Community

Manorbier school could be forced to close after horror fire

Published

1 year ago

May 14, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

THE EARLY stages of what could lead to the potential closure of Pembrokeshire schools including fire-ravaged Manorbier school has been backed by councillors.

At the May meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, members received a report of the School Modernisation Working Group.

A report for members recommended a series of proposals including the Director of Education be authorised to commence statutory consultation with the St David’s Diocese on proposals to discontinue Manorbier Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School and Cilgerran Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School, establishing the latter as a 3-11 Community School.

It also recommended the Director of Education be authorised to commence statutory consultation on a proposal to discontinue Ysgol Clydau, along with a review of English and Welsh medium, primary and secondary provision in the Tenby cluster.

Manorbier Church in Wales VC School and its adjoining schoolhouse was severely damaged by a fire on October 11, 2022, which broke out in the school roof space.

Pupils and staff were successfully evacuated with no injuries, and a ‘school from school’ was set up in Jameston Village Hall, after a brief period of sanctuary at the nearby Buttyland caravan site.

Manorbier has seen “a 59.8 per cent decline in the school’s pupil population during the period 2015-2025, with no indication that this will be significantly reversed during the next 5-6 years,” the report said, adding: “This decline cannot be attributed wholly to the fire which occurred in October 2022, with a 30.7 per cent decline from 2015 to 2022.”

It added: “The school’s capacity is 86 but there has been an increasing level of surplus places at the school, reaching 74.4 per cent in 2025. The school has been in a position of having significant surplus places (>25 per cent) for at least seven years.”

It said that most children living in the Manorbier school catchment attend other schools in the area, in 2024 only 15 children (18.5 per cent) living in the school’s catchment attended Manorbier school.

The capital cost of rebuilding Manorbier VC School is estimated to be £2.6 million.

On Ysgol Clydau, the report said there has been a 34 per cent decline in the school’s pupil population during the period 2015-2025, with no indication that this will be significantly reversed during the next five-six years.

Cilgerran Church in Wales VC School has seen a nine per cent decline in the school’s pupil population during the period 2015-2025.

Leader Cllr Jon Harvey said, in the case of Manorbier, he wasn’t yet convinced the authority “was in full possession of the relevant data to make a decision,” reading out a letter from Sam Kurtz MS about the fears of potential closure.

Independent group leader Cllr Huw Murphy, who later called for a deferral of any decision on Manorbier, saying: “Two-and-a-half years after the fire we at Pembrokeshire County Council haven’t covered ourselves in glory about this school and its catastrophic fire; numbers have reduced but there has to be a correlation.

“We all wanted Manorbier to be rebuilt, and the majority do now; we owe Manorbier a chance, we’re being asked to make a decision on incomplete information.”

Cllr Rhys Jordan, a neighbouring councillor to Manorbier, said the school had been “caught in a bit of a political football on both sides,” adding: “When that school burned down those children were placed in a safe place that’s become a long-term fix.

“We need to get these young people into a proper educational environment; I can’t support Cllr Murphy’s amendment, it would be just kicking this down the road. I urge members to make a difficult decision today and support the recommendations.”

Local member for Manorbier Cllr Phil Kidney in an impassioned plea, said the teachers and pupils at the school had been though a “horrendous” time with Covid and the later fire.

“Of course, the figures went down; they lost a big catchment to Greenhill [Tenby] and through Covid and the fire. Figures are going up but there’s the uncertainty of the last two-and-a-half years.”

He added: “50 per cent of the pupils have got ALN needs, a lot of them come out of catchment simply due to the nurturing; there’s a lot of poverty in Manorbier, a lot of the children will struggle in classes of big sizes, that’s why they go to Manorbier.

“It shouldn’t all be about money; we’re looking at the bottom line all the time, what they’ve been through is horrendous. I can’t speak highly enough about the level of teaching; this is the sword of Damocles hanging over them, we’re not trying to give people false hope, we’re only trying to make the right decision, with all the information.

“At the moment I would say we haven’t got all the information there; all we’re asking from the council is give us the benefit of the doubt and make the decision with all the information. Waiting another couple of months is well worth it, the staff, pupils and parents of Manorbier school all deserve it.”

A plea on behalf of Ysgol Clyddau was launched by Cllr Iwan Ward, local member, who said it was “the heart of our society not just a school, it’s family, a community, an anchor for children who deserve the opportunity to grow,” adding closure was “a disaster for the future of education locally,” and was “not fair and was not moral”.

Cllr Murphy’s amendment was defeated by 35 votes to 14, with one abstention, the original recommendation later passing by 44 to three, again with one abstention.

Community

Newgale road closure confirmed for resurfacing works

Published

5 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A STRETCH of road at Newgale will close for two days next week while resurfacing works are carried out.

The closure is planned for Tuesday (Jun 23) from 9:00am to 3:30pm, and Wednesday (Jun 24) from 9:00am to 4:00pm.

The affected section runs from Penycwm to just above Beachcroft bungalow in Newgale.

Traffic will be diverted via Roch Bridge and Eweston, between the Victoria Inn and Penycwm.

Businesses including the campsite, Landsker Line, Newsurf, Sands Café and the hardware shop are expected to remain open as normal. The car parks and the Welsh Road will also remain accessible, but traffic will not be able to travel up the hill towards Solva after the shop.

School buses are expected to run as normal, but the T11 service will operate to a special timetable between Haverfordwest and Roch. There will be no T11 service from Newgale to St Davids during the works. The 400 service will run as normal, but via the diversion route.

Cllr Mark Carter said he had asked for signs to be placed at Haverfordwest and St Davids, advising larger vehicles and those towing to consider using the A40 via Letterston, Mathry and St Davids instead.

An alternative route is via Crowhill, Hayscastle and Llandeloy crossroads, before rejoining the A487 at the top of Solva Hill.

Cllr Carter warned that the diversion route is likely to be busy, adding that drivers may need to reverse in places. He said the route had been cut back and overhanging branches removed.

Motorists are being urged to follow the signage and not to enter any road marked with a no-entry sign.

The closure times are a guide only, as resurfacing may take longer if the tarmac is slow to set in hot weather or if there is a mechanical breakdown.

Community

Jobcentres help drive employment growth as summer hiring season gathers pace

Published

5 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

New figures show rising employment across Wales while local teams support businesses, young people and the care sector

JOBCENTRE PLUS teams across South-West Wales are stepping up support for both employers and jobseekers as businesses prepare for the busy summer season.

The latest employment figures show that 1.494 million people are now in work across Wales – an increase of 9,000 over the last quarter and 18,000 compared to the same period last year. The Welsh employment rate now stands at 72.3%.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) says Jobcentre Work Coaches and Recruitment Consultants are continuing to play a key role in helping people move into employment while supporting businesses struggling to fill vacancies.

Wyn Morris, DWP Recruitment Consultant Manager for South-West Wales, said: “During the busy summer season, Jobcentres remain focused on helping individuals take advantage of seasonal employment opportunities.

“We are working closely with employers to increase the supply of workers across sectors such as tourism, hospitality, retail and events, while also delivering job fairs and targeted initiatives to help young people secure suitable roles.”

He added that Neath Port Talbot had seen a 12 per cent reduction in Universal Credit claimants aged 50 and over, with specialist support continuing for older workers as well as people with disabilities and health conditions.

Focus on care sector recruitment

The care sector remains a major priority, with Jobcentre Plus working alongside organisations including Social Care Wales, Barcud Housing, the Care Society and the NHS to tackle recruitment challenges.

Recent initiatives, including childcare support and the Movement to Work programme, have helped increase the number of candidates entering care roles across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and West Wales.

One recent recruitment campaign with M&D Care resulted in six candidates being interviewed, with all six offered jobs.

Another success involved a participant on an NHS vocational programme securing a permanent role within Support Services at Morriston Hospital.

The DWP said these outcomes demonstrate the value of tailored support and structured routes into employment.

Young people finding work

Supporting young people into sustainable employment remains a key focus.

One success story is Carlos, 18, who began claiming Universal Credit after leaving school in February and was unsure about his future career path.

Working closely with Jobcentre staff, he developed a CV, improved his interview skills and took part in the Movement to Work programme.

He later secured a permanent 30-hour-a-week position with A.F. Blakemore in Llantrisant.

Carlos said: “This experience really helped me understand the world of work. The support I received gave me the confidence and motivation I needed to secure a job. I’m very grateful for everything the Jobcentre has done for me.”

Lindsey Beasley, DWP Recruitment Consultant for Llantrisant, said personalised support can make a significant difference to young people’s prospects.

“When young people receive personalised support, they build confidence, develop skills and take meaningful steps into employment,” she said.

Transport concerns raised in Fishguard

Employment barriers in Pembrokeshire were also discussed during a recent meeting involving representatives from Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council, tourism businesses and local Senedd Member Kerry Ferguson.

A lack of public transport was identified as a significant obstacle for many jobseekers, particularly those under 25.

Discussions also explored the possibility of creating community-based facilities, including youth hubs, to support skills development and employment opportunities.

Partners attending the meeting pledged to strengthen engagement with local employers, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, and encourage more work experience opportunities.

£1.5 billion investment for young people

The Government has announced more than £1.5 billion of funding over the next three years to help young people aged 16 to 24 gain employment, education or training opportunities.

This includes £820 million for the Youth Guarantee and £725 million through the Growth and Skills Levy.

The Youth Guarantee aims to ensure every young person has access to work, training or education opportunities, helping them develop the skills needed for long-term employment.

Sian Davies, Recruitment Consultant Manager for South-West Wales, said employers could benefit from financial support when recruiting young people.

“Employers can access funding through two main routes: a six-month wage subsidy via the Youth Guarantee or a £3,000 job grant,” she said.

“Eligibility depends on the length of time a young person has been out of work.”

National picture

Commenting on the latest employment figures, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said there were now 400,000 more people in work across the UK than a year ago.

He said the Government’s employment reforms and investment programmes were designed to create opportunities for young people while supporting disabled people and others facing barriers to work.

The DWP says Jobcentres will continue working with employers and community partners throughout the summer to help fill vacancies and support economic growth across Wales.

Community

Why police will be visiting every home in Pembrokeshire

Published

9 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

New operation aims to knock on more than 257,000 doors across Dyfed-Powys over the next three years

DYFED-POWYS POLICE has launched a major new community engagement operation aimed at visiting every home across the force area within the next three years.

Operation Connect will see neighbourhood policing and prevention teams proactively call at residential properties across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Powys.

The force says the initiative is designed to increase visibility, improve communication, and give residents a direct opportunity to raise local concerns with officers and PCSOs.

According to Dyfed-Powys Police, there are 257,416 residential properties across the force area currently active on local authority council tax systems. The aim is for officers and staff to knock on every one of those doors over the course of the operation.

The scheme follows the launch of Dyfed-Powys Connects in September 2025, a two-way messaging system intended to improve contact between police and local communities.

Chief Inspector Dominic Jones said: “It is vital that we make every effort to connect with those who live and work in our communities, as our public deserves to know their local police teams and feel a genuine sense of trust and confidence in Dyfed-Powys Police.

“I know how much our neighbourhood policing teams care about their areas, and we are undertaking this work because we truly care about the communities we serve.”

During visits, PCSOs will also help residents complete priority surveys. The force says these will allow local concerns to be recorded and used to shape future policing activity.

Dyfed-Powys Police says the surveys will provide measurable data to help maintain community confidence and support problem-solving with partner agencies.

The force currently has 189 full-time equivalent officers and staff deployed in neighbourhood teams. This includes 131 PCSOs and 58 police constables, made up of 29 existing officers and a further 29 through the Neighbourhood Guarantee uplift.

To cover the whole force area, each officer or staff member would need to visit around 1,362 properties. Dyfed-Powys Police says this would equate to approximately six properties per officer or staff member each day over a 12-month period.

Chief Inspector Jones added: “By reporting back on our progress through ‘You Said, We Did,’ we will continue to build, solve problems, and maintain lasting relationships with the communities we serve.”

The force says Operation Connect will help it build stronger relationships by listening to local issues, addressing concerns through targeted policing, and sharing progress with communities.