Politics

Conservatives criticise Plaid ‘pride’

Published

9 years ago

April 7, 2016

Andrew RT Davies: Plaid took same position as Tories for wrong reasons

THE LEADER of the Welsh Conservatives managed the notable feat of criticising a party which sided with his own to vote down a major piece of legislation last week.

As The Herald reported, the Public Health (Wales) bill failed to pass after voting was tied at 26 apiece, and the Presiding Officer, following tradition, cast her deciding vote against.

It was widely thought that Plaid Cymru would offer AMs a free vote, especially given that Elin Jones and Llyr Gruffydd had been instrumental in altering the original draft bill into a form which would be acceptable, with compromises on the controversial ‘e-cig ban’ being the most notable changes.

However, following a spectacularly mistimed jibe by Leighton Andrews, Plaid voted against the bill.

In doing this they joined the Welsh Conservatives and the Lib Dems, both of which had made Mark Drakeford’s approach to ‘vaping’ their main point of opposition.

However, Andrew RT Davies’ response was notably lacking in gratitude. Referring consistently to an ‘e-cigarette ban’ when the modified bill restricted vaping in playgrounds, nurseries, restaurants and public transport, he accused Plaid, who he described as ‘Labour’s little helpers’ of acting through wounded pride.

Mr Davies said: “We learnt two valuable lessons in the chamber yesterday evening as opposition parties came together to vote down Labour’s ill-judged e-cigarette ban.

“First, that Labour’s arrogance and sense of entitlement knows no bounds; co-operation to them amounts to getting their own way, and they’re more than happy to treat Plaid and Liberal AM’s as pawns on a chess table.

“But we also learnt something even more significant – Plaid’s biting point.

“Let’s be clear, Plaid’s decision to join us in opposing this legislation had nothing to do with the bill itself. They were motivated by pride, not principle.

“On numerous occasions throughout this Assembly term they have dutifully lined up to help Labour pass budgets and bills, starving the Welsh NHS of a billion pounds in the process.

“Plaid’s change of heart yesterday came about because they were embarrassed by Leighton Andrews’ arrogant jibe, not because they recognised the harm that a ban on e-cigarettes could have on those trying to quit smoking.

“And that’s why there has been something of a backlash from the organisations involved in drafting this legislation.

“We stood firmly opposed to the measures on e-cigs throughout the bill’s passage, and indeed we offered the Health Minister numerous opportunities to withdraw the section on e-cigarettes and proceed with a number of other important measures contained in the bill.

“Unfortunately, Labour’s arrogance was their un-doing, and you cannot allow poor legislation to pass – however well-meaning the rest of the measures in a Bill are.

“As for where this leaves us as we enter into the election period, it’s hard to say.

“Leighton Andrews embodies the contempt with which Labour hold Welsh democracy, and it’s high time that arrogant sense of an entitlement was cut down to size.

“Plaid were stung into action by a wounded sense of pride, but it remains to be seen whether Leighton’s jibe will have any meaningful long-term impact on their long-standing role as Labour’s little helpers.”

It remains to be seen whether these remarks will have any impact on the likelihood of a post-election alliance between Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives, which was hinted at by the new Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns this week.

Education

Pembrokeshire free school transport call to be heard at County Hall

Published

2 days ago

November 22, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to allow school pupils from Johnston and Tiers Cross access to free school transport to the nearby Haverfordwest high school is to be heard by councillors next week.

Due to a change in catchment areas the pupils are no longer able to access free transport to Haverfordwest, instead coming under the Milford Haven catchment area.

A petition calling for the reinstatement of the former catchment area to access free transport for pupils to Haverfordwest was recently started in the county.

The e-petition, which ran from September 18-November 1 on the council’s own website, attracted 351 signatures, meeting the threshold for a debate at the relevant Pembrokeshire County Council overview and scrutiny committee, in this case the Schools And Learning Overview And Scrutiny Committee meeting of November 28.

The petition, started by Kirsty Coaker, reads: “We call on Pembrokeshire County Council to change Johnston and Tiers Cross School Catchment back to Haverfordwest.

“Children of Johnston and Tiers Cross are now ineligible for free school transport to Haverfordwest High due to the areas no longer being in ‘catchment’.

“Both Johnston and Tiers Cross are Haverfordwest postal codes and are classed as Haverfordwest, yet the school catchment is Milford Haven.

“Please help our children access suitable transport to and from secondary school.”

The e-petition will now be considered at the November 28 meeting.

