News

Warning issued as gender balance in next Senedd under threat

Published

12 months ago

March 31, 2025

ERS Cymru says voluntary guidance risks undoing progress on representation

POLITICAL parties in Wales have been warned that gender representation in the Senedd could go backwards at the next election, unless decisive action is taken to ensure diversity among candidates.

New guidance published by the Welsh Government on Monday (Mar 31) encourages parties to improve representation through measures such as voluntary gender quotas and better monitoring of diversity data.

But campaigners have said the guidance does not go far enough—and could leave the door open to some parties failing to act.

The Electoral Reform Society Cymru (ERS Cymru) has warned that the dropping of legislation which would have made gender quotas mandatory poses a real risk to women’s representation at the next election, due in 2026.

The Senedd made global headlines in 2003 when it became the first parliament in the world to achieve gender parity, with half of its members being women. However, that figure has since declined to 43 percent. With the number of Senedd seats set to rise to 96 next year, campaigners fear the proportion of female MSs could fall further.

The new guidance also includes recommendations to monitor and publish diversity data and to take steps to tackle abuse and harassment against candidates.

ERS Cymru Director Jess Blair said the responsibility now rests with the political parties themselves.

She said: “Wales was the first legislature anywhere in the world to achieve equal representation of women in 2003. This was an area where we led not only the UK but globally.

“Yet in recent years, it is disappointing to see that we have slipped back and now fall behind the Scottish Parliament in terms of female representation.

“Equal representation of women should be a basic requirement of Welsh democracy rather than an often-missed aspiration. This is something gender quotas would have enshrined in law, yet the Welsh Government dropped plans to legislate to make this a reality.

“As the guidance published today is voluntary, the responsibility of ensuring a gender-equal and diverse Senedd now falls squarely on the political parties and their selection processes.

“An expanded Senedd after the next election means there is an even greater onus on the political parties to ensure that the Senedd Siambr properly reflects the modern Wales it represents.

“A gender-equal and diverse Senedd will make better legislation that properly reflects the lived experience of all people in Wales. If political parties don’t grasp the nettle and ensure they implement these measures to improve the diversity of the next Senedd, it will be to the detriment of the Welsh electorate.”

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

15 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

16 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

17 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.