Community

Welsh Water investment to support customers and environmental improvements

Published

1 year ago

November 13, 2022

CUSTOMERS and the environment are set to benefit from major initiatives by Welsh Water, made possible by its not-for-profit business model.

As cost-of-living pressure increases and with its focus on reducing any adverse impact on the environment, the company is taking steps to take full advantage of its unique operating model to support its household customers and the environment.

Welsh Water, which already provides financial support to a larger number of customers, proportionate to the company’s size, than any other water company in England and Wales, has confirmed that it will:

maintain its range of support measures to help customers manage their bills such as payment holidays, flexible payment plans, and advice on simple ways to reduce water use
invest £12million to expand the financial support to an extra 50,000 households either through its “social tariffs” scheme or a new community fund
launch a pilot of the community fund in January 2023 to target customers who are struggling with household bills but are ineligible for benefits and, therefore, Welsh Water’s social tariffs.
The role that the company plays in protecting river water quality has come under increased focus over the past year, with Welsh Water already investing heavily to reduce its phosphate contribution to rivers. The company has already committed to investing £833 million to improve its wastewater assets, particularly Combined Storm Overflows (CSOs), on sensitive rivers between 2020 and 2025 and has also announced an additional £100 million investment to help protect river water quality.

This further investment allows the company to accelerate plans to install more phosphate removal plants at wastewater treatment works (£60 million) and to reduce the impact of CSOs – particularly those which are located along Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) rivers (£40 million). This will mean investing in its key assets at sites such as the Menai Strait (£10 million), Brecon
(£6 million), Monmouth (£2 million) Trebanos (£2 million) as well as Llanybydder, Lampeter, Wolfscastle, Corwen, Llanfoist and Letterston (£20 million). It will also enable more nature-based solutions to be developed to help improve river quality. On, for example, the river Wye the company is working with the Wye & Usk Foundation and Hereford Council to support additional phosphorus removal using natural treatment through a low carbon wetland system which will also enhance local biodiversity.

Cllr Liz Harvey, Deputy Leader of Herefordshire Council said: “The close collaborative working with Welsh Water and the Wye and Usk Foundation is slowly getting housebuilding in the county moving again and making a contribution to improving our rivers too.”

This announcement of funding to support vulnerable customers and protect the environment comes as the company reports on its half year results. Despite the wider challenges facing the economy, the company has maintained a strong performance. This has included continuing to invest just over £1 million per day on improvements to its water and wastewater networks.

The company has also confirmed that it is working on a scheme to support its employees through the cost-of-living crisis and has already implemented the increase to the Real Living Wage for all affected employees.

Glas Cymru Chairman, Alastair Lyons, said: “Our non-shareholder business model sets us apart from the other water companies in England & Wales and it is important that we demonstrate how it provides tangible benefit to our customers. I am, therefore, very pleased that not needing to reward shareholders makes it possible for us to announce this additional investment to benefit our customers and the environment. This builds on the millions of pounds our model has already allowed us to invest to help keep bills affordable for customers and deliver essential investment schemes to improve services for customers and mitigate the impact of our operations on the environment”.

Welsh Water Chief Executive, Peter Perry, said: “The current financial crisis is understandably a worrying time and will mean that more customers will find themselves in a situation where they struggle to pay their bills. With the goal of earning the trust of our customers, we know that we have an important role to play here which is why we are going to be supporting even more customers in this time of need. Our advice to customers is to contact us the moment the bill becomes a worry so that we can look how we can provide support to alleviate this concern.

“Equally as important is that we redouble our efforts to protect the environment, particularly river water quality. With expectations changing, more needs to be done, especially to reduce the impact of CSOs. Removing them from our sewerage system altogether is not an option but what is in our control is the ability to target investment at those CSOs which have the biggest impact so that we can improve their performance and river water quality. The extra £100 million will enable us to bring forward investment schemes to help achieve this and will build on the £833 million we are already investing in our wastewater network through to 2025.”

Community

Appeal for information on war-time friend as US veteran turns 99

Published

2 days ago

May 2, 2024

Tom Sinclair

AN American WWII veteran, who was once stationed in Haverfordwest during 1944, is reaching out over international waters to reconnect with the family of a long-lost friend,.

At the remarkable age of 99, John Jecovich, seeks assistance from local residents to uncover any information regarding Jean Young, a friend he made during his service in the town. The quest to find Jean or her descendants comes as the D-Day celebrations approach, adding a poignant note to this year’s commemorations.

Jean-Marc Bordeaux, a representative of the Jecovich family, explained that Mr. Jecovich’s memory of his time in Haverfordwest and his friendship with Ms. Young remains strong. According to Mr. Jecovich, Jean was around 24 or 25 years old in 1944, while he was just 19. “John recalls that Jean’s father might have been a mayor or manager of the town, and she worked at an office with him on what he believes was East Essex Street,” Mr. Bordeaux shared.

