News
Match-funding for £20m Welsh Government grants backed by councillors
A £2.2 million bid for securing transport grants of more than £20m was backed by senior Pembrokeshire councillors this week.
The April meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet received and approved a report on match funding requests for schemes contained within the WG Transport Grants 2023-24 bids.
The total 2023-24 costs of schemes are £20,435,673, made up of Welsh Government funding bids totalling £18,246,504, and Pembrokeshire County Council match funding requested of £2,124,169, subject to finalisation.
Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett told members the match-funding figure would be “the maximum exposure” to the local authority, moving approval.
A report for members said: “Cabinet approval is required to secure match funding for the schemes contained within the WG Transport Grants 2023-24 bids. A full decision on the awarding of the WG Grants is expected in late April 2023; the amounts requested are the maximum requests for each scheme.
“WG Funding has been successfully used in previous years to support transport scheme design, development and construction throughout Pembrokeshire.
“The annual awards of funds requires local authorities to submit bids each year, with an expectation of match funding (currently 11 per cent) to be included in some schemes.
“Cabinet on December 5 resolved that the development and submission of applications to Welsh Government for Transport Grant, as outlined in that report, to fund the development and delivery of a number of transport schemes and initiatives in 2023-24, be approved.
“In February 2023, PCC submitted a final set of scheme documents to WG under the Active Travel, Safer Routes in Communities, ULEZ and Local Transport Fund.
“Schemes for the Resilient Roads Schemes were submitted separately.”
Match-funding
Schemes applying for bids – and their respective match-funding – include:
- Haverfordwest public transport interchange £7,672,293, £948,261
- Milford Haven PTI £1,720,340, £220,660
- Pembroke DockPTI £2,163,368, £267,383
- Fflecsi Bus (South Expansion) £160,200, £19,800
- Bus Stop Improvements £396,050, £48,950
- Fishguard & Goodwick Rail Station £667,500, £82,500
- Newgale Coastal Adaptation £565,150, 69,850
- Saundersfoot Station to Marina £873,553, £107,967
- Stammers Road to Marina £467,250, £57,750
- Tenby Croft to Rail Station £756,500, £93,500
- Milford Haven – Steynton to Studdolph £743,150, £91,850
- Narberth SRiC £411,000, £50,798
- ULEV – Phase 6 £356,000, £44,000
Cabinet agreed, in principle, to all match funding and delegated the decision for the exact award amounts to Cabinet Member for
Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett and the Director of Resources, based on the actual final awards of grant.
An update to the Capital Programme will be provided once the final figures have been awarded.
Charity
Letterston dog show raises over £750 for local charities
ON SUNDAY (Dec 22), Letterston Ring Craft successfully raised £755.55 for two Pembrokeshire-based charities during a fun dog show event. The funds were equally split between South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue and Letterston Memorial Hall.
The event featured a variety of well-attended classes, including child handling and fancy dress, drawing participation from dog enthusiasts of all levels.
This fundraiser marked the first charitable event supporting South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue. Founded and managed by Lizzy Austwick, the rescue organisation aids unwanted, feral, and sick cats across Pembrokeshire and responds to urgent cases in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. The rescue provides neutering support for stray and feral cats, directs owners to available resources, and specialises in helping stray cats with severe injuries, raising essential funds for their care.
For assistance, Lizzy can be contacted via the rescue’s Facebook page or at 07575 131443.
Letterston Ring Craft welcomes new members interested in training and showing their dogs, from local companion shows to prestigious events like Crufts. The club meets every other Sunday in Letterston, and further details can be found on their Facebook page.
Looking ahead, the next fun dog show is scheduled for early next year and will support Belle’s Story Charity. For more information or to get involved, contact Gentle Lowe at 07956 653401.
Charity
£3,800 donated to services across Withybush Hospital
THE CAMROSE VINTAGE WORKING DAY team has donated £3,800 to services across Withybush Hospital.
Their 37th annual event raised a record breaking £25,000, which has now been distributed among 26 local charities.
They donated the funds to the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit and Heads Up! Hair Loss Initiative at Withybush Hospital. Each service received £950.
The Heads Up! initiative provides a person-centred, holistic hair loss service for cancer patients. It brings together healthcare and haircare professionals from local communities to give patients the knowledge and products needed to manage their hair loss with dignity and choice.
Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer, said: “Thank you to Andrew, the team and the supporters of the Camrose Vintage Working Day for your generosity once again. Your donation to each service is amazing and will make a big difference. We are hugely grateful for your wonderful support.
“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”
Pictured above: Andrew James, Chairman of Camrose Vintage Working Day with Withybush Hospital staff from the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit, Heads Up! Hair Loss initiative.
Community
Neyland Community Christmas Lunch a festive success
NEYLAND TOWN COUNCIL rolled up their sleeves to support this year’s Community Christmas Lunch, spreading festive cheer and warm hospitality to attendees on Christmas Day at the Alumchine.
Councillors Steve Campodonic, David Devauden, Steve Thomas, and Brian Rothero began their efforts as early as 7:30am, working tirelessly to ensure the event ran smoothly.
The dedicated organisers, including Trish Campodonic, Pam, and Lloyd Hamilton, along with other volunteers, created a welcoming space filled with festive spirit and a delicious meal with all the trimmings.
The event brought together members of the community who might otherwise have spent the day alone, highlighting the warmth and generosity that Neyland is known for.
A heartfelt ‘Well done’ to everyone involved for making this Christmas lunch a resounding success and spreading joy to so many.
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