News
Economic forum discusses regional development success
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2.jpeg)
SUPPORTING rural businesses remains one of the most important challenges in realising the potential of Mid and West Wales, Senedd Member Eluned Morgan told a group of industry leaders who gathered in Pembrokeshire recently.
The meeting updated on the progress made since the publication of Senedd Member Eluned Morgan’s influential Time to Meet the Challenge rural development strategy. Published in 2017, the document set several priorities to propel the economy of rural Mid and West Wales, whilst meeting the unique challenges that impact our coastal and rural communities.
The 2017 report set out a 6-point plan addressing a number of issues:
- BUILDING ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF RURAL WALES
- INCREASING RURAL WALES’ SKILLS AND PRODUCTIVITY
- GROWING OUR BUSINESSES
- PROMOTING FOOD, FARMING AND FORESTRY
- USING THE FOUNDATIONAL ECONOMY TO ENSURE LOCAL JOBS ARE PROVIDED FOR LOCAL PEOPLE
- MAXIMISING TOURISM POTENTIAL
Over the last 6 months, Eluned Morgan and her team have reviewed progress against the proposals of the original report. The meeting held at Blackpool Mill near Pembrokeshire’s Bluestone resort was attended by some of the prime contributors to the original report, including William McNamara (Bluestone), Eirwen Williams (Menter a Busnes), Elinor Williams (Ofcom) and Stephen Thornton (Milford Haven Enterprise Zone) to take stock of delivery and assess where the next focus for delivery needs to be set.
Significantly, economic and political factors such as the upheaval of leaving the European Union, the shift in resourcing to manage the Covid-19 pandemic, more recent higher interest rates and massive inflationary pressures have had a detrimental impact on making as much economic headway, as hoped.
However, against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, Eluned Morgan MS reported that in spite of these challenges, the delivery review showcased substantial achievements in infrastructure, skills and productivity improvement, business nurturing, agricultural promotion, and harnessing the potential of the foundational economy and tourism.
Eluned Morgan said “Despite the fact that the economy of rural Wales has been battered by strong economic headwinds, it is heartening to find that there are countless examples in the updated document, which set out how economic transformation is underway in rural Wales.”
In 2017, there were hardly any Electric Vehicle chargers, but today, thanks to a multi-million pound investment by Welsh Government, there now 670 in the Mid and West Wales region. The development of a uniquely Welsh free port in south west Wales, underpinned by a £26 million investment by Welsh Government will create new jobs and investment opportunities at an important time for securing Wales’ position in offshore renewable energy generation.
William McNamara, CEO of Bluestone National Park Resort, said: “We were very pleased to welcome the committee to Black Pool Mill for such an important meeting. Businesses in rural Wales are a crucial part of Wales’ overall economy. They not only support jobs, they are the backbone of the rural economy and communities.
“Quite often our voice is lost amidst the urban areas of South Wales and so having a chance to highlight our views and discuss the economic matters that affect businesses and communities in rural Wales is vitally important.”
Since 2019, the Rural Bursary has helped to nurture young entrepreneurs in rural Wales. Mentoring support enables young people to find their feet in establishing their own business, ensuring that we retain next generation in our villages and small towns. For those seeking to study, financial assistance is in place to support students for their degree-related expenses, this year £100,000 has been awarded to students from rural areas.
The Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme is providing flexibility to local authorities to prioritise support for towns in need, leading to significant benefits for seaside towns. Moreover, the Welsh Government’s response to the discontinuation of the UK Government’s Coastal Communities Fund involved allocating £6 million over two financial years (2021-23) to bolster economic development and regeneration in coastal areas, focusing on job creation, protection, and high street rejuvenation.
In 2022, the Welsh Government announced a £1million investment in the Food and Drink Development Centre to support the development of the hydroponics industry in Wales with backing for projects in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.
The Welsh Government has also offered funding for the development of extra care facilities and care hubs in rural areas. As an example, the Tŷ Gwyn Extra Care Facility in Ceredigion. Community housing organisations receive support and funding from the Welsh Government to take a lead role in developing these facilities.
The 2017 document laid the foundations for Welsh Labour’s Rural Manifesto published in the lead up to the 2021 election which placed a focus on supporting the rural economy across all departments and which has formed part of the current programme for government.
