News

Leader’s update: Help us to drive down Covid-19 cases

Published

5 years ago

October 3, 2021

THE FOLLOWING is an update from the Leader of Pembrokeshire County Councik, Cllr David Simpson:
Hello everyone, I hope you are well.
I’d like to start by giving an update on the Covid-19 situation here in Pembrokeshire.
As I write the positive case rate locally is 457 per 100,000 people and across Wales it has now reached 650 per 100,000 – the highest it has been in 2021.
We remain at Alert Level 0 and I would like to reinforce that the Welsh Government advice is still to work from home if you can.
This is one of the most effective ways to reduce transmission of Covid-19.
Please continue to wear a face covering where required, meet outdoors if you can, wash hands regularly and get tested if you have any symptoms of Covid-19.
Please take up the offer of vaccination, it is the best defence we have against Covid-19.
Each of us doing our bit will really make a difference, especially as we head into the colder months.
In our schools, the number of Covid cases amongst learners remains higher than we would like it to be.
Families are reminded that where learners have symptoms they should remain at home and seek a PCR test.
They should self-isolate as required until either a negative outcome is returned or until the end of the 10 day isolation period for a positive PCR test.
All schools remain open and we are keeping our processes under review against the Local Decision Making Framework.
Schools remain in the moderate category in this framework and we thank our school staff for their ongoing commitment to learners and providing education.
Moving away from Covid now, you will no doubt have seen that there have been media reports of some petrol shortages across the UK over the past week.
I am grateful to the Dyfed-Powys Local Resilience Forum for reassuring that the vast majority of supplies across our region have been unaffected.
I echo the call to continue to purchase fuel responsibly and calmly to ensure there is plenty to go around, especially for our hardworking colleagues in the health and emergency services and all keyworkers.
Recently we announced that we would be joining other Local Authorities to help Afghan refugees in Wales and to do this we need your help.
We continue to seek suitable accommodation in the private rented sector to house Afghan Refugees.
If you have a property that is currently empty and could be made available then please get in touch with the Refugee Resettlement Coordinator, via our contact centre on 01437 764551 or email [email protected] and we can discuss this further with you.
This accommodation needs to be self-contained and available for a minimum of 12 months, but in return we will guarantee the rent for this period and support is provided to ensure that the refugees are able to settle into the area.
Finally, at the end of last week a group of young climate change campaigners marched to County Hall.
As this was happening outside, our managers were inside in a managers’ forum on climate change so it was very powerful for them to hear the young people chanting as they discussed the same subject.
As an administration we share the passion of those young people to respond to and tackle climate change.
The Council announced a climate emergency in 2019 and has since set up an action plan to steer the Council towards becoming a net zero-carbon local authority by 2030.
This document is available on our website and details what we have done so far, plus plans for the future.
Climate change is real and it is happening across the world and impacting on local communities in Pembrokeshire.
It is up to us to change this.
Stay safe everyone

News

Former West Wales MS says Starmer resignation felt ‘increasingly inevitable’

Published

31 seconds ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Samuel Kurtz says public frustration has grown after two years of Labour controversies and policy decisions

FORMER West Wales MS Samuel Kurtz has said Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation felt “increasingly inevitable” after months of controversy and public frustration.

The Welsh Conservative said he watched the Prime Minister’s Downing Street statement with “genuine frustration”, adding that he wanted the UK to be respected regardless of which party was in government.

Starmer announced on Monday (Jun 22) that he would resign as Prime Minister and Labour leader, just 12 days before the second anniversary of Labour’s 2024 general election victory.

Mr Kurtz said: “As a British citizen, I sighed genuine frustration while watching this morning. Whatever the political colour of the Government, I want our country to be respected at home and on the international stage.

“But, in truth, this moment has felt increasingly inevitable as the weeks turned into months.”

He pointed to a series of controversies and policy decisions, including the Lord Alli gifts row, winter fuel allowance cuts, the Family Farm Tax, rising National Insurance, defence spending and domestic energy production.

Mr Kurtz said people “simply feel worse off”, adding that confidence in the economy remained low.

He said: “A Government should ultimately be judged on whether life is getting better for the people it serves.

“After two years marked by the controversies and a series of damaging policy decisions mentioned above, it’s difficult to argue this Government has passed that test.”

Mr Kurtz also questioned what would happen next, asking whether Labour would see an “Andy Burnham coronation”, whether Wes Streeting could build enough support, or whether an outsider could emerge.

He added that he would be watching the leadership contest “from the sidelines with interest”.

Labour is expected to open nominations for a new leader on July 9, with Starmer remaining in office until his successor is chosen.

Community

Haverfordwest lounge praised for charity work

Published

7 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A HAVERFORDWEST venue has been praised for raising more than £2,600 for local charities through a series of community events.

Castle Ward county councillor Thomas Tudor visited The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest with Henry Tufnell MP, where they met manager Stephanie Davies.

Cllr Tudor said Stephanie had “truly embraced” her role in the community, organising events including a duck race, sports quiz, Mad Hatter’s tea party for Little Loungers, a bake sale and a drag night show.

Together, the events have raised £2,637 for local good causes.

Charities to benefit include The VC Gallery, Tŷ Hafan and Adam’s Bucketful of Hope Cancer Support Centre.

Cllr Tudor said: “It was lovely to introduce Henry Tufnell MP to Stephanie Davies, manager of The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.

“Stephanie has truly embraced her role in the community of Haverfordwest, running many exciting initiatives and raising a staggering £2,637 for local charities.”

The fundraising continues this week, with Rock ’n’ Roll Bingo and a Wild West country and western night featuring a rodeo bull.

Caption: Community support: Thomas Tudor, Stephanie Davies and Henry Tufnell MP outside The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.

News

Motorcyclist dies after four-vehicle crash on A40 in Carmarthenshire

Published

46 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A MOTORCYCLIST has died following a four-vehicle collision on the A40 between St Clears and Whitland.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the crash happened at around 12:00pm on Sunday (Jun 21) and involved a grey Audi, a blue Seat, a grey Vauxhall and an orange KTM motorbike.

Sadly, the rider of the KTM died from their injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

A 38-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving. He has since been released on conditional bail while further enquiries continue.

The road was closed while collision investigators examined the scene and reopened at around 8:30pm.

The latest tragedy follows two other serious motorcycle crashes in west Wales.

On Sunday afternoon, another motorcyclist was injured in a separate collision and is recovering in hospital.

Last week, a 22-year-old rider sadly died in a crash near Narberth, while his female pillion passenger was taken to hospital.

Anyone with information, or dashcam footage which could assist the investigation, is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], by direct message on social media, or by calling 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

Quote reference: DP-20260621-177.