News
Moratorium call on potential closure of public toilets
A CALL for a moratorium on the potential closure of public toilets in Pembrokeshire is to be heard next week.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet approved the Local Toilet Strategy 2023 – required under the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017 – at its meeting on Monday, April 24.
It is intended to help address the current challenges faced by local authorities in continuing to sustain provision during times of substantial financial pressures.
Concerns had previously been raised in a report prior to the February meeting of Cabinet, with 30-plus toilets at potential risk of closure if community asset transfers to town and community councils weren’t agreed, or funding streams not identified.
Following a February Cabinet decision, and later backing from full council, it was agreed money from the second homes element of council tax would provide a lifeline for these toilets, up until November, while negotiations with stakeholders including Pembrokeshire Coast National Park continue.
The May 11 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s full council will now hear a call for a moratorium on any potential closure.
The Notice of Motion, made by Cllr Huw Murphy, asks: “That the council in recognition of public concern place a moratorium on the proposed closure of all Public Toilets listed in Group 2 of Agenda item 10 of Cabinet meeting, dated February 13, 2023.
“This notice proposes that all Group 2 toilets be kept open until March 31, 2025 to allow ample time to identify selected public toilets for seamless transfer into the possession of external organisations eg: PCNPA, Town/Community Councils (subject to affordability), etc.
“The timescales proposed with regards to ‘Public Toilet Funding’ on February 13, 2023 if strictly enforced will lead to unnecessary closures with the consequence of disadvantaging many vulnerable residents and visitors.
“This Notice of Motion is a reflection of public disquiet and concern, hence the moratorium request.
“This Notice of Motion is therefore a request that the five recommendations approved by Cabinet on February 13, 2023 be replaced by an unambiguous moratorium, and that all Group 2 toilets are retained until March 31, 2025 to allow for a measured transfer of those toilets suitable for transfer to external organisations eg PCNPA be completed; and allow for further value engineering on those not suitable for transfer to establish how many can be retained by PCC.
“The timescales as approved by Cabinet on February 13, 2023 is simply unrealistic.”
Cllr Murphy, with the support of his 16 fellow Independent Group councillors, has also submitted a ‘call-in’ request on the public toilets, which will be heard at the council’s May 9 Extraordinary Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
He asked for a “full re-examination of the cost of retaining these public toilets” be undertaken before a final decision is taken on any closures.
News
Three climbers rescued after fall at St Govan’s Head
THREE climbers have been rescued after falling into the sea at St Govan’s Head, following a major multi-agency emergency response along the south Pembrokeshire coast.
The alarm was raised at around 4:00pm on Wednesday, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation involving coastguard teams, helicopters and the Angle RNLI lifeboat.
A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: “HM Coastguard are responding to an incident involving three climbers at St Govans Head in Pembrokeshire on 12 February.
“First alerted at around 4pm, Coastguard rescue teams from Fishguard, St Govans and Tenby have been sent alongside an HM Coastguard helicopter, an Irish Coastguard helicopter, Wales Air Ambulance and an RNLI lifeboat from Angle.”
Multiple helicopters were seen operating over the cliffs and sea during the evening, with the lifeboat also deployed offshore.
BBC Radio Wales reported in its 8:30am Breakfast bulletin on Friday that all three casualties were successfully rescued.
Their conditions have not yet been confirmed.
Dyfed-Powys Police also attended the incident.
Updates to follow if further information is released.
Charity
Tenby’s Doreen Mortimer MBE celebrates 30 years of RNLI service
Fundraising stalwart has helped raise more than £1m for lifesaving charity
A TENBY volunteer who has dedicated three decades to saving lives at sea has marked her milestone anniversary with a celebration alongside the friends and colleagues who have supported her journey.
Doreen Mortimer MBE, long-time shop manager and fundraiser for the RNLI in Tenby, hosted a special gathering for fellow volunteers on Thursday (Feb 12) at Tudor Mount Gastrobar to celebrate both her 30 years of service and her recent royal honour.
Now in her 90s, Doreen remains a familiar and energetic presence in the town’s RNLI shop, where her tireless efforts have helped raise more than £1 million for the lifesaving charity.
She was one of six RNLI volunteers recognised by His Majesty The King as the organisation approached its 200th anniversary last year, receiving an MBE for her outstanding contribution to fundraising and community service.
Award-winning dedication
Doreen’s commitment has long been recognised within the charity.
In 2022 she received the RNLI’s Excellence in Volunteering Award from head of fundraising Jayne George, after the Tenby shop’s takings topped £100,000 within months of reopening following the Covid lockdowns.
Jayne George said at the time: “Although Doreen has a team of volunteers backing her up, she is the driving force that keeps sales rising, and whenever the fund-raising committee holds an event, she is there with her bucket.”
The following year she was honoured again for her long service, helping make Tenby the number one RNLI shop in Wales.
She was also recognised by RNLI chief executive Mark Dowie during his farewell tour of UK stations.
Still going strong
Despite her age, Doreen continues to volunteer for up to 50 hours a week during busy periods, supporting the shop, events and collections.
Friends say her energy and enthusiasm remain an inspiration to younger volunteers.
Thursday’s celebration was not only a thank-you for Doreen’s service, but also a chance to acknowledge the wider team whose efforts help keep the charity’s vital work afloat.
For Tenby’s lifeboat crews, every pound raised locally helps ensure they can launch at a moment’s notice — and for three decades, Doreen Mortimer has been at the heart of that mission.
Community
Lifeboat to find new home at Pembroke Dock museum after historic handover ceremony
A HISTORIC lifeboat which saved forty lives around the British coastline is set to begin a new chapter in Pembroke Dock next month when she is formally handed over to the West Wales Maritime Heritage Society.
The 1957 Watson-class vessel, RNLB Pentland, will be transferred to her permanent home at the West Wales Maritime Museum during a public ceremony on Saturday, March 7 at 1:00pm.
Organisers say the event will mark the end of the boat’s private stewardship under Mike Brotherton MBE and the beginning of her preservation as part of Pembrokeshire’s maritime heritage.
The handover will include the lowering of the Blue Ensign and the raising of the Red Ensign, symbolising the lifeboat’s move into museum care, followed by a short presentation recounting her operational history.
During her years of service at Thurso, The Mumbles and Workington, Pentland was launched into some of the worst conditions the coast could throw at her crew, helping to save dozens of lives.
Trustees say bringing the vessel to Pembroke Dock will ensure that future generations can see first-hand the type of lifeboat that protected coastal communities for decades.
Visitors attending the ceremony will also be able to tour the museum’s restoration workshops and view other ongoing heritage projects, including work on the Charterhouse lifeboat.
Refreshments, including burgers, bacon rolls, tea and coffee, will be available before and after proceedings.
Entry to the museum and boatyard is free, although donations to support preservation work are welcomed.
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