News

Wales at the forefront of UK action as Senedd says no to single-use plastics

Published

2 years ago

January 7, 2023

WALES will become the first part of the UK to legislate against a thorough list of single-use plastics as the Senedd approves legislation to ban selling unnecessary, disposable products to consumers.

The new law is a key step in reducing the flow of damaging plastic waste into the Welsh environment and is being introduced following consultation with the public and other stakeholders.

Taking effect in autumn 2023, it will give local authorities the power to enforce the offence of supplying or offering to supply the commonly littered items – even when they are free.

Wales is currently ranked as the world’s third best domestic recycler and the new law demonstrates how the Welsh Government is continuing to take ambitious steps to tackle the climate and nature emergencies.

Moreover, the Bill allows the Welsh Government, working with the Senedd, to revise the current list of banned or restricted products meaning Ministers will be able to ban other types of environmentally harmful single-use plastic products in the future, by passing regulations.

Speaking after the vote, Climate Change Minister, Julie James, said it puts Wales in the driving seat for future action: “As well as being unsightly, single-use plastics are extremely destructive to our wildlife and environment.

“Building a greener Wales requires a team effort. This new law builds on the efforts of communities, businesses and young people who have already chosen to go plastic free.

“Now is the time for all of us to think differently and change our habits to avoid leaving a legacy of plastic waste for future generations.”

Most plastic is made from fossil fuels. Reducing it can assist efforts towards net zero and help to minimise the worst impacts of climate change.

The Minister added: “We will continue to work with industry, businesses, third sector bodies, academia, and others – ensuring we say goodbye to the scourge of this littered plastic from our streets, parks and seas for good.”

Owen Derbyshire, Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive said: “Keep Wales Tidy welcomes legislation to ban single-use plastics. It is a positive step on our journey towards transforming the way we consume plastics and reduce waste as a nation. Crucially, it paves the way for industry to move away from polluting practices which are damaging our environment and harming our wildlife.

“We hope that the powers granted in the Bill will allow Wales to respond to emerging threats of other single-use products as consumer trends continue to evolve.”

Louise Reddy, Policy Officer, Surfers Against Sewerage said: “As more plastic floods into the ocean every year, Wales’ ban on single use plastic is a great step to ending plastic pollution. We look forward to Wales continuing to stop plastic in its tracks by transitioning to a circular economy and ensuring polluters pay for the good of people and planet.” – Louise Reddy, Policy Officer, Surfers Against Sewerage.

Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Climate Change Minister Janet Finch-Saunders MS said: “It is high time Labour banned single-use plastics as we have been saying they should for years, as has been done in the rest of Britain.

“Around 10m tonnes of plastic is dumped into the world’s oceans annually, with studies predicting that by 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish – but less than 10% of single-use plastics have been recycled, showing just how much this legislation is needed.

“I do wish that, instead of being unhelpfully and unnecessarily contrarian, the Labour Government just adopted the same definition of “single-use” as England and Scotland, but we felt that an imperfect Bill should not be allowed to torpedo the wider objective.

“Hopefully now, Labour ministers can get on with its other long-awaited environmental promises like a Clean Air Act and show it is as serious about tackling climate change as the Welsh Conservatives.”

City to Sea’s Policy Manager, Steve Hynd, said: “Today’s vote is an opportunity for Wales to tackle some of the most polluting single-use plastics in a way that we know will have a credible impact on plastic pollution. This is a chance to see our beaches and riverbanks free from many of the main sources of plastic pollution like single-use cutlery that have for too long been a visual blight and a danger to our ecosystems. This also includes items that are still in circulation in most other countries, such as thin single-use plastic bags. To include them on the list of items to be banned shows real leadership by the Welsh Assembly.”

He continued, “However much of the bill includes items such as cutlery, plates, and cotton buds that have been banned across the rest of the EU for years now. Although it’s welcome that the ban is finally coming into place, it is far too late, and more still needs to be done. Equally this legislation only further embarrasses Defra as it leaves England as now the only country in Europe to not have banned some of these items like single-use plastic cutlery. This is despite Defra consulting to do so over a year ago. We were promised a ‘Green Brexit’ but on key environmental standards Defra is dragging its feet and is falling behind its closest neighbours.”

News

Council agrees change to long-term empty properties council tax premium

Published

10 hours ago

January 8, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL have voted to revise and simplify the long-term empty properties council tax premium.

Previously the premium increased incrementally. However, Members agreed in December that from April 1^st 2025 one rate of 300% will apply to all properties that have been empty for two years or more.

