Farming

Calls on Welsh Government to address Pembrokeshire rural poverty

Published

4 months ago

January 21, 2023

PLAID CYMRU member of the Senedd for Mid & West Wales, Cefin Campbell, has renewed calls for the Welsh Government to commit to developing a strategy to address rural poverty in Wales.

Mr Campbell’s calls follow recent figures, published by Loughborough University on behalf of the End Child Poverty Coalition that showed Pembrokeshire had the highest child poverty rate of any local authority in Wales – with 35.5% of children living in poverty.

Challenging the First Minister, Mark Drakeford, to commit to developing a focused strategy on addressing rural poverty, Mr Campbell also highlighted wider challenges within rural communities that contributed towards a pattern of “entrenched poverty” over the course of many years and generations.

Commenting Cefin Campbell MS said: “The true extent of rural poverty is often masked by the relative affluence of some rural areas and a wider culture of self-reliance within our rural communities.

Rural communities across Pembrokeshire face many unique pressures that have contributed towards a pattern of long-term entrenched poverty. These include poor access to public transport, patchy public service provision, a lack of affordable housing, and relatively low incomes and high prices. Sadly, the developing cost-of-living crisis over recent months has merely exacerbated these factors and plunged many households into further financial hardship and uncertainty.”

Previous research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation found that most rural households typically spend 10-20% more on everyday goods and services compared to those living in more urban areas. A recent report by Sustrans Cymru also emphasised that people living in rural areas of Wales are some of the worst affected by transport poverty – with households likely to spend more than 10% of its income on the costs of running a car.

Such financial pressures were further emphasised with research from the Bevan Foundation, published last year, finding that a typical worker in Pembrokeshire is a belt-tightening £346 a month worse off than a typical UK worker.

Cefin Campbell MS added: “The hardship being faced by Wales’ rural communities is a wake-up call – and inaction in addressing such rural poverty may very well become Welsh Labour’s legacy in Wales.

It’s time the Welsh Government committed to better identifying the many unique and exclusive factors that contribute towards this rural poverty, and work with stakeholders to bring together a strategy and vision to better empower and aid these communities”.

Speaking in response to Mr Campbell’s calls for a specific rural poverty strategy, First Minister, Mark Drakeford, said: “I recognise that there are certain factors that are unique to people living in rural areas, and I can agree with what the Member said. It is sometimes difficult to identify poverty in some of our rural communities. Of course, every part of Wales is facing a challenge at the moment—whether you live in the Valleys, in the centre of Cardiff, there are unique challenges in all parts of Wales. I can tell the Member that a plan will be drawn up. The Minister for Social Justice is currently working on practical steps that we can take to help, particularly in the area of child poverty.”

Calling for action: Cefin Campbell MS (Image file)

Farming

Battle over unauthorised buildings at Pembrokeshire farm set to continue

Published

2 weeks ago

May 19, 2023

Tom Sinclair

A PROLONGED dispute regarding unapproved structures erected at Cwm Farm in Llawhaden, Pembrokeshire, is poised to extend into next year, the Herald understands.

Pembrokeshire County Council has sought an injunction to demolish a substantial cattle shed constructed on the farm without obtaining planning permission.

Landowners Ryan and Declan Cole undertook the construction of a 96×29 meter cattle shed on their property without seeking the necessary planning consent.

Despite submitting two unsuccessful planning applications for a sizeable agricultural building, hardstanding, and access track in 2019 and 2020, the brothers proceeded with the construction.

On February 12, 2021, the council’s planning department issued an enforcement notice mandating the removal of the structures within four months.

The Planning Inspectorate subsequently extended this deadline to nine months.

However, the brothers failed to comply with the order.

In an attempt to rectify the situation, the Cole brothers applied for retrospective planning permission for the same developments.

Unfortunately for them, the council’s planning committee rejected their application in September of last year.

Consequently, Ryan, 24, and Declan, 23, both residing at Clifton Villa in Clynderwen, were each fined £1,000 by Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Thursday, March 9, for non-compliance with the enforcement notice.

Undeterred, the Cole brothers have now lodged an appeal with Planning and Environment Decisions Wales against the council’s refusal to grant retrospective planning permission.

During a hearing on Thursday, May 18, His Honour Justice Jarman KC agreed to suspend the proceedings until the appeal process is finalized.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council stated, “In light of the Cole brothers’ appeal to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) against Pembrokeshire County Council’s refusal to grant them retrospective planning permission, both parties have mutually agreed to halt injunction proceedings until the appeal’s outcome.”

