Politics
Four ministers quit and call on First Minister to stand down
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Vaughan_Gething_Welsh_Government.jpg)
VAUGHAN Gething’s time as Wales’ First Minister teeters on the brink after four ministers resigned from the Welsh Government.
Jeremy Miles, Mick Antoniw, Julie James, and Lesley Griffiths led a revolt, resigning from the cabinet on Tuesday morning after Mr Gething resisted their calls to stand down.
Mr Miles, who narrowly lost the race to become First Minister in March, said the row over Mr Gething’s leadership has become a distraction, damaging the Labour party.
In his resignation letter, the former economy secretary warned: “We cannot continue like this. It is essential that we begin to repair the damage immediately and I have reached the conclusion very regrettably that this cannot happen under your leadership.
“I can’t see any way forward for us which allows us to get on with [the] job we are elected to do, without you standing down.”
Mick Antoniw, who was counsel general, the Welsh Government’s chief legal adviser, wrote to the First Minister, saying: “I feel it is necessary for me to give you advice that you need to receive no matter how painful.
“I must advise you that I do not believe you can continue as First Minister.
“Wales needs confident and stable government. I do not believe you are capable of delivering that.
“You have lost a vote of confidence in the Senedd. That is something I regard as being of major constitutional importance.
“It is clear you no longer command a majority, you will be unable to … pass a budget and, for all intents and purposes, the Senedd is rudderless.
“We are all here to do the best for our country. I believe it is now necessary for you to choose to put the country first and resign as First Minister.”
In her resignation letter, Julie James, raised concerns about “real mistakes” over campaign donations and the “seemingly never ending series of related issues that have followed”.
The former housing secretary said she could see no way of agreeing a budget nor passing new laws, such as on homelessness, without cross-party support.
Ms James wrote: “This cannot be what you wanted and must have caused you and your family a lot of pain and I think has visibly caused huge divisions within the group and damaged both the country and the party.
“I think it also now threatens the continued existence of the devolution journey itself.”
“We must begin to repair this damage immediately and I am extremely sorry to tell you that I do not think you are capable of being the leader who can lead us through that change.
“I had asked you, in the interests of the country and the party, to stand down immediately.
“Given that you have not done so, it is with great regret that I feel I can no longer serve in your government. I am very sad indeed that it has come to this.”
Lesley Griffiths, the former social justice secretary, said penning her resignation letter was deeply upsetting after serving in government for the past 14 years.
She wrote: “I find it deeply distressing, from personal and professional perspectives, to see the negative impact all of this has had on relationships between long-standing colleagues and, in many cases, close friends.
“Relationships have fractured and will require goodwill and strong leadership to repair.
“These unfortunate and deeply saddening events have together impacted significantly on our ability to continue to deliver for the people of Wales.”
She added: “I have reached the conclusion that we simply will not be able to put things back on track under your leadership, leaving me with only one realistic option.”
Mr Gething is scheduled to appear in the Senedd for First Minister’s questions at 1.30pm.
Following the mass resignations, Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Conservative group in the Senedd, said: “Vaughan Gething’s time as First Minister is rightly coming to an end.
“But Labour cannot fool the people of Wales. These ministers, like Jeremy Miles, sat in his cabinet, they stood by his side, and they are culpable for the breakdown of governance….
“Wales will remember.”
Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “Vaughan Gething has led a government of chaos and put his own self-interest before the interests of the people of Wales.
“For months, the First Minister’s poor judgement, aversion to scrutiny and ‘do nothing’ approach to governing has undermined the office of First Minister and brought Welsh politics into disrepute.
“Seldom have heads of government in a democracy disregarded the will of its legislature by carrying on despite losing a vote of confidence.”
News
Carmarthenshire County Council faces criticism over waste strategy implementation
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/unison.jpg)
THE Carmarthenshire County UNISON Branch Committee has issued a stern open letter to the councillors of Carmarthenshire County Council, expressing strong opposition to the council’s proposed Waste Strategy Blueprint implementation plan. The plan, which was presented to the council cabinet on 29th July 2024, has drawn significant concern from UNISON, particularly regarding its impact on refuse workers.
