PEMBROKE and Cardigan site managers have been celebrated for their exceptional dedication to quality house-building, earning top accolades in the industry’s most esteemed competition.

Gareth Davies of T I Davies A’I Fab Cyf and Mike Thomas of South Meadow Homes Ltd, representing Cardigan and Pembroke respectively, were among the prominent winners at the National House Building Council’s (NHBC) Pride in the Job Awards 2024. The prestigious event, held at Celtic Manor Golf Club in Newport on Friday, 13 September 2024, recognises the very best in the industry.

In the Small Builder category, Gareth Davies clinched the top honour for his outstanding work at Maes Y Dderwen in Cardigan. His exceptional commitment to raising standards was further acknowledged with the Pride in the Job Seal of Excellence. Meanwhile, Mike Thomas was awarded the Seal of Excellence for his work in Pembroke, demonstrating the high standards upheld by builders in the region.

Matthew Coyle of Redrow Homes South Wales was also a major winner on the night, securing the Large Builder category award for his work at Parc Y Coleg in Newport. Like Davies, Coyle was awarded the Pride in the Job Seal of Excellence, marking his dedication to quality construction.

The Pride in the Job Awards, now in its 44th year, are regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the house-building industry, setting the benchmark for exceptional site management. The competition is known for its rigorous judging process, which assesses entrants across six key areas: consistency, attention to detail, leadership, interpretation of drawings and specifications, technical expertise, and health and safety.

This year, eight site managers from across Wales received the Seal of Excellence, having first earned a Quality Award in the initial round of the competition in June. The full list of Seal of Excellence recipients includes:

• Gareth Davies of T I Davies A’I Fab Cyf, Cardigan
• Matthew Coyle of Redrow Homes South Wales, Newport
• Dave Jones of Barratt and David Wilson Homes South Wales, Swansea
• Paul Oakley of Bellway Homes Wales, Cardiff
• Nick Powell of Redrow Homes South Wales, Newport
• Nick Rumble of Persimmon Homes West Wales, Pontyclun
• Mike Thomas of South Meadow Homes Ltd, Pembroke
• Daniel Williams of Taylor Wimpey South Wales, Penarth

Steve Wood, CEO at NHBC, extended his congratulations to the winners: “For more than four decades, Pride in the Job has underpinned NHBC’s purpose of raising standards in house building. The competition recognises the UK’s top site managers, showcasing best practice and rewarding excellence. Winning site managers demonstrate dedication, passion, and leadership to ensure new homes are delivered to exacting construction quality standards.”

The regional events, taking place throughout the UK, aim to celebrate these achievements and acknowledge the recipients of the Quality Awards. Mr Davies and Mr Coyle will now progress to the next stage of the competition, vying for the ultimate prize in house building at the Pride in the Job Supreme Awards, set to be revealed at a gala ceremony in London in January 2025.

CARMARTHENSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL reaffirms its dedication to ensuring a clean and safe environment by issuing a number of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) and enforcement actions throughout August 2024. These actions address violations of environmental regulations, including littering, fly-tipping, improper waste disposal, and vehicle abandonment.

Littering Offences – £125 FPNs

The Environmental Enforcement Team issued £125 FPNs for various littering offences across the county:

• Morrisons Recycling Facility, Trostre: A female resident of Penlan, Bryn, Llanelli was issued an FPN for leaving a carrier bag containing a plate on the ground.
  Morrisons Recycling Facility, Llanelli: A female resident of Heol Gwyr, Llanelli was issued an FPN for abandoning a black bag containing a fan surround at the site.
  Burry Port Recycling Facility: A female resident of Heol Gwendraeth, Burry Port was issued an FPN for leaving a cardboard box on the ground.
  Morrisons Recycling Facility, Trostre: A female resident of Brynhyfryd was issued an FPN for depositing a bag of glass on the ground.
  Tesco Extra, Llanelli: A male resident from Felinfoel was issued an FPN for discarding McDonald’s packaging near the clothing banks.
  St Clears Bring Site: A female resident of St Clears was issued an FPN for leaving a cardboard box containing broken glass on the ground.
  Morrisons Carmarthen: A female resident of Ponthenry was fined for depositing a carrier bag full of household waste at the recycling facility.
  Abandonment of a Vehicle – £200 FPN
• Pwll, Llanelli: A male resident of Swansea was fined £200 for abandoning a vehicle in the Pwll area.
  Fly-Tipping – £400 FPN
• St Clears Bring Site: A male resident of Carmarthen Town was issued a £400 FPN for fly-tipping multiple cardboard boxes, books, and household waste, including a black and blue bag, at the site.
  Waste Receptacle Offences – £100 FPNs
• Several residents were issued £100 FPNs for failing to comply with waste receptacle regulations.
• Carmarthen (Sycamore Way): A female resident was fined for placing her waste out on the incorrect day.
  Ammanford: A resident was issued an FPN for placing waste in the incorrect location.
  Llanelli (Burry Street): A female resident was issued an FPN for placing dirty items, including used puppy pads, in blue recycling bags and for incorrect waste collection timing.
  Carmarthen (Belvedere Avenue): A female resident was issued an FPN for placing glass and contaminated items in blue recycling bags.
  Llanelli (Station Road): A female resident was issued an FPN for placing contaminated waste in blue bags on the wrong day and time.
  Llanelli (Stafford Street): Two female residents were issued FPNs for placing dirty items and food waste in blue recycling bags.
  Llanelli (Burry Street): Another female resident was issued an FPN for placing textiles and dirty items in blue bags and for incorrect waste collection timing.
  Carmarthen (Belvedere Avenue): A resident was issued an FPN for placing black and blue bags out on the wrong day and contaminating blue recycling bags.
  Prosecutions

Carmarthenshire County Council successfully prosecuted two individuals for littering offences:

• Water Street, Carmarthen: On 3rd January 2024, Mr. Martin Robert Tucker of Penrhiwllan, Llandysul, was witnessed throwing a cigarette butt from his vehicle. Despite being offered the opportunity to pay a £125 FPN, Mr. Tucker failed to do so. The case was referred to the magistrates, resulting in a £270 fine, £300 in costs, and an £88 victim surcharge.
• Vaughan Street, Llanelli: Mr. Stuart Allen, a Llanelli resident, was seen discarding a cigarette end in January 2024. After failing to pay the £125 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN), the case was brought to court. Mr. Allen was then issued a £120 FPN, and the magistrates imposed £200 in court costs and a £48 victim surcharge.
• Enforcement Notices Issued

In August 2024, Carmarthenshire County Council issued:

• 39 Section 46 Notices under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 for failure to adhere to waste disposal regulations.
• 12 Section 47 Notices under the same act for offences related to commercial and industrial waste disposal.
• Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation, and Sustainability, said:

“These enforcement actions demonstrate our ongoing commitment to protecting the environment. We urge residents to adhere to waste disposal regulations and to report any offences.”

Residents are encouraged to report fly-tipping or other environmental violations through the Council’s website or by calling 01267 234567.

SPECSAVERS’ decision to expand into larger premises in Haverfordwest is further proof of the confidence of businesses in the future of the County Town.
 
That was the message from Pembrokeshire County Council Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller to news that the leading optometry company will move to larger premises at the Riverside Shopping Centre.
 
Specsavers has signed a lease with the Council to expand into the building previously occupied by Boots and Poundland.

The additional space will allow for 14 examination rooms fitted with state-of-the-art technology that will enable Specsavers to provide more enhanced sight, contact lens and audiology services for its customers.
 
Cllr Miller, who is also the Council’s Cabinet Member for Place, the Region and Climate Change, said: “I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to support Specsavers in expanding and investing significantly in Haverfordwest.
 
“This shows confidence in both the present and future of Haverfordwest which is undergoing major regeneration by Pembrokeshire County Council.
 
“Through taking control of the Riverside Shopping Centre we have been able to secure investment and tenancies in the town while also recovering the Council’s investment to purchase the site.
 
“Alongside the great news that leading food and drink company Loungers is moving into our Western Quayside development, I am confident further businesses will be drawn to the town centre.
 
“The work we’re doing will ensure Haverfordwest is an attractive place for businesses to operate and a great place for people to live, work and visit.”
 
Andy Britton, one of the partners of the locally owned store, said: “We are so pleased to be making the move into larger premises. The additional space will allow us to better accommodate the increasing demand for eye tests and audiology clinics in the area and help take some of the pressure off the NHS.

“The new store will open later this year and we look forward to celebrating its launch with customers old and new.”

Pictured top of article: Cllr Paul Miller, Deputy Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council (centre) with Andy Britton (left) and fellow partner Wayne Jones at the Riverside store which will be home to an expanded Specsavers.