News

Cabinet asked to re-think cuts to Youth Service

Published

12 years ago

November 25, 2014

Tom Sinclair

Milford Haven Mayor: Cllr Eric Harries addresses the community, Cllrs Viv and Mike Stoddart sit either side.

THE COUNCIL’s Cabinet has been asked to re-consider its decision to make cuts to the youth services across the county. The chair of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny committee, Cllr Pat Davies, called in the decision that was made by Cabinet in September and her committee discussed the issues on Wednesday (Oct 8). Much of the debate centred on the proposed closure of the community centre in Hubberston and Hakin but concerns were also raised about centres in Neyland, Manorbier and Solva. The head of performance and community, James White, said: “We were required to save £125,000 and this led to a review of open access youth provision. We visited all youth clubs and spoke to young people attending and we spoke to staff as well. We had a set list of questions such as – what’s good about your youth club? What’s not good, if you could go anywhere else would you?

We made a decision sooner rather than later to give us more time to mitigate the impact of the decision.” Cllr Jonathon Nutting said: “It’s slightly worrying that overview and scrutiny is one port of call that isn’t looked at straight away.” James White acknowledged that the issue should have come to the Scrutiny committee. Cllr Guy Woodham said: “Were cabinet fully informed of evidence and information in order for them to make an informed decision? I don’t think so, and I think we should send this back to Cabinet to review this decision.

We have to ensure that the service maintains a county-wide presence. Putting Hakin and Hubberston Youth Club into the same youth club doesn’t take into consideration how local people feel about that. What about the capacity of the Milford Haven centre? You are proposing to relocate people who have a local connection to somewhere where they haven’t got that. There are also concerns from parents that the child would be going further away than normal.” James White responded: “There weren’t any background documents to the report in the week leading up to the Cabinet meeting.

The data around attendance was provided to Cabinet as was information around costs and mapping work. I appreciate there is an element of separate communities. When we looked at mapping, we looked at the addresses of those attending. Roughly one third of those who go to Hubberston live in Milford Haven and one third of people who go to the Milford Haven centre live in Hubberston or Hakin so there is significant crossing between the two youth clubs.The Milford Haven centre will be able to cope, it is the second newest in Wales and it has a wide area which isn’t split into different rooms.

They could easily handle the additional numbers.” Cabinet member Cllr Sue Perkins said: “We were talking about this for some time so it wasn’t something that was new to us but the information should have been in the cabinet papers.” Cllr Reg Owens said: “This is very sad that we are thinking of closing the centre at Hubberston. I have had a very close association with the youth centre and an awful lot of money went in to the development of it. The youth club there was booming. Hubberston Community centre is right in the heart of a densely populated community.

I accuse the authority of making Hubberston second class to Milford Haven Youth Club. It seems they are deliberately running down the youth service in Hubberston. It doesn’t seem to be open when people need it. It just wouldn’t be practical, parents are very wary about their children walking over from Hubberston or Hakin to Milford Haven – that’s going to put a lot of people off. It is obvious that youngsters do mix but this is going to be a sad blow if this centre is going to close. I beg the management team and the Cabinet to really re-think this.

The community centre is part and parcel of that community.” Hubberston Cllr Viv Stoddart endorsed the comments made by Cllr Owens and Cllr Woodham and added: “The proposal to remove youth services will have a huge impact. Out of all the youth centres 3 of 13 will potentially be closed. Hakin and Hubberston is the only one that serves what is classed as a deprived area. The review that went to Cabinet said there was an emphasis on not continuing provision which is well used, cost effective and valued by young people and if you look at the comments from young people who attend Hakin and Hubberston, they do value that youth club.

The centre is extremely well used; it’s used in the morning, afternoons and in a few evenings. The net costs actually represent good value for money for this authority.” “There was a public meeting on Friday and there were around 70 people who attended. There are two rooms in that centre and the lower of those was full. There was a huge range of ages and they were unanimous that they want to keep the hall and they want Pembrokeshire County Council to keep running it and the cost to this authority would be minimal. Of all the centres, Hakin and Hubberston is unique as it is housed in a multi-purpose building.”

Hakin Cllr Mike Stoddart added: “It is completely unfair to budget all the money against the youth service.” Cllr Jonathon Nutting added: “I don’t think you’ve made a very good case at all. It comes over as knee-jerk reaction. I can’t see that there is any thought of bringing in other things. There seems to be no breadth here. You seem to be stuck in one place with one idea. Are there other ways we can bring in provision? I can’t see where we’re thinking outside the box. Is this based on the needs of the child or other things?”