In their letter, the UNISON Branch Committee, led by Branch Secretary Debbie Gough, acknowledges the importance of recycling and supports the goal of achieving 100% recycling rates. However, the committee emphasises that this target is only realistic if the Welsh Labour Government provides adequate funding. The letter criticises the Plaid Cymru-led Carmarthenshire County Council for choosing to implement what the union views as detrimental cuts, rather than fighting against the financial constraints imposed by both the current UK government and the likely future Labour government under Keir Starmer.
The Waste Strategy Blueprint, as outlined in the council’s documentation, is an ambitious plan aimed at aligning with the Welsh Government’s environmental goals, particularly the “Beyond Recycling” strategy. This strategy sets forth a vision for a zero-waste Wales by 2050, with a focus on increasing recycling rates, reducing carbon emissions, and improving resource efficiency. The Blueprint proposes significant changes to Carmarthenshire’s waste management infrastructure, including the development of a centralised waste depot.
A central point of contention is the council’s decision to pursue the development of this centralised depot, known as Option 2. According to the union, this decision was made without genuine consultation with the workforce, despite management’s claims to the contrary. The letter alleges that the decision to centralise operations was predetermined, rendering the consultation process a “shambolic” exercise that falsely suggested that employees’ views were being considered.
The Blueprint’s proposal for the centralised depot is rooted in the need to modernise the county’s waste management system, which the council argues will increase efficiency and help meet the stringent recycling targets set by the Welsh Government. The council’s summary document highlights that the centralised depot is seen as essential for reducing the carbon footprint of waste collection operations and optimising the use of resources. However, UNISON argues that this efficiency will come at the cost of refuse workers, who will bear the brunt of increased travel times and potential additional costs.
UNISON’s letter also questions the thoroughness of the council’s analysis, suggesting that alternative options, such as extending or relocating existing depots, were not seriously considered. The union highlights that the Welsh Government’s funding for the waste strategy was contingent on the establishment of a centralised depot, raising concerns that the council did not genuinely explore other viable options.
The union warns that the centralised depot, if implemented, will have a negative financial impact on many refuse workers. The additional travel costs and time, combined with a proposed four-day working week, are expected to exacerbate existing grievances within the workforce. UNISON also highlights the lack of communication regarding so-called “mitigation strategies” for staff affected by these changes.
In the letter, Gough criticises the council’s approach to staff welfare, arguing that the real motivation behind the centralised depot is to extract more work from an already aggrieved workforce. The union expresses a deep mistrust of refuse management, based on what they describe as a history of poor treatment of workers and a lack of transparency.
Furthermore, the union raises serious concerns about the safety of the proposed depot location at Nant Y Caws, particularly regarding the entrance on the A48, which they describe as dangerous for both vehicles and the public. They advocate for the implementation of slip roads as the only safe solution.
UNISON also opposes other elements of the waste strategy, including the proposed four-weekly residual waste collection frequency and the reduction of bring sites. These measures, the union argues, represent further cuts to public services disguised as strategic improvements.
The council, in its Blueprint, argues that these changes, including the reduction in the frequency of waste collection, are necessary steps to align with broader environmental goals. The strategy outlines that reducing residual waste collection is intended to encourage residents to recycle more and reduce waste production, aligning with the national move towards a circular economy. However, UNISON contends that these changes are effectively service cuts that place an undue burden on both workers and the public.
In conclusion, the UNISON Branch Committee reaffirms its opposition to the centralised depot, warning that imposing such changes will be met with resistance from the union and its members. The letter calls on the council to recognise the value of its workforce and to reconsider the strategy in a way that genuinely supports both the environment and the employees tasked with achieving these goals.
The letter, signed by Debbie Gough on behalf of the Carmarthenshire County UNISON Branch Committee, reflects a growing tension between the council and its workforce, signalling potential industrial action if the concerns raised are not addressed.
Business
Plans for Tenby’s Brynhir development expected to be backed
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UPDATED plans for a controversial housing Tenby development, which will see less homes built than originally proposed, are expected to be approved by the national park despite wide-ranging concerns.
In 2018, Pembrokeshire County Council, which already owned the 15-acre Brynhir site on the edge of Tenby, ‘bought’ the land for £4million using its Housing Revenue Account.
Campaigners fought a two-year battle against the use of the land for housing, calling for protection for ‘Tenby’s last green space’ and fearing it would become a ‘concrete jungle’.
The county council was granted outline planning permission by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority for the development of 144 properties – including up to 102 affordable residential units, eight shared ownership residential units and 34 open market shared units – in 2020.
