News
Health Bill fails after ‘cheap date’ slur
A MAJOR piece of legislation failed to be passed, following an unfortunate remark by Labour Minister Leighton Andrews.
Plaid Cymru had originally offered members a free vote on the Public Health (Wales) Bill, which has caused some controversy due to its stance on ‘vaping’. The original draft Bill called for a ban on vaping which would have matched the current smoking ban.
However, opposition parties united against the proposals, which meant that Health Minister Mark Drakeford offered a compromise, which restricted the use of e-cigarettes in schools, restaurants, public transport, premises which provide childcare, and transport hubs.
It was thought that some Plaid Cymru AMs, including Shadow Health Minister Elin Jones and Llyr Gruffydd, would have voted in favour of the Bill following these compromises, and as late as Wednesday afternoon, most commentators assumed that the Bill would be passed.
At this point Public Services Minister Leighton Andrews angered Plaid members. Referring to the help he had received from them in passing the Local Government Bill previously, he referred to the party as ‘a cheap date,’ which led Simon Thomas AM to want that he ‘may come to regret that remark.’
Plaid Cymru voted with the Conservatives and the Lib Dems against the Bill, which also provided a plan to licence tattoo artists, banned ‘intimate piercings’ for under-16s and called on councils to provide a ‘local toilets strategy.’
This meant that the vote was tied on 26 apiece, and following tradition, Presiding Officer Dame Rosemary Butler voted against.
After the meeting, Professor Drakeford said he was ‘disappointed that the Bill had been voted down: “It puts to waste five years of careful preparation and constructive work with a very wide range of stakeholders and supporters,” he added.
It was suggested that Plaid Cymru’s response was somewhat over-the-top, especially given that Elin Jones had been instrumental in the Bill reaching its present state.
However, Ms Jones hit back over social media: “I worked with Labour on a fair compromise on e-cigs, but my party is not their ‘cheap date’,” she said.
Conservative Shadow Health Minister Darren Millar’s party had consistently opposed the Bill, focusing on the positive effects of e-cigs on those giving up smoking: “I have long argued that introducing this ban would be a huge step backwards for smoking cessation and efforts to improve public health, and I’m delighted that pressure from the Welsh Conservatives and other opposition parties yielded results in the end,” he said.
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams said: “This is a decision that will affect thousands of people, yet Plaid decided to vote based on whether they were a ‘cheap date’ or not. While that is utterly bizarre and somewhat farcical, I of course welcome their u-turn.
“Labour’s illiberal plan flew in the face of medical evidence. E-cigarettes are a useful way for smokers to give up on tobacco and there is no doubt they have saved lives.”
It is worth pointing out that under the amended legislation, vaping was only banned in areas with high concentrations of children, people eating, or public transport.
Richard Hyslop, Chief Executive of the Independent British Vape Trade Association said:
“We are delighted that a majority of Welsh Assembly members have chosen to vote against the Welsh Government’s public vaping ban.
This ban was not based on any credible evidence, and it was clear by the wide coalition of organisations opposing this ban, that it lacked any significant support within the public health community or the wider Welsh population.
If this ban had been supported today, it would have resulted in fewer smokers switching to vaping, and many vapers sadly returning to smoking. We are delighted that this will now not be the case.”
Business
Expansion for Ashmole & Co with acquisition of Jones Ward Accountants
CHARTERED, Certified Accountants, Ashmole & Co, are delighted to announce their expansion following the acquisition of JonesWard accountancy firm in Carmarthen.
Ashmole & Co Carmarthen has today taken over JonesWard who have closed their office in Lammas Street, Carmarthen. All JonesWard staff, including Ian Jones and James Ward, have transferred over to Ashmole & Co and will be based in the Old School, the Quay, Carmarthen.
JonesWard informed their clients that the administrative burden of running a practice had increased significantly over recent years due to the constant changing money laundering and tax regulations, software requirements and so on. Over the past 12 months it had become more challenging to maintain the level of service they had been used to providing.
Ian Jones said, “We feel Ashmole & Co share the same values as us and have the necessary expertise and resources to ensure we can continue to provide the personal touch and level of service clients have been accustomed to. Myself and James are not retiring but we will be supported by Ashmole & Co’s partners and staff from now on in their Carmarthen office.”
Ashmole & Co partners Sharon George, Carwyn Morgan and Vinal Patel will strive to ensure JonesWard clients will continue to receive the high quality of service they are used to.
Vinal Patel, Partner with Ashmole & Co said, “It is our priority to make the transition as smooth as possible with all employees of JonesWard having already transferred to Ashmole & Co and are now based in our office on the Quay in Carmarthen. We look forward to meeting our new clients and working closely with them to meet their needs in the future.”