Community
Public reminded to stay away from Ward’s Yard and Criterion Quay
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/port.jpg)
THE PORT of Milford Haven is reminding members of the public to stay away from Ward’s Yard in Milford Haven and Criterion Quay (sometimes known as the offshore jetty) in Pembroke Dock due to concerns over public safety.
Despite significant security measures, people continue to access the sites illegally, ignoring and sometimes damaging the onsite signage and fences.
Niall Yeomans, Head of Health, Safety and Security at the Port of Milford Haven said: “Safety is our key priority. Members of the public are continuously putting themselves and members of our team at risk of serious harm by trespassing in these areas.”
“Both Ward’s Yard and Criterion Quay are unsafe for public access. They are isolated areas next to deep water and are susceptible to slips, trips and falls.”
Both sites are owned by the Port of Milford Haven and are private property. Anyone found onsite without consent is trespassing, and any criminal damage could result in prosecution.
Anyone who sees any suspicious activity at Ward’s Yard or Criterion Quay is asked to contact Dyfed Powys Police on 101 urgently.
Crime
‘Sophisticated’ organised crime gang trafficked cocaine and cannabis to Aberystwyth
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/aber.jpg)
FIVE people have been found guilty or admitted to conspiring to supply cocaine and cannabis as Dyfed-Powys Police continues its efforts to dismantle organised crime gangs.
Officers seized cocaine with a street value of more than £400,000 from gang members, who continually changed tactics to avoid arrest.
Six defendants have appeared in court in the latest phase of Dyfed-Powys Police’s Operation Burleigh, which sought to disrupt the trafficking and onward supply of class A and B drugs into Aberystwyth, with all but one admitting their charges or being found guilty by a jury.
This brings the total number of people awaiting sentence under the operation to 15.
The court heard that officers from Dyfed-Powys Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Team and Ceredigion Priority Policing Team led the investigation into the OCG, which was described as ‘sophisticated, well-organised and evolving’.
Detective Sergeant Steven Jones said: “This conspiracy operated on a County Lines model, where controlled drugs are trafficked into a smaller rural town from a larger city, and the operation is controlled by one or more ‘drugs lines’.
“In this case there were a total of four lines controlling the supply of cocaine and cannabis within Aberystwyth.
“The conspirators frequently evolved their actions to frustrate the authorities and evade capture.”
The OCG embedded members were mainly asylum seekers brought to Aberystwyth by Toana Ahmad and another man who remains outstanding, with the sole purpose of dealing drugs. The drug lines were initially based in Swansea, and later in areas of Birmingham.
Three properties – on Terrace Road, Alexander Road and Parc Graig Glas – were identified early in the investigation as being used to house the OCG members embedded in Aberystwyth. Substantial amounts of cash, controlled drugs and weapons were recovered from these properties, and from the people found inside.
When arrests were made, the gang changed its tactics. Drugs began to be supplied from vehicles, and OCG members stayed in guest houses to avoid detection.
DS Jones added: “Trusted couriers were employed to transport drugs to Aberystwyth and cash back to Birmingham or Swansea. A number of vehicles, including taxis, were used as the gang attempted to avoid detection along the route, while trains were also taken when courier cars were stopped by officers.”
In June 2023, two vehicles travelling from the West Midlands towards Aberystwyth were stopped by police on consecutive days. A black sock was uncovered in the engine of the first car, which was found to contain 82g of high purity cocaine divided into 169 grip seal plastic bags.
Davinder Singh, who previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A and class B drugs, was the driver of the second vehicle, which was a taxi. A blue plastic bag was seen falling out of his shorts, which contained over 81g of high purity cocaine divided into 167 grip seal bags.
DS Jones said: “On the basis that the amounts of cocaine transported over the 37 couriers over the course of the conspiracy period were similar, over 3kg of cocaine would have been conveyed to Aberystwyth from Birmingham.
“This equates to class A drugs with a potential street value of over £308,950. In addition to this, class A drugs were seized from individuals and addresses with a potential street value of £103,445, along with cash totalling £11,687.
