News
£9m extra care scheme opens its doors
BRO PRESELI, Family Housing’s new £9million Extra Care scheme of 40 one and two bedroom apartments for rent alongside a new 20 space Day Centre and a new Health Centre for Hywel Dda Health Board will open on August 18. The new health centre will create new facilities for the existing GPs practice and Community Health Team on the former Livestock Mart site in Crymych. Phil Dennis, Director of Operations at Family Housing said: “Bro Preseli has been a great opportunity for us to build on our successes in the field of Extra Care.
We have created much needed facilities right in the heart of the community which goes to show what can be achieved when different agencies work towards a common goal. We aim to create a vibrant hub providing much needed state of the art facilities for the older generation and wider community of Crymych. “ An Open Day on Thursday, August 14 will be an opportunity for both prospective tenants and the community to see what Bro Preseli has to offer.
The first tenants will move in on August 18 and, while demand has been high, there are still some vacancies. County Director and commissioner for Pembrokeshire and Project Director for the University Health Board development, Sue Lewis said: “The new facility is a significant improvement from the current temporary buildings which the GPs have been working out of. It has been purpose built in consultation with the GPs and the community to ensure it meets the needs of residents not just now but in years to come.”
Building on the success of their Hazel Court Extra Care scheme in Swansea, and Maes Mwldan in Cardigan, and part of an ongoing programme of excellence in extra care, Family Housing have been able to put experience to good use in designing this new scheme which includes a large lounge, a restaurant, shop, wellbeing room and craft and hobby room. Bro Preseli forms part of Pembrokeshire County Council’s programme to provide extra care schemes throughout the county as part of their older persons’ strategy and will be officially opened by The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, on November 17.
County Councillor Simon Hancock, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Well-Being and Equalities said: “I am delighted to see the completion of this project that will provide excellent housing, the opportunity to reduce social isolation amongst older people and a health facility for the Crymych area all on one site. “The project will help further our overall aim to deliver services in people’s own homes that meet their needs in a flexible and sustainable way.” Pupils from Ysgol y Preseli worked with Family Housing, Pembrokeshire County Council and Hywel Dda Health Board to suggest names for the new development from which the community council chose Bro Preseli.
Jayne Jones, Head of Care and Support Services at Family Housing said: “Moving to a purpose built apartment can make a lot of sense as well as free up some extra money from the sale of a home that is maybe too big and too high maintenance for you. Our extra care apartments are maintenance free and designed for older people. You can retain as much independence as you choose.” Jayne added: “All of our extra care homes are designed to be part of the local community rather than separate from it and local people are encouraged to come in and use the facilities. “And the other important thing about our extra care apartments is that they are future proof against any changing needs as you age – with a range of safety and security features so that you can live well, age well and stay well.” Design and Build contractors Balfour Beatty Construction Ltd created nine apprenticeships in the building trade during construction.
Education
Lib Dem leader meets student union after scrapping of teacher training
Last week, the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds visited Aberystwyth University to meet students following the announcement that the University will be scrapping their Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) program.
The announcement comes after the publication of an Estyn inspection report last year, which found that the institution had “been too slow” when it came to prioritising student support.
The Welsh Liberal Democrats have now called for the University to produce and implement an action plan that will enable the reintroduction of this course at the earliest opportunity, as well as for the Uni to rectify any similar shortcomings in other training programs.
Commenting, the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds MS said:
“Aberystwyth university has long been seen as a cornerstone of education here in Wales, and its role in shaping the future of Welsh-medium education is pivotal.
However, the decision by the Education Workforce Council to withdraw accreditation for their teacher training program now puts this at risk.
