News

Councillors concerned as cost of new Welsh Medium school rises to £14m

Published

2 years ago

October 20, 2022

THE NEW Welsh Medium School in Pembroke is set to cost almost £14m.

Described as a project of ‘significant importance’, Pembrokeshire County Council obtained funding of £5.6m from the Welsh Government, for its delivery.

However, the cost of the project has since risen to £13,985,818.

Cabinet met on Monday, October 17, and were asked to support the increased cost.

One Cabinet member said she was ‘extremely concerned’ about the rise but councillors were told that if they chose to delay the project, other projects, such as one in Portfield, could also be hindered.

Other members added that they had a ‘heavy heart’ when making the decision to support the increased costs of the new school, named as Ysgol Bro Penfro.

Council Leader David Simpson said that it felt as if they were ‘being held to ransom’ but added that the consequences of stalling it could lead to far greater costs.

He went on to say that the site selected for the new school, on land south of Ysgol Harri Tudur, was ‘really bad’ but that the decision had been made.

There had been an uplift in the grant from Welsh Government to £9m but this still leaves the Council with a shortfall of £4.5m.

There was an underspend of £1.25m on Ysgol Caer Elen and it was suggested that Council could use this money to make up some of the shortfall.

That, however, would need to be approved by the Welsh Government.

The Minister for Education has also said that no additional funding will be available.Cllr Tessa Hodgson said: “I am extremely concerned in how this cost has escalated, this is not the end of the story. There is a huge likelihood costs will be increased further. What if it gets to £20m? Are we still happy to approve that?”

Cllr Hodgson also added that there were 17 schools in need of major repairs and that they were being asked to ‘magic up £3m’ when those others were in ‘such a poor state’.

She said the council should suspend the project.

The new school project is separated from the Council’s Band B funding but the Welsh Government has said they will not look at any Band B projects, which includes Portfield and two schools in Milford, until they give a commitment to the one in Pembroke.

Cllr Alec Cormack said he would second the motion ‘with a heavy heart’ adding: “I feel we have been pressured unreasonably into making this decision by linking them with other projects.”

He also said he was concerned that they were being asked to make a decision in advance of hearing back from the contractors on the final price.”

Chief Officer Darren Thomas said the revised price would be coming on October 28 and added that once the contract was signed on Haverfordwest High there was no increase and that school was delivered on budget.

Cllr Hodgson said they were effectively paying £5m for their ‘poor site selection’ adding it wouldn’t have taken much for them to see it was steep and that access was difficult.

She went on to say that the contractor had them ‘over a barrel’ and that they could come back with any price.

Darren Thomas responded saying they would see all the pricing.

When it was put to a vote, there were five votes in favour while Cllr Hodgson voted against and Cllr Jon Harvey abstained.

Speaking after the meeting Cllr Jacob Williams told the Herald: “I watched the webcast of this week’s extraordinary cabinet debate on this and my first thought was how it should have been a matter for full council to decide. When full council gave the green light to Ysgol Bro Penfro in October 2020 we were told categorically that the project was 100% grant-funded, and we supported it accordingly.

“I was therefore struck by how readily the cabinet on Monday overruled that, by going along with the idea that PCC has no option but to stump up £3 million from council funds to amke up the claimed shortfall.

“Even if it is true that the cost of the new school has doubled as the contractor claims, the council’s finances are already stretched.

“I was encouraged to see Cllr Tessa Hodgson putting up some resistance before voting against it at cabinet – so I hope the education scrutiny committee will now probe all the circumstances and consider all of the options that are available.”

Education

Wales’ ‘best’ nursing college earmarked for closure in sweeping cuts

Published

9 hours ago

January 28, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Cardiff University nursing school at risk

THE PRESTIGIOUS Nursing School at Cardiff University, ranked the best in Wales and fifth in the UK by the Complete University Guide 2023, faces potential closure as part of a major restructuring plan. The university has announced proposals to cut 400 jobs, discontinue several degree programmes, and possibly shut down academic schools, including nursing, modern languages, music, ancient history, translation, religion, and theology. These changes are subject to a 90-day consultation period.

The news has sent shockwaves through the academic and healthcare communities, with staff and students expressing outrage and concern.

Unions and government respond

University and College Union (UCU) representative Andy Williams described the scale of the proposed cuts as “devastating,” warning of their impact on the university, the city of Cardiff, and the wider region.

A Welsh Government spokesperson echoed these concerns, expressing disappointment that nursing courses could be discontinued. They stressed the importance of collaboration between Cardiff University, trade unions, staff, and students to address the challenges posed by these restructuring plans. The government is particularly concerned about sustaining the pipeline of trained nurses in Wales and is working with Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) to respond to the situation.

Impact on healthcare

Helen Whyley, Executive Director for Wales at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), criticised the proposed closure, highlighting the severe nursing shortages already affecting Wales. She noted that Cardiff University’s Nursing School plays a vital role in producing skilled nurses who serve communities across the region. “This decision could undermine efforts to address critical staffing challenges in the healthcare sector,” she said.

RCN Wales has vowed to respond formally to the consultation process, advocating for the preservation of nursing education in Wales. The union has warned that closing the school would have far-reaching implications for the profession, healthcare infrastructure, and local communities.

Future of nursing at risk

The proposed cuts have sparked widespread concern, with stakeholders questioning the long-term impact on Wales’ healthcare system. As consultations continue, the future of Cardiff University’s Nursing School remains uncertain. The decision could significantly disrupt the nursing workforce, potentially leaving Wales ill-equipped to address the growing demands on its healthcare services.

