Fears Wales’ national collections could be at risk due to budget cuts

Published

10 months ago

March 21, 2024

THE SENEDD has backed calls to keep free entry to museums amid concerns that Welsh Government budget cuts risk endangering Wales’ national collections.

Heledd Fychan warned a maintenance backlog of tens of millions of pounds has deteriorated to such an extent that the National Museum Cardiff is fearful it could be forced to close.

The Plaid Cymru MS told the chamber that failing a mechanical, electrical and plumbing inspection would mean closing the museum, partly or fully, for an undefined time.

She said: “We’ve been shown photos of priceless collections next to buckets overflowing with water. We’ve been warned about outdated electrics and inadequate storerooms.”

Ms Fychan drew parallels with Brazil, saying 92% of the country’s collections were lost in an avoidable fire after curators’ warnings were ignored and the museum was underfunded.

The South Wales Central MS criticised job losses during the debate on a cross-party motion, co-submitted by Tom Giffard and Jane Dodds for the Tories and Lib Dems respectively.

She said culture institutions are all going through redundancy programmes, meaning vital skills are already being lost, with no time to put succession plans in place.

“And worst of all, the Welsh Government is helping to fund these redundancies,” she said.

Ms Fychan expressed alarm about suggestions free entry to national museums could end, saying the policy has been a success since it was introduced under Rhodri Morgan in 2001.

Raising concerns about the long-term impact of cuts, she pointed to an article by Andrew Green, a former chief librarian, entitled ‘Why is the Welsh Government at war with culture?’.

Mr Green wrote that people should be “deeply worried by a government whose members can’t manage to grasp the critical importance of maintaining and improving state support”.

Plaid Cymru’s shadow culture minister also quoted Pedr ap Llwyd, who retired as the National Library’s chief executive on Friday, as warning of a “gap in the political will”.

She said: “Our culture and our heritage matter. They aren’t something nice to have when times are good; they are a vital part of our nation.”

Tom Giffard, the Conservatives’ shadow minister, raised concerns about “disproportionate” budget cuts, questioning why the arts and culture sector has borne the brunt.

Mr Giffard accused Welsh ministers of “hiding” behind the arm’s-length body principle to avoid responsibility for decisions instead made around the cabinet table.

Sioned Williams, the Plaid Cymru MS for South Wales West, said Amgueddfa Cymru and the National Library of Wales are facing an existential crisis.

She said: “The warning is clear. If we don’t support the calls in the motion before us, the price for the future of our nation will be one that we cannot afford to pay.”

Mike Hedges, a Labour backbencher, who represents Swansea East, said it is important that cuts do not endanger the collections due to unsuitable spaces or a lack of specialist staff.

But he told MSs: “We also need to realise we cannot keep on spending more money … let’s find places to save and let’s prioritise things – if everything’s a priority, nothing is.”

Delyth Jewell, who chairs the Senedd’s culture committee, said Amgueddfa Cymru staff often come in at night to move art from the walls and place buckets to catch rainwater.

Dawn Bowden, the deputy minister for arts, recognised the challenges Amgueddfa Cymru and the National Library of Wales face in maintaining ageing buildings.

She said Amgueddfa Cymru has received £5m and the National Library £2m, which is being kept in the next financial year to address the most pressing maintenance concerns.

Ms Bowden told the Senedd she commissioned an independent review of the collections’ management last year and it is due to report this month.

Criticising Prof Llwyd’s “somewhat disingenuous” comments about a lack of political will, Ms Bowden said he had ample opportunity to put his concerns to her but did not.

She stressed that she does not want Amgueddfa Cymru to charge for entry but, in a crisis, every avenue of income generation at its disposal must be explored.

The motion was agreed 27-16 following the debate on March 20, with seven MSs abstaining and some support from the Labour backbenches.

Council Tax Premium set to increase for long-term empty properties

Published

7 hours ago

January 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has approved a significant change to the council tax premium on long-term empty properties, aiming to address housing shortages and community impacts.

Starting April 1, 2025, a single premium rate of 300 per cent will be applied to all properties that have been empty for two years or more. This replaces the previous system of incremental increases.

Councillor Joshua Beynon, cabinet member for corporate finance and efficiencies, said:
“The premium is in place to encourage the return of properties into use as much-needed homes in Pembrokeshire and to reduce the impact of empty homes on the communities around them.”

Details of the premium

The premium is an addition to the standard council tax charge and applies across all three elements:

Pembrokeshire County Council
Police and Crime Commissioner
Town and Community Councils

Exemptions and discounts

Property owners undergoing renovations can apply for a council tax exemption if their property requires major repair works or structural alterations. This exemption allows the property to be tax-free for up to 12 months.

If the exemption has already been granted, owners may apply for a discretionary discount, which can be awarded up to the value of the long-term empty property premium. However, the standard council tax charge remains payable in these cases.

Applicants must provide written details of the required works, supported by photographic evidence. Each application is assessed on its individual merits, and the discretionary discount is typically limited to a maximum of 12 months.

