News
Secondary school staff and pupils must wear face coverings from December 1
FOLLOWING the written statement from the Minister for Education yesterday (Monday) evening, all secondary school learners and staff will be required to wear face coverings indoors where physical distancing is not possible.
Due to the uncertainty of the Omicron variant and the need to keep learning going, Pembrokeshire County Council has taken the decision to implement this Welsh Government Ministerial Decision with effect from tomorrow, Wednesday 1st of December.
Cllr Guy Woodham, the Cabinet Member for Education & Lifelong Learning said: “Continuing to support learners and staff safety is our top priority.
“Given that there is still much to be learnt about the Omicron variant it is important that do everything we can to stop the spread of the virus and the use of masks in classrooms and communal areas in secondary schools, where physical distancing is not possible, will allow us to support learners continuing in school settings until the end of term.”
Using the local decision making framework for schools locally, the agreed risk level remains high with the following additional mitigating measures remaining in place:
· Floor signage
· Seating plans for lessons, and forward facing desks wherever possible
· Twice weekly Lateral Flow Device testing for all staff and learners in secondary schools
· Masks must be worn in communal areas in secondary schools, by staff in primary schools, and must be worn by visitors
· deep cleaning where needed in schools
· Face coverings required on school transport
· CO2 Monitors rolled out and used by all schools
Cllr Woodham added: “We thank everyone for playing their part and for your ongoing support during these challenging times.”
In response, Debbie Thomas, Head of Policy at the National Deaf Children’s Society Cymru, said: “Public health should be a priority, but it’s vital to remember that face coverings make life extremely difficult for deaf students. Lip reading becomes impossible and facial expressions are much harder to see, so they could be left struggling to understand their teachers, lecturers and classmates.
“Secondary schools, colleges and universities must act fast and speak to their deaf students immediately, putting reasonable adjustments in place to make sure none of them miss out on their education. If they fall behind in their studies, the consequences could last for years.”
Local Government
National Park Authority publishes Welsh language standards report
PEMBROKESHIRE COAST NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY has published its latest Welsh Language Standards Annual Report, setting out the work carried out over the past year to support and promote the use of Welsh across its services.
The report covers the period from April 2025 to March 2026 and outlines the Authority’s progress in meeting its statutory duties under the Welsh Language Standards.
The Standards require public bodies in Wales to provide services and communicate with the public in Welsh, ensuring that people can access information, take part in public life and engage with organisations through the language of their choice.
The legal framework for the Standards is set out in the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011, which places duties on public organisations, including National Park Authorities, to treat the Welsh language no less favourably than English.
For Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, the report is not only a statutory requirement but also a reflection of the importance of Welsh to many communities across the county.
The Authority says its work under the Standards supports residents, schools, community groups, volunteers and visitors, while helping to ensure that Welsh remains visible and accessible in everyday life.
Tegryn Jones, Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, said: “The Welsh language is central to the identity, culture and everyday life of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
“As an Authority, we recognise our responsibility not only to comply with the Welsh Language Standards, but to help create the conditions in which Welsh can be used naturally and confidently.
“For many people in Pembrokeshire, Welsh is the language of home, family and community, and it is important that they are able to engage with the Authority in their first language.
“This work is reflected across the Authority’s services, from the way we share information with the public to our work with schools, communities, volunteers and visitors.
“The Annual Report provides an opportunity to look at what has been achieved over the past year, while also recognising where further progress can be made.”
The Authority’s wider commitment to the Welsh language is also reflected in its Welsh Language Strategy, National Park Management Plan and Local Development Plan 2.
The full Welsh Language Standards Annual Report is available at: www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/welsh-language-standards/.
Crime
Serviceman caught drink-driving in BMW Z4 near Nolton
Robert Seymour was three times the legal limit after police received reports of a car swerving near Pembrokeshire coastal village
A FORMER serviceman has been banned from the road after being caught driving a BMW Z4 while three times over the drink-drive limit.
Robert Seymour, 56, was seen driving between Portfield Gate and Nolton Haven at around 9.15pm on June 13 after police were alerted by a member of the public concerned about his driving.
“The Z4 had been seen swerving all over the road,” Crown prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.
Officers found the car around ten minutes later, reversing slowly out of a caravan park before moving forward.
Ms Vaughan said Seymour had removed the keys from the ignition when officers approached.
“He was very intoxicated and was slurring his words,” she said.
“There was also a very strong smell of alcohol emanating from the vehicle.”
Seymour, of Chestnut Tree Cottage, Portfield Gate, Haverfordwest, gave a positive roadside breath test and was arrested.
At the police station, he gave a lowest breath reading of 105 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.
Seymour pleaded guilty to drink-driving.
Defending, solicitor Michael Kelleher said Seymour had served in the military for nearly 30 years and was now employed as a public servant with the Department for Work and Pensions.
“His full-time work takes him to various centres all over Dyfed,” he said.
“This is going to have a huge effect on his life, however his employers have said that he is going to retain his job.”
Magistrates fined Seymour £750 and ordered him to pay a £300 surcharge and £85 costs, making a total of £1,135.
He was disqualified from driving for two years.
Crime
Concerns for prisoner at Haverfordwest video link hearing
Michael Carruthers was described as “shaking and shivering” at Parc Prison before court appearance was adjourned
CONCERN was raised for a Pembroke Dock prisoner after he was unable to appear before magistrates by video link from Parc Prison.
Michael Carruthers, 34, was due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning charged with assaulting a police officer by beating.
The alleged offence is said to have taken place in Haverfordwest on April 24.
But prison staff told the court Carruthers was not in a fit state to appear by live link from the Bridgend prison.
“After being taken out from his cell, he sat shaking and shivering on the floor and was holding his head in his hands,” a prison officer told the court.
“His head isn’t really in it.”
When asked whether Carruthers had been seen by a prison medic, prison staff confirmed he had not.
Defending, solicitor Tom Lloyd said Carruthers’ behaviour was consistent with his medical history.
“He’s appeared before this court many times before, but he’s severely autistic and has PTSD,” said Mr Lloyd.
“He has severe issues. When the prison officers described the way in which he is today, it’s clear that today came as a particular shock to him, as the first he learned of today’s court appearance was this morning.”
Mr Lloyd asked for the case to be adjourned so he could speak to Carruthers and prepare him for his next appearance.
Magistrates agreed, and the case was adjourned until July 14.
The court’s legal adviser stressed the importance of Carruthers attending the next hearing.
“People can’t hide by being in prison,” she said.
“If he’s deliberately refusing to come to court, then he must be physically brought here by the prison staff.”
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