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Politics

Tributes to ‘wonderful and dedicated Senedd Member for Caerphilly’

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TRIBUTES have poured in for Caerphilly Senedd Member Hefin David, who has passed away aged 47.

Dr David served the Caerphilly constituency in the Senedd since 2016, and had previously represented the St Cattwg ward on Caerphilly County Borough Council.

Fellow Senedd Members and political colleagues, community groups, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer have all paid tribute.

Jeff Cuthbert, his predecessor as Caerphilly’s Senedd Member, said: “My thoughts are with his family and many friends. He was my friend as well as a trusted colleague and comrade.”

Wayne David, who served as Member of Parliament for Caerphilly between 2001 and 2024, said: “In Caerphilly, we are all deeply saddened by this terrible news.

“Hefin was a close and true friend, a great colleague for many years, and a wonderful and dedicated Senedd Member for Caerphilly. He will be truly missed.”

Chris Evans, the current MP for Caerphilly, said: “It is hard to believe that someone so vital as Hefin has passed away. Anyone who ever met him either personally or professionally would have been impressed by his passion and energy for his job.

“Throughout his political career, he championed the people of Caerphilly. Whether on the airwaves, in print or on the doorsteps, Hefin never stopped speaking up for the place he called home.

“As both a friend and colleague I admired him and will miss him deeply. My thoughts are with his family, his two young daughters and everyone who Hefin touched throughout his life.”

Cllr Sean Morgan, leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council said: “The whole community will be shocked and saddened to hear the news of Hefin’s sudden passing. On behalf of the council and the wider community, I would like to express my deepest condolences to his family and partner at this difficult time.

“First and foremost, Hefin was a dedicated family man who was devoted to his two young children, He was also a man who dedicated his life to helping others and improving the lives of everyone in the local community.

“He progressed rapidly in his political career, from initially being elected as a CCBC councillor to taking his seat within the Senedd. This is testament to his hard work and popularity as a politician who genuinely cared for others and worked tirelessly to support those in his constituency.”

Cllr Morgan continued: “He will be sorely missed by all those who had the privilege of calling him a friend, as well as those who worked with him throughout his political and professional career.

“Our community has lost a true champion of the people – and Welsh politics will be a poorer place without Hefin’s care, commitment and compassion.”

Islwyn MS Rhianon Passmore, who sat in both the Senedd and Caerphilly Council alongside Dr David, said “no form of words can accurately express the sense of loss I feel for my friend Hefin”.

Ms Passmore described him as “deeply intelligent and articulate” and continued: “A loving father and astute politician. Hefin was a communicator of talent and a true fighter for his constituents.

“From sitting next to him for over 15 years first within local government and then within the Senedd for nine years, I know he will never ever be replaced.

“He will be sorely missed both politically and as a friend. I will miss his witty banter across the chamber and his jokes about us sharing a surname (my maiden name is David). My sincerest condolences go out to all those he has left behind.

“And his star shines brightly forever.”

Elin Jones, the speaker or Llywydd, paid tribute to Dr David – who was the Senedd commissioner responsible for budgeting.

She said: “As a Senedd community we are all devastated by the tragic news of Hefin’s death. Our thoughts go immediately to his partner, our colleague and friend, Vikki Howells and to his cherished children and family.

“Hefin was so full of life and enthusiasm for his constituents and their causes. He was a passionate politician, loyal to his party, his country, and constituents. He was able to effectively work across parties and seek common ground.

“Hefin was particularly well-liked across the Senedd.

“He was our commissioner with responsibility for finance and undertook that role with diligence and skill. The news is devastating and reminds us of the fragility of life and the need for us all to support each other.”

Welsh secretary Jo Stevens also paid tribute to a dear friend and colleague. She said: “Hefin was a genuine, clever and caring man – deeply proud of Caerphilly. And, in Hefin, Caerphilly had a dedicated and committed representative.”

Dr David, a Labour backbencher who was unafraid to speak out or go against the party line, campaigned on behalf of constituents on issues including disability.

In December, Dr David, who had two daughters, led a debate calling for an end to the human rights scandal of autistic people being locked up in hospitals. And, in July, he backed a widow’s campaign for Owain’s law to improve brain tumour treatment.

Plaid Cymru’s Sioned Williams said: “I worked cross-party with Hefin to protect disabled people’s rights, of which he was a true champion.”

South Wales East’s Plaid Cymru MS Delyth Jewell described Dr David as always “steadfast in his views and loyal to his roots”.

