Summit brings together UK, Irish and Crown Dependency leaders in Cardiff

CARDIFF hosted senior political leaders from across the UK, Ireland and the Crown Dependencies on Friday (Dec 5), as First Minister Eluned Morgan welcomed delegates to the latest meeting of the British-Irish Council – with a focus on unlocking the potential of the creative industries.

The First Minister chaired the summit, which was attended by a wide group of political leaders, including the Chief Ministers of Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man; Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly; Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin; Tánaiste Simon Harris; Irish Ministers Helen McEntee and Darren Jones; Scottish First Minister John Swinney; and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Also present were Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; Jo Stevens, Secretary of State for Wales; and the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Rebecca Evans, alongside Culture Minister Jack Sargeant.

This is the second major international-facing event hosted by the First Minister this week, following Monday’s Wales Investment Summit, which attracted more than 300 business leaders from across the globe.

Speaking after the meeting, First Minister Eluned Morgan said the gathering highlighted Wales’s growing reputation as a creative powerhouse.

“Today’s summit was a great opportunity to welcome friends to Wales to celebrate our vibrant and dynamic creative industries. Our creative industries enrich our lives in so many ways – providing enjoyment and memories,” she said.

“The sector is also a cornerstone of our economy – the sectors supported by Creative Wales have over 3,500 businesses, employing 35,000 people with an annual turnover of £1.5bn.”

Cabinet Secretary for Culture Jack Sargeant said Welsh creativity continues to make an impact well beyond the nation’s borders.

“From film and television to gaming, music, publishing and immersive technologies, Welsh creativity is making waves globally,” he said.

“Our creative sectors are a huge success story. Just this week we announced £2m for Bad Wolf to produce two new TV productions that will bring £30m to the Welsh economy. That takes our production investment to £33.8m in 70 projects, generating £419.7m since Creative Wales was launched in 2020.”

The Herald understands the Welsh Government intends to continue using the British-Irish Council as a platform to promote Wales’s cultural output, economic potential and creative expertise on the international stage.

A SOCIAL-MEDIA post by the clerk of Neyland Town Council has sparked concern over professionalism and conduct within the authority, as tribunal hearings arising from complaints against several Neyland councillors are due to take place early next year.

Clerk Libby Matthews posted publicly on Friday (Dec 5): “F*** you, see you at your tribunals in January lads,” accompanied by the hashtag “if you know you know”. The remark appeared to refer to Local Government Ombudsman tribunal hearings scheduled for the new year.

The Herald understands that the January hearings relate to complaints lodged against a number of Neyland councillors, which have progressed through the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales and are now due to be considered by a tribunal panel.

The latest post adds to a period of turbulence for Neyland Town Council, which has experienced persistent internal disputes, a high volume of conduct complaints, resignations and repeated public disagreements over the past two years. Earlier Herald reports have detailed strained relations between the clerk and several councillors, with both sides accusing the other of inappropriate behaviour.

Concerns about Ms Matthews’ public engagement intensified this autumn when she accused a Herald journalist of “bullying” after receiving a routine request for comment. The request, sent at 00:41 on 6 October, sought clarification on material already in the public domain. At 08:55, Ms Matthews replied stating that she felt “harassed” and asked to be left alone. The Herald published its story only after the right of reply had been declined.

Later that day, Neyland Town Council issued a corporate statement claiming the newspaper’s coverage was “targeted” and “bullying”. No evidence was provided, and no clarification has been offered since. In response, the Herald’s Editor lodged a formal complaint with the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales on 8 October, arguing that both the council’s statement and the clerk’s public comments were unsupported and potentially damaging to press freedom.

In his complaint, the Editor suggested the council’s handling of the matter was inconsistent with expected standards of respect, integrity and openness, and described a pattern in which legitimate questions were sometimes met with personal allegations rather than substantive responses. The Ombudsman is considering the complaint.

The tribunal proceedings are expected to begin in January. The Herald will continue to report developments.

LARGE crowds gathered in Milford Haven on Saturday afternoon (Dec 6) as the town’s Christmas lights were switched on – with Santa making a dramatic entrance by RNLI lifeboat.

The popular annual event began at 4.30pm with a festive parade setting off from Charles Street, outside the old police station, before making its way down through the town to Hamilton Terrace and on to the Town Hall. Families lined the route despite the cold, with children waving lanterns and cheering as Santa and his helpers joined the procession.

RNLI crew members from Milford Haven gave Santa a very Pembrokeshire-style arrival earlier in the day, escorting him into the marina aboard their all-weather lifeboat. Volunteers posed with Santa for photos before he headed off to meet waiting families.

After entertainment and stalls outside the Town Hall, the countdown began — and the Christmas tree lights were officially switched on to cheers from the crowd.

One notable absence this year was the traditional lighting along Hamilton Terrace. Milford Haven Town Council confirmed that new lamp posts installed earlier in the year were not yet ready for Christmas light fittings, meaning the usual display could not be installed in time for the switch-on.

Despite this, the area around the Town Hall was brightly illuminated, with the building covered in colourful lights and a Christmas tree standing at the entrance, creating a festive atmosphere as the town marked the start of the holiday season.

(Photos: Pure West Radio/Visit Milford Haven/Herald)