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Politics

Standing ovation for Mark Drakeford as outgoing FM gives resignation speech

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SENEDD members from across the political divide paid tribute to Mark Drakeford as he officially resigned after five years as Wales’ first minister.

Fighting back tears, Mark Drakeford said the past 12 months since the loss of his wife Clare have been the hardest and saddest of his life.

He said: “People will not see … those small acts of kindness that happen every day from people in every part of this chamber to help someone to get through very difficult times.

“We debate vigorously and with a conviction of our own beliefs. But as human beings in this chamber we are always, I believe, among friends.”

The outgoing first minister received a standing ovation from all sides of the chamber following his resignation statement on March 19.

He said he took over while Wales was still in the grip of austerity, with a “bad deal” Brexit, devastating storms, the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis to follow.

Mr Drakeford, who will today submit his resignation to the King, pointed out he has worked with four different prime ministers and five chancellors during his time as first minister.

He told the chamber: “The turbulence we have seen abroad has been matched by the political turbulence closer to home.

“There have been changes here too – I’ve answered questions from six party leaders over the last five years and my term has spanned both a Senedd election and the development of a cooperation agreement.

“My aim throughout my time as first minister has been to use the mandate my party and my government secured to keep the promises we made to people across Wales.”

Mr Drakeford told the chamber change is always challenging but he has strived to do things which are difficult today to benefit generations to come.

The former university lecturer said: “If you set out to be a radical, reforming government then you have to be prepared for opposition.

“No ground was ever gained without a struggle for a progressive cause.

“Even when the case for change is so clear or the object of change so apparently innocuous, there will always be vested interests – some of them benign, others determined not to surrender their own positions of power and privilege.

“This has been a feature of my time as first minister.”

Mr Drakeford, who has been on the frontline of Welsh politics since the dawn of devolution, said the first major decision he faced was whether to proceed with an M4 relief road.

He told MSs: “The easy decision would have been to say ‘go ahead’.

“Powerful voices were lined up in support of it. My decision – having spent many, many days reading and thinking about it – was that that was not in the long-term interests of Wales.

“Even in these past couple of weeks the debates we have been having about reforming council tax, the school year, eliminating profit from the care of looked-after children – every one of those will be opposed.

“But if you are in the business of progressive politics and using the opportunity that comes your way, your job is to stick to the things you believe will make the greatest difference.”

Andrew RT Davies praised the outgoing first minister’s ability to empathise with communities the length and breadth of Wales.

The leader of the Conservative group in the Senedd thanked Mr Drakeford for his leadership during the darkest hours of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said: “You have brought such dedication and professionalism.”

Rhun ap Iorwerth hailed Mr Drakeford’s willingness to engage constructively.

The Plaid Cymru leader said: “We all have come to appreciate that he has been without doubt, a dedicated public servant and a serious first minister for serious times.”

Jane Dodds quoted Kirsty Williams, the former Lib-Dem education minister, as describing Mr Drakeford as a “tough opponent but the very best of colleagues”.

Ms Dodds, the Lib Dems’ leader in Wales, said: “You have raised the bar in terms of your intellect, in terms of challenge and I wish you well for the future.”

Mr Drakeford, who has confirmed he plans to stand down as Cardiff West MS at the 2026 election, told members he will continue to play his part from the backbenches.

He said he will work with his successor to safeguard the “beliefs and values of the great Welsh radical tradition” to ensure it remains relevant to the nature of today’s Wales.

Closing the statement, he said: “I’m grateful to all those people who help, I’m grateful to all colleagues here but I’m most grateful of all to the people who we are lucky enough to serve.”

News

Hundreds of Pembrokeshire Council Tax defaulters in court next week

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HAVERFORDWEST Magistrates’ Court will hear cases against hundreds of defendants next week as Pembrokeshire County Council seeks liability orders for unpaid council tax and non-domestic rates.

The session, scheduled for Monday (Mar 17) at 10:00am, will see a block of cases between 12:00pm and 1:00pm dedicated to council tax disputes. The council is applying for liability orders under regulation 34 of the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992.

A total of 341 defendants are listed for non-payment of council tax, while a further 18 cases relate to unpaid non-domestic rates under Regulation 12 of the Non-Domestic Rating (Collection and Enforcement) (Local Lists) Regulations 1989.

Liability orders allow the council to take further enforcement action, which may include deductions from wages or benefits, bailiff action, or bankruptcy proceedings.

The Herald will provide further updates following the hearing.

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News

Reimburse charities for NI rise, say Welsh Conservatives

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CHARITIES not-for-profits, and voluntary organisations in Wales face mounting financial strain due to an increase in employer National Insurance (NI) contributions, prompting calls for government intervention.

