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Climate

Council’s deputy leader to outline green vision for west Wales

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WITH just over a week to go before the inaugural Green Economy Conference takes place at Swansea Arena, council leaders from across South West Wales have announced the topics they will be addressing in the opening session.

Deputy Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cabinet Member for Place, the Region and Climate Change, Cllr Paul Miller, will be discussing the council’s involvement in clean energy transition projects and the development of the South West Wales Regional Energy Strategy.

Cllr Paul Miller said: “The Green Economy Conference is an important opportunity to discuss how we can create a more sustainable and equitable future.

“I am deeply committed to supporting the development of a green, circular, and sustainable economy for South West Wales. This is essential for protecting our environment, but also for creating a prosperous and fair future for our communities.

“This event provides a key opportunity to consider the challenges and opportunities of transitioning to a clean energy economy – to ensure a sustainable future for our planet and generations to come.”

He added that the Council’s strategic priorities reflect this commitment to sustainability, with a focus on promoting renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, reducing waste, and supporting sustainable businesses.

“We are engaged in a number of key regional clean energy transition projects including Milford Haven : Energy Kingdom (MH:EK), South Wales Industrial Cluster, Net Zero Industry Wales, Haven Waterway Future Energy Cluster, and the Celtic Freeport,” he continued.

“As we transition to a clean energy economy, we will create jobs while protecting the environment.

“Local government has a vital role to play by investing in renewable energy and promoting energy efficiency. In addition, we can also create new policies and regulations that encourage businesses and individuals to adopt green practices.

“I am proud of the great initiatives taking place locally to help deliver a thriving green economy.”

The Council’s commitment to decarbonisation led it to develop a Local Area Energy Plan seeking to develop a net zero energy system for Pembrokeshire by 2050, as the UK home of green energy.

Cllr Miller added that Pembrokeshire County Council’s engagement in the development of the South West Wales Regional Energy Strategy – looking at harnessing the region’s low carbon energy potential both on and offshore – is another important undertaking.

“This will deliver a prosperous and equitable net zero carbon economy which enhances the well-being of future generations and the region’s ecosystems, at a pace which delivers against regional and national emissions reduction targets by 2035 and 2050,” he said.

He added that he is pleased to be joining leaders from the other county councils in the region to discuss developments and initiatives across the whole of South West Wales.

“This event, with its exhibitors, innovative projects and keynote speakers, is the perfect platform to showcase our collective drive for a resilient, sustainable future for the region,” he said.

Also speaking in the opening session are Cllr Jeremy Hurley, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Economic Growth, Neath Port Talbot CBC; Cllr Rob Stewart, leader of Swansea Council; and Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, decarbonisation and sustainable development for Carmarthenshire County Council, who will highlight the crucial role the green economy plays in addressing the environmental challenges and fostering sustainability.

His address will showcase the power of collaborative working across the public private and third sector taking place across the region to realise opportunities within the green economy sector and inspire the next generation.

The Green Economy Conference and Exhibition is free to attend, with tickets available online now. It will be held at Swansea Arena on Wednesday, November 22, and aims to unite businesses and organisations from Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot to share knowledge and create initiatives for a resilient future.

Zoe Antrobus, co-founder and managing director of 4theRegion, which organises the conference said:

“We’re delighted to welcome so much knowledge and expertise to the stage in Swansea Arena on November 22. The fact that key leaders from all the region’s county councils welcomed our invitation to speak at the opening session highlights how seriously our local authorities take the challenges and opportunities we all face when seeking to tackle the climate crisis.

“Whether you are a business owner keen to harness the environmental and business benefits of decarbonisation, a member of the public who wants to get their voice heard, or an ambassador for one of the numerous organisations working hard to ensure the wellbeing of our future generations, this conference is for you. Expect to be challenged, inspired, connected and informed.”

Climate

‘Severely flawed’ vulnerable customer lists delayed storm response

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INACCURATE lists of vulnerable people led to delays in responding to storms, with staff sent to non-existent homes and a customer who had died years earlier, a committee heard.

Giving evidence to an inquiry on storms Bert and Darragh, which hit Wales late last year, Carmarthenshire Council described utility firms’ priority customer data as severely flawed.

The council told the Senedd’s climate committee the lists were inaccurate, out of date, and incompatible with NHS and social care definitions of vulnerability.

In written evidence, the council said this resulted in staff being deployed to screen the sheer volume, comparing thousands of names with council and health board records.

The council warned: “This caused unnecessary delays and on several occasions diverted operational staff away from their responsive work … to check addresses which did not either exist or in one case, the customer had passed away years before.”

Appearing before the committee on March 6, Paul Ridley, the council’s civil contingencies manager, called for consistency in the interpretation of vulnerability across all agencies.

Ainsley Williams, director of infrastructure at the council, pointed to initial problems due to concerns raised about data sharing and GDPR.

He added: “It still needs wider awareness amongst organisations that they can do that and must do that in an emergency.”

Ian Christie, managing director of water services at Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, said: “There is work to be done on joining up all vulnerable customers because we all have individual priority services registers with all different definitions of what makes a customer vulnerable.”

Mr Christie told the committee that GDPR “unfortunately cuts through everything”.

