News

Will local councils merge?

Published

9 years ago

November 21, 2014

• ‘No way’ says Ceredigion
• ‘Maybe’ says Pembrokeshire

IN RESPONSE to a Welsh government consultation, the councillors voted to keep Ceredigion Council as a distinct Local Authority body to be able to ensure local accountability and democracy. First Minister Carwyn Jones supports The Williams Commission which earlier this year said the number of Welsh councils should be cut. This involves replacing the 22 current Welsh authorities with 12. The Welsh Government’s White Paper was published by then Local Government Minister Lesley Griffiths in July. This was basically the beginning of the legal process plotting how everything will happen which then paved the way mergers of councils willing to do so voluntarily.

October 1 is closing date for responses. Ceredigion Council Leader Ellen ap Gwyn has made it clear that the authority are sending a clear message to the government: “Merging with any other authority would weaken local accountability. Enlarging wards and reducing democratic representation will militate against good local delivery of bilingual services in a rural area. There is no cultural or linguistic affinity with with the proposed enlarged local authority area.” Ceredigion Council are among many but is the most recent authority to reject a voluntary merger. Newport has also voted against saying they do not want to merge with Monmouthshire whilst Wrexham has shown willing to join with Flintshire.

Conwy and Denbighshire are still evaluating their options. It has been said by Conwy’s Deputy Leader Ronnie Hughes that the merger would give the authority more control over its future than if it waited and was forced into the merge in two years time. Although Leighton Andrews, minister of public services has said that the Welsh Government will support councils with early mergers, including using ‘existing funding streams’ and identifying ‘appropriate financial resources’, Caerphilly has rejected to merge with Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen whilst Anglesey has similarly objected to merging with Gwynedd. In light of the recent statements by the Public Services Minister, the Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor Jamie Adams, has announced his intention to commence formal discussions regarding the future of local government in Pembrokeshire.

“It is now clear that the Welsh Government intend to legislate to force reorganisation upon us” he said. “While I do not agree that local government reorganisation is necessary, it would be foolish to ignore the fact that it is likely to happen. “With this in mind, I intend to establish a cross-party working group of Councillors to consider the merits of a voluntary merger with Ceredigion County Council.

“I understand that Ceredigion Councillors are opposed to a merger, and I respect their point of view. However, I do not think this is an issue that we can, or should, ignore. “We have spent too long recently looking in at ourselves. It is high time that we raised our heads and started to plan for what’s coming down the track towards us.” While Ceredigion has rejected a council merger with Pembrokeshire, it seems that Welsh Minister for Public Services Leighton Andrews is prepared to force through change in the teeth of resistance from Wales’ local government sector. It seems as though Council Leader Jamie Adams has taken a view of the future and decided to argue Pembrokeshire’s case for independence in local government less forcefully than before.

Speaking to The Herald after Monday’s Corporate Governance Committee, Cllr Mike James told us that Mr Andrews told representatives at a recent meeting of the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) that ‘they hadn’t seen nothing yet.’ Last week, Leighton Andrews issued a press release saying: “We cannot continue to operate with 22 local authorities. There will be change, voluntary or not, and I am offering a unique opportunity to those who are willing. I want local authorities themselves to make fundamental and lasting change to create modern and effective Local Government in Wales.

I hope they seize this opportunity since those who agree to merge voluntarily will determine their own future and will not face elections until May 2018.” The promise of initiating new primary legislation to delay Council elections for those authorities willing to merge might be a significant incentive for existing councillors to extend a stay in local government that could otherwise be curtailed by the electorate a year earlier. Bribing councillors to do as the Welsh Government wishes, ahead of the completion of the work of a supposedly independent and unbiased consultation, raises questions about the integrity of the Welsh Government’s whole approach to the question of how to reorganize Welsh local democracy.

In response to Leighton Andrews’ statement, a vote of Ceredigion County Council unanimously rejected calls to merge its operations with Pembrokeshire. Ceredigion Council Leader Ellen ap Gwyn said: “A business case does not exist to support a merger between Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. Everyone agreed that the proposal does not make geographical sense and grave concern was expressed regarding the cultural and linguistic difference between the two counties,” she added. The council is the latest authority to reject a voluntary merger.

