News
Fishguard: Library’s extended opening hours to continue
FISHGUARD LIBRARY will continue to open six days a week during the 2018-19 financial year, thanks to a decision by Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council to fund opening hours on Fridays for a further year.
In April this year, the Town Council agreed to cover the costs of running the library on Fridays for an initial period of 12 months – ensuring the provision of full opening hours at the Library and the Last Invasion Tapestry Gallery.
Now, they have agreed to extend that period for another 12 months.
Councillor Paul Miller, Cabinet Member for the Economy, Tourism, Leisure and Culture, said he was very grateful to the Town Council for their continued support of this important facility both for local people and visitors from further afield.
Since April, almost 6,000 people have visited the facility, over 1,050 books have been borrowed, and more than 300 hours of library computer usage has been recorded – solely on Fridays.
“It’s clearly been a great success,” he said.
“The feedback from the local community has been excellent, with people using the library on Fridays for a whole host of reasons including job-hunting, research and events such as ‘Feel Good Fridays’.
“We are also very pleased that it’s allowed the Last Invasion Tapestry Gallery to stay open full time. There have been nearly 1,800 visits on Fridays since April including visitors from six cruise ships.”
He added: “All Council services have been under financial pressures for some time, and because of these pressures, Fishguard Library’s opening hours had been reduced to five days a week before the Town Council stepped in to assist. We are therefore very appreciative of their support. It’s really made a huge difference.”
The Mayor of Fishguard, Councillor Janet Wyer said: “Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council are very happy to comply with the wishes of our community and fund the Friday opening of the facilities for a further 12 months.
“Fishguard Library is not just about books – it is a real community hub which and thanks to the hard work, passion and dedication of the staff, offers something for everyone.
“We have received nothing but positive comments over the past year regarding the Town Council funding the opening of the facilities on a Friday, and many requests that it continues.
“But we never give up hope that in the future, Pembrokeshire County Council will be in a position to consider opening the facilities on a Sunday as well – so that the very special Last Invasion Tapestry is available every day for the visitors who travel from all over the world to visit it.”
Business
Port of Milford Haven now official ‘a great place to work’
THE PORT of Milford Haven has been officially accredited as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ organisation. As the first Port Authority in Britain to secure this Certification™, it is a significant achievement.
“We are very proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified™,” said Vidette Swales, HR Director at the Port of Milford Haven. “It means so much that our employees have reported a consistently positive experience with their colleagues, their leaders and their jobs. Offering a positive employee experience is not only beneficial for the people who work with us but is also key for our continued business success.”
Tom Sawyer, CEO at the Port of Milford Haven added: “Our team is operating the UK’s leading energy port, and it is of the utmost importance that we do that safely, responsibly and effectively. We’re striving for excellence and aim to provide a world class service to our customers as well as supporting sustainable coastal communities for the prosperity of future generations. Our employees are clearly at the centre of this which is why I’m delighted that they feel supported in their role. I’m especially proud that this Certification™ demonstrates our core values of Safety, Excellence, Collaboration and Sustainability so perfectly.”
“We congratulate the Port of Milford Haven on achieving their Certification™,” said Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK. “Organisations which put the employee experience at the heart of their business gain their employees’ trust and, in turn, are truly able to build a great workplace culture that delivers outstanding business results.”
Find out more about careers at the Port of Milford Haven here: www.mhpa.co.uk/about/careers-at-the-port/.
News
Fresh questions over fire that ravaged Manorbier school
A senior Pembrokeshire councillor is to be quizzed on what progress has been made in recouping a £200,000 insurance excess paid by the council following the 2022 fire at a Manorbier school.
Manorbier Church in Wales VC School and its adjoining schoolhouse was severely damaged by a fire on October 11, 2022, which broke out in the school roof space.
Pupils and staff were successfully evacuated with no injuries, and a “school from school” was set up in Jameston Village Hall, after a brief period of sanctuary at the nearby Buttyland caravan site.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s insurers have previously said the fire was accidentally started while “hot works” were being carried out by contractors to renew an adjacent flat roof, but, as has previously been stressed, no liability had been accepted to date.
Councillors have previously heard the majority of costs were likely to be met from the council’s insurers, with the caveat of the unknown issue of liability and its effect on the £200,000 insurance excess.
A submitted question, by Councillor Aled Thomas, to be heard at the full council meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council on May 9, will ask Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language Cllr Guy Woodham “to update the chamber on what progress the Cabinet have made in recouping the £200,000 insurance excess paid following the devastating non-fault fire at Manorbier school”.
Councillors have previously been told by Cllr Woodham: “The legal issues are not straightforward but will be robustly taken forward.
“At this stage it’s still subject to legal discussion. The excess will be covered by a fund the council holds for insurance excess.”
He said that, if liability was found or accepted, the council would “pursue for the full maximum claim of the costs associated with the fire”.
Crime
Dafydd Llywelyn retains his post as our local commissioner
THE result of the election for the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner election has been declared.
Plaid’s Dafydd Llywelyn retains his role as commissioner. He has held the role since 2016.
The result of the election is as follows:
- Justin Mark Griffiths (Lib Dem) 7,719
- Ian Harrison 19,134 (Con)
- Dafydd Llywelyn 31,323 (Plaid)
- Philippa Thompson (Lab) 18,353
Before the election, Dafydd Llywelyn promised: “As your current Commissioner, operational, front-line policing has, and always will come before party politics. I have a strong track record of delivering on my promises and of listening to the communities of Dyfed Powys. I am proud of what I have achieved since 2016, but there is still so much to do.
“I am an approachable individual and I believe in listening to all members of the community in order to shape a successful police force.
“Since 2016, I have increased resources whilst also retaining the lowest council tax levels in Wales. During that time, we’ve seen:
150 more Police Officers;
- 150 more Police Staff;
- A CCTV system that is monitored 24/7 by police staff;
- A dedicated rural crime team;
- A focus on county lines drug dealing to target organised crime;
- Investment in Youth Offending Teams to divert young people away from crime;
- A new Offender Diversionary Scheme to reduce re-offending.
If re – elected:
- I will safeguard Neighbourhood Policing resources retaining a visible local policing presence;
- I will invest in the Communications Centre to ensure an accessible service;
- I will continue to put the victim at the heart of the service and develop a truly victim led service;
- I will work with operational staff to keep local police stations open;
- I will invest in a new and refreshed School Police programme to deliver early intervention and preventative work;
- I will prioritise working in partnership with organisations and agencies to safeguard the most vulnerable in society.
“Your safety is my top priority. I want to ensure that the Dyfed Powys Police Force remains one of the safest places to live in Wales and England.”
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