The parties involved will reconvene in court to provide an update on the progress of the appeal at the earliest available date after February 18, 2024.

The ongoing battle over the unauthorized structures at Cwm Farm remains unresolved, leaving the ultimate fate of the contested cattle shed hanging in the balance.

Farming

Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society launches search for county’s top progressive farmers

Published

3 weeks ago

May 10, 2023

Tom Sinclair

IF you farm in Pembrokeshire, are under the age of 45, and can demonstrate your farm’s use of the latest technological methods to promote progressive, sustainable agriculture then the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society encourage you to enter the prestigious Baron de Rutzen Award.

Brian Jones, Pembrokeshire County Show President, said, “We are looking for a local Pembrokeshire farmer who can demonstrate their farm’s use of the latest technological methods to promote progressive, sustainable agriculture. They also need to show consideration for the environment and habitat sensitivity on their farm as well as present an aesthetically pleasing example of farming in the county.”

Last year’s winner of the Award was Michael Williams, a dairy farmer from Puncheston. He farms conventionally using regenerative farming practices. His emphasis is longevity of herd and sustainability of on-farm food production using low inputs and low disturbance methods. Producing food and enhancing the environment to make for happy cows. Michael is signed up to the Regenerative Farming Plan with a net zero commitment by 2040.

The de Rutzen family have had a considerable influence in Pembrokeshire through their agricultural estates and diverse businesses interests over many years. Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society gratefully acknowledges the generosity of J H Llewellin & family, of Kilbarth, Rudbaxton, Haverfordwest, for kindly presenting the Baron de Rutzen Trophy to the Society.

Baron John Fredrick De Rutzen was President of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society in 1936 and the Baron de Rutzen Trophy was produced in his memory. The third Baron served in the Welsh Guards and tragically died, aged 36, in 1944.

This year’s entrants must be fully practising farmers within the county of Pembrokeshire and were under the age of 45 years on 1 January 2023. Entries can either be by nomination or direct application online on the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society website. Click here to apply: Baron de Rutzen Award | Pembrokeshire County Show | Pembs Agricultural Society (pembsshow.org)

The closing date for nominations and applications is at noon on Wednesday, 31 May 2023.

Farming

Animals seized from Pembrokeshire farm as man arrested by police

Published

1 month ago

April 20, 2023

Tom Sinclair

A DRAMATIC animal welfare operation has taken place in Pembrokeshire, resulting in the seizure of almost 100 animals and the arrest of a man. The operation was a joint effort by the RSPCA, Dyfed-Powys Police, and inspectors from Pembrokeshire’s animal health and welfare team, who were called to land at the Ridgeway in Lamphey on Tuesday, April 18.

Concerns had been raised about the welfare of the animals, which included one cow, five dogs, 19 various poultry, 26 sheep and 43 pigs. The seizure was carried out under the authority of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, with the aim of preventing suffering.

According to Pembrokeshire County Council, the operation was linked to the prosecution of Richard Scarfe, of Pembroke Dock. Scarfe had been convicted of multiple animal welfare offences on January 26, 2022, and was disqualified from keeping cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and donkeys for five years. Animal health officers from the council visited the land and acted after vets issued a Section 18 determination, meaning the animals were suffering or were likely to suffer if they were not removed.

All of the animals have now been taken to safety, where their veterinary needs were assessed and their care will be monitored.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that a man was arrested on suspicion of breaching a disqualification order made under the Animal Welfare Act. The 42-year-old man was later released under investigation.

A spokesperson for the force said: “On Tuesday, April 18, Dyfed-Powys Police Rural Crime Team Officers assisted RSPCA, Pembrokeshire Animal Health and Welfare Inspectors with the seizure of a number of animals at an address in Lamphey, Pembrokeshire. A 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of breaching a disqualification order under the Animal Welfare Act. He has since been released under investigation.”

Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed that further proceedings will now follow. Cllr Michelle Bateman, cabinet member for housing operations and regulatory services, praised the actions of council officers and partners. “I commend the actions of council officers and partners to remove these animals, prevent suffering and protect their welfare,” she said. “I hope this action will serve as a deterrent to others that Pembrokeshire County Council will act decisively where serious cases of animal neglect and suffering arise.”