News

Plans advance for introduction of automatic voter registration in Wales

Published

2 years ago

February 7, 2024

PLANS to introduce automatic voter registration in Wales moved a step closer as proposed legislation cleared its first hurdle in the Senedd.

Mick Antoniw said the Elections and Elected Bodies bill is an important step in reducing the democratic deficit in Wales and developing an electoral system fit for the 21st century.

If the bill becomes law, Welsh ministers will use the new powers to pilot adding eligible voters to the electoral register without the need to submit an application.

Mr Antoniw – who is counsel general, the Welsh Government’s chief legal adviser – stressed the importance of protecting vulnerable voters through anonymous registration.

He confirmed voters would be given 45 days’ notice to opt out or request to be registered anonymously, adding that a communications campaign would accompany any rollout.

He said implementation would coincide with the removal of the current open register.

The bill would create an electoral management board to oversee elections and a new online voter information programme which may include candidate statements.

It also proposes measures to increase diversity in Senedd and council elections, including resettlement payments for councillors who are voted out by the public.

John Griffiths, who chairs the Senedd’s local government committee, called for amendments to ensure the independence of the new electoral management board.

The board would sit under the soon-to-be renamed and repurposed Local Democracy and Boundary Commission, a Welsh Government-sponsored body.

Mr Griffiths said evidence to the committee, which produced a stage-one report on the bill, overwhelmingly supported the principle of automatic registration.

Calling for more safeguards, he said: “We feel strongly that, ultimately, automatic registration should only be implemented if the safety of vulnerable electors is guaranteed.”

The Labour MS for Newport East raised concerns that people who want to register anonymously will be required to provide evidence and review their application every year.

Mr Griffiths said: “Providing such evidence could be difficult for vulnerable people as it could be a reminder of traumatic experiences.”

He warned that if the process is too onerous, people could choose to opt out.

Sam Rowlands, the Tories’ shadow local government minister, said his party would back the bill at this stage but that support could be withdrawn if concerns are not addressed.

Raising the importance of choice, he pointed out that a majority of people in Wales have opted not to take part in every Senedd election since the dawn of devolution.

Mr Rowlands highlighted concerns from the Women’s Equality Network which has warned that even a closed register could pose a danger to the survivors of domestic abuse.

The former Conwy council leader said: “There is a risk that needs to be handled with the utmost sensitivity and this needs to be a core consideration of this bill.”

He also flagged RNIB Cymru’s concerns about the removal of existing provisions that ensure polling stations enable blind and partially sighted people to vote independently.

Plaid Cymru’s Sioned Williams and Labour’s Carolyn Thomas called for more financial support to enable those with caring responsibilities to stand for election.

Adam Price argued the bill – one of a trio of election-related bills to be considered by the Senedd this year – will strengthen Wales’ democracy.

“It’s very timely as it is 25 years since the creation of this Senedd,” said the former Plaid Cymru leader. “And in a year when the highest-ever percentage of the population of the globe, 40%, will be voting in elections – that’s four billion people.”

Mr Price, who represents Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, said the automatic registration will hopefully get more people to participate in Wales’ democratic processes.

He welcomed the bill’s provisions on under-represented groups, saying: “We can’t do our work of representing the people unless all people are represented.”

The ex-MP suggested Plaid Cymru could introduce amendments to tackle other challenges to democracy such as misinformation and the abuse of women in politics.

MSs unanimously agreed to the bill’s general principles and financial resolution, dispensing with the need for a vote following the debate on February 6.

The bill now moves to stage two which will see members consider detailed amendments.

Community

Fresh concern after new animal shootings in Milford Haven

Published

2 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

RSPCA says police are also investigating after further reports in same town

FRESH concerns have been raised in Milford Haven following reports of new animal shootings in the town.

The RSPCA has confirmed it is aware of further incidents and said Dyfed-Powys Police are also believed to be involved.

An RSPCA spokesperson said: “This is concerning and our hearts go out to anyone who has been affected by these incidents.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact the RSPCA appeals line number on 0300 123 8018 and refer to incident number 01751732 or please contact the police who are also investigating.”

The latest reports follow earlier incidents in the Hakin area, where cats and wildlife were targeted with an air gun.

Earlier this month, the RSPCA issued an appeal after a cat died after being shot for a second time. A pigeon was also put to sleep after being found with an airgun pellet injury, while several cats had previously been shot in the area.

The charity said anyone caught deliberately using an air gun to injure an animal can face up to five years in prison and an unlimited fine under the Animal Welfare Act.

Deliberately injuring or killing wild birds is also a criminal offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

The RSPCA added that cats and wildlife are particularly vulnerable because they are often outside with nobody to protect them.

Anyone with information should contact the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018, quoting incident number 01751732, or contact Dyfed-Powys Police.

