THE RECENT council purchase of a Pembrokeshire bus company has been “seamless,” despite some driver shortages, members of a council committee will hear this week.

Back in December Pembrokeshire County Council completed the purchase of the assets of Edwards Bros Coaches of Tiers Cross, operating all contracts previously run by the company.

The council stepped in when it became clear that the operator was planning to withdraw from the bus market, with the purchase previously backed by the council’s Cabinet last January.

The March 21 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee will hear an update report following the purchase.

The report for members states: “There was a seamless takeover, with all the statutory duties of school transport maintained as well as the continued provision of public transport bus services and additional work as and when required.

“The council has only been operating the assets now for a few months and it is therefore too early to provide substantive feedback on performance.

“It is envisaged that, based on the current workload, financial targets will be met.”

However, several issues have been highlighted in the report.

It says that, while all of the Edwards Bros drivers were transferred to the council, there is a shortage of drivers, which has been worsened due to sickness absence and existing private hire bookings.

“Moving forward, private hire work will only be taken on if it can be scheduled around the capacity and logistics of the school transport routes and local bus services. The bus driver shortage is a national problem and one being experienced by every operator in Pembrokeshire,” the report adds.

Members will hear a council minibus driver has now become a coach driver and another member of staff will also shortly be undertaking their training and test, and a recruitment campaign is currently being undertaken to recruit additional drivers.

The report concludes: “A substantial piece of work was undertaken in terms of due diligence to acquire the assets of the bus company.

“Those assets have only been operated by the council only for a few weeks, so whilst some points have been identified in the update, it is proposed a more substantive piece of feedback on performance is provided in the autumn, which will give time for clearer feedback.”

Members will be asked to consider the feedback on the acquisition, and to refer any relevant concerns to Cabinet.

DYFED-POWYS POLICE have launched a pioneering licensing initiative in bars, pubs, clubs, restaurants and hotels. Senior officers say that this demonstrates their commitment to improving safety and security in the night-time economy.

Officers are working alongside venues to launch Licensing Security & Vulnerability Initiative (Licensing SAVI), which was developed at the request of the Home Office by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (Police CPI), a police-owned organisation which works alongside the Police Service around the UK to deter and reduce crime.

Supporting the hospitality industry, Licensing SAVI is backed by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and Project Servator, a police-led vigilance scheme to deter terrorist attacks at crowded places. Its aim is to provide safer and more secure venues for managers, staff, customers and local communities and to reduce the demand on hard-pressed police forces and NHS Ambulance Services and Accident & Emergency Departments.

Available to licensees as an on-line self-assessment, Licensing SAVI covers critical issues like responsible drinking, drugs misuse, violent behaviour and safeguarding vulnerable customers through to preventing opportunist theft and improving physical security, such as lighting and CCTV systems. Most measures included in Licensing SAVI can be introduced quickly and at little or no cost.

Licensing SAVI provides consistent standards, guidance and advice that licensed premises in Wales and England need to meet the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003 and promote the four Licensing Objectives: Prevention of Public Nuisance; Prevention of Crime and Disorder; Protection of Children from Harm; and Public Safety. Licensing SAVI also includes a non-assessed guidance section on counter terrorism.

Licensees that complete the self-assessment will receive a Star-Rating and can apply for Licensing SAVI Accreditation and an award for display to show the efforts undertaken to enhance safety.

The initiative is being supported by Home Office funding, secured by Dyfed-Powys Police Safer Communities Hub, giving premises the opportunity to join the scheme as part of the roll out. The fund is available to support projects that help reduce neighbourhood crime, make local areas safer and reduce demand on police forces.

Inspector Reuben Palin, from Dyfed-Powys Police’s Central Prevention Hub, said: “We’re pleased licensed premises from across the force area are working with us to ensure their pubs and clubs are a safe environment for people to enjoy a good night out.

“We would encourage anyone who hasn’t already signed up to get in touch so we can work together for better community safety.”

Mark Morgan, Business Manager for Licensing SAVI, commented: “I’m delighted that Dyfed-Powys Police, using Home Office funding, are supporting the use of Licensing SAVI in premises by enabling licensees to undertake an assessment of the processes and procedures they have in place to maximise safety and reduce vulnerability for both customers and staff. We’re confident that this contributes to raised standards, safer venues, and safer socialising, with the venues being able to display their award to recognise their efforts. It’s great to see that venues across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys have already received our accreditation and we look forward to more doing so in the near future, contributing to a safer Dyfed-Powys.”

Covering a huge geographical area, Dyfed-Powys Police have funded venues across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and Powys. The following venues were the first in the region to take up the scheme, achieving accreditation and a star award to display to customers and the local community.