Ashmole & Co Chartered and Certified Accountants have been established since 1897 and are one of the largest accountancies and auditing practices in south Wales, now operating from thirteen offices throughout south and west Wales including Swansea, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest and Ammanford.
Charity
Fundraiser to take on epic 87k steps challenge to raise funds for Withybush
SAM Faulkner is challenging himself to walk 87,000 steps in one day to raise funds for the Cardiac Care Unit at Withybush Hospital in memory of his father.
Sam will be walking along the Brecon and Monmouth Canal from Brecon to Rogerstone in Newport.
Sam said: “Since losing my Dad last year, I made a personal commitment to do something to raise money every year for the Cardiac Care Unit at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest who looked after my Dad so well in his final days.
“I will be challenging myself to complete 87,000 steps in a day on July 20th 2024 – 1,000 steps for every year of my Dad’s life. I’ll be walking around 40 miles in about 10 hours.
“Canal walks were always a firm favourite of mine and my Dad’s, with many days spent walking along the Grand Union in Northamptonshire when I was growing up.
“My family and I, and the unit at the hospital, would be beyond grateful for anything supporters could give. Thank you ever so much in advance.”
Katie Hancock, Pembrokeshire Fundraising Officer, said: “We’d like to say a huge good luck to Sam with his challenge. Thank you so much for dedicating your time to raise more funds for the Cardiac Care Unit.
“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”
You can donate to Sam’s fundraiser here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/sam-faulkner-1712508280259?newPage=true&fbclid=IwAR2tyVVQVea0DLQelSsrp7Ie2CKjX0jXGnwndR_tBKL-Av2kv8f5nchEolw
For more details about the charity and how you can help support local NHS patients and staff, go to www.hywelddahealthcharities.org.uk
Business
Dragon LNG explores integration of LNG and CO2 liquefaction processes
DRAGON LNG, based in Waterston, Milford Haven, recently announced a significant step towards sustainable energy solutions.
The company awarded a contract to Worley, global professional services company of energy, chemicals and resources experts, to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study.
The study is focussing on exploring the potential benefits of integrating LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas)
regasification and CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) liquefaction processes at Dragon LNG’s facilities. This integration holds promise for a more efficient operation, with the potential to reduce energy consumption, carbon intensity and the levelized cost of CO2 export not only at the Dragon site but also for Haven industry companies.
If feasible, the technology at Dragon would support wider collaboration with RWE Pembroke Net Zero Centre, whose CO2 would be transported to the Dragon facility for processing before being shipped via non-pipeline transport (NPT) to carbon sequestration sites.
Key aspects to be addressed in the feasibility study include:
- Technical Solutions: Worley will evaluate various technical approaches to seamlessly integrate LNG and
- CO2 liquefaction processes, ensuring optimal energy efficiency and effectiveness.
- Carbon Intensity Reduction: Dragon LNG is committed to sustainability, and the study will assess how the integration of processes can contribute to lowering the carbon intensity of operations, aligning with broader environmental goals.
- Economic Viability: Understanding the financial implications is crucial. The study will delve into the levelized cost of CO2 and other economic factors to determine the feasibility and financial benefits of the proposed integration.
Commenting on the partnership, a spokesperson for Dragon LNG stated, “We are excited to collaborate with Worley on this important initiative. As a responsible energy provider, Dragon LNG is continuously seeking innovative ways to enhance our operations while minimizing our environmental footprint. This feasibility study represents a significant step towards achieving those objectives.”
Worley’s expertise in engineering and consultancy services including in the CO2 and LNG sectors makes them an ideal partner for this endeavour. Their track record of delivering sustainability solutions aligns perfectly with the ambitious goals of Dragon LNG.
This collaboration underscores Dragon LNG’s commitment to driving sustainable practices within the energy sector. By exploring the integration of LNG regasification and CO2 liquefaction processes, the company aims to pave the way for a cleaner, more efficient energy future with their ambition of a net zero terminal by 2029.
-
News5 days ago
Police investigating after woman found dead on beach near Pennar
-
News5 days ago
Police discover body in search for Luke Stephenson, 19
-
News4 days ago
Councillors block Milford Haven boxing event – promoter to appeal
-
Crime6 days ago
Llandissilio man accused of making hundreds of child abuse images
-
News4 days ago
Beautiful, funny and lovely: Family pay tribute to Sian Batchelor
-
Business6 days ago
Lidl GB eyes Pembroke Dock for new larger supermarket
-
News5 days ago
Search efforts continue for missing teenager Luke Stephenson
-
News2 days ago
Body recovered confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, say police
1 Comment