News

Plaid Cymru expels Senedd politician following inappropriate conduct

Published

4 months ago

July 22, 2024

PLAID CYMRU has expelled a Member of the Senedd who was found to have inappropriately touched and sworn at two women while drunk during a party night out.

Rhys ab Owen, who represents South Wales Central, was previously banned from the Welsh Parliament for six weeks – the longest sanction ever handed out in the Senedd.

The party announced that Mr ab Owen’s membership had been terminated following an internal disciplinary process. In response, Mr ab Owen stated he would respect the decision and has previously issued an unreserved apology for his actions.

An investigation conducted by Standards Commissioner Douglas Bain revealed that Mr ab Owen had inappropriately touched the two women during a night out with Plaid Cymru staff and other Members of the Senedd in June 2021. Mr Bain noted that Mr ab Owen showed “no remorse” for the incidents.

Elected in 2021, Mr ab Owen later admitted to the Senedd that he had behaved badly and apologised for his conduct.

In a statement, a Plaid Cymru spokesperson said: “Following the publication of the Senedd standards report, there has been an internal disciplinary process within Plaid Cymru. As a result, his party membership has been terminated, and he will not be eligible to re-apply for a period of at least two years.”

Mr ab Owen had already been suspended from the party’s Senedd group in November 2022, which led to him sitting as an independent. He had also been suspended from the party itself since the findings of Mr Bain’s investigation became known.

Had Mr ab Owen been an MP, his punishment would have triggered a recall petition and potentially a by-election. However, no such system currently exists in the Senedd, though the parliament’s standards committee is considering introducing one when the institution expands from 60 to 96 politicians in 2026.

Mr ab Owen commented: “Today’s decision is the culmination of a long process which I hope will now bring the matter to a close. It is a decision I will respect so that my family and I can look to the future. As I have done throughout, I will continue to work with and for my constituency. I am proud to do so and remain fully committed to serving the people of South Wales Central. My wife and children are my priority above all else and I thank them for their enduring love and support.”

News

CCRC invites public to observe 5th Annual Open Board Meeting

Published

1 hour ago

November 19, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) is inviting members of the public to its fifth annual Open Board meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, 26 November 2024. The meeting will be held via Zoom, running from 10:30am to 12:30pm, and is open to everyone interested in attending.

How to join the meeting

To participate, you will need a device such as a desktop computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet with access to the Zoom platform. The Zoom application can be downloaded for free online by searching for “Zoom app.” A stable internet connection is recommended.

To join the meeting, use the following link shortly before 10:30am on the day:

Join the zoom meeting
Passcode: 034573

For any technical difficulties, please email: [email protected]

Meeting agenda

The agenda for the meeting is available here. Minutes from the session will be published on the CCRC’s website after the event.

Submitting questions

While questions cannot be addressed during the meeting, the CCRC will respond to inquiries related to the agenda items discussed. Questions should be submitted via email to [email protected] by 12:00pm on Tuesday, 3 December. Responses will be provided by email and may also be published on the CCRC website.

Please note that questions about individual cases will not be addressed.

For further details, visit the CCRC website.

Community

Find out more about what’s coming next in Haverfordwest’s regeneration journey

Published

2 hours ago

November 19, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A COMMUNITY evening will be held this week with the contractor taking on construction of the new modern Public Transport Interchange (PTI) for Haverfordwest.

Kier Construction Ltd will be at HaverHub on Thursday, 21^st November for people to meet the team and find out more about the development which is due to start its rebuild phase imminently.

The event will be open 3pm to 7pm and is a fantastic opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the plans.

The scheme forms part of the South West Wales Metro project and will provide a modern and innovative transport hub, integrating all transport modes.

Designs include improvements to pedestrian and cycle facilities through the site, a more efficient and integrated bus station, and construction of a new modern multi-storey.

Cabinet Member for Place, the Region and Climate Change and Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller said: “This is another exciting step in the extensive regeneration of Haverfordwest and we are looking forward to seeing construction starting on this latest project.”

The bus station will be integrated within the PTI with seven bus bays and upgraded passenger facilities and a new multi-storey will have around 280 spaces, and be much easier to use for drivers.

Green credentials are also important with electric vehicle charging points included – with further vehicle charging expansion built-in and future-proofed – and solar panels installed on the new car park roof.

An upgraded public realm will further improve the environment around the Interchange and promoting Active Travel such as walking and cycling.

The project also involves improving car parking provision and local bus access at Haverfordwest railway station.

Local Member, Cllr Thomas Tudor said: “I welcome this public engagement event which is an opportunity for all to come together to share and learn about the various projects that are ongoing, which can only improve our county town for both residents and visitors alike.”

No booking is required for the event, just drop in at a time that suits you.

Jason Taylor, regional director at Kier Construction Western & Wales, said: “We look forward to meeting with the residents of Haverfordwest at this community evening and sharing the exciting plans we have for this project.

“Kier is incredibly proud of its Welsh roots and can trace them back over 40 years and are thrilled to be extending this experience in Haverfordwest.”

Kier also plans to have a presence on the Riverside Shopping Centre, where people will be able to drop in to find out more once work begins this month.

The temporary Riverside car park has closed to allow for the development to start.

More information on car parking in Haverfordwest is available at: Haverfordwest car parks

News

Feedback wanted on Council’s My Account online services

Published

2 hours ago

November 19, 2024

Tom Sinclair

USERS of Pembrokeshire County Council’s My Account are being asked for feedback
to help continue to improve their experience.

My Account is the platform for all of the Council’s online services.

My Account allows customers to make payments, report problems, sign up for
service notifications such as waste and recycling collections and school closures,
and check local planning applications. These are just some of the services available.

The survey will take less than five minutes to complete.

Please complete the survey before Wednesday 27 November.

If you do not currently use My Account you can register online.