News

Haverfordwest transport interchange decision made behind closed doors

Published

1 year ago

November 11, 2023

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

SENIOR Pembrokeshire councillors agreed to award a contract for the first stage of the £20m Haverfordwest Public Transport Interchange behind closed doors earlier this week.

At the November meeting of the county council’s Cabinet, members agreed to go into private session to approve the awarding a contract for Stage 1 pre-construction services for the interchange, on the basis a public discussion would lead to the disclosure of exempt information.

The long-running saga of the interchange was back before Cabinet as , at the July meeting of Cabinet, members heard that no compliant tender had been received, delaying the replacement bus station and multi-storey car park project works.

At that meeting members agreed any tender award only taking place following an additional report to Cabinet for consideration.

Members at that meeting heard the full value of grant funding had been secured, with a £1.9m cost to the council for the circa £20m scheme, agreeing to a temporary car park be created on the demolished remains of the previous multi-storey.

It has previously been said the completed interchange, part of a wider Western Quayside development in the town which is expected to be completed next year, would generate annual revenue for the council from at least a “pessimistic” £150,000, but figures of up to as much as £400,000 have been quoted.

In late January, councillors heard a doubling of the costs of Haverfordwest’s public transport project to nearly £18m – with figures now quoted as nearer £20m – was not fully communicated with the public.

The November decision to go into private session – following a call from Cllr Rhys Sinnett rather than Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller, who was unable to attend the meeting – came under social media scrutiny.

Councillor Huw Murphy asked why the matter had gone into private session, adding: “Surely not the cost having mushroomed from £8.1 million to now around £20 million.”

Cllr Miller, on social media, confirmed total costs would be “in the region of £20m,” but added: “What he [Cllr Murphy] has deliberately not said is that the council’s contribution is expected to be about 10 per cent of that (c£1.9m) and income from the completed car park estimated as circa £400,000 per year.”

He said that figure would be roughly double the pooled interest rate on £1.9m.

Cllr Miller went on to say: “I would also say we’re building a car park to serve the town we’re building, not the town we have.

“Ultimately these investments are thought through, do have the buy-in of both UK and Welsh Governments (who ultimately are directly providing the vast majority of the funding which would otherwise be spent on the same things in other counties) and, while I know people can’t see it yet, they are generating interest from the private sector in occupying these sites at strong commercial rents (and that will become evident later this year and into next when those tenancies are announced).”

Cllr Murphy responded: “It’s all well and good saying PCC are only paying 10 per cent of the final cost (which is to be confirmed) but I contend a value-engineered Interchange/bus stop with the money saved spent on the NHS, WAS, social care etc would be money much better spent on both the residents of Wales as well as PCC.”

He added: “Frankly I should also point out that with a total project cost of £20 million and if, as you state, we make £200,000 per annum then it’s a one per cent annual return on this project, and that is not good business.”

News

Open day at new St Davids housing development

Published

2 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]

News

Agricultural shed fire on Narberth Road in Saundersfoot

Published

3 hours ago

January 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

CREWS from the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service stations in Tenby and Milford Haven were called to a fire on Narberth Road, Saundersfoot, at 1:05pm on Monday (Jan 27).

The blaze involved a caravan and an agricultural shed measuring approximately 15 metres by 15 metres. The shed, which contained vehicles and machinery, was completely destroyed along with the caravan.

Firefighters used two hose reel jets, two main jets, an otter pump, and a water shuttle system drawing from an open water source to bring the fire under control.

Crews left the scene at 3:20pm.

Crime

Prison bosses dismiss assault rumours against Southport killer

Published

3 hours ago

January 27, 2025

Staff Writer

PRISON authorities have denied claims circulating on social media that Axel Rudakubana, the Southport killer convicted of murdering three young girls, has been attacked while in custody. The rumours, which gained traction after the circulation of a voice note on Sunday (Jan 26), alleged that the 18-year-old was assaulted by two inmates at HMP Manchester, where he is serving his sentence.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice firmly dismissed the allegations, stating: “Reports of Axel Rudakubana being attacked in prison are inaccurate. He has not been attacked.”

Rudakubana, originally from Cardiff but residing in the Lancashire village of Banks for the past decade, was sentenced on Thursday to a minimum of 52 years behind bars. His crimes, described as among the most extreme and shocking in recent history, included the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, as well as the attempted murder of ten others. The brutal attack took place on July 29 last year at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.

During sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court, Mr Justice Goose outlined the horrifying details of Rudakubana’s calculated and violent actions. “He walked straight into the building, up the stairs to where he could hear the sound of happy children. His intention was clear: to murder as many of them as he physically could.”

Over a harrowing 15 minutes, Rudakubana fatally attacked three children, severely injured eight others, and wounded two adults who attempted to intervene. The judge highlighted the unrelenting nature of his violence: “After the other children escaped, he remained in the upstairs room, where he returned to attack two of the youngest victims, stabbing them multiple times. His actions demonstrated a determined intention to cause maximum suffering.”

Mr Justice Goose condemned Rudakubana’s actions as “the most extreme, shocking and exceptionally serious crime.” The judge noted that the carnage could have been even worse if not for the bravery of those who escaped and intervened.

Rudakubana’s case has left a community in mourning and sparked national outrage. As he begins his decades-long sentence, the Ministry of Justice has assured the public that he is being closely monitored and that claims of an attack on him in prison are baseless.