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News

Seminar to debate Health Board in special measures

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A SEMINAR, closed to members of the public, will be called to discuss the Hywel Dda University Health Board being placed into special measures.

Members of the Partnerships Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Thursday (Jan 10), had been discussing Cllr Paul Dowson’s notice of motion, which called on the council to recommend to the Health Minister that the Health Board be put into special measures.

In his supporting statement, Cllr Dowson highlights a number of targets which he says the Health Board has failed to meet.

The motion was previously discussed at the last Council meeting in December where members debated the spirit in which it had been made.

The Health Board’s plan to close the A&E in Haverfordwest, downgrade Withybush Hospital, and build a new centralised hospital between Narberth and Whitland has been highly controversial.


At the meeting in December, Cllr Dowson said: “The public have been to Hywel Dda themselves and made their thoughts clear and the board haven’t listened. We are really the only recommending authority that they can go to, so they have to come to us.”

On Thursday, however, his motion was not supported and it was instead suggested that a seminar be called to discuss the Health Board with members of the board being invited to intend.

Speaking passionately about his motion, Cllr Dowson said that Hywel Dda was ‘incompetent’ and added that there was ‘no excuse’ for the Health Board being in deficit by £69.6m.

He said: “Hywel Dda is responsible for more than 40% of the total overspend by Welsh health boards. They have missed A&E waiting times, this is not good enough. What’s very concerning is that they have missed the target for patients starting cancer treatment, it is unjustifiable. Planned operations is 90.9%, it is not good enough.

“I am in this position as the people of Pembrokeshire voted for me to represent their views and that is what I am going to do. They had consultations which they have ignored.

“They are failing the people of our county and they don’t care. We should write to them and suggest they take over the Health Board.”

Cllr David Bryan questioned why Cllr Dowson was not at the committee in October when the Health Board attended a meeting of the committee and why he did not ask any questions to a Board representative on an earlier item.

Cllr Dowson said the time for questions was over saying questions just come back with answers but with no justification.

Cabinet member Tessa Hodgson said that Cllr Dowson spoke with a lot of passion but added that she felt it was nothing they have no jurisdiction over and that it was up to the Health Minister for them to intervene if they saw fit to do so.

Cllr Michael Williams added: “I am not entirely happy with putting the Health Board into special measures. Betsi Cadwaladr has been in special measures for three years and nothing much has happened.

“I share Cllr Dowson’s concerns, something is not right but I am not convinced that special measures is the answer.”

Cllr Stephen Joseph said he agreed with Cllr Dowson adding: “I don’t envy anyone representing the Health Board. The public don’t seem to believe a word they say. I was initially against it thinking it was up to Hywel Dda to sort themselves out but the only people above them are the Welsh Government.”

Cllr Phil Kidney said: “I applaud Cllr Dowson for his passion, other than the improvement in Tenby it has been a shambles. I am not sure if this would speed up the process but we have to agree there are problems. We haven’t got the power but I would take this to full council to have a good debate there.”

Cllr Pearl Llewellyn said she had had numerous requests from the public in her ward including a phone call from Germany asking her to support the motion.

Members were of the view that as it was an important subject but that it needed to go to the full council. The committee was told it was up to them to decide whether it should go to the Council or the Cabinet.

Cllr Bryan said they were wasting their time discussing the motion and instead suggested inviting the Health Board in for a meeting.

Cllr Dowson said they would just give more excuses while Cllr Williams further added that he had no faith in Welsh Government to improve the situation.

Cllr Simon Hancock asked what had gone fundamentally wrong since the meeting in October when the Committee had agreed to work with the Health Board on delivering a new model of care.

When Cllr Dowson’s motion was put to the vote it was supported by four members with six voting against.

Cllr Bryan then put forward a motion that a seminar be held to which the Health Board would be invited and that the results of that would be brought back to full council.

That was supported by a majority.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Dowson said: “If it achieved nothing, it achieved publicity. Hopefully it will have drawn Welsh Government’s attention.

“Regardless of the outcome, it brought the matter to the public’s attention and hopefully the Welsh Government as well.”

News

Pembrokeshire County Council suffers major funding cut

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THE FUNDING of schemes already underway has been threatened by the change in government in Westminster.

The Labour administration has changed the criteria for funding under the Shared Prosperity Scheme, meaning that Pembrokeshire has suffered a cut in funding from it of over 40%. The change means that some projects must either be shelved or reduced in scope.

As projects previously part-funded by the Shared Prosperity Fund include controversial schemes such as the new pedestrian bridge in Haverfordwest town centre, opposition councillors on Pembrokeshire County Council will be delighted at the loss of central government funding for the county.

The UK Government has already announced that the Shared Prosperity Fund will close in March 2026. Although Labour claims it will undertake a review of local growth funding beforehand, that sounds more like a loaded rifle cocking with each passing day.

If funding falls to a Barnett consequential level (i.e. strictly pro rata to the English settlement) from 2026- 27 onwards, the result would be a massive cut in public investment and capital projects undertaken by all Welsh councils. As the Welsh Government has kicked local government finance into the long grass until after the next Welsh Parliamentary election in 2026, there is a void and uncertainty over future funding settlements beyond that date.

