Business
Post Office operators in Wales urged to share experiences for Horizon Inquiry
POST OFFICES operators in South Wales West have been urged by local Member of the Senedd (MS) Luke Fletcher to share their experiences of working with the Post Office, providing crucial evidence for the Inquiry into the Horizon scandal.
The Horizon IT Inquiry, an independent public investigation, is examining the failures surrounding the Horizon computer system, which led to the wrongful prosecution and conviction of numerous sub-postmasters. Among them is Tim Brentnall from Roch, Pembrokeshire, who was wrongfully prosecuted in 2010 for false accounting following a £22,000 shortfall at his branch.
Brentnall is one of 736 former Post Office managers prosecuted due to the flawed Horizon computer system. His conviction was overturned in 2021, and he has since given evidence to the Post Office inquiry.
The scandal severely impacted Brentnall’s personal life, adding stress to his and his partner Steph’s efforts to start a family. Now, with the arrival of their baby, Lando, three weeks ago, Brentnall expressed his joy on BBC Breakfast, saying, “Ten years ago I would never have thought it would be possible to be this happy and this new life.”
He recounted the harrowing experience of being suspended and prosecuted, despite knowing he had not taken any money. His parents took out a loan to cover the alleged debt, but Brentnall was still advised to plead guilty, resulting in an 18-month suspended sentence and 200 hours of community service.
Living next to the Post Office has served as a constant reminder of the ordeal, but now, Brentnall and his partner Steph, who overcame cancer and its treatment, are looking forward to their new family life. “It has been a real joy to be able to start to build towards the next chapter,” he said.
The Inquiry has reached out to up to 16,000 people across the UK through independent research and data analytics firm YouGov, asking them to anonymously share their experiences of the Post Office. Every current sub-postmaster in the UK is being surveyed about their experience working with the Post Office, and applicants under the Horizon Shortfall Scheme are being asked about their experiences with the compensation process.
Findings from these surveys will be presented during the Inquiry’s final phase, Phase 7, to inform Inquiry Chair Sir Wyn Williams’ findings and recommendations. Williams highlighted the importance of these personal accounts, stating, “Human stories are at the heart of this Inquiry. I urge all those who are contacted to complete the surveys, and I offer my heartfelt thanks now to all those who take the time and trouble to do so.”
Plaid Cymru’s Luke Fletcher emphasized the ongoing impact of the Horizon scandal on communities in Wales and across the UK. He encouraged those in South Wales West who have received the surveys to contribute to the research.
According to UK Parliamentary data, there are over 952 post offices in Wales as of March 2023, most of which are owned by sub-postmasters who will receive the survey.
Eligible participants have been contacted via email and can contribute their experiences anonymously online or over the phone, with reasonable adjustments available for those who need them.
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Business
52 homes to be built in Roch as scheme gets final sign-off
THE FINAL stage of approval for a near-£10m Pembrokeshire residential development of 52 homes has been given the go-ahead.
Back in April, members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee backed an application by Wakefield Pembrokeshire Ltd for the development, which includes four one-bed affordable housing units, on land near Pilgrims Way, Roch.
18 objections to the scheme were received, raising concerns including an “inadequate” affordable housing level, it being a high density development for a rural area, a loss of green space, the size of some of the homes, and pressures on existing services and facilities, and fears it may lead to an increase in second homes.
Nolton & Roch Community Land Trust (N&RCLT) has raised its concerns about a lack of affordable homes at the development, calling for a 20 per cent affordable homes element, as recommended by policy.
An officer report for members, recommending conditional approval, said: “It is apparent that the proposed development is not fully policy compliant, insofar as it cannot deliver the indicative 20 per cent affordable housing sought [by policy].
“However, a substantial positive social impact will arise through the provision of housing, including four one-bed affordable housing units, in meeting identified needs for both market and affordable housing.
“Financial obligations identified to mitigate adverse impacts arising from the proposed development cannot be met in full. However, [policy] acknowledges that in such circumstances contributions may be prioritised on the basis of the individual circumstances of each case.”
Speaking at the meeting, agent Gethin Beynon said the project had a “significant economic value” of around £10m, and the local applicant had “a sense of stewardship to the local community,” offering affordable housing and community infrastructure towards highways and education.
Approval was delegated to the council’s head of planning to approve the application, subject to the completion of a Section 106 planning obligation, making community financial contributions.
The Section 106 agreement was recently agreed, with the application now formally approved.
Business
World of engineering and welding SPARCs interest in Ysgol Harri Tudur’s female learners
AN EVENT hosted by Ledwood Engineering gave girls from Year 8 and 9 at Ysgol Harri Tudur first-hand experience of the world of engineering recently.
Engineering is a booming sector in Pembrokeshire with a high demand for skilled workers in exciting career pathways associated with the development of low carbon and renewable energy industry and the Celtic Freeport.
The young women heard from industry experts on the importance of engineering in Pembrokeshire, and had hands on experience using a welding simulator, at the company’s Pembroke Dock site.
The learners are part of the County’s SPARC (Sustainable Power and Renewable Construction) initiative aimed as inspiring and empowering young females to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) pathways where females are under-represented in the workforce.
SPARC is funded through an alliance comprising Blue Gem Wind, Ledwood Engineering, Port of Milford Haven, RWE Renewables, Pembrokeshire County Council, Pembrokeshire College and the Swansea Bay City Deal.
Mrs Laura Buckingham, SPARC practitioner at Ysgol Harri Tudur said: “Our learners had a fantastic experience at Ledwood Engineering. They were given lots of advice by industry experts on the different career options and pathways within the engineering sector.
“They appreciated the opportunity to ask their questions and found the session very informative. Having the chance to trial their welding skills on the simulator was an experience they continue to talk about and has definitely piqued their interest.”
Poppy Sawyer, Year 8 SPARC learner added: ‘It was a really good trip. Talking to the different people there has helped me know more about the jobs we could get which will be very useful when making choices for my future.”
“They helped us a lot by giving us lots of information. We were able to look around and try welding. It was really fun,” added Tianna Marshall, Year 8 SPARC learner.
The Regional Learning and Skills Partnership also launched its Explore Engineering interactive website at the event.
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