The UK Labour Government’s decision to raise employer NI contributions has drawn sharp criticism from the Welsh Conservatives, who warn that the move will place an undue burden on charities and voluntary groups. While public sector bodies such as the NHS and local councils will receive compensation for the additional costs, charities providing essential services under local authority contracts will not be reimbursed.

A survey by the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) found that 84% of voluntary organisations are concerned about how they will manage the NI increase.

Senedd debate on reimbursement

Next week, the Welsh Conservatives will bring forward a Senedd debate urging the Welsh Labour Government to press Westminster for financial support for Welsh charities, not-for-profits, and voluntary organisations. The motion argues these groups should be classified under the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) definition of public sector employees to qualify for reimbursement.

Welsh Conservative Shadow Secretary for Economy, Energy, and Welsh Language, Samuel Kurtz MS, said:

“Welsh charities, not-for-profits, and voluntary organisations play a vital role in delivering public services that the most vulnerable in society depend upon.

“Labour’s decision to increase employer National Insurance contributions will have a detrimental impact on the future and viability of these organisations.

“The Welsh Conservatives are clear: Labour must ensure that Welsh charities, not-for-profits, and voluntary organisations are reimbursed for this rise in employer National Insurance contributions.”

Sector voices concern

The WCVA has also warned that the NI increase could put crucial community services at risk.

A WCVA spokesperson said: “WCVA is deeply concerned about the impact of increased Employers’ National Insurance contributions on voluntary sector organisations across Wales. Many of these organisations already face significant financial pressures, and this increase threatens to put additional strain on their resources and potentially jeopardise vital services delivered to communities.

“We have strongly urged both the UK and Welsh Governments to recognise the invaluable role the voluntary sector plays, especially in partnership with public services. We believe it is critical for voluntary organisations delivering public services to be treated equitably and included in any financial support measures, ensuring they are not disproportionately disadvantaged by these policy changes.

“WCVA welcomes the debate in the Senedd and hopes it will lead to productive discussions and practical solutions to protect the voluntary sector’s essential contribution to Welsh society.”

Motion to be debated

The Senedd motion, set for debate next week, states:

  • Notes the UK Government’s increase to employer National Insurance contributions, coming into effect for the 2025-26 tax year.
  • Recognises the detrimental impact the increase will have on Welsh charities, not-for-profits, and voluntary organisations.
  • Calls on the Welsh Government to make urgent representations to the UK Government to ensure that these organisations delivering public services are included in the ONS-defined public sector category and are reimbursed for the rise in employer National Insurance contributions.

The debate will determine whether Welsh Labour will push for financial support to shield the voluntary sector from these additional costs.

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News

Local Authority is ‘hoarding cash’ as Council Tax rises by 9.35%, says MS

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DEMANDS FOR REFORM AS COUNCIL’S £83 MILLION RESERVES REVEALED

PEMBROKESHIRE residents are bracing for a 9.35% council tax rise, despite local authorities across Wales holding more than £2 billion in reserves. The increase, among the highest in Wales, comes as families struggle with soaring living costs and a series of consecutive tax hikes.

Paul Davies MS: Welsh Government should do more to help keep Council Tax as low as possible (Image: File)

Local Senedd Member Paul Davies has called for urgent reform, criticising the Welsh Government’s Local Government Funding Formula and urging councils to use their reserves to ease the burden on taxpayers.

‘UNFAIR AND UNSUSTAINABLE’

Mr Davies said: “Under the Welsh Government, the Local Government Funding Formula remains broken.

“It cannot be right that people in Pembrokeshire face such a huge increase in their council tax while councils across Wales are sitting on over £2 billion in usable reserves.

“The Welsh Government must do more to keep council tax as low as possible by encouraging the use of reserves, improving efficiency within councils, and promoting the sharing of resources across council boundaries.”

CALLS FOR CHANGE

The Welsh Conservatives have consistently opposed large council tax increases, calling for an independent review of the Local Government Funding Formula. They argue that councils should:

  • Use reserves to reduce tax rises.
  • Improve efficiency by cutting unnecessary spending.
  • Increase cooperation between councils to share services and lower costs.

RISING RESERVES, RISING BILLS

For years, Pembrokeshire had the lowest council tax in Wales, but after a 12.5% rise in 2024-25, it has surged significantly. Despite this, Pembrokeshire County Council holds £82.6 million in usable reserves, equivalent to 28.4% of its annual service expenditure.

In 2016-17, the council held just £47 million in reserves, rising to £83 million in 2021-22. Critics argue that this surplus should be used to relieve financial pressures rather than imposing further tax hikes.

With councils under fire for hoarding cash while demanding more from residents, pressure is mounting on the Welsh Government to overhaul funding and prevent further unaffordable rises.

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