This decision comes at a time of financial strain for higher education institutions, with Cardiff University citing budgetary pressures as the reason for the proposed changes. Critics argue that the closure of such a highly regarded institution would damage not only the university’s reputation but also the healthcare landscape across Wales.

Stakeholders await outcome

The potential closure has prompted calls for swift action to protect the future of nursing education in Wales. As consultations progress, unions, students, and healthcare leaders are urging Cardiff University to reconsider the plans.

The Herald will continue to monitor this developing story, providing updates on the implications of these cuts for Cardiff University, Wales’ nursing workforce, and the broader healthcare sector.

Health

Hywel Dda Health Board announces Community Vaccination Centres

Published

10 hours ago

January 28, 2025

Tom Sinclair

HYWEL Dda University Health Board is organizing pop-up community vaccine centres to make it easier for eligible individuals to access their flu and COVID-19 vaccines.

To check your eligibility for the flu and/or COVID-19 vaccine:

Visit: phw.nhs.wales
Contact the health board: 0300 303 8322 (Option 1)
Email: [email protected]

If you are eligible, you can either drop in at one of the centres listed below or book an appointment using the details above.

New clinics are being arranged for February. Stay updated by visiting the health board’s webpage:
Seasonal Flu Vaccinations

Vaccination Centres and Schedules

Carmarthenshire

Carmarthen Athletic RFC
Athletic Park, Johnstown, Carmarthen, SA31 3QY

Monday, January 27: 9:30am–4:45pm
Tuesday, January 28: 9:30am–4:45pm
Wednesday, January 29: 9:30am–4:45pm
Thursday, January 30: 9:30am–4:45pm

Llandeilo Fawr Civic Hall
17 Crescent Road, Llandeilo, SA19 6HW

Friday, January 31: 10:00am–4:45pm

Pontyberem Memorial Hall
Coalbrook Road, Pontyberem, Llanelli, SA15 5HU

Tuesday, February 4: 9:30am–4:30pm

Llandovery RFC
Church Bank Playing Fields, Llandovery, SA20 0BA

Thursday, February 6: 10:00am–4:30pm
Friday, February 7: 10:00am–4:30pm

Ceredigion

Tregaron Memorial Hall
The Square, Tregaron, SY25 6JL

Monday, January 27: 10:00am–4:30pm

New Quay Memorial Hall
Ffordd Towyn Road, New Quay, SA45 9QQ

Tuesday, January 28: 9:30am–4:45pm
Wednesday, January 29: 9:30am–4:45pm

The Pwerdy-Powerhouse Community Arts Centre
Chapel Street, Pont Tyweli, Llandysul, SA44 4AH

Tuesday, February 4: 10:00am–4:45pm
Wednesday, February 5: 10:00am–4:45pm

Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire Archives
Prendergast, Haverfordwest, SA61 2PE

Tuesday, January 28: 9:30am–4:50pm

Regency Hall
King George V Playing Fields, Milford Street, Saundersfoot, SA69 9NG

Friday, January 31: 9:30am–4:45pm

Neyland MVC
Unit 1, Honeyborough Retail Park, SA73 1SE

Monday, February 3: 9:30am–4:45pm
Wednesday, February 5: 9:30am–4:45pm

Llwyngwair Manor
Newport, Pembrokeshire, SA42 0LX

Thursday, February 6: 10:00am–4:30pm

Bloomfield House
Redstone Road, Narberth, SA67 7ES

Friday, February 7: 10:00am–4:45pm

News

Brynderwen beach hut to remain operating as an Airbnb

Published

10 hours ago

January 28, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A call to allow an airbnb beach hut once sited on a Dorset sandbank to continue to be used for holiday accommodation on the edge of a Pembrokeshire village has been approved.

In an application before Pembrokeshire County Council planners, Mr and Mrs Bazeley sought permission for a retrospective change of use of a timber hut to a glamping holiday accommodation with outdoor kitchen and services at Brynderwen, St Dogmaels.

Local community council St Dogmaels objected to the application on the grounds that the proposal is outside the boundary of the village.

A supporting statement through agent Llyr Evans Planning Ltd said: “Brynderwen has been in the ownership of the applicants’ family for 150 years, originally by the applicants great-great-great-grandfather, before being handed down through the generations.

“When the applicants father died in 2022 Mr and Mrs Bazeley moved back to Brynderwen to manage the holding and make it financially viable. This includes recently gaining planning permission for two bespoke holiday cottages to the northeast of this site.”

It adds: “The hut was sited on Mudeford Sandbank in Dorset from 1962 to 2007 where it was a holiday destination for the applicants’ family. In 2007 the hut was moved from Dorset to its current position at Brynderwen.”

It says the hut was originally used as a feed storage and then a family day hut/ leisure use for BBQs and campfires before being renovated in 2022, subsequently offered for short-term lets between Jun and September of last year.

The statement adds the tourism development would contribute to the small-scale agricultural operations of 13-acre Brynderwen and “would make a valuable contribution towards the provision of tourism accommodation in the area, to economic development and to the resilience of the rural economy”.

The beach hut, called Salad Days, is listed on Airbnb, where it has already attracted 50 reviews, with an overall 4.98 out of five.

An officer report recommending approval said the small scale of the accommodation “provided within such close proximity to the settlement is considered acceptable in regard to the impact on the area,” and “Due to the location of the building being some distance from any neighbouring properties the development does not have a significant impact on neighbouring amenity.”

The application was conditionally approved by county planners.