James White said: “We would have to close other services as a result of keeping Hubberston open.” Cllr Wynne Evans commented: “That is coming across as a clear threat.” Cllr Paul Miller, Leader of the Labour Group, addressed the committee and attacked the authorities priorities citing the £17,000 potential saving in Hubberston and £13,000 potential saving in Neyland against the £2m spent at Cherry Grove providing office accommodation and well over £1m spent in Prendergast building yet more offices together with an archive building.

Cllr Miller challenged cabinet to define their priorities asking – ‘was it their priority to empire build with office accommodation in and around county hall or was it, as it should be, to provide real services to real people out in Pembrokeshire communities?’ Cllr Miller went on to say he felt provision for young people in Pembrokeshire was vital and should be right at the bottom of the list of things to be cut. Service Manager for youth services, Steve Davies said: “This was a young person centred approach. We asked ourselves, what’s the least-worst decision we could put forward? We don’t want to be managing retreat. We are looking at developing a model with the youth consortium.”

James White added: “The tendencies may not be as good as they were and we may need to look at ourselves and we may be doing something wrong. We have not been involved in any kind of attempt to run down things since we have become involved. We want to raise the quality right across the service.” Cllr Daphne Bush said: “We have a responsibility to safeguard the needs of all users. Taking that facility away is life changing. We have to think about human beings and I really think a way of working with communities must be found to keep this open.” James White went on to say: “The belief is this is the best we can do with what we’ve been given. These proposals are the most equitable that we can do.” The committee decided that they would refer this back to cabinet where they would be asked to re-consider their decision.

Cllrs came up with four reasons why they wanted the cabinet to reconsider which were:

• There was insufficient information available at the time when Cabinet made its decision.

• New information has come to light since that decision was made, specifically in relation to Hubberston Community Centre and the objects of the charity of which the local authority is a trustee and this should inform the decision in relation to Hubberston Youth Centre.

• The closure of the centre would have a devastating effect on the youth and community that is already suffering from deprivation.

• There hasn’t been enough careful consideration given to finding alternative provision across the board and the wider community. The next meeting of the Cabinet is scheduled for November 3.

Charity

Salvation Army calls for more volunteers across Wales

Published

8 hours ago

May 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE SALVATION Army is encouraging more people to get involved in their local communities as Volunteers’ Week marks its 42nd anniversary.

Volunteers’ Week runs from Monday, June 1 to Sunday, June 7, recognising the contribution made by volunteers across the UK.

Across Wales, volunteers play a vital role in The Salvation Army’s community services. They help run activities and classes in community centres, prepare and serve food at lunch clubs and community cafés, support charity shops, and provide meals for people who might otherwise spend Christmas Day alone.

Lyddia Kibaara, The Salvation Army’s Volunteering Manager said: “We’re incredibly privileged to have the support of so many dedicated, kind people who keep our community services running.

“Time is the only non-renewable resource we have, and our volunteers give it generously. Their time transforms the communities we serve.

“We have families who have volunteered with us through the generations, students who are looking for their first volunteering experiences, people who can cook for a crowd, help others with debt advice, or share their digital skills to make sure others aren’t left behind.”

A chance to help others

Anne Evans, 74, began volunteering at The Salvation Army shop in Newtown after retiring and looking for something worthwhile to do.

She said the experience had opened her eyes to the problems faced by people in her community, including poverty, loneliness, relationship breakdowns and employment issues.

Anne said: “I enjoy talking to people who pop into the shop as everybody has a different story to tell. It makes you realise that you don’t know how many problems people can face.

“They are glad to have someone who listens to them and takes an interest in their lives.

“Also, with the rising cost-of-living, people appreciate that we sell items at affordable prices. That’s such an important thing for people right now. Life is becoming more expensive.”

‘More than just a shop’

The Salvation Army supports some of the most disadvantaged people in communities across Wales, including those experiencing homelessness, older people, people affected by drug and alcohol addiction, and those looking to develop skills for work.

Gary Chapman, 43, volunteers at The Salvation Army charity shop in Llanelli.

After his marriage broke down, Gary experienced homelessness for a number of years. He said volunteering at the shop had changed his life and helped him support others.

Gary said: “We are more than just a shop. We are a meeting place. A focal point in the community.

“We offer support, love and care in so many ways, whether through a friendly chat, a listening ear over a cup of tea, or practical help in someone’s hour of need.

“There could be one person comes through the door who is really struggling. Hopefully I can be there for that person.

“I enjoy interacting with people and helping them if I can. That’s what we are here for in The Salvation Army. We are here to help people. We are here to listen to their concerns.”

How to volunteer

Volunteers’ Week is an opportunity to thank those who give their time, passion and skills so generously, while also encouraging others to get involved.