Cllr Joshua Beynon, Cabinet Member for Corporate Finance and Efficiencies, said:

“The premium is in place to encourage the return of properties into use as much needed homes in Pembrokeshire and to reduce the impact of empty homes on the communities around them.”

The premium is in addition to the standard council tax charge and applies to all three elements – Council, Police & Crime Commissioner and Town & Community Councils.

Council taxpayers who are renovating their properties can apply for a council tax exemption which can be applied to the property for a maximum period of 12 months if the property requires major repair works or structural alteration.

This exemption means that no council tax is payable for this 12-month period.

If the exemption has already been awarded taxpayers can apply for a discretionary discount, which can be awarded up to the level of the long-term empty property premium. In such instances the standard council tax charge is still payable.

Each case is considered on its own merits and taxpayers are required to provide written details of the works required together with photographic evidence.

This discount is normally awarded for up to maximum period of 12 months.

If you wish to apply for this discount, email [email protected] or write to Revenue Services, County Hall, Haverfordwest, SA61 1TP.

Pembrokeshire County Council is also participating in the National Empty Homes Grant Scheme which will give owners of empty properties access to a grant of up to £25,000 if their property meets the required criteria and further information on this grant can be found online: https://www.nationalemptyhomesgrant.wales

Interest free loans are also available and further information on who is eligible can be found via https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/private-housing/empty-home-loans

News

Snow and ice alert issued for Pembrokeshire: What you need to know

Published

10 hours ago

January 8, 2025

Luke Sinclair

Residents in Pembrokeshire are being urged to prepare for potential travel disruption as a yellow weather warning for snow and ice is in place from 3am to 12pm. The Met Office has advised that areas above 100 metres could see a few centimetres of fresh snow, accompanied by icy patches that may create hazardous conditions.

What to Expect

The yellow warning, which indicates a medium likelihood of adverse weather with a low overall impact, highlights several potential issues:

Travel disruption: Longer journey times are likely on roads, as well as delays to bus and train services.
Icy conditions: Untreated roads, pavements, and cycle paths could develop icy patches, increasing the risk of slips and falls.
Injuries: There’s a chance of injuries resulting from slips on icy surfaces.

Preparing for Snowy Conditions

To stay safe during the snowy spell, the following steps are recommended:

Plan ahead: Allow extra time for your journey and check for any road closures or public transport delays. Amend your travel plans if necessary.
Be prepared: If driving, ensure your car is stocked with essentials such as warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, an ice scraper or de-icer, a warning triangle, a high-visibility vest, and an in-car phone charger.
Stay updated: Weather warnings can change quickly, so regularly check the forecast in your area for updates.

Driving in Icy Conditions

Navigating icy roads requires caution and preparation. Here are some tips for driving safely:

Look well ahead for potential hazards and keep your speed low.
Accelerate, brake, steer, and change gear as smoothly as possible to minimise the risk of skidding.
Use a higher gear to help grip on packed ice and maintain traction.

Driving Safely in Snow

Snowy conditions call for additional precautions:

• Use dipped headlights to improve visibility.
• Accelerate gently and maintain a safe, steady speed.
• When descending hills, use a low gear to maintain control.

As the weather warning remains in effect, residents are advised to exercise caution, especially in elevated areas, and to follow safety guidelines to minimise risks during the wintry spell.

Crime

Man avoids jail after punching police officer twice

Published

11 hours ago

January 8, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A 58-YEAR-OLD Haverfordwest man narrowly avoided jail after punching a police officer twice in the face.

Police were called to a property on Dew Street just after 10:00pm on July 6, following reports of a male motorist involved in a road traffic collision.

At the scene, officers encountered Barrie Knight.

“He’d been to the Mariners to pick up a family member and clearly there’d been an incident,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

“For some reason, the police came to his address, and [Barrie Knight] threw his fist towards one of the officers, who felt a sharp pain to his nose, where contact was made.”

Ms James explained that the officer was struck at least twice, although no visible injuries were caused.

“It was more luck than judgement that he wasn’t hurt, and this should not be tolerated,” she added.

When asked to provide a breath sample, Knight refused.

“He was taken to the police station, where officers again tried to obtain breath samples from him, but there was a deliberate refusal,” Ms James continued.

Knight pleaded guilty to common assault of an emergency worker and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

He was sentenced to eight weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months. Additionally, he must carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, was disqualified from driving for 18 months, and ordered to pay £100 compensation to the officer, a £154 court surcharge, and £85 in costs.