He said: “One of our biggest issues is trying to explain to a customer: just because they’ve registered … with another agency, that doesn’t automatically update to our priority services.”

Liam O’Sullivan, director of ScottishPower Energy Networks which owns the north Wales network, said customers are contracted every two years to check information is up to date.

“It’s very difficult at times because it’s an ever-changing picture,” he told Senedd Members.

The Conservatives’ Janet Finch-Saunders warned of huge issues with priority registers.

Conservative MS Janet Finch-Saunders
Conservative MS Janet Finch-Saunders

Ms Finch-Saunders said: “I can’t for the life of me – now with digital technology – understand why we haven’t got one list that is used by the fire [service], health, you name it.”

She raised January’s burst pipe which left 100,000 people in north Wales without water, with the number of customers registered as vulnerable doubling to 7,500 in a few days.

“That shows there’s some weakness in the system,” she said.

Mr Christie explained a task-and-finish group has been set up by Huw Irranca-Davies, the Deputy First Minister, to look at trying to resolve the issue of one common list.

Labour’s Carolyn Thomas questioned why Anglesey council was only provided with a register at 9pm on Sunday December 9, more than 24 hours after Storm Darragh’s peak.

Labour MS Carolyn Thomas
Labour MS Carolyn Thomas

Mr O’Sullivan said of the approximately 70,000 people who live on the island, 17,000 are on the priority services register.

“We did our best to prioritise those customers,” he said.

Pressed about the 24-hour delay, he told the committee: “I’m sorry, I wasn’t aware that that was the case – but it certainly won’t be the case next time.”

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Climate

Pembrokeshire community council call to reject 102-metre wind turbine

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PLANS for a replacement 334 -foot-high wind turbine in north Pembrokeshire, more than twice the height of the existing one, have seen the local community council call for its refusal, saying it offers “no benefit to the local community”.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Surrey-based Constantine Wind Energy Limited, which manages some 200 turbines throughout Great Britain, seeks permission for a 102-metre-high wind turbine at Sarnau Farm, near Trelech.

The application would replace an existing 45-metre-high turbine, granted permission in 2014.

In a supporting statement, Wilmslow-based agent Axis PED Limited said the applicant has full agreement with the landowner to install a larger turbine, adding: “The proposed development would increase the generation output by more than 209 per cent of the current output supporting an estimated 318 average households’ energy usage, which is an estimated additional 211 homes than the existing turbine on the site.

“This is a significant improvement to the existing output at the site. Furthermore, by replacing the existing wind turbine with a wind turbine which has a larger output capacity, the site’s contribution to renewable energy generation targets and greenhouse gas emissions targets is increased.”

The replacement turbine is expected to operate for 25 years.

It says visual impact will be “no greater than Moderate Adverse,” and that offset by there being an existing turbine on site, adding: “When the actual change in visual impact is considered against the increased level of renewable energy produced at an existing electrical generation station, it is clear that, on balance, the visual impacts associated with the increase in turbine height and rotor diameter, are outweighed by the beneficial contribution the replacement turbine would make in the transition away from fossil fuels and the ability to meet UK Net Zero targets in line with the Government’s commitments.”

Local community council Clydau has strongly objected to the proposal, raising concerns including the size is more than double that existing, and potential visual and noise impacts.

The council’s objections added: “The health and wellbeing of those living closest to the proposed turbine was of great concern; uppermost in councillors’ minds was the fact that the proposed turbine would be of no benefit whatsoever to the local community. It was noted that properties closest to the turbine would be devalued.

“Councillors hope for an outcome to the above application that benefits the local community; most especially those living within close proximity. This can only mean a firm ‘No’ to the proposal.”

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

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Climate

Fishguard chapel in application to allow natural burials

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A CALL to extend a Pembrokeshire cemetery to provide a space for eco-friendly natural burials has been made to county planners.

A natural burial is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional burial, burying a body in the ground without a coffin or headstone.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, the Trustees of Tabernacle Chapel seek permission for a change of use of agricultural land to extend the existing Tabernacle Cemetery, Fishguard to include a natural burial site.

A supporting statement, through agent Gethin Beynon, says the land has been in the cemetery ownership since 1945, adding: “Based on the development forming a similar use to the adjacent cemetery and being in the same ownership as the Trustees of Tabernacle Chapel, the proposal would be classed as an extension to an existing community facility.

“As the development is not proposing any engineering or physical features with the natural habitat being retained, it is considered the change of use of the land would be in keeping in an area where other cemeteries exist to the north, east and west of the application site.”

It adds: “With regard to the operation of the burial ground, when a burial takes place, a plot is allocated, and the turf cut and set aside. The topsoil and subsoil are then heaped alongside the grave. The graves would be dug to the appropriate depth to earth over the coffin to protect it whilst allowing the body to recycle in the active/living layer of the soil.

“After a burial, soil is returned in compacted layers around and on top of the coffin, with topsoil and turf on top. Grave locations are plotted and recorded on plan. It is intended that such administration and management duties of the site would be undertaken by the applicants.

“Due to the development not resulting in marked graves and there being no maintenance requirements from mourners, visits and any associated vehicle movements would be of a low intensity and infrequent.”

The scheme is expected to be decided by planning officers at a later date.

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