In Carmarthenshire The Old Cross Inn, Quay St, Ammanford and Yr Hen Dderwen, 47–48 King Street, Carmarthen are taking part. Moira Williams, General Manager at the Old Cross Inn, said: “I took part in Licensing SAVI and found the process easy to complete. By completing this accreditation, it has made us more aware of extra safety and servility measures for our business and most importantly for our customers.

She added: “We take the safety for our customers seriously and everyone should be able to enjoy and be assured that their safety while socialising comes first. Every public bar selling alcohol should complete this assessment and become accredited. It’s even given us some good insights into how to improve our business. I am so glad I completed this and am happy with my accreditation.”

In Ceredigion THE Cambrian Hotel, Alexandra Rd; Harleys, 21 Eastgate; Royal Pier, Marine Terrace, of course all in Aberystwyth are taking part. Royal Pier Head of Operations, Lee Price, proudly commented: “The Licensing SAVI self-assessment offered an invaluable opportunity to re-visit and health-check operations, assess the effectiveness of their intention, and add more meat to the bones of day-by-day control measures.

“It has provided a credible recommendation to display to the public, helping attract a more perceptive customer and offering a competitive consumer edge,” he added

Here in Pembrokeshire five venues are taking part so far – they are:

• Castle Hotel, Castle Square, Haverfordwest SA61 2AA
• Eddie Rocks, 4 Quay St, Haverfordwest SA61 1BG
• Imperial Hall, Hamilton Terrace, Milford Haven SA73 3JN
• OUT Pembroke, 14 Main St, Pembroke SA71 4NP
• The William Owen, 6 Quay St, Haverfordwest SA61 1BG

The William Owen’s manager, Jon Blaney, told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “We are proud to have become accredited with Licensing SAVI. The pub takes its responsibilities seriously and works closely with the police to ensure the venue is run to a high standard at all times with staff and customer safety paramount.”

There are six venues in Powys taking part. Chris Thompson, Manager of The Buck Inn and The Pheasant Inn, commented: “I found the [Licensing SAVI] process very easy and quick. It helps publicans highlight where improvements are needed to ensure our customers are as safe as possible. The Licensing Security & Vulnerability Initiative is a great idea. I highly recommend the scheme!”

THE ABERGWAUN HOTEL in Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, has just been awarded a 4-star rating by Visit Wales for its restaurant with rooms, the first ever rating for the boutique hotel.

Located in the coastal village of Fishguard – an area of outstanding natural beauty with towering cliffs, hill and valleys – this charming contemporary hotel was refurbished in 2020 after 10 years of standing derelict, by a young local couple Daniel Jones and Lois Thomas. Executive chef Daniel is from north Wales and has worked in kitchens including Pollen Street Social and The Hardwick, Abergavenny. He also competed in Masterchef: The Professionals in 2014 and he reached the semi-finals of the National Chef of the Year awards in 2018. General Manager Lois has a background in hospitality at top restaurants including the Townhouse in Oswestry with Michael Caines, Chapter One in Locksbottom, and Michelin starred restaurant with rooms The White Brook in Monmouth.

Co-owner and Executive Chef Daniel Jones said: “We are immensely proud of the team who have been recognised by Visit Wales for exceptional standards in housekeeping, hospitality and friendliness and dining. This is our first hotel inspection so we are thrilled with the results and we will continue to offer an exceptional experience for our guests.”

The couple took over The Abergwaun in 2020 and have won praise amongst locals and visitors to Pembrokeshire, with almost 99% 5* reviews on TripAdvisor. The hotel features five luxury ensuite rooms, including a dog-friendly room and a two-bedroom apartment, plus an outstanding restaurant with inventive menus and cocktails enjoyed in a welcoming, relaxed environment.

The modern European restaurant JT At the Abergwaun Hotel is steeped in Welsh heritage, supporting local suppliers and offering ingredients like Welsh ribeye steak and Welsh lamb, plus a selection of fine Welsh cheeses. The a la carte menu includes inventive takes on comforting classics, with starters like Crispy lamb taco, whisky treacle BBQ sauce, avocado, cocoa sunflower seed, pepper slaw and mains including Roasted venison haunch, roast carrot and onion, figs dauphinois potatoes, bordelaise sauce. Delicious desserts include the Dark chocolate delice, salt caramel, passion fruit & orange, pembs promise ice cream.

Picturesque Fishguard is known as the gateway to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, and here you’ll find the Preseli Hills, rising up to 536m and perfect for walks and viewpoints, plus ancient standing stones and idyllic valleys like Cwm Gwaun where there’s an abundance of wildlife and several bird species. In the heart of the village, there’s an array of independent businesses and galleries, gift and antique shops, a weekly market, plus many cosy cafés, pubs and restaurants. For arts and music lovers, Fishguard is also home to Fishguard International Music Festival that has brought world-class music to the area for 50 years.

A one-night stay costs from £100 for two sharing a double room, including breakfast. To book, visit https://www.jtabergwaunhotel.co.uk/ Call 01348 874 584