Business

Private care providers ‘making hay’ as plan to restrict profits ‘backfires’

Published

3 weeks ago

November 15, 2025

A WELL-INTENTIONED policy to restrict profits in children’s care in Wales has backfired, allowing remaining providers to “make hay” and double their costs, a committee has heard.

Jake Berriman, leader of Powys Council, warned an “unforeseen” consequence has left councils with no choice but to cough up because other providers have fled the sector.

In February, the Senedd passed a law aimed at “eliminating” private profit – with looked-after children only cared for by the public sector, charitable or not-for-profit organisations in future.

Cllr Berriman said the Welsh Government’s phased move to restrict profit has seen private providers leave the sector and others have simply doubled their costs.

“We have to pay because there is no choice within the market,” he warned. “I think they are making hay while it is there to be made and the sun is shining.

“We’re paying the price for that and that was unforeseen.”

Giving evidence on the Welsh draft budget to the Senedd’s local government committee on November 13, councils pointed to the increasing demand and complexity of social care.

Jane Gebbie, the deputy leader of Bridgend Council, said: “We’ve got one placement for one young person across Wales at the minute, that’s £20,000 per week – that is excessive.”

Mary Ann Brocklesby, the Labour leader of Monmouthshire Council, added: “We’d all like to say that’s unusual – it’s not, it’s becoming standard. I don’t think there is a local authority across Wales that is not facing that kind of singular cost pressure.”

Cllr Gebbie said people are rightly angry about council tax rises amid a cost-of-living crisis, with poverty increasing demand for public services across the board.

The Labour councillor warned funding for prevention and early intervention has been cut over the years, with councils forced to focus on statutory services.

Cllr Berriman said: “There’s a great deal of nervousness around the potential of a roll-over budget of around 2%. Even at the 2.5% that has been modelled, that is opening a gulf – a shortfall in budget projections due to in-year pressures.”

He warned of £560m of pressures, “which clearly won’t be covered” by the 2.5% average increase for councils proposed in the Welsh Government’s draft budget.

Cllr Berriman added: “We’re looking nervously across the border at authorities in England which have had section 114 notices [effective bankruptcy] on them and we’ve seen the devastating effects that has as those authorities lose control over their budgets.”

The Liberal Democrat stressed: “We want to avoid that at all costs.”

He called for a “meaningful” funding floor to ensure no council receives an increase less than a certain amount, “reducing the impact of winners and losers out of the settlement”. Ministers have proposed a 2.3% funding floor in the 2026/27 draft budget.

Calling for an increase of at least 4%, Cllr Brocklesby told the committee council tax makes up nearly 40% of Monmouthshire council’s revenue and “we cannot keep increasing it”.

She said councils are expecting no let-up in constraints before the 2027 local elections.

The councillor told Senedd Members: “A roll-over budget, with a 2.5% increase, doesn’t give us confidence that we will be able to collectively meet all the challenges.”

The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) has warned of a funding gap of £436m based on a 2% increase, the equivalent of 14,000 jobs or a 22% average council tax hike. Adjusted for the proposed 2.5% increase, the budget shortfall would be about £400m.

Cllr Brocklesby also expressed concerns about increasing national insurance costs, which the Labour Welsh and UK Governments have only partially covered.

She told the committee: “It does mean we have to consider various cost savings across the board, including looking at our workforce. For some councils, that will lead to redundancies… in others it will result in reduced services.”

Cllr Berriman added: “Those frontline services, as ever, are suffering this year and will be suffering next year as a result of this unexpected cost and other cost pressures.”

He warned of a “painful picture”, with every 1% less in the settlement from central government resulting in a 3% council tax increase in Powys.

The council leader told the committee: “The cost pressures… are such that we are diminishing the local government offer and we just can’t carry on on that basis.”

Asked how councils will bridge the estimated £400m gap, Cllr Gebbie bluntly said: “I think the Welsh Government needs to tell us what they don’t want us to do.”

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

24 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.

Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Business

Cardiff Airport announces special Air France flights for Six Nations

Published

4 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Direct services to Paris-Charles de Gaulle launched to cater for Welsh supporters, French fans and couples planning a Valentine’s getaway

CARDIFF AIRPORT and Air France have unveiled a series of special direct flights between Cardiff (CWL) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) scheduled for February 2026.

Timed to coincide with two major dates — the Wales v France Six Nations clash on Saturday 15 February and Valentine’s weekend — the flights are designed to offer supporters and holidaymakers an easy link between the two capitals.

For travelling French rugby fans, the services provide a straightforward route into Wales ahead of match day at the Principality Stadium, when Cardiff will once again be transformed by the colour, noise and passion that accompanies one of the tournament’s most eagerly awaited fixtures.

For Welsh passengers, the additional flights offer a seamless escape to Paris for Valentine’s Day, as well as opportunities for short breaks and onward travel via Air France’s wider global network.

Cardiff Airport CEO Jon Bridge said: “We’re thrilled to offer direct flights to such a vibrant and exciting city for Valentine’s weekend. Cardiff Airport is expanding its reach and giving customers fantastic travel options. We’ve listened to passenger demand and are delighted to make this opportunity possible. There is more to come from Cardiff.”

Tickets are already on sale via the Air France website and through travel agents.

Special flight schedule

Paris (CDG) → Cardiff (CWL):

13 February 2026: AF4148 departs 17:00 (arrives 17:30)
14 February 2026: AF4148 departs 14:00 (arrives 14:30)
15 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
15 February 2026: AF4150 departs 19:40 (arrives 20:10)
16 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
16 February 2026: AF4150 departs 16:30 (arrives 17:00)

Cardiff (CWL) → Paris (CDG):

13 February 2026: AF4149 departs 18:20 (arrives 20:50)
14 February 2026: AF4149 departs 15:20 (arrives 17:50)
15 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
15 February 2026: AF4151 departs 21:00 (arrives 23:30)
16 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
16 February 2026: AF4151 departs 17:50 (arrives 20:20)

Business

Cwm Deri Vineyard Martletwy holiday lets plans deferred

Published

12 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

CALLS to convert a former vineyard restaurant in rural Pembrokeshire which had been recommended for refusal has been given a breathing space by planners.

In an application recommended for refusal at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Barry Cadogan sought permission for a farm diversification and expansion of an existing holiday operation through the conversion of the redundant former Cwm Deri vineyard production base and restaurant to three holiday lets at Oaklea, Martletwy.

It was recommended for refusal on the grounds of the open countryside location being contrary to planning policy and there was no evidence submitted that the application would not increase foul flows and that nutrient neutrality in the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC would be achieved within this catchment.

An officer report said that, while the scheme was suggested as a form of farm diversification, no detail had been provided in the form of a business case.

Speaking at the meeting, agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, after the committee had enjoyed a seasonal break for mince pies, said of the recommendation for refusal: “I’m a bit grumpy over this one; the client has done everything right, he has talked with the authority and it’s not in retrospect but has had a negative report from your officers.”

He said the former Cwm Deri vineyard had been a very successful business, with a shop and a restaurant catering for ‘100 covers’ before it closed two three years ago when the original owner relocated to Carmarthenshire.

He said Mr Cadogan then bought the site, farming over 36 acres and running a small campsite of 20 spaces, but didn’t wish to run a café or a wine shop; arguing the “beautiful kitchen” and facilities would easily convert to holiday let use.

He said a “common sense approach” showed a septic tank that could cope with a restaurant of “100 covers” could cope with three holiday lets, describing the nitrates issue as “a red herring”.

He suggested a deferral for further information to be provided by the applicant, adding: “This is a big, missed opportunity if we just kick this out today, there’s a building sitting there not creating any jobs.”

On the ‘open countryside’ argument, he said that while many viewed Martletwy as “a little bit in the sticks” there was already permission for the campsite, and the restaurant, and the Bluestone holiday park and the Wild Lakes water park were roughly a mile or so away.

He said converting the former restaurant would “be an asset to bring it over to tourism,” adding: “We don’t all want to stay in Tenby or the Ty Hotel in Milford Haven.”

While Cllr Nick Neuman felt the nutrients issue could be overcome, Cllr Michael Williams warned the application was “clearly outside policy,” recommending it be refused.

A counter-proposal, by Cllr Tony Wilcox, called for a site visit before any decision was made, the application returning to a future committee; members voting seven to three in favour of that.