“A number of teams and departments across Dyfed-Powys Police, from analysts, CCTV operators and priority policing teams, to CAB, the Technical Support Unit, Economic Crime Team and Force Intelligence Bureau all assisted in dismantling the OCG from top to bottom.
“Their dedication and relentless efforts have assisted in making Aberystwyth a safer place to live without the threat and harm of drugs being made easily available on the street.”
After a seven-week trial at Swansea Crown Court earlier this year, the following three defendants were found guilty for their parts in the conspiracy:
- Toana Ahmad, aged 33, of Lee Gardens in Smethwich, West Midlands
- Barzan Sarhan, aged 31, of no fixed address
- Ahmed Piro, aged 26, of no fixed address
The jury failed to reach a verdict on two defendants during the earlier trial. They have been subject to a retrial starting on July 1, with the following outcomes:
- Hawre Ahmed, aged 35, of Pinderfields Road, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, was found guilty by the jury of conspiracy to supply Class A and B controlled drugs.
- Diar Yousef Zeabari, aged 35, of Flat 5, 41 Bryn Road, Swansea, was found not guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A and B controlled drugs.
Karwan Karim, aged 39 of 125 Griffith John Street, Swansea, also stood trial, and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A and B controlled drugs on day three.
In addition to the OCG members found guilty during the most recent trials, the following have previously pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to supply class A and class B drugs under Operation Burleigh:
- Davinder Singh, aged 36, of Huntingdon Road, West Bromwich
- Daban Khalil, aged 23, of Streetly Road, Birmingham
- Kastro Omar, aged 30, of Junction Road, Northampton
- Karwan Jabari, aged 26, of Weedon Close, Northampton
- Walid Younis Abdal, aged 34, of St Anne’s Road, Doncaster
- Saman Aziz, aged 41, of Kirk Road, Merseyside
- Adel Mustafa, aged 39, of Hubert Road, Newport
- Charlotte Roberts, aged 21, of Sutton Hill, Telford
The following have previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs:
- Akasha Smith, aged 24, of Third Avenue, Aberystwyth
- Luqman Jarjis, aged 21, of Wake Green Road, Birmingham
News
Community asked for views on allocation of new St Davids homes
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Glasfryn3-scaled-e1721980963591.jpg)
THE FIRST phase of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Glasfryn housing development in St Davids is progressing well with the second phase also underway.
The development being built by GRD Homes Ltd, began in November 2023, with a first phase completion date of Winter 2024 looking hopeful, ahead of the scheduled plans.
The first phase consists of seven properties, including a mixture of one and two bedroom bungalows
As completion draws closer the properties will be advertised via Pembrokeshire Choice Homes.
Ahead of this, the Council’s housing team will be holding community engagement on the 13th August 2024 at the Ty’r Pererin Centres, Quickwell Hill, St Davids, SA62 6PD, 5pm-7pm.
This will be a chance for officers to liaise with the local community about the allocation process for these properties.
Glasfryn’s second phase is well underway, with the initial groundwork already completed. This phase includes a further 11 two bedroom bungalows, with a completion date in late 2025.
These bungalows will meet the latest Welsh Government’s Development Quality Requirement, and will be energy efficient, built to EPC A specification and include solar panels to help tenants with running costs.
The Glasfryn development is funded in partnership with Welsh Government.
Cabinet Member for Housing Cllr Michelle Bateman said: “We are really keen to work with the community on a local lettings policy for these new properties, as we have done for our developments in other parts of the County.”
If you have any queries please email the Customer Liaison Team on [email protected], phone them on 01437 764551, or visit Housing’s Facebook page.
-
Education5 days ago
Milford Tesco worker achieves Oxford dream and lands top legal job
-
Crime4 days ago
Haverfordwest man admits having nearly 1000 child and animal images
-
Crime4 days ago
Youth set to appear in court over serious sexual offences
-
Crime4 days ago
Police investigating after man injured during altercation in cemetery
-
Education4 days ago
Pupils delight in ice cream treat from Pembrokeshire’s number one van
-
Crime4 days ago
Town centre ‘stinking of skunk’ as police strip cannabis farm
-
Crime3 days ago
Fag-butt police court summonses spark debate in Pembrokeshire
-
News6 days ago
Proposal to give firefighters a council tax discount to go to Cabinet