News

Anger over plans for ‘inappropriate relationships’ oath for teachers

Published

1 year ago

September 25, 2024

A PROPOSAL for teachers to swear an oath against inappropriate relationships with pupils could harm the profession’s reputation, it’s been warned.

A motion due to be considered by a Welsh county council could see teachers and school staff required to make a specific commitment in front of a manager not to form intimate relationships with students.

The news from Flintshire follows concerns sparked by the court case of Gwynedd headteacher Neil Foden, who was jailed for 17 years in July after being found guilty of sexually abusing four girls.

The motion was submitted by Hope councillor Gladys Healey, who claims stronger measures are needed to protect children from abuse by teachers.

However, education union NASUWT said introducing the oath, which will be discussed at a full council meeting in Mold tomorrow (Tuesday, 24 September) would show a “shocking contempt” for teachers.

Neil Butler, the union’s national official for Wales, said: “This motion serves only to bring the teaching profession into disrepute. Flintshire Council needs to concentrate on its responsibility to ensure that schools are fully funded to provide the very best educational provision.

“Teachers in Wales are highly regulated and have to adhere to the Education Workforce’s code of practice which explicitly states that teachers, ‘have a duty of care for the safety, physical, social, moral, and educational wellbeing of learners and young people.’

“If a teacher falls short of this code, they face disciplinary action and potential dismissal.

“For Flintshire Council to introduce its own oath would be showing a shocking contempt for the profession.”

A child practice review is currently being carried out by the North Wales Safeguarding Board following Foden’s sentencing, which local authority Cyngor Gwynedd has pledged to “co-operate fully” with.

The board’s chair described it as a “vital step in protecting vulnerable children in north Wales”. However, critics fear that it will not go far enough.

In her notice of motion Cllr Healey, who sits on Flintshire’s education scrutiny committee, said current safeguarding measures were in need of improvement.

The Labour politician said: “The council acknowledges that, even with safeguarding training and the code of professional conduct and practice established by the Education Workforce Council in Wales, there are still cases of child abuse by teaching professionals and cases of teachers forming inappropriate relationships with pupils and students for whom they are responsible.

“This has been highlighted by the recent prosecution and imprisonment of a former Gwynedd headteacher who had also previously served as an executive member of the National Education Association.

“The council deplores the formation of such relationships and actions which abuse children and bring about a loss of their childhood innocence.

“The council recommends that, in line with practice in some other non-educational professions, cabinet formulates an oath which must be taken by all who are engaged in education in Flintshire to recognise the need for individuals to make a specific commitment not to engage in inappropriate relationships with those in their charge.”

If approved, all staff currently working in education settings in Flintshire will be required to swear the oath, along with any future employees.

The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) has said it would be willing to discuss the proposal.

Claire Armitstead, director of ASCL Cymru, said: “We share the horror felt at the case which has given rise to this motion, and are always ready to consider any proposal aimed at improving the safeguarding of young people.

“We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further with Councillor Healey.

“Safeguarding is a core duty of schools and colleges, and all education staff are fully aware of their responsibility not only to uphold the highest standards of behaviour themselves but also to act on anything which might put a young person’s safety or welfare at risk.

“There are strict professional and legal regulations in place, and anyone found guilty of an inappropriate relationship can face disciplinary and criminal action.”

Liam Randall, local democracy reporter

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

33 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.

Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Crime

Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood

Published

38 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.

SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST

Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.

The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.

COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION

Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.

Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.

She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.

The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.

Local Government

Sewage leak at Pembroke Commons prompts urgent clean-up works

Published

2 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Council pollution officers say they have no enforcement powers over Welsh Water infrastructure

SEWAGE contamination on the Commons in Pembroke has prompted an urgent response from pollution officers, after a leak was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team confirmed they were alerted yesterday afternoon to sewage surrounding a manhole cover on the site. The Herald understands that officers immediately notified Welsh Water (DCWW) network technicians to investigate the incident “as a matter of urgency”.

County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the authority had been clear that it holds no enforcement powers over Welsh Water assets.

“Whilst we work constructively with Welsh Water, we have no authority to intervene on their apparatus or to carry out enforcement action against them for such pollution incidents,” the Pollution Control Team said in a statement shared with the councillor.

Urgent works underway

Council officers visited the site on Wednesday morning alongside contractors and Welsh Water technicians to assess clean-up options. According to the team, works will include cleaning the contaminated ground in and around the manhole cover and fencing off the affected area “until safe”.

Cllr Grimes said officers would return to the scene on Thursday to check on progress and ensure the area is properly secured.

Residents who notice any further issues have been urged to contact the Pollution Control Team directly.

Further updates are expected later this week.