Newport has also said it does not want to merge with Monmouthshire while Wrexham has signalled it is unwilling to join with Flintshire Striking a more conciliatory note than hitherto used in his public statements, Council Leader Jamie Adams said: In light of the recent statements by the Public Services Minister, the Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor Jamie Adams, has announced his intention to commence formal discussions regarding the future of local government in Pembrokeshire. Ahead of releasing the statement to the press, he told Monday’s Corporate Governance Committee: “It is now clear that Welsh Government intend to legislate to force reorganisation upon us” he said.

“While I do not agree that local government reorganisation is necessary, it would be foolish to ignore the fact that it is likely to happen. With this in mind, I intend to establish a crossparty working group of Councillors to consider the merits of a voluntary merger with Ceredigion County Council. I understand that Ceredigion Councillors are opposed to a merger, and I respect their point of view. However, I do not think this is an issue that we can, or should, ignore. We have spent too long recently looking in at ourselves. It is high time that we raised our heads and started to plan for what’s coming down the track towards us.” Whether Jamie Adams will be able to deliver consensus across his increasingly bitterly divided council is likely to be a major test of his and his party’s resolve in the face of widespread public support for Pembrokeshire’s autonomy.

News

An action-packed summer season of fun for all at the Torch Theatre

Published

6 mins ago

May 3, 2024

Luke Sinclair

THIS summer season, the Torch Theatre invites you to get involved and to get creative. With acting, choral singing and creative writing all on offer, the Torch has something for everyone.

Tim Howe, Senior Manager for Youth and Community at the Torch explains more:

“We’re incredibly proud to be offering a smorgasbord of activity for our community. We know that having the opportunity for regular artistic expression and connection with other people offers huge benefits for people’s mental health and well-being. From May through to September we’re providing a range of opportunities for all ages to get creative – and the best thing about it is that no experience is necessary!”

This summer the Torch Youth Theatre’s production is Wind in the Willows. A firm favourite, loved by all generations, the loveable characters of Toad, Badger, Ratty and Mole will take pride of place on the Torch stage at the end of July with a cast of 40 young people aged 7 to 18 taking on this brilliant show.

There are no auditions required to join Torch Youth Theatre, and all members can be part of this amazing production. With four age-appropriate groups meeting across the week, come along to any session starting from 1 May. The termly fee (including the production) is £90.

But our work with young people does not stop there. The Youth Theatre Summer School, with activities for all, is also ready to roll.

Amazing Adventurers for Year 3 to Year 6 (ages 7 -11) runs from Monday 5 to Friday 9 August with daily sessions from 10am to 3pm, and as Tim explains, it’s going to be an interesting one:

“Someone has misplaced the end of our play here at the Torch Theatre! Through sessions on creative play and storytelling, children who take part in Amazing Adventurers, will help us find our ending and create their own original adventure story. The sessions will see the children working together, being very creative, learning about the theatre and making new friends.”

For older young people in Year 7 to Year 13 (ages 11 – 18) Loud and Clear will run from Monday 12 to Friday 16 August with daily sessions from 10am to 4pm.

“We invite your young people to join our creative writing and performance skill sessions. We need them to make a brand-new play for an imaginary future world which has banned theatres! Do you know a young person who is up for the challenge?” said Tim, who can’t wait to get started.

Amazing Adventurers and Loud and Clear will cost £75 (with a sibling discount for £65).

And Torch Theatre has not forgotten adults either. Thursday nights are for Torch Voices. Join Angharad Sanders for 90 minutes of joyous singing that’s sure to make you feel fantastic! No experience is necessary, and you get to choose the songs you sing. Open to everyone aged 18+. The termly fee is £50.

Angharad said: “We have lots of fun, we laugh a lot! We work on vocal technique through fun warm-ups that are tailored to support technique and strength of the voice. The members themselves chose the music we sing, and whilst sheet music is provided, there is no requirement to read or audition. It’s just a space to come and sing your favourite music in lovely harmony with the group.”

Torch’s incredibly popular Creative Writing sessions also continue fortnightly from 9 May. This is where the professional team encourage you to pick up a pen and tell a story that you’ve always wanted to. Introducing you to the techniques which go into creating work for the stage.

Finally, Torch is pleased to announce its weekly Adult Summer School (running from 8 August to 31 August).

Tim explains: “We are looking for adults to join our weekly evening sessions across August to build their creative skills. We’ll be looking at writing, directing and performing. This brilliant short course concludes with a showcase performance. All skill levels are welcome from beginner to advanced.”