“He represented this area diligently,” she said. “We were from different parties but worked together on many local issues. I will miss him – what a sad and dreadful loss.”

Darren Millar, leader of the Conservative opposition in the Senedd, sent his condolences to Dr David’s family, friends and Labour colleagues.

He described the Labour politician as a man who always stood up for constituents and who was well-respected across the political divide.

Laura Anne Jones, Reform MS for South Wales East described Dr David as a “genuinely lovely person” and said: “Regardless of political differences, we got on well. He always had time for a kind word, a smile or a funny anecdote.

“He always cared greatly for his constituents, fought hard for what he believed in and I admired him for his passion to improve Additional Learning Needs policy, drawing on his experiences.

“He contributed greatly to politics in Wales, and will missed greatly, politically and personally, in the Senedd. My thoughts and prayers go of course to his two beautiful girls, Vikki and family at this terribly sad time.”

Reverend Dean Roberts, CEO of the Trethomas-based charity The Parish Trust, paid tribute to a “faithful supporter of the charity” and said: “I had the privilege of working with Hefin on a number of projects over the years, most notably hustings events for Caerphilly constituents.

“I always found him approachable, willing to listen, and genuinely committed to serving the people he represented. His encouragement and support for our work meant a great deal to us as an organisation, and to me personally.”

Chief Constable Mark Hobrough, of Gwent Police, also paid tribute and said: “After I joined Gwent Police as the chief superintendent for the area covering Caerphilly, I worked closely with Hefin on many occasions and I found him to be an engaging and thoughtful individual.

“A dedicated public servant to Caerphilly, his commitment to our communities will be a significant loss.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “The entire Labour movement will join me in grieving the loss of Hefin David.

“He was a powerful voice for the people of Wales and a committed public servant, who dedicated his life to making sure every person and community in Wales had the opportunities and support they deserve.

“As Member of the Senedd for Caerphilly, where he was born and lived, he was incredibly proud of his community.

“Our hearts are with his family and those who knew and loved him at this painful time. May he rest in peace.”

 

Business

Rosemarket Dawn Till Dusk golf club 18-hole plans lodged

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A CALL to extend a long-established Pembrokeshire golf club, bringing it up to a full 18 holes, has been submitted to county planners.

In the application, Mr and Mrs Young, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd, seek a change of use of land adjoining the Dawn Till Dusk Golf Club, Furze Hill Farm, Bastleford Road, Rosemarket, to form an extension to the existing golf course, along with landscaping and associated works.

A supporting statement through the agent says: “The application seeks full planning permission for the enlargement of the existing golf course to provide an additional six holes, to provide a total of 18 holes.

“The proposal would involve minor landscaping works to the fields and boundaries and the creation of a small number of ponds and bunkers. The extension would be located on land to the west of Furze Hill Farm and on the opposite side of the road to the existing golf course and clubhouse.

“An altered access to the land parcel is proposed as part of this application, which would provide an improved route for users crossing the public highway to avoid conflict with movements at the main entrance.

“The application site exceeds 1ha and therefore the proposal is considered major development necessitating a Pre-Application Consultation prior to formally submitting the planning application to the Local Planning Authority.”

It adds: “The existing golf course has operated in excess of 30 years and is popular with both visitors and locals. Club membership currently stands at approximately 350 and there is demand for enhancing the provisions of the course.

“The applicants’ sons have recently increased their involvement in the enterprise and in recent years wet winter months have necessitated the closure of the course, or parts of it, due to the ground becoming waterlogged, primarily due to the flat nature of the existing course.

“The extension would provide variation to the terrain, providing, dryer conditions, as well as the ability to alternate between the existing and proposed to maintain use, enhancing the viability of the enterprise.”

The application will be considered by Pembrokeshire County Council planners at a later date.

 

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Business

Plans to rebuild arson hit building at farm with one of largest sheep flocks in Wales

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A CALL to rebuild a fire-damaged Pembrokeshire farm building, as a family home to help manage one of the largest sheep flocks in Wales, has been submitted to the national park.

In the application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, D B Davies and Sons through agent Harries Planning Design Management, with a supporting statement by Reading Agricultural Consultants Ltd, seek permission to renovate an existing fire-damaged dwelling, together with the conversion and extension of outbuildings to form an agricultural worker’s dwelling at Mynydd Du, Rosebush.

