News
Pembrokeshire County Council Leader’s latest update on coronavirus
COUNCILLOR David Simpson, leader of the Authority, has issued the following statement: “I gave an update on Friday about what the Council’s response has been. Given the unprecedented situation and high level of interest, I intend to provide regular briefings.
“I would urge everyone to follow the latest health advice from NHS 111 online at: https://111.nhs.uk/ or from Public Health Wales at https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/
“Over the weekend there has been a lot of discussion in both the press and social media about community self-help. We are aware that community groups are setting up in Pembrokeshire and welcome these, and I commend those people actively working on this. It is important that this work is linked and ties in with other wider measures, and a working group within the Council has been organised to coordinate this. My colleague Cllr Neil Prior will be sitting on this working group to provide a direct Cabinet Member link. We are determining the best way to co-ordinate the significant volunteering support that Pembrokeshire residents will want to offer, working with our public sector partners (including Health and PAVS), so we will announce a mechanism and guidance as soon as we can.
“We are currently in a phase where there is heightened concern when anyone develops a temperature or new continuous cough. Some of this is resulting in pupils understandably being removed from the school environment. Pupils who are not displaying the symptoms of coronavirus COVID-19 should attend school as normal. Please note that schools remain the first point of contact for queries related to their setting. Some of the social media feedback relating to schools is disruptive and unhelpful, and I would please urge that if you are using social media to do so in an informed and constructive manner, and with reference to the factual information available on line or at your school.”
“We are starting to see a rise in general queries from businesses seeking help and advice. I understand this is an extremely worrying time for many businesses. If you are a business owner with any queries or concerns, the Welsh Government have useful sources of information to help business. Similar to the community self-help work already started, we are looking at this and will provide further briefing on the matter as soon as we can.”
Useful links:
www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/coronavirus
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-guidance
https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice/
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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