A CONSERVATIVE Senedd Member has condemned the Welsh Government’s decision to continue funding a tree-planting programme in Africa.

Andrew RT Davies, Member of the Senedd for Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan, said the Mbale Tree Planting Programme should be scrapped, arguing that public money should instead be spent on services in Wales.

The scheme began under the previous Labour administration, with Plaid Cymru’s support.

In a written response to Mr Davies, First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth confirmed that the 2026-27 Welsh Government budget includes £350,000 for the programme.

Mr Davies said: “Plaid Cymru separatists’ decision to continue funding tree planting in Africa shows nothing has changed.

“Taxpayers’ money should be spent fixing our broken public services, not vanity projects for Plaid’s progressive activists.

“The Mbale Tree Planting Programme must be scrapped.”

The First Minister said the funding had been agreed by the Senedd on January 27, 2026, and had been committed by the previous government.

NEW specialist facilities at Portfield School in Haverfordwest have officially opened as part of a major £28.8m redevelopment aimed at transforming education for pupils with additional learning needs in Pembrokeshire.

Representatives from Pembrokeshire County Council, Portfield School and contractors gathered to mark the completion of the first main phase of the project, which will eventually deliver a fully modernised specialist education campus.

The redevelopment, supported through the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme and Pembrokeshire County Council, has created a carbon net zero in operation school building designed to meet the growing demand for specialist education provision.

The new facilities include therapy rooms, sensory spaces, treatment rooms and a main hall equipped with a retractable trampoline. Outdoor improvements include a new multi-use games area and redesigned spaces intended to support pupils’ wellbeing and development.

A former bus lay-by has also been converted into a car park with more than 100 spaces, including ten accessible bays.

The first phase of the scheme involved refurbishing the existing school building to create a more joined-up, campus-style environment for pupils and staff.

The building has been designed to achieve net zero carbon in operation through the installation of solar panels, air source heat pumps, improved insulation and energy-efficient lighting.

Construction firm Morgan Sindall, which delivered the works through the South West Wales Regional Contractors Framework alongside engineering consultants AtkinsRéalis, said it had also exceeded its carbon reduction target during the build process.

The contractor said 95 per cent of the supply chain budget was spent locally, while 86 per cent of subcontractors used were based in the local area. Two graduates and two Pembrokeshire College work placement students were also involved in the project.

Cllr Jon Harvey, Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, described completion of the first phase as an important milestone for both the school and the wider community.

Headteacher Sarah Hartley said: “We are delighted with the new provision for our pupils at Portfield School.

“It represents a significant step forward in ensuring every pupil has access to an inclusive, supportive and inspiring learning environment where they can thrive.

“As Headteacher, I am incredibly proud of how well the pupils have transitioned into the new site and adapted so quickly to their new learning environment.”

Morgan Sindall’s Area Director for Wales, Robert Williams, said the facilities would make “a lasting difference” to children, staff and families needing specialist education support.

The second phase of works is expected to be completed in early 2027 and will include the demolition and replacement of the respite block as well as remodelling of the SEN Sixth Form facilities.

The project follows previous collaboration between Pembrokeshire County Council and Morgan Sindall on Haverfordwest High VC School and Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Penfro.

Force says policy under review pending national guidance after referral to equality watchdog

SOUTH WALES POLICE has confirmed to The Herald it is pausing controversial guidance relating to the recording of anti-Muslim hostility following criticism from Conservative MP Claire Coutinho.

The force issued the statement after Ms Coutinho, Shadow Minister for Equalities, formally referred South Wales Police to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), claiming the guidance risked creating a “de-facto blasphemy law” around discussion of Islam.

In a statement to The Pembrokeshire Herald, South Wales Police said: “We are pausing the aligning with this definition in order to consider whether to maintain or amend the adoption, pending guidance from NPCC. The force remains committed to ensuring the public safety of all of our communities.”

The response appears to indicate the force is reconsidering whether to continue using the definition in question while awaiting guidance from the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).

Ms Coutinho had accused the force of instructing officers to record comments deemed to go beyond “legitimate” discussion of Islam, arguing that no equivalent standard applied to other faiths.

In a letter to the EHRC chair, she wrote that the policy risked creating “a more restrictive category of speech that applies only in the context of one religion”.

The controversy centres on concerns about how non-crime incidents are recorded and whether lawful speech could be logged by police, potentially affecting public confidence in free expression and equal treatment under the law.

South Wales Police has not said whether the guidance will ultimately be scrapped, amended or reinstated following the review.