (Independent) 427

Independent GAIN

10:50 The Havens

Nick Neumann (Conservatives) 341

Peter Morgan (IPG) 486

IPG HOLD

10:47: Pembroke Dock Bush Ward

Maureen Bowen (Labour) 173

Sarah Harvey (Indep) 154

Paul Dowson (No declaration) 84

Labour GAIN

Returning officer Steven Richards-Downes declares the result for Haverfordwest Castle (Tom Tudor right; Sue McKeemam left)

10:27 Tom Tudor wins the Castle Ward with an increased majority from the 2017 election

10:25 – First result of the day: Haverfordwest Castle

Tom Tudor (Labour) – 531

Sue McKeemam (Conservatives) – 150

Labour HOLD

9:55 – 19 people will be elected unopposed, as no other person is standing against them. They are all already councillors at the present time.

Mike James – IPG
John Davies – IPG
Pat Davies – Independent
Michelle Bateman – Independent
David Howlett – Conservative
Steve Yelland – Conservative
David Bryan – Conservative
Tim Evans – Independent
John Cole – Independent
Simon Hancock – Rejoined Labour Group
Paul Miller – Labour
Guy Woodham – Labour
Viv Stoddart – Independent
Di Clements – Conservative
Elwyn Morse – IPG – Conservative Party Member
Jacob Williams – Independent
Mike Williams – Plaid
Brian Hall – IPG
Tony Wilcox – Labour

9:45 Results will be expected shortly from Maenclochog, Pembroke St Michael, Haverfordwest Castle, Kilgetty and Begelly, Pembroke Dock Bush, Tenby South, St Ishmaels, The Havens, Newport and Dinas Cross and the dual-member ward of Pembroke Monkton and St Mary South

9:40 Counts are underway for a number of wards

Community

Officials announced for 2026 Eisteddfod in Pembrokeshire

Published

6 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD returns to Pembrokeshire in 2026, and organisers have named the officials who will steer this major cultural event over the next year and a half.

With the artistic and local committees already established, meetings to finalise competitions and adjudicators are underway to ensure the List of Competitions is ready by spring. Committee members have also been voting over the past weeks to elect key officials for the Executive Committee.

John Davies, former leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, has been appointed Chair of the Executive Committee. Known for his deep connection to Pembrokeshire and extensive experience with national organisations, Davies aims to make the Eisteddfod a true community event, welcoming involvement from all corners of the region.

Tegryn Jones, Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, takes on the role of Deputy Chair (Strategy). With a strong passion for Welsh culture and language, Jones brings a wealth of experience working with local communities, visitors, and volunteers across three counties.

Deputy Chair (Culture) is Carys Ifan, Director of Canolfan Egin and a seasoned cultural organiser. Based in Llangrannog and originally from Llandudoch, Ifan has led numerous artistic and community projects across the region.

Cris Tomos, a community development veteran with over 30 years of experience, will lead the 2026 Eisteddfod Local Fund. Working with PLANED, a community development charity, Tomos has supported countless community enterprises and co-operatives in Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Carmarthenshire.

Non Davies, recently elected as Executive Committee Secretary, brings extensive cultural management expertise as Ceredigion County Council’s Corporate Manager for Culture. Having chaired the Cardigan Local Fund Committee for the 2022 Ceredigion Eisteddfod, Davies is well-versed in managing cultural projects.

National Eisteddfod Chief Executive, Betsan Moses, said: “We’re looking forward to working with John and the team over the next few months as we prepare for the 2026 Eisteddfod.

“There’s almost a quarter of a century since the Eisteddfod was last held in Pembrokeshire, and we’re very much looking forward to returning to the area. 2026 is an important year for us as we celebrate 850 years since the first Eisteddfod was held in Cardigan Castle in 1176.

“We’re looking forward to working in a new way within a catchment area which includes parts of another two counties, which is, of course, a chance to work with local people in Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire again.”

Further announcements are expected in the coming weeks, including the sale of competition prizes and opportunities to donate the Crown and the Chair.

The National Eisteddfod will be held in Llantood from August 1–8, 2026.

News

Campaigners urge Welsh Government to adopt proportional representation for Local Elections

Published

6 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Tom Sinclair

CAMPAIGNERS are calling on the Welsh Government to introduce the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system for local elections, following moves by two councils to shift away from the First Past the Post (FPTP) system being blocked on technical grounds.

Yesterday (Nov 14), Ceredigion Council voted narrowly, with an 18 to 17 majority, in favor of adopting STV. This follows Gwynedd Council’s decision last month, where 65% of councillors backed the move. However, both councils have been prevented from implementing STV due to a requirement for a two-thirds majority under the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021.

In recent consultations, public support for STV has been overwhelming, with over 70% in Gwynedd and 67% in Ceredigion favoring the change. Only Powys Council rejected the proposal, despite 60.5% of its respondents supporting STV. Campaigners argue that the current system deprives voters of representation, citing that over 100,000 people were denied a vote in the 2022 elections due to uncontested seats.

The Electoral Reform Society Cymru (ERS Cymru) highlights the contrast with Scotland, where the introduction of STV for local elections in 2007 has significantly reduced uncontested seats. According to ERS Cymru, Scotland has had fewer uncontested seats in the last four elections combined than Gwynedd Council recorded alone in 2022.

Jess Blair, Director of ERS Cymru, said:

“Decisions made in council chambers affect everyone in those areas, so every vote should count. It’s absurd that councils choosing STV are blocked by a technicality, leaving them stuck with an outdated system that denies representation to thousands. The Welsh Government must act to avoid repeating the undemocratic outcomes of the last elections.”

Campaigners are now calling on the Welsh Government to introduce STV across all councils in Wales, ensuring representation that reflects the electorate’s wishes.

Business

Upgrades completed at Port of Milford Haven’s simulator suite

Published

7 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Tom Sinclair

UPGRADES have been completed to state-of-the-art equipment within the Port of Milford Haven’s navigation simulator suite at Milford Waterfront enabling marine professionals to receive bespoke specialist training. The virtual reality simulation system can safely replicate a range of scenarios that seafarers may experience in real world situations such as extreme weather conditions, emergency situations and escort tug work.

The upgrades provided by Netherlands-based company MARIN contain the latest hardware in terms of processing power and graphics, as well as upgrades to MARIN’s ‘Dolphin’ software, increasing the capability to create scenarios. These are complemented with new 4k visuals on 75” screens which increase the depth and field of vision, adding to the realism.

Recently, a training day was led by Training Pilot Captain Mark Johnson, assisted by ex-Pilot Andy Hillier, involving members of the Svitzer team as well as Pilots Matt Roberts and Ian Coombes. As part of the scenario, they were faced with a loss of engine power and steering along with worsening weather and sea conditions. The Pilots had to communicate with Svitzer in order to successfully instruct them on how to tow and direct a drifting tanker. While scenarios like these are uncommon within port operations, it is important to rehearse procedures that would be implemented if they are required and enhances participants’ skill sets.

Marine Pilot and Simulator Instructor, Captain Ewan McNicoll, said “This simulator suite has future proofed our training capabilities, both internally for Pilots and marine staff, but also externally for clients wishing to use the facility, be it for training purposes or research and development. We can create any type of scenario with any type of ship, ranging from practicing ship handling manoeuvres to emergency situations, it really is game changing! Working with our partners at MARIN has been a complete success and I am very proud of our new facility.”

For more information about training at the navigation simulation suite please contact the Port of Milford Haven at [email protected] or 01646 696100.