News

Joint session on Learning Centre closures

Published

11 years ago

February 13, 2015

County Hall

COUNTY COUNCILLORS have succeeded in a bid to call in for scrutiny the decision by the Council’s Cabinet to shut Learning Centres in Pembroke Dock and Fishguard.

East Williamston representative Jacob Williams was behind the original move to subject the Cabinet’s pronouncement to proper examination by a meeting of the Older Person’s Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Committee members Jonathan Preston, Peter Stock, Vivien Stoddart, and Tessa Hodgson provided the necessary signatures to ensure the meeting was called.

The Pembrokeshire Herald’s latest edition (Feb 13) reveals that Fishguard were not told of the threat to axe the town’s Learning Centre.

Cllr Williams has provided detailed reasons to support the call-in for scrutiny and criticises the short time frame before the closures take place and the lack of consultation before the recommendation was rubber-stamped by the Cabinet on Monday, February 9.

In his letter to Acting Head of Legal Services Claire Incledon, Jacob Williams says: ‘A bold claim is made within the report that “there will be no impact from these changes on the range of courses or opportunities that Learning Pembrokeshire offers” – given the uncertainty over the future locations of buildings and the facilities that may or not be available, I don’t believe this claim is sustainable and the viability of all current classes switching to alternative buildings appears not to have been assessed.’

Councillor Williams told The Herald: “Other than a claimed saving, there isn’t a single other pound sign or figure in the rest of the report to justify closing these learning centres throughout the county. If it’s about saving money then they need to be up-front with the figures and show their workings out.”

He continued: “None of the financials behind this decision have been appraised, or if they have, none of this was reported by officers to cabinet. Nor has an impact assessment been undertaken. That’s simply not good enough. The people of Pembrokeshire, who this decision will affect, deserve better. Decisions should be made after consultation and based on proper evidence, and not some doodles on the back of an envelope.”

In his call in request, Cllr Williams goes on to point out that the closure of the centres may be the thin end of a further round of cuts.

Speaking of the closure of Tenby’s Learning Centre, Cllr Williams expressed his concerns that the closure of the service in Tenby, housed in the same building as the library and youth club, ‘could lead to the unsustainability and therefore eventual closure of the library.’

He concludes: ‘I believe that the consultation to date on all aspects of the closures has been inadequate. Local members have not been consulted. As part of my call-in, which is endorsed by four committee members, I hope an invite will be extended to any councillor who wishes to address the committee on this call-in, as the decision has the potential to affect residents from across all of the county’s sixty electoral divisions.’

In the letter agreeing to call the requested meeting, Susan Sanders, the Committee Services Officer for the Council states: “It has been determined the matter falls within the remit of both the Older Persons, Health and Well-being Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee and, therefore, a joint meeting of both Committees will be called.”

Crime

Jury told to continue deliberations in historic child sex abuse trial

Published

50 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Judge says majority verdict may be accepted after jurors report deadlock at Swansea Crown Court

A JURY has been told to continue its deliberations in the trial of a Milford Haven man accused of historic child sex offences after indicating it could not reach a unanimous verdict.

Thomas Kirk, aged 50, of Meyler Crescent, Milford Haven, is on trial at Swansea Crown Court accused of oral rape and sexual assault of a child. The offences are alleged to have taken place in Pembrokeshire between 2007 and 2009, when the complainant was aged between thirteen and fifteen.

At midday on Wednesday (Dec 18), the jury returned to court to say they were unable to reach a verdict on which all jurors agreed.

Judge Paul Thomas KC told the jury that while he would be prepared to accept a majority verdict if at least ten jurors were in agreement, he still wanted them to continue deliberations in an effort to reach a unanimous decision.

The jury was then sent back out to continue considering its verdict.

The trial continues.

Crime

Police appeal to locate 69-year-old man wanted in harassment investigation

Published

1 hour ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for information to help locate a man from the Ammanford area who is wanted in connection with a harassment offence.

Alan Tait, aged 69, is being sought by officers as part of an ongoing investigation.

Police believe he may currently be in the Derbyshire area, but say he also has links to South Wales and Gwent.

Anyone with information that could assist officers in locating him is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police.

Charity

Bluestone Foundation marks year of impact with more than £60,000 for local causes

Published

2 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE BLUESTONE FOUNDATION, the charitable arm of Bluestone National Park Resort, has marked a significant year of community investment after raising and distributing more than £60,000 to support projects across Pembrokeshire in 2025.

Run in partnership with the Pembrokeshire Association for Voluntary Services (PAVS), the Foundation has continued to expand its reach, backing a wide range of charities and community organisations working at the heart of the county.

During the year, the Foundation’s Community Fund delivered three rounds of grants, supporting projects focused on wellbeing, inclusion, creativity, and environmental protection.

Environmental organisations including BlueGreen Cymru, Greener Growth CIC and Sea Trust Wales received funding, alongside wellbeing and inclusion groups such as ASD Family Help, Get the Boys a Lift, No Shame Foundation and Silbers CIC.

Creative, youth and heritage organisations including Little Grebe Creative CIC, Pater Hall Community Trust, Milford Haven Community Society, Urdd Gobaith Cymru and VC Gallery also benefited.

In total, £32,968.57 was awarded through the Community Fund in 2025.

Fundraising events held at the Blue Lagoon Water Park generated a further £19,500 in unrestricted income. Under the Foundation’s funding model, 75 per cent of that money is passed directly to charities, with the remaining 25 per cent placed into a flexible fund to support causes that fall outside the Community Fund’s criteria.

Flexible funding totalling £4,500 was used this year to support initiatives including Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project, refurbishment work at Martletwy Young Farmers Club hall, Bloomfield Bus and Green Dragon Bus services, and Nacro’s Christmas appeal, providing food, warm clothing and essential items to people in crisis.

The Foundation also supported the PATCH Christmas Toy Appeal, encouraging staff and visitors at Bluestone to donate gifts for families referred to the charity during the festive period.

In addition, more than one hundred fundraising events across the region were supported through prize donations from the Foundation, including over 200 family passes to the Blue Lagoon Water Park, 32 overnight spa breaks and nine Bluestone holiday breaks.

Marten Lewis, Chair of the Bluestone Foundation said: “This year’s achievements reflect the heart of who we are at Bluestone. The Foundation exists to uplift the people and places that make Pembrokeshire such a special community.

“The impact of our partners, grant recipients and fundraising efforts in 2025 shows what is possible when we work together, and we are proud to see the difference it continues to make across the county.”

Looking ahead to 2026, the Foundation has confirmed continued support for Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project and will act as gold sponsor of the DPJ Foundation’s Macchu Picchu trek.

Five further Blue Lagoon fundraising events are already scheduled between February and August, supporting Local Cadets, Belles Story, Martletwy YFC Hall, Blue Horizons Coastal Adventure and Friends of Portfield School.

Tickets for those events are available via the Bluestone Foundation’s Eventbrite page.

For more information about the Bluestone Foundation, visit the Bluestone website.