Politics

Pembrokeshire Council leadership contest a two-horse race

Published

7 months ago

May 1, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

embrokeshire is facing a two-horse race for its leadership, which will be decided in just over a week’s time, with the latest challenger saying he will offer “ambition, dedication, passion, openness and integrity”.

The county council leadership challenge follows current leader Cllr David Simpson officially stating last week he is to step down, with the role’s incumbent decided at the council’s forthcoming Annual General Meeting on May 10.

The first to throw her hat into the ring last week was Pembrokeshire Conservative group leader Councillor Di Clements.

She has now been joined by unaffiliated member Cllr Jon Harvey, a Cabinet member currently serving under Cllr Simpson.

Cllr Harvey, Cabinet Member for Planning & Housing Delivery, and Pembroke St Mary North county councillor officially announced his running this morning, April 30: “It would be an honour and privilege to become the next Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council – a privilege that I do not take lightly and I am committed to serving the residents of Pembrokeshire with ambition, dedication, passion, openness and integrity.

“As a council we need to tackle the crucial issues that define the fabric of our county and the wonderful communities that comprise it. Housing, education, social care and a vibrant economy along with the protection of our natural environment are the keystones on which our residents’ well-being and prosperity rest.

“I am excited and positive about what we can collectively achieve over the coming months and years and how we can build on the successes that the current administration has achieved whilst being very mindful of the need to provide value for money in the delivery of essential services for the Pembrokeshire council tax-payer.

“The successful Celtic Freeport bid and the exciting Green Energy projects in The Haven have the potential to revitalise and expand the Pembrokeshire economy. I will continue to pursue economic development initiatives and foster an environment conducive to entrepreneurship and investment, where jobs can be created, and new businesses attracted.

“There remains a pressing need for affordable housing in Pembrokeshire. Through strategic partnerships and innovative policies, I will work tirelessly to expand housing options to ensure access to quality homes that those in need can afford.

“Our new council house building programme will continue at pace and provide secure, energy efficient homes for those desperately in need of affordable housing.”

Cllr Harvey also said education was “the cornerstone of our future” and in social care “we must strive to uphold the dignity and well-being of every resident, especially the most vulnerable amongst us,” along with working to “build a more inclusive and supportive society where no-one is left behind”.

“I am acutely aware of the extreme difficulties that many in our communities are facing and the need to work cooperatively to alleviate and overcome these.

He added: “I will work to build as much consensus as possible within the council chamber, where we can work with a shared vision for Pembrokeshire, where we can overcome challenges and create a better future for our residents and future generations.

“I want to lead a forward-looking and ambitious administration that builds on the very best our beautiful county provides whilst being completely mindful of the financial challenges we face going forward. As custodians of the public pound, any Cabinet I lead will be committed to ensuring value for money in the services we provide whilst moving with the times to ensure Pembrokeshire is best placed to take advantage of future opportunities.

“We can’t simply sit back and let the challenges we face overwhelm us. We need to work with communities and organisations to create a nurturing environment where opportunities are created, and aspirations raised. We need to create the right conditions for our county to flourish and give hope and opportunity to others. That’s the kind of administration that I want to lead, and I sincerely hope I get the chance to do so.”

Cllr Clements, county councillor for Martletwy and current chair of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, announced her standing last week: “It is with a profound sense of duty and optimism that I put my name forward for leader of Pembrokeshire County Council.

“Our community deserves robust leadership that not only understands our unique challenges but also the immense potential of our beautiful county. I am proud to call Pembrokeshire my home and I am committed to working hard to ensure we as councillors prioritise spending for the betterment of all residents.”

She added: “As your council leader, I pledge to ensure that taxpayer funds are spent wisely and not to shy away from the responsibility of managing council spending.

“We must ensure that every pound is invested in a way that delivers real value and benefits directly to the taxpayers of Pembrokeshire.”

Education

Pembrokeshire free school transport call to be heard at County Hall

Published

12 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to allow school pupils from Johnston and Tiers Cross access to free school transport to the nearby Haverfordwest high school is to be heard by councillors next week.

Due to a change in catchment areas the pupils are no longer able to access free transport to Haverfordwest, instead coming under the Milford Haven catchment area.

A petition calling for the reinstatement of the former catchment area to access free transport for pupils to Haverfordwest was recently started in the county.

The e-petition, which ran from September 18-November 1 on the council’s own website, attracted 351 signatures, meeting the threshold for a debate at the relevant Pembrokeshire County Council overview and scrutiny committee, in this case the Schools And Learning Overview And Scrutiny Committee meeting of November 28.

The petition, started by Kirsty Coaker, reads: “We call on Pembrokeshire County Council to change Johnston and Tiers Cross School Catchment back to Haverfordwest.

“Children of Johnston and Tiers Cross are now ineligible for free school transport to Haverfordwest High due to the areas no longer being in ‘catchment’.