National Empty Homes Grant Scheme

Pembrokeshire County Council is also taking part in the National Empty Homes Grant Scheme, which offers grants of up to £25,000 to owners of eligible empty properties. This funding aims to bring more properties back into use and alleviate housing pressures in the county.

For more information about the grant, visit the National Empty Homes Grant website.
To apply for a council tax discount, contact Revenue Services via:

Email: [email protected]
Post: Revenue Services, County Hall, Haverfordwest, SA61 1TP

News

Petition demanding resignation of Neyland councillor sparks public outcry

Published

1 day ago

January 11, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A PETITION demanding the immediate resignation of Neyland Town Councillor Mike Harry has taken centre stage ahead of an extraordinary council meeting scheduled for Thursday, January 16. The petition, started by Nicholas Wilson, accuses Cllr Harry of breaching the council’s code of conduct by making derogatory remarks about constituents in an email circulated to all town councillors.

In the email, Cllr Harry referred to some constituents as “degenerates” and “cronies from the Foresters bar,” remarks that have been labelled offensive and unbecoming of a public representative. The petition has gathered momentum in Neyland, with supporters calling for accountability and demanding higher standards from their councillors. “This kind of language and attitude has no place in our town council,” one petitioner commented.

First meeting since october 2024

The extraordinary meeting marks the first official gathering of Neyland Town Council since October 2024, after months of internal conflict and public disputes among councillors. It will take place at 6:00pm in the Viewing Gallery of Neyland Community Hub, a change from the usual venue due to a Labour Party quiz occupying the main meeting rooms. However, the relocation means there will be no audio-visual support for the meeting.

The agenda for the meeting is notably sparse, with a single item for discussion: council finance, specifically the budget and precept for 2025/26. Despite the narrow focus of the agenda, the meeting is expected to be overshadowed by the ongoing controversy surrounding Cllr Harry and the fallout from his remarks.

Escalating internal tensions

The controversy stems from an email in which Cllr Harry expressed frustration over disputes with colleagues and constituents. In the email, he dismissed critics as an “irrelevant minority” and accused them of spreading “garbage.” He also took aim at a former councillor, claiming they had resigned over a prejudicial interest relating to the construction of the Neyland Community Hub.

These comments have ignited outrage among residents, some of whom are now questioning the culture within the council. The petition has called for Cllr Harry’s removal, arguing that his remarks damage public trust in the council’s ability to serve the community.

Public divisions and Ombudsman’s investigation

Cllr Harry has defended his actions, stating that he is awaiting a decision from the Ombudsman regarding ongoing disputes. He maintains that the allegations against him are unfounded and insists that his comments have been taken out of context.

While his supporters argue that the email reflects frustration amid a difficult period for the council, critics believe the remarks highlight deeper issues within Neyland Town Council. The council has been mired in internal disputes for months, resulting in delays and cancellations of meetings, further fuelling dissatisfaction among residents.

Neyland watches closely

With tensions running high, the upcoming meeting is expected to draw significant public interest. Whether the petition will prompt immediate action or further divide the council remains to be seen. For now, the focus of the meeting is set to be council finances, but the controversy surrounding Cllr Harry is unlikely to be ignored.

The Herald will provide updates on this developing story as the situation unfolds.

News

Ambitious Pembrokeshire wildlife centre plans approved

Published

2 days ago

January 10, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS to modernise the Welsh Wildlife Centre near Cardigan with a new public entrance and a raft of other works which will make it more accessible to all have been approved Pembrokeshire County Council.

The Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales sought permission for a long list of changes at the Welsh Wildlife Centre, Cilgerran, including an extension to the visitor centre building and associated works, with a new public entrance, a new pathway connection, reconfiguration of the vehicle turning area and disabled parking bays, a replacement footbridge, and the introduction of ‘Brise Soleil’ to the south and west.

A supporting statement, by Childs Sulzmann Architects, said: “The visitor centre was built in the 1990s with an award-winning concept design. However, the usability of the building and some elements of its condition have deteriorated over the years, requiring modernisation.

“In particular, access to the visitor centre for people on the approach to the building is confusing and unclear, with external entrance doors provided at each side of the building. For instance, visitors can often be found in the offices on the lower ground floor level by mistake, whilst looking for the shop or café which are provided on the upper floors.”

The Welsh Wildlife Centre welcomes an average of 70,000 visitors per year, the statement saying: “This important local facility and visitor attraction will be enhanced and improved, by providing a clear and legible single entrance to the building, together with re-configured accessible parking bays and a platform lift for wheelchair users and ambulant disabled people to directly access the new public entrance.

“Further improvements to accessibility, which include the new external stairway to the open terrace and public entrance, the widened replacement footbridge and the connecting path to link the accessible parking area with the main footpath to the visitor centre, will contribute to the principles of promoting and providing access for all.”

Plans for a new play area at the Welsh Wildlife Centre near Cardigan were recently approved by Pembrokeshire County Council.

The latest proposals were conditionally approved by county planners.