Climate

Pembrokeshire group plans for larger community wind turbine

Published

2 days ago

November 22, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A NORTH Pembrokeshire group which has raised more than £76,000 from its community wind turbine for local projects is hoping to expand with a bigger turbine.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Abergwaun Community Turbine Ltd, through agent Machynlleth-based Dulas Ltd is hoping to get permission for a larger turbine to replace the existing Abergwaun Community Turbine.

The proposed turbine, in a pasture field at Trebover Farm, to the south of Fishguard, would be 67m tall, the existing 2015 one being 45 metres.

In supporting statements, parent company Transition Bro Gwaun said: “The Community Climate Fund (CCF) is the mechanism by which Transition Bro Gwaun (TBG) is fulfilling our ambition of funding projects in Fishguard, Goodwick and across North Pembrokeshire, using income from the community wind turbine.

“The core themes for grants are climate change mitigation and adaptation, enhancement of biodiversity and improvements to community resilience through promotion of community engagement and resource sharing.”

In 2015, TBG raised its 50 per cent share of capital funding for the project by means of loans from 28 local individuals and four community groups, contributing a total of £286,500, the other 50 per cent contributed by landowners Parc-y-Morfa Farms Ltd.

The statement added: “Profit generated by sale of electricity from the turbine is split 50:50 between TBG and Parcy-Morfa Farms Ltd through the jointly owned trading arm, Abergwaun Community Turbine. By the end of 2022, all loans had been repaid, allowing the launch of TBG’s Community Climate Fund. This year we have awarded our third round of grants bringing the total amount granted to £76,036.”

In 2022, £15,274 was awarded to seven projects, including Fishguard Sports AFC to install solar panels on their clubhouse as part of their Tregroes Park development, Ysgol Bro Gwaun for their Increasing Biodiversity and Bees project, and Nevern Valley Veg / Llysiau Cwm Nyfer to install a solar powered vegetable irrigation scheme.

In 2023, £39,85 was made available for seven projects, including Sea Trust Wales to part fund the installation of solar panels on the Ocean Lab roof and to produce a display on solar technology, Letterston Memorial Hall to part fund the installation of an air source heat pump heating system, and Fishguard and Goodwick Rugby Club to install solar panels on their clubhouse.

2024 awards of £20,917 were made to six projects, including Theatr Gwaun to insulate their loft to reduce heating loss, Parc Cerrig Growers for developing a rainwater harvesting system with a pond to irrigate their allotments, Caerhys Organic Community Agriculture for an electric cargo bike for delivering organic vegetables in the Fishguard and St Davids areas, and Nevern Valley Veg to develop wildlife ponds and rainwater harvesting for food production.

The supporting documentation concludes: “The repowering of the existing turbine at Trebover would require a limited increase in turbine size which would result in a very limited change in landscape and visual effects in comparison to the existing Trebover turbine.”

The application will be considered by planners at a later date.

Business

Call to end ‘fad’ of ‘school dogs’ in Pembrokeshire

Published

2 days ago

November 22, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to end the ‘fad’ of permanent ‘school dogs’ in Pembrokeshire for their benefit and the befit of the schools, instead using visiting ‘therapy dogs’ is to be heard next week.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Schools And Learning Overview And Scrutiny Committee meeting of November 28 will consider a public submission by Robert Thomas – who works with therapy dogs – on the subject of school dogs.

The submission reads: “My definition of a school dog is one that spends long periods in the school and is managed and owned by school employees not outside assessed and insured visiting therapy dogs who stay for an hour with a competent handler.

“The welfare of many dogs in schools in Pembrokeshire has been compromised over the last few years and we are concerned that the rise in the popularity of school-owned or teacher-owned dogs is an animal welfare issue.

“I can think of several school dogs in Pembrokeshire where it has gone wrong for the animal.”

He cites examples of ‘school dogs’ the county, where he says they have had to be removed, with the animals being unsettled, barking and even nipping on occasions, showing “a lack of understanding of animal welfare”.

His submission adds: “We have done some work with the Animal Welfare team at the Welsh Government around licensing this field, a consultation was completed in March 2023, currently awaiting the outcome.

“It has become a fad across the country and many dogs spend all day in schools supported by staff members who have another job to do. It feels like PCC does not have a policy overarching animal welfare policy in schools to protect dogs from being seen as staff members and there purely for human benefit, not the dogs.

“Dogs need to rest and sleep during the day and not in school. The visiting therapy dog model works best as the impact is greatest and the welfare of the dog is managed externally. If the dog is there all the time that can diminish the impact, and the novelty can wear off for the pupils.

“In my experience schools should concentrate on teaching and leave the therapy dog introduction to those that have the expertise in animal welfare.”

The submission will be considered by committee members at the November 28 meeting.