“Both Johnston and Tiers Cross are Haverfordwest postal codes and are classed as Haverfordwest, yet the school catchment is Milford Haven.

“Please help our children access suitable transport to and from secondary school.”

The e-petition will now be considered at the November 28 meeting.

Climate

Pembrokeshire group plans for larger community wind turbine

Published

13 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A NORTH Pembrokeshire group which has raised more than £76,000 from its community wind turbine for local projects is hoping to expand with a bigger turbine.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Abergwaun Community Turbine Ltd, through agent Machynlleth-based Dulas Ltd is hoping to get permission for a larger turbine to replace the existing Abergwaun Community Turbine.

The proposed turbine, in a pasture field at Trebover Farm, to the south of Fishguard, would be 67m tall, the existing 2015 one being 45 metres.

In supporting statements, parent company Transition Bro Gwaun said: “The Community Climate Fund (CCF) is the mechanism by which Transition Bro Gwaun (TBG) is fulfilling our ambition of funding projects in Fishguard, Goodwick and across North Pembrokeshire, using income from the community wind turbine.

“The core themes for grants are climate change mitigation and adaptation, enhancement of biodiversity and improvements to community resilience through promotion of community engagement and resource sharing.”

In 2015, TBG raised its 50 per cent share of capital funding for the project by means of loans from 28 local individuals and four community groups, contributing a total of £286,500, the other 50 per cent contributed by landowners Parc-y-Morfa Farms Ltd.

The statement added: “Profit generated by sale of electricity from the turbine is split 50:50 between TBG and Parcy-Morfa Farms Ltd through the jointly owned trading arm, Abergwaun Community Turbine. By the end of 2022, all loans had been repaid, allowing the launch of TBG’s Community Climate Fund. This year we have awarded our third round of grants bringing the total amount granted to £76,036.”

In 2022, £15,274 was awarded to seven projects, including Fishguard Sports AFC to install solar panels on their clubhouse as part of their Tregroes Park development, Ysgol Bro Gwaun for their Increasing Biodiversity and Bees project, and Nevern Valley Veg / Llysiau Cwm Nyfer to install a solar powered vegetable irrigation scheme.

In 2023, £39,85 was made available for seven projects, including Sea Trust Wales to part fund the installation of solar panels on the Ocean Lab roof and to produce a display on solar technology, Letterston Memorial Hall to part fund the installation of an air source heat pump heating system, and Fishguard and Goodwick Rugby Club to install solar panels on their clubhouse.

2024 awards of £20,917 were made to six projects, including Theatr Gwaun to insulate their loft to reduce heating loss, Parc Cerrig Growers for developing a rainwater harvesting system with a pond to irrigate their allotments, Caerhys Organic Community Agriculture for an electric cargo bike for delivering organic vegetables in the Fishguard and St Davids areas, and Nevern Valley Veg to develop wildlife ponds and rainwater harvesting for food production.

The supporting documentation concludes: “The repowering of the existing turbine at Trebover would require a limited increase in turbine size which would result in a very limited change in landscape and visual effects in comparison to the existing Trebover turbine.”

The application will be considered by planners at a later date.

Business

Call to end ‘fad’ of ‘school dogs’ in Pembrokeshire

Published

18 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to end the ‘fad’ of permanent ‘school dogs’ in Pembrokeshire for their benefit and the befit of the schools, instead using visiting ‘therapy dogs’ is to be heard next week.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Schools And Learning Overview And Scrutiny Committee meeting of November 28 will consider a public submission by Robert Thomas – who works with therapy dogs – on the subject of school dogs.

The submission reads: “My definition of a school dog is one that spends long periods in the school and is managed and owned by school employees not outside assessed and insured visiting therapy dogs who stay for an hour with a competent handler.

“The welfare of many dogs in schools in Pembrokeshire has been compromised over the last few years and we are concerned that the rise in the popularity of school-owned or teacher-owned dogs is an animal welfare issue.

“I can think of several school dogs in Pembrokeshire where it has gone wrong for the animal.”

He cites examples of ‘school dogs’ the county, where he says they have had to be removed, with the animals being unsettled, barking and even nipping on occasions, showing “a lack of understanding of animal welfare”.

His submission adds: “We have done some work with the Animal Welfare team at the Welsh Government around licensing this field, a consultation was completed in March 2023, currently awaiting the outcome.

“It has become a fad across the country and many dogs spend all day in schools supported by staff members who have another job to do. It feels like PCC does not have a policy overarching animal welfare policy in schools to protect dogs from being seen as staff members and there purely for human benefit, not the dogs.

“Dogs need to rest and sleep during the day and not in school. The visiting therapy dog model works best as the impact is greatest and the welfare of the dog is managed externally. If the dog is there all the time that can diminish the impact, and the novelty can wear off for the pupils.

“In my experience schools should concentrate on teaching and leave the therapy dog introduction to those that have the expertise in animal welfare.”

The submission will be considered by committee members at the November 28 meeting.