Anyone interested in volunteering with The Salvation Army can visit: www.salvationarmy.org.uk/volunteer

News

St Davids lifeboats launched twice in one day after yacht damaged and kayaker rescued

Published

9 hours ago

May 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

BOTH St Davids RNLI lifeboats were launched on Wednesday (May 27) after separate incidents involving a damaged yacht in St Brides Bay and a kayaker who had become separated from his craft in Ramsey Sound.

The all-weather lifeboat Norah Wortley was first tasked at 3:12pm to assist a yacht in St Brides Bay after its mast snapped and its sails were lost during gusts in a thunderstorm.

The lifeboat launched at 3:27pm and made its way to the scene, encountering patches of fog and thundery showers en route. Conditions were otherwise described as smooth to slight, with good visibility and winds of between three and five knots.

The volunteer crew arrived at 4:00pm and found the yacht had also lost engine propulsion. A tow was established and the vessel was taken safely to a mooring in Dale.

The yacht was secured to a buoy before the lifeboat departed at 7:00pm. The crew returned to station at 8:00pm and the boat was back on service by 8:15pm.

While the all-weather lifeboat was still at sea, St Davids’ inshore lifeboat was tasked at 5:18pm to a kayaker who had become separated from his kayak.

The crew launched at 5:35pm and headed to the south end of Ramsey Sound, off Treginnis Head. The casualty was located on Shoe Rock, where crew members helped him aboard and carried out a medical assessment.

The kayaker had been wearing a buoyancy aid and had a means of calling for help, allowing him to dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard after becoming separated from his kayak.

He and his craft were safely returned to Porthclais Harbour, and the inshore lifeboat returned to station, where it was back on service at 8:00pm.

RNLI inshore lifeboat helm Chris Limbert said: “This rescue was a brilliant example of why it’s so important to always wear a buoyancy aid and carry a means of contact.

“If the kayaker had been without a buoyancy aid, he may have struggled to stay afloat and get himself safely onto the rock.

“He was also carrying a mobile phone which allowed him to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

“Our crew of volunteers are on call 24/7 to go to people’s aid. Never be afraid to call for help.”

Pic: RNLI/Rosie Rees

Crime

Haverfordwest sex offender jailed over child abuse material

Published

13 hours ago

May 30, 2026

Court Reporter

Registered offender used library computers to hide social media accounts

A HAVERFORDWEST sex offender who used public library computers to exchange child abuse material and discuss the sexual abuse of minors has been jailed for 20 months.

Euwyn Draper, aged 22, of Hill Street, Haverfordwest, appeared at Swansea Crown Court after admitting four breaches of a sexual harm prevention order.

Recorder Greg Bull KC told him the courts had “bent over backwards” to assist him in the past, but said those efforts had failed.

He told Draper: “I’m not going to lecture you because I would be wasting my breath. You knew you had to comply with the order.”

Secret accounts

The court heard that Draper had been made subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order in 2024 after earlier convictions for possessing and distributing indecent images of children.

The order banned him from holding social media accounts in any name other than his own and required him to disclose relationships or friendships to police when asked.

Despite this, Draper secretly maintained accounts on a number of platforms, including X, formerly Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and BlueSky. The BlueSky account had been registered under a false name.

His use of Snapchat was specifically prohibited because of the platform’s auto-delete function.

Library computers

Prosecutor Megan Williams said Draper’s latest offending came to light on May 5 this year during a routine meeting with his offender manager at Haverfordwest police station.

When asked about his internet use, Draper claimed he only went to the library to watch YouTube and listen to Spotify. He denied having any social media accounts or communicating with anyone online.

But as questioning continued, he became “flustered” and admitted he had been chatting to a male online and had an X account which had not been disclosed to police.

Officers attended the library with Draper the following day to examine his digital activity.

After he logged in using his library ID and opened his Google account, police reviewed his X profile and found sexually explicit conversations between Draper and another male in which the pair discussed sexual activity involving children aged five and above.

The court heard that explicit photographs had also been exchanged.

Police also discovered that Draper had reinstalled Instagram after previously deleting the account in front of officers.

Previous offending

Draper has three previous convictions for 14 offences.

In April 2024 he was given a suspended prison sentence and made subject to the sexual harm prevention order for possessing and distributing child sex abuse images.

Within months, he breached the order by maintaining an undisclosed social media account. In September 2024 he was jailed for 16 months for possession of further indecent images.

When interviewed about the latest breaches, Draper answered “no comment” to all questions.

‘Immature young man’

Alex Scott, defending, described Draper as an “immature young man” who lived an isolated life in rented accommodation and acted “impulsively” in relation to social media.

He said Draper had co-operated with police by accompanying officers to the library and recognised the need to address the underlying causes of his behaviour.