Community
Police get public satisfaction team
A NEW public satisfaction team will see the people of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys get more out of their police force and its
Commissioner.
Staff in the Dyfed-Powys Public Service Bureau will improve how people can express low-level concerns and dissatisfaction about policing services.
Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon, whose office is hosting the Bureau, said: “People dissatisfied at their police or my office want quick and efficient action – that will now happen. For too many years the process of dealing with these inquiries has been slow. Our Public Service Bureau will provide swift answers, advice and guidance. The Chief Constable and I want greater public satisfaction; policing services must meet the expectation of our communities.”
Dyfed-Powys Police received 276 formal complaints in 2014 (with 580 issues being raised in these), 290 compliments and 1,652 expressions of concern. Those non-formal issues will now, in the first instance, be handled by the Public Service Bureau.
The customer service professionals in the team, based at Police HQ, Carmarthen, are Kerrie Phillips, Dan Allbon and James Lewis.
They will deal with and monitor all expressions of dissatisfaction and concern – along with compliments – made by the public about Dyfed- Powys Police or the Commissioner’s office.
The public can contact them by phone, email or via the force or Commissioner websites.Low-level concerns will be dealt with directly by the Bureau or referred to a police officer for resolution. More serious matters will be referred to police force’s formal complaints team and to the Commissioner’s office.
The progress of all low-level cases will be monitored and pursued through to resolution. Bureau statistics and key information will be published regularly.
Chief Constable Simon Prince said: “Our new service will be public-friendly and will cut bureaucracy. It offers a single point of contact, a streamlined approach, rapid resolution and transparency.”
Community
Locals’ concern as St Davids scout hut threatened with demolition
THERE is widespread concern over the future of St David’s Scout Hut in Ffynnon Wen, which faces potential closure and demolition.
Built in 1992 through public donations and local craftsmanship, the hut has served as a vital community hub. Despite being a cherished venue for numerous groups and events, its future is now uncertain as the Scouts can no longer manage the facility.
The hut, situated on land owned by Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC), was offered to St David’s City Council by the Scouts in an effort to save it from demolition.
A generous offer of a 125-year rent-free land lease from PCC accompanies this proposal. The Scout association expressed hope that, should scouting resume in St Davids, the group would be welcomed back under the same terms currently extended to other community groups.
The urgency of the situation brought together over 70 locals for a fundraising coffee morning at the hut, raising £312. The event underscored the community’s strong desire to preserve this facility, with attendees expressing enthusiastic support for its continued use.
The city council is expected to meet soon to decide whether to accept the building and lease the land. Vicky Swales, representing the Scout Hut Supporters Group, highlighted the importance of the hut for activities involving adults with learning disabilities, praising its accessibility and the benefits it provides to participants.
County Councillor Bethan Price reflected on the gathering, noting the community’s strong connection to the hut and their collective determination to save it. Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, Henry Tufnell, also voiced support, stressing the importance of such community spaces in tourist-heavy areas like St Davids.
Residents are encouraged to show their support by signing a petition, joining a dedicated Facebook group, and contributing to a crowdfunding initiative aimed at securing the hut’s future.
You can view/sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/SaveOurScoutHut and join the Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/327075857010593/. There is also a crowdfunding page to support the campaign here: https://gofund.me/bea77036
Community
Water supply disruption in Hakin, Milford Haven due to burst pipe
RESIDENTS of Hakin in Milford Haven may be facing water supply issues after a burst water main was discovered in the area. Dwr Cymru Welsh Water has confirmed the incident, which has occurred on their network, and is likely to affect the water pressure or result in a complete cut-off.
The company issued a notification at 11:53 AM today (May 2), detailing the problem and advising local residents of possible low water pressure or a lack of water supply until the issue is resolved. The affected post code is SA73 3AB, where the burst pipe was located.
The status of the repair work is currently at ‘Stage 1 – Investigation’, with both the estimated start and completion of the repair set for today, May 2nd, 2024. Dwr Cymru Welsh Water has apologised for any inconvenience caused by the incident and urges residents to check their website for updates.
Local authorities and emergency services are coordinating to minimise the disruption and ensure that residents have access to alternative water supplies if necessary.
Residents can stay informed by visiting the Dwr Cymru Welsh Water digital service portal or by subscribing to updates from the utility provider. The company has also provided a link for those wishing to unsubscribe from notifications, ensuring that only those directly affected or interested receive the latest updates.
Community
Public to be consulted on the issue of temporary campsites within the National Park
PEMBROKESHIRE Coast National Park Authority will soon be gathering views from members of the public on the impact of caravan and campsites in the National Park.
In a National Park Authority meeting on 1 May 2024, Authority Members approved a proposal to consult with the public on a range of proposed options to control caravan and campsites. The consultation does not cover existing sites with planning permission, but focuses on temporary sites operating under what are known as permitted development rights.
Feedback from the consultation will help to inform how the Authority considers permitted development rights in the future, with a number of options currently being considered.
The Authority’s preferred option is the introduction of an Article 4 Direction, which would mean operators of temporary 28-day campsites within the National Park would require planning permission.
The second preferred option is to introduce a voluntary code of conduct for exempted organisations, which currently have the right to run or approve caravan and campsites without the need for planning permission or a licence.
At present, there are 7,500 pitches within the boundaries of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, either with planning permission or operating under an exemption certificate. There is also a significant number of what are now popularly termed ‘pop-up’ camping sites, operating under the 28 Day Rule.
Concerns have been raised in recent years however, due to increasing numbers of operators not adhering to the 28-day permitted development rights, with many temporary campsites operating for a much longer period of time, which can be up to 6 months of the year.
Sara Morris, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority’s Director of Placemaking, said: “While these forms of development have contributed greatly to the number of camping and caravan pitches in the National Park, it has also given rise to campsites coming into existence without the degree of scrutiny or public consultation given to sites going through the official planning application process.
“As well as putting a strain on the Authority’s ability to fulfil its main statutory purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty, wildlife and heritage of the National Park, the current situation is also undermining our ability to properly plan for the area and pursue a strategy of regenerative tourism.”
The National Park Authority commissioned a study in 2015 to examine what capacity there is to accommodate more sites within the National Park without harm to the landscape. The conclusion was that there is only very limited capacity in some locations, while others are already at capacity.
In addition to this, informal workshops conducted with statutory undertakers in late 2023 highlighted concerns around potential impacts on water quality and capacity as well as these landscape concerns.
The consultation, which will be launched in late May, will run until 5pm Friday 20 September 2024 and will be made available at www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/get-involved/public-consultations/ upon launch.
Following public feedback, Members will consider the next steps required. If an Article 4 Direction is chosen as a preferred option, then a formal notice regarding this process will be issued in October 2024 with the opportunity for formal responses to be made to the Authority over a three month period. The potential introduction of any such Article 4 Direction would then take place in Autumn 2025.
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