Moreover, the Welsh Government’s magic circle of mutual back-scratching with its Valleys and urban councils means Pembrokeshire and other rural areas are likely to suffer major real-terms funding reductions across the board.

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News

Inflation and election hit Pembroke regeneration plan

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A PLAN to regenerate Pembroke town centre must be cut following delays caused by the General Election and an almost one-third increase in the cost of construction.

The Council’s Cabinet will consider an update on the Westgate to Eastgate scheme on Monday, January 13.

The County Council originally applied for around £11.5m from the Levelling Up Fund in June 2022. Although that bid was unsuccessful, the Council was invited to reapply in a further funding round and succeeded. The £11.5m cost of the project is 90% funded by the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund. The Council is due to contribute 10% of that figure.

However, even though the Council succeeded in resubmitting its application early in 2024, the General Election in July stalled further progress. At the end of November last year, the Labour Government in Westminster issued a final memorandum committing to the expenditure.

In the two years since the original application, inflation has increased the project’s construction costs by 30%, underlining – again – that the consumer price index is a nonsensical measure for determining public authorities’ costs.

The Council contends that interventions at Pembroke would help stimulate the town’s economy. The town is experiencing increasing market failure due to increased vacancies in the retail centre, a poor mix of uses and significant leakage to other centres. The regeneration scheme would strengthen the visitor market and capitalise on the current visitor economy for Pembroke Castle, which bypasses the town centre.

Pembroke has the smallest number of commercial units (81) of Pembrokeshire’s six main towns and a high proportion of vacant units (17.3%).

The Cabinet report says: “The private sector will not provide the improvements to wayfinding and public realm improvements that are required to change the nature of the visitor experience. The lack of private sector development resulting from low values and low demand means that the potential of any private sector contributions is limited.”

In the absence of private sector interest, the Council believes public funding is the only tool it has to regenerate Pembroke’s ailing town centre and support new enterprises.

The project has three work schemes. Its primary focus is improving connections between the Commons Road, where most visitors park, and the town centre. The alleys and cut-throughs will be improved, and visitors will be signposted towards Pembroke’s Main Street and Mill Pond.

To increase visitors’ time spent in the town centre, the Council will improve its public spaces and green spaces and fund the renewal of St Mary’s Bells, a noted feature of Pembroke town.

At the town’s East End, the former school building will be stripped back to a shell state and partially refitted in readiness for future use, while steps will be taken to improve vehicular access along Well Hill.

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Community

Veterans urged to register for historic VE and VJ Day events

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THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION is inviting Second World War veterans and their families to register for commemorations marking the 80th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day in 2025. These events aim to honour the service and sacrifice of the generation that contributed to the Allied victory.

Milestone anniversaries

This year marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War, with Victory in Europe (VE) Day on 8 May 1945 and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day on 15 August 1945. Registration is now open on the RBL website for veterans, their families, or carers to join commemorations at both national and community events.

The RBL is organising a series of events to ensure the service and sacrifice of the Second World War generation are forever remembered. The celebrations will recognise the critical role played by Allied Forces from Britain, the Commonwealth, and beyond.

National unity in remembrance

Last year, the nation came together for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, with major events attended by members of the Royal Family, political leaders, and the public. In 2025, the RBL hopes the nation will unite again to honour the generation that fought for the freedoms enjoyed in modern Britain.

D-Day veteran Jim Miller, 100, from Merthyr Vale, shared his perspective:
“2025 is an important year for my generation, with anniversaries for both VE and VJ Day. It is always an honour being part of a Royal British Legion event, joining with comrades to remember and pay tribute to those we lost. I encourage all who served to register on the RBL website to ensure they are involved.”

Preserving a legacy

Philippa Rawlinson, Director of Remembrance at the RBL, highlighted the importance of these commemorations:
“These 80th anniversaries are likely to be among the last opportunities to come together as a nation with Second World War veterans to honour their bravery and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“Everyone in modern Britain has a connection to those who experienced the War, whether through family or community. It’s vital we mark these anniversaries with commemorations in communities across the UK and with national moments of gratitude.”

Rawlinson also emphasised the importance of sharing veterans’ experiences:
“We are inviting all Second World War veterans to register so their contributions, including ‘forgotten stories,’ can be shared and remembered. Their service shaped the world we live in today.”

Honouring contributions from all walks of life

The RBL invites registration from British and Commonwealth Armed Forces veterans and those who supported the war effort, such as munitions workers, Bevin Boys, and individuals from reservist occupations or the Special Operations Executive. Registrants will receive updates on commemorative plans and invitations to events.

A time for reflection

While VE Day 80 will reflect the celebratory street parties marking victory in Europe, VJ Day 80 will honour the conclusion of six years of global conflict.

The RBL, working with the Government and other stakeholders, is developing educational resources and community projects to ensure younger generations understand the legacy of the Second World War.

For more information and to register, visit the Royal British Legion’s website.

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