News
Plaid Cymru blasts Labour over council vote
PLAID CYMRU leader on, Cllr Michael Williams, has released a statement criticsing the Labour group for voting against a move that, they say, would have extended democracy in the council
The statement sent to The Herald reads: “Labour votes with the Independent Political Party Group to restrict democratic accountability in Pembrokeshire.”
The Plaid Cymru group on PCC have expressed their amazement and disappointment that the Labour group voted against a move that would have extended democracy in the council. The proposal put forward in a notice of motion would have extended membership of key committees which would have increased representation from all political groups in the authority.”
Group leader Cllr Michael Williams said after the meeting, which took place yesterday (May 8): “It is a sad day when Labour vote with the ruling group to deny broader representation of political groups on vitally important committees such as Audit and Democratic services. This shows that Labour are only interested in maintaining their own position and share of seats, as opposed to supporting real change in this Council.”
He added: “How can they keep their credibility intact if they claim to be acting to open up this Council when they have a practical opportunity to do so, they run for cover. Plaid Cymru will continue to support measures to open up this rotten body to public scrutiny.”
In response Labour leader Cllr Paul Miller said: “More councillors on more committees solves nothing. Adding people to committees which already have representation from a number of political parties and groups does nothing to enhance democracy. The only reason Cllr Williams and Cllr Kilminster from Plaid are raising this issue is because they can’t sit on those committees themselves.”
He added: “Cllr Williams talks about protecting the Labour position. What position? We sit on two more committees [than Plaid] – both dominated by the Independent Political Group.”
Pictured: Labour leader Paul Miller
Crime
Pembroke Dock woman in court for failing to remove rubbish from property
A PEMBROKE DOCK resident is due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court later today (Nov 25) for multiple alleged breaches of a community protection notice.
Sheena Deacon, of 13 Wavell Crescent, Pembroke Dock, faces charges under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which carries a maximum penalty of a Level 4 fine.
The charges stem from allegations that Deacon failed to remove accumulated household waste from her property on several occasions. According to court documents, the breaches occurred on September 19, September 26, October 2, October 9, and October 17 this year.
The charges indicate that Deacon, despite being issued with a community protection notice, did not comply with the requirements to clear and appropriately dispose of refuse and household waste from her address.
The Herald will bring updates on the case as it progresses.
News
Welsh Conservatives urge Labour to scrap ‘family farm tax’
THE WELSH CONSERVATIVES have announced plans to bring forward a Senedd debate next week (Nov 27) calling on the UK Labour Government to abandon its proposed “family farm tax.”
The tax, introduced by the UK Labour Government, is being criticised as a move that will harm Welsh farming, threaten food security, and increase food prices. Alongside the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme and perceived “anti-farming agenda,” critics argue this new tax amounts to a coordinated effort to undermine the future of agriculture in Wales.
Shadow Minister warns of consequences
Ahead of the debate, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, James Evans MS, condemned the proposal, stating:
“Labour’s family farm tax will put family farms out of business, threaten our food security, and lead to food prices rising. Only the Welsh Conservatives will stand up for our farmers, and that’s why we’re bringing forward a Senedd motion calling on Labour to reverse this decision. No farmers, no food.”
NFU Cymru expresses alarm
NFU Cymru President, Aled Jones, echoed these concerns, highlighting the widespread opposition from the farming community. Speaking about the impact of the tax on Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief, Jones said:
“Earlier this week, hundreds of farmers from across Wales journeyed to London to meet with their MPs and register their deeply held concerns about these misguided and ill-thought-out reforms.
“The proposals unveiled by the Treasury last month to introduce a tax on the passing on of our family farms to the next generation are a massive added burden. They will leave many farmers without the means, confidence, or incentive to invest in the future of their business.
“NFU Cymru reiterates its call for the UK Government to halt these changes.”
The motion to be debated
The motion, set to be debated in the Senedd, reads:
“To propose that the Senedd:
Calls on the UK Labour Government to reverse its decision to impose a family farm tax on agricultural businesses.”
This debate is expected to attract significant attention, with Welsh farmers and rural communities keenly watching for the outcome.
Community
Internet outage for two villages after exchange box destroyed
RESIDENTS of Clunderwen and Llandissilio have been left without internet access following the destruction of an Openreach exchange box just outside Llandissilio village.
The incident occurred yesterday (Nov 23) when the box was reportedly demolished by a vehicle. The damage has resulted in a complete loss of internet services for the two villages, with repairs expected to take at least a couple of days.
Local residents have expressed frustration over the disruption, as the outage affects home businesses, remote workers, and households relying on internet connectivity for day-to-day tasks.
Openreach engineers have cordoned off the site, and work is ongoing to assess the extent of the damage. A spokesperson for Openreach has been contacted for comment but had not responded by the time of publication.
The vehicle involved in the incident has not yet been identified. Anyone with information about the collision is urged to contact the local police.
With repair timelines unclear, affected residents have called for increased communication from service providers to manage expectations during the outage.
“Bringing the community back online is a priority,” a local resident said. “We’re hoping Openreach can resolve the issue quickly and ensure it doesn’t happen again in future.”
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Lee
May 14, 2014 at 10:21 am
Labour are a joke party in Pembs – even their own leader acknowledges that his party sit on more committee’s than Plaid, then states that having more councillors on committee’s solves nothing. Take your councillors off those committees then, if ‘they solve nothing’.
Allow all parties a voice on committees (and certainly don’t vote aginast the idea!!) or stop claiming you support democracy.
Teifion
May 17, 2014 at 4:37 pm
the IPG don’t even try to hide their selfish greed anymore do they ?
Must be great to have so much faith in the ppl of Pembrokesahire – hollow laugh!