Farming

Anna Nicholl MS calls on Welsh Government to value farmers as equal partners

Published

2 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CEREDIGION Penfro MS Anna Nicholl has welcomed the Welsh Government’s broad ambition to strengthen rural resilience and sustainability, but has warned that farmers and local communities must be involved in shaping the detail if policies are to work in practice.

Speaking during a Senedd debate on June 23, Ms Nicholl referred to a recent visit to a farm in Pembrokeshire with the Farmers’ Union of Wales, where she heard first-hand about the significant challenges facing the sector.

She highlighted examples of farms working with Farming Connect to reduce emissions, boost biodiversity and increase profits at the same time.

Ms Nicholl welcomed some of the Government’s stated priorities, including tackling bovine TB, reforming nitrate vulnerable zone regulations and cutting red tape, saying they had given the industry “fresh hope”.

But she pressed ministers on how they would work with farmers when drawing up the detail of future policy.

In response, the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability said the Sustainable Farming Scheme was being refined following feedback, with an emphasis on working with the sector, making the system easier to navigate and offering greater long-term certainty.

Ms Nicholl said: “It’s clear that change is needed to respond to the climate and nature crises, but that change must happen with our rural communities, not against them.

“It’s not just farming that matters here – it’s about keeping our food system strong, supporting local businesses, and securing jobs in our rural areas.

“Farmers in Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire want to see a system that is fair, simple to navigate, and provides real financial security, while also tackling the nature and climate crisis.

“It’s positive to hear that the Government is talking about less bureaucracy and more partnership. I look forward to seeing that happen in practice now.”

Photo caption: Anna Nicholl MS, Member of the Senedd for Ceredigion Penfro, on a farm visit in north Pembrokeshire arranged by the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

Local Government

Tenby Spectacular row continues as organisers say key question remains unanswered

Published

2 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Round Table says legal clarity over pedestrian access is still holding up event plan

TENBY ROUND TABLE has welcomed Pembrokeshire County Council’s statement that it wants the Tenby Summer Spectacular to go ahead, but says one key legal question remains unanswered.

The council said on Wednesday (Jun 24) that it had not requested or directed that the event should be cancelled, and that it wanted to see the Spectacular proceed if safety requirements could be met.

But organisers say they are still waiting for a detailed response from council officers on how pedestrian access to the licensed event area at Tenby Harbour can be lawfully managed.

Tenby Round Table said volunteer members were “working tirelessly” to prepare the information needed to finalise the Event Management Plan.

However, it said the final version could not be completed until the question of lawful pedestrian access had been answered by Pembrokeshire County Council.

In a statement, Tenby Round Table said: “We welcome Cllr Miller’s statement. We obviously share his desire to see these events go ahead, they are important for the community and for the charities that benefit from them.

“We would like to clarify the position of where we are in the process however. Volunteer members of Tenby Round Table are working tirelessly to prepare all the information required to finalise our Event Management Plan.

“The reason we cannot produce the final version of this is the one outstanding question, how pedestrian access to the licensed event area will be lawfully managed, which only PCC can answer.

“A detailed response to this, backed up with a legal framework, is what we have been waiting for nine months for from PCC.”

Round Table said its most recent email on the issue was sent on Monday and had not yet been acknowledged or answered.

It said that email was itself chasing a response which had already passed an extended deadline.

The statement added: “This response is the single most important element currently holding up our EMP submission and our ability to confirm the events can proceed.

“We would very much welcome Cllr Miller’s and Cllr Skyrme-Blackhall’s encouragement of the relevant PCC officers to respond by the deadline set, as to date this press release has been our only communication from PCC since our announcement.”

Earlier, Pembrokeshire County Council Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller said the authority had supported the Spectacular for nearly 15 years and had not sought its cancellation.

He said: “The Spectacular is a much-loved event with significant number of attendees. As a result, we have an important duty to make sure the event can take place safely to address the concerns formally raised by the Responsible Authorities under the Licensing Act, which include the blue light services.

“Tenby Harbour is a working harbour and a key community asset – and just as every year this event needs to be licensed, and the organisers need to provide important information on how they plan to safely manage the event.”

Cllr Miller added: “As a council, we very much want this event to go ahead but we have to make sure the event is safe for the public, with the right safety measures in place.

“Once the organisers provide the required information, the Licensing Sub-Committee, currently scheduled for July, will consider the event application, in exactly the same way they consider the large number of other events which occur across Pembrokeshire each year.”

Local member Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall also said she wanted to see the Spectaculars go ahead.

She said: “It is important for locals and visitors alike to celebrate Tenby, have fun and raise money for worthy causes.

“I am really encouraged from meetings that I have had with senior officers that everyone is ready to do all that they can to enable these events to go ahead.”

The future of this year’s Tenby Spectaculars now appears to rest on whether the outstanding legal question over pedestrian access can be resolved in time for organisers to submit their final Event Management Plan ahead of the Licensing Sub-Committee hearing expected in July.