News

Cardigan: Decades of sewage spills threaten tourism and local Trust

Published

1 year ago

October 20, 2023

IN A SHOCKING revelation this week, Welsh Water has admitted to polluting the pristine River Teifi with untreated raw sewage for decades. Cardigan residents, long voicing their concerns, have reacted with outrage at the news that might now imperil the town’s reputation among tourists.

A detailed investigation led by former UCL professor, Peter Hammond, and shared with both the BBC and local media, unveils the extent of the damage. The River Teifi, in fact, holds the grim distinction of being the most polluted river in Wales. The prime culprit? An inadequate wastewater treatment plant located near the town’s cemetery, which has consistently discharged untreated sewage into the Teifi.

Cardigan’s beach, Poppit Sands, situated only two miles from this treatment plant, boasts a water quality rating of ‘excellent’. This poses the unnerving question of the lurking dangers that residents and tourists alike might be unknowingly exposed to. County Councillor Elaine Evans voiced her shock, saying, “It’s totally unbelievable that this has been allowed to happen for so long. These figures equate to three illegal spills every single day in Cardigan alone.”

The gravity of the situation is further underscored by Professor Hammond’s observation, which brands it as “the worst sewage works I’ve come across in terms of illegal discharges.”

Welsh Water, while mandated to treat 88 litres of water per second before discharge, has faltered consistently. Between 2018 and May 2023, the Cardigan plant spilled untreated sewage for a staggering 1,146 days.

Piers Partridge, a staunch campaigner against the malpractice, remarked, “We’ve been consistently lied to by Welsh Water. Should we now start thinking about reclaiming money we’ve all been paying to them?”

The town’s tourism, a significant revenue source, is now at stake. Iona Jones, a local resident, opined, “This is appalling news. We pay our water rates so surely we deserve better than this.”

Natural Resources Wales has been monitoring the situation for eight years, issuing several enforcement notices, but surprisingly, no fines have been meted out.

Defending their position, a Welsh Water spokesperson stated, “We have extensive monitoring arrangements… each site presents its own and sometimes very complex challenges.” They further highlighted their planned £20m investment in 2025 to rectify the situation.

The startling disclosures spotlight the need for accountability, action, and transparency, as a beautiful region grapples with decades of environmental oversight.

Education

Lamphey Primary School celebrates positive inspection report

Published

2 mins ago

January 28, 2025

Tom Sinclair

LAMPHEY PRIMARY SCHOOL is celebrating a positive inspection report from Estyn, the body responsible for inspecting education and training providers in Wales.

The school, inspected earlier this academic year, received high praise as a ‘highly inclusive school’ which ‘supported pupils’ well-being exceptionally well.’

Inspectors commended Lamphey Primary for its ‘nurturing and harmonious’ atmosphere, noting that pupil behaviour across the school was ‘exemplary’.

The report highlighted that nearly all pupils made ‘exceptionally effective progress’ in developing their speaking and listening skills.

Additionally, the school was commended for prioritising reading development, ensuring that nearly all pupils cultivate a love for books and stories by the time they leave making excellent progress.

Headteacher Mr Thomas expressed his delight at the recognition from Estyn, stating: “We are thrilled that Estyn has acknowledged some excellent practices at our school, as well as the hard work and collaboration of our entire school community.

“This report highlights how we have created a caring and inclusive learning environment that allows pupils to thrive both academically and socially. I am incredibly proud of our whole school community.”

The positive feedback from Estyn reflects the dedication and commitment of Lamphey Primary School to providing high-quality education and fostering a nurturing environment for all its children.

Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language Cllr Guy Woodham said: “To see a second fantastic report in as many weeks is a real boost for our education community and testament to the hard work educators are putting into their schools and learners.

“Congratulations to Lamphey School and all those that are dedicated to the children there for this excellent Estyn report.”

Education

Welsh Government ends tax break for independent schools

Published

1 hour ago

January 28, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has announced plans to end business rates relief for certain fee-charging schools, reallocating the funding to bolster local public services.

Currently, all charities in Wales benefit from at least 80% relief on their non-domestic rates bills, a policy that includes some fee-charging schools. The proposed change will align independent schools with charitable status to the same tax treatment as non-charitable independent schools regarding non-domestic rates.

Similar measures have already been enacted in Scotland, and the UK Government is planning comparable reforms in England.

Following a public consultation last year, the Welsh Government made adjustments to ensure that relief will continue to apply to independent special schools where the majority of learners are placed by local authorities as part of their additional learning provision.

If approved by the Senedd, the changes will take effect on 1 April 2025.

Mark Drakeford, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language, said: “We believe independent schools with charitable status in Wales should be treated in the same way as those which are not charities.

“By removing this tax break, we can free up as much as £1.3m every year to support local public services.”

News

Open day at new St Davids housing development

Published

16 hours ago

January 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is celebrating the completion of Phase 1 Llys Glasfryn, St Davids.

The development was built by GRD Homes, and Phase 1 consists of 4 x 2 bed bungalows, and 3 x 1 bed bungalows.

Phase 2 consists of 11 x 2 bed bungalows, which it is hoped will be completed early 2026.

All properties within Phase 1 have been allocated, and Phase 2 properties will be available for bidding a few months before completion.

A Local Lettings Policy is used to allocate these properties, which was created in conjunction with local members, St Davids City Council, and the local community.

To celebrate the completion of Phase 1, Pembrokeshire County Council is holding an open day in one of the newly completed properties.

This will be held on Tuesday 28^th January 2025, from 2pm – 6pm. This is for members of the public to view the site and one of the properties, ask questions, and provide feedback.

Cllr Michelle Bateman, Cabinet Member for Housing Operations, said: “These high quality homes will provide much needed housing in St Davids and form part of our wider development programme.

“Increasing the supply of affordable housing is a key priority for Cabinet and I look forward to meeting new tenants and the wider community at the open day event.”

For more information on Pembrokeshire County Council’s housing developments, or this event, please call 01437 764551, or email [email protected]