Last July, national park planners heard less homes than originally hoped for will be built at the development, but nearly three-quarters will remain affordable.
It is now proposed that only 125 houses will be built, 93 of them affordable, and, of the 32 Open market dwellings, 16 are shared ownership properties.
In July 2023, the national park backed a Pembrokeshire County Council Housing request to modify the Section 106 legal agreement ahead of an official updated application, including a condition that the percentage of affordable housing does not drop below 71 per cent.
Amendments also included the removal of a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), one of two Local Equipped Area for Play Spaces (LEAPS) instead providing a multi-use space for ball games.
The county council, through agent The Urbanists, later submitted updated outline plans for 125 homes on the site.
The application stated: “The proposed development is a key development for the town of Tenby and the wider county; it shall make a significant contribution to the delivery of much-needed affordable housing as well as helping much overall local housing targets.”
The reserved matters application, backed in principle by Tenby Town Council, is now recommended for conditional approval at the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park development management committee meeting of September 4, despite being contrary to the provisions of the Development Plan.
A report for committee members says Tenby Civic Society “has raised a number of concerns relating to highway safety issues, lack of sustainable transport facilities, landscaping and skyline development, surface water discharge, low water pressure, retention of stone styles within the scheme, footpath routes and impact on existing amenity space to south of the site”.
20 objections to the scheme have also been received, raising concerns including loss of green space, traffic issues, privacy, design, visual impacts and the scale of the development, sewage capacity, the site being no longer allocated for housing, potential antisocial behaviour within the play area, and a limitation on second homes/holiday lets being required.
The report for planners adds: “It is considered that the proposed appearance, landscaping, layout, access and scale of the proposed scheme would be in accordance with the parameters set out at outline stage.
“Following consideration of the policies contained within the statutory Development Plan (Future Wales and Local Development Plan 2) and National Planning Policy in the form of Planning Policy Wales (Edition 12) and having regard to all material considerations it is considered that the development will be in keeping with the aims of the LDP2 and Future Wales in that the development is considered to provide a new residential estate of 125 dwellings to meet the requirements set out in the outline consent whilst sustaining the local character.”
News
Narberth housing development refused after major concerns
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A SCHEME for three houses behind a listed Georgian house in a Pembrokeshire town, which had raised the concerns of the local town council and 15 members of the public, has been refused by county planners.
Sarah Voaden, through agent Robert Davies John West Ltd, sought permission for three three-bed houses on land to the rear of Llwynon, 61 St James Street, Narberth.
A supporting statement said: “The detail and content of the proposal has been well considered and pays good regard to physical constraints/opportunities presented by the site, the character of the area, respects the scale, form, height and appearance of the neighbouring buildings and its wider sensitive heritage setting.”
It says it is not practical to provide affordable housing on the site but a financial contribution of £38,156.25 would be appropriate, adding: “There is no objection to this in principle and a Unilateral Agreement and Certificate of Title will be completed during the application process.”
It concludes: “There are utility connections available within the locality and appropriate sustainable drainage arrangements can be incorporated into the scheme. However, it is recognised there is a current issue with the potential impact of new development on phosphate levels in certain rivers which could be addressed by a future upgrading of the local wastewater treatment works. A Grampian-style condition could be imposed by the council.”
Narberth Town Council’s planning committee has objected to the planning application “as they are extremely concerned over the access for ingress and egress of the neighbouring properties, particularly at the entrance to Tabernacle Lane”.
In its objection, the town council adds: “The council believe that this is an unadopted road and that the entrance into the development is insufficient. The town council notes that there is a children’s nursery in the vicinity, which is heavily used, and the additional properties will increase the amount of traffic which could potentially cause a serious incident. The town council fear that the underground infrastructure may not be able to cope with the demand of three extra properties and feel that the plans do not clearly outline the collection of waste sewage which is a major concern in Narberth.
“The town council believe that this development is overcrowding of the area and is not in keeping with the character of the town.”
15 letters of objection were also received, raising concerns including highway safety and the potential impact on the local nursery, drainage issues, noise and pollution, with one letter of support, saying it would be a good use of the land.
An officer report recommending refusal said the financial commitment to an affordable housing contribution had been offered in principle, but added: “Whilst it is considered that the applicant shows a commitment to making the financial contribution the original signed copies have not been provided to date and as such the application is contrary [to policy].”
It also said the application failed to comply with foul and surface water discharge policies.
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