The appeal stretches beyond local boundaries, aiming to touch anyone who might remember the Young family or have records that could shed light on their whereabouts. The family has also provided a contact number in the United States and a link to a YouTube channel featuring Mr. Jecovich, to help Pembrokeshire locals get a personal glimpse of the man behind the appeal.

“This is more than a search; it’s a call to our sense of community and historical camaraderie,” said Mr. Bordeaux, expressing hope that Pembrokeshire’s residents will embrace the opportunity to aid this venerable veteran. “We believe that with the help of the local media and the community’s collective memory, we can piece together Jean’s story and, hopefully, reconnect Mr. Jecovich with his friend’s family.”

The Jecovich family eagerly awaits any information that can be provided by the people of Haverfordwest, as they hold on to the hope of a meaningful reunion, be it through memories or family connections.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact The Herald.

This story not only celebrates a longstanding friendship forged in wartime but also underscores the lasting bonds that such experiences can create.

Community

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Resettlement and Migration Team needs you…

Published

2 days ago

May 2, 2024

Luke Sinclair

IT is just over two years since the invasion of Ukraine, and the situation has not improved enough to allow families to return and rebuild their lives and homes.

We are reaching out again to the people of Pembrokeshire, to come forward and provide homes for Ukraine families and support us to help the Wales Nation of Sanctuary efforts for refugees.

It is known there is a lack of affordable accommodation in Pembrokeshire and we do not want to place additional pressures on this sector. This is why it is vitally important for us to use hosting arrangements to support Ukrainian families.

Pembrokeshire County Council has an impressive 52 hosts, who continue to provide an immense level of kindness and support to 113 Ukraine people.

The Ukraine families are extremely grateful to be able to seek sanctuary, build a life and to continue to provide for their families until it is safe to return home.

One person being hosted in Pembrokeshire said: “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the UK government, the local community of Pembrokeshire, and my lovely hosts for their support and assistance in this difficult time for Ukrainians.

“The local council always provides all the support I need and helps me solve various problems.

“It should be noted that I am very lucky with my hosts, I feel safe in their home, and they are always happy to give advice and help. They are more than hosts to me, they have become my friends.”

Another added: “Thank you for always being in touch, always ready to help me and my children. We are happy to have received such support in your country.”

The UK and Welsh Government have extended the Homes for Ukraine scheme, and our team are looking for additional hosts to come forward, who can open their hearts and homes to offer a safe place for Ukraine families to live.

Under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, hosts are entitled to a £500 tax free thank you payment for each month a Ukraine person lives with them.

There is a need for larger accommodation to home reunited families and more accommodation of two bedrooms or more is sought. If this is near any of Pembrokeshire’s towns or with access to transport networks that would be desirable.

If you feel that you, could open your homes, to a Ukraine family please contact 01437 776301 or [email protected] and the team will provide you with more information and explain the support that is given to our hosts in order to build a strong hosting relationship.

Many of our hosts have been providing a home for a year or more and the Council recently held an event for our hosts as a thank you for their continued support. We asked them for feedback and received some lovely comments:

“It is so vital to be able to contact people from the county council to seek help or advice when needed. We have found that the team in Pembrokeshire make themselves available, provide help when needed. A good team who seem to work well together”.

Another added: “We are very pleased to be able to help out, our guests are charming and hardworking… the support we had from Pembrokeshire was amazing.”

Community

Locals’ concern as St Davids scout hut threatened with demolition

Published

2 days ago

May 2, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THERE is widespread concern over the future of St David’s Scout Hut in Ffynnon Wen, which faces potential closure and demolition.

Built in 1992 through public donations and local craftsmanship, the hut has served as a vital community hub. Despite being a cherished venue for numerous groups and events, its future is now uncertain as the Scouts can no longer manage the facility.

The hut, situated on land owned by Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC), was offered to St David’s City Council by the Scouts in an effort to save it from demolition.

A generous offer of a 125-year rent-free land lease from PCC accompanies this proposal. The Scout association expressed hope that, should scouting resume in St Davids, the group would be welcomed back under the same terms currently extended to other community groups.

The urgency of the situation brought together over 70 locals for a fundraising coffee morning at the hut, raising £312. The event underscored the community’s strong desire to preserve this facility, with attendees expressing enthusiastic support for its continued use.

The city council is expected to meet soon to decide whether to accept the building and lease the land. Vicky Swales, representing the Scout Hut Supporters Group, highlighted the importance of the hut for activities involving adults with learning disabilities, praising its accessibility and the benefits it provides to participants.

County Councillor Bethan Price reflected on the gathering, noting the community’s strong connection to the hut and their collective determination to save it. Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, Henry Tufnell, also voiced support, stressing the importance of such community spaces in tourist-heavy areas like St Davids.

Residents are encouraged to show their support by signing a petition, joining a dedicated Facebook group, and contributing to a crowdfunding initiative aimed at securing the hut’s future.