Torch Theatre knows that cost can be a barrier, but staff members are always happy to discuss ways to make paying the fees easier for anyone who wants to access its provisions, and if there is a way which you would like to spread the cost which works better for you, please do get in touch.

Tim concluded: “We cannot wait to welcome even more of you along to Torch Theatre to take part in some incredible activity.”

To book your place at any of our fantastic and inspiring creative sessions, call the Box Office on 01646 695267 or visit torchtheatre.co.uk.

News

Opportunity to request changes to the 20mph limits in Pembrokeshire

Published

27 mins ago

May 3, 2024

Design Team

Pembrokeshire County Council is opening up an opportunity for residents to request changes to 20mph limits in their locality.

The move follows a speech outlining his transport priorities by new Transport Cabinet Secretary Ken Skates, who pledged to put the voice of Welsh citizens at the heart of decision making on transport, while setting out a three-phase plan on 20mph.

To aid this approach Pembrokeshire County Council welcomes constructive views from residents.

If you wish to forward a suggestion, with valid reasons, for why a road should be exempted from the 20mph national speed limit in Pembrokeshire, the Council will log your feedback and review it once new exceptions guidance is available from the Welsh Government. The Council expects to receive this guidance by the summer.

The Council will not be able to log any general comments about the 20mph National Policy, as that is a matter for the Welsh Government and Welsh Government Ministers.

If your feedback relates to a Trunk Road, these also are not the responsibility of Local Authorities. For queries relating to Trunk Roads please email [email protected].

More information on Trunk Roads is available on Datamap Wales.

Please note, for your feedback to be recorded/considered we will require the first line of your address and post code.

This will assist Council officers during the review process to ensure that requests for change are made by those who reside within the same area / community for which the request is being made.

Please ensure all the required details are forwarded to the following email account for consideration:

[email protected]

Charity

RNLI offers safety advice ahead of bank holiday weekend

Published

52 mins ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE RNLI in Wales is offering safety advice to those visiting the coast this bank holiday weekend and encouraging people to visit a lifeguarded beach.

The RNLI is encouraging anyone planning on heading to the coast to enjoy this weekend to do so safely, by visiting a lifeguarded beach and swimming between the red and yellow flags.

RNLI lifeguards will be patrolling at the following beaches along the Welsh coast this bank holiday from 10am-6pm:

In Pembrokeshire: Whitesands Beach and Tenby South Beach
In Swansea: Aberavon, Langland Bay, Caswell Bay, Port Eynon and Three Cliffs Beach
In Bridgend/Vale of Glamorgan: Coney Bay, Trecco Bay and Whitmore Bay

Vinny Vincent, Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for Swansea said: ‘We strongly encourage anyone planning to go in the sea this weekend to visit one of the lifeguarded beaches.

‘Lifeguards set up the flags in the safest areas of the beach. Swim or bodyboard between the red and yellow flags, and black and white

chequered flags indicate an area monitored by lifeguards for use of watercraft such as surfboards and kayaks.

‘If you see a red flag flying, the lifeguards have deemed that area of the beach as dangerous, and we recommend that you do not enter the water.

‘If you ever have any questions, feel free to approach the lifeguards. We’re a friendly bunch and are always happy to offer advice.’

After the bank holiday weekend, some patrols extend to full time whilst others remain as weekend-only patrols.

In Pembrokeshire, Whitesands Beach and Tenby South Beach will both be patrolled on weekends only until 25 May.

In Swansea, Langland Bay, Caswell Bay and Port Eynon will be patrolled full time (every day from 10am-6pm). Aberavon and Three Cliffs will be patrolled on weekends only until May 25.

In Bridgend/Vale of Glamorgan, Coney Bay and Trecco bay will be patrolled full time, whilst Whitmore Bay will be patrolled on weekends only until 25 May.

Chris Cousens Water Safety Lead for Wales said: ‘We want people and their families to enjoy the coastline, but to do so safely. We encourage people to always swim at a lifeguarded beach.

‘Whilst out on the coast, if find yourself or see anyone else in difficulty, remember to call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. If you find yourself in trouble in the water, Float to Live.

‘Our volunteer lifeboat crews are on call 24/7 to come to your aid. If in doubt, call it in as it’s always better safe than sorry.’

RNLI Float to Live advice: