MULTIPLE emergency services took part in a major missing person exercise at Ynys Lochtyn, Llangrannog, earlier this week.

The exercise was organised by New Quay Coastguard and involved HM Coastguard Teifi (Cardigan), the Area 13 Coastguard Drone Team, Dyfed-Powys Police, and both the inshore and all-weather lifeboats from New Quay Lifeboat Station.

Llangrannog Urdd Camp hosted the exercise, which was designed to test and improve joint working between agencies during coastal emergencies.

New Quay Coastguard thanked the camp, the local community and all emergency services involved.

A spokesperson said exercises of this kind were “critical” for testing and improving partnership working during emergencies along the coastline.

New plans aim to cut delays, reduce costs and stop house sales collapsing

THOUSANDS of homebuyers across Wales could save time and money under a major overhaul of the property-buying process announced by the UK Government.

The reforms are designed to tackle long-standing problems in the housing market, including lengthy delays, failed transactions and unexpected costs which can leave buyers and sellers out of pocket.

Ministers say the changes could reduce the average time taken to buy a home by around four weeks and save first-time buyers an average of £650.

Under the proposals, sellers and estate agents would be required to provide key information about a property when it is listed for sale. New “sales packs” would include details about a home’s condition, leasehold charges and the status of any buying chain.

The Government also plans to introduce earlier legally binding agreements between buyers and sellers to reduce the number of transactions which collapse late in the process.

A major part of the reforms will focus on replacing paper-based systems with digital property logbooks, electronic signatures, online identity checks and AI-assisted conveyancing.

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens said: “Thousands of people across Wales will benefit from these reforms which will make buying a home faster, simpler and fairer.

“For too long the system has been difficult and complex. This government’s changes will save working people and families valuable time and money when they are buying their new home.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the current system leaves many families “in limbo” and makes home ownership more difficult than it should be.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said buying or selling a home should not be “a drawn-out nightmare of delays, hidden costs, and failed deals.”

The Government says the reforms will be introduced in stages, with a new Code of Practice for property agents expected later this year.

From 2027, ministers plan to consult on mandatory qualifications for estate agents and the wider use of digital tools.

Legislation requiring sales packs, binding contracts and digital property information systems is expected before the end of the current Parliament.

SEVENTY-FOUR volunteers from Valero Pembroke Refinery have taken part in one of the company’s biggest-ever community volunteering events.

Members of the workforce were joined by family, friends and residents of Angle village for a day of community work, including tree planting, a beach clean, and improvements to the village hall and local football club.

In total, volunteers gave up 650 hours of their time and used 75 litres of paint during the day.

Valero Pembroke Refinery said it was a “fantastic day of giving back” and praised everyone involved for their efforts.

Photo caption:

Community effort: Valero volunteers were joined by family, friends and Angle residents for one of the refinery’s biggest-ever volunteering events (Pic: Valero Pembroke Refinery/Facebook).