The supporting statement through Reading Agricultural Consultants Ltd says Mynydd Du is part of a wider holding which includes Eisteddfa Fawr and land around the village of Brynberian, the farms approximately six km apart, with land under control of the applicant amounting to some 1,500 acres, with a further 3,000 acres of Preseli mountain common land also used; the land accommodating a 5,000-ewe flock with 10 suckler cows and followers.

It says DB Davies & Sons Unlimited, has five partners: the two Davies brothers, Berian and Ken; their wives; and Berian’s son, Dyfed.

Berian and Ken are in their late 70s, with most of the heavy work on the farm is undertaken by Dyfed.

Dyfed and his wife Megan are first language Welsh speakers, living some 10 km away in Nevern, while Berian and Ken, and their wives, live at Eisteddfa Fawr, Brynberian.

The dwelling at Mynydd Du, where most sheep are now wintered, is structurally sound and repairable but has been unoccupied since 1990, and was subject to arson circa 2013, the statement says.

It says Dyfed works full-time on the farm, alone with increasing frequency as the older business members are above retirement age, working “long hours out of necessity to undertake all the work associated with one of the largest flocks of sheep in Wales”.

“His working hours are extended further due to the fact that he lives remote (6kms) from the main block of land at Tyllosg, where Mynydd Du is situated in the centre of the farm. Travelling back and forth several times each day during lambing and other times during poor weather, to check on flock welfare is an arduous task and can be dangerous, particularly if driving when tired during inclement conditions.”

The statement adds: “The application seeks permission to repair the fire damaged dwelling at Mynydd Du and bring it back to serve a useful purpose to enable Dyfed to closely monitor the ewes, not only at lambing, but throughout the year when the flock is grazing on the adjacent common land.

“It will also enable Dyfed to be with his partner and young child on a more regular basis than simply at the end of a long day when he is away from their current home, tending the sheep at Mynydd Du.”

The application will be considered by park planners at a later date.

 

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News

Council unveils plans for new state-of-the-art secondary school in Milford Haven

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PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has revealed plans for a new state-of-the-art school in Milford Haven, promising modern, inspiring learning spaces for children and young people across the community.

A newly released video accompanying the announcement features the First Minister, the local authority’s Deputy Leader, the Cabinet Member for Education and the headteacher, outlining what the development will deliver. The plans include specialist teaching areas, improved accessibility, and high-quality outdoor learning and play spaces.

The project places a strong emphasis on sustainability, incorporating energy-efficient features and modern building standards designed to reduce environmental impact while delivering long-term value.

The scheme forms part of a Strategic Outline Case approval. Any final funding commitment will depend on the project successfully progressing through the full business case process.

Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education, said: “This project represents a major investment in our children’s future. The new school will offer a safe, modern and inclusive environment where pupils can thrive, and we are delighted to share this vision with the community as we move towards the next stage of this exciting process.”

First Minister Eluned Morgan added: “This is fantastic news for pupils, parents, teachers and the whole community. Modern learning environments can make a real difference to pupils and staff alike. The Welsh Government has shown its commitment to new schools in Pembrokeshire as part of our wider programme of improving schools and colleges across Wales.”

Speaking on behalf of staff, pupils and governors, Deputy Headteacher Daryl John said the school community was excited by the plans.

He said: “Milford Haven School recently welcomed a visit from the First Minister, along with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, to mark initial progress on proposals for a new, aspirational school building.

“The development will provide inspirational learning and teaching spaces, offering high-quality, ambitious and equitable opportunities for all pupils. It aims to support our young people to thrive, develop their talents and grow into confident, successful individuals, supported by dedicated staff and the wider school community.”

Stephen Thomas, Headteacher at Milford Haven Primary School, said the project had been long awaited.

He said: “This new school building has been long awaited, and I know how much it will mean to our children, staff and the community as a whole in Milford Haven.

“For many years, our community has hoped for facilities that truly reflect the potential, pride and ambition of our children, and now that vision is becoming a reality.

“This is more than just a new building. It is a statement of belief in our young people and in the future of Milford Haven. It will provide modern, high-quality learning environments, improved spaces for wellbeing and inclusion, and facilities that will open up wider opportunities for our pupils and families.

“As Headteacher, I feel incredibly proud and grateful to see this investment in our community. Our children deserve the very best, and this new school will help us continue raising aspirations, strengthening community links and ensuring every child can thrive.”

The council will now begin a period of consultation and engagement with pupils, staff, parents and local residents to ensure the new school reflects the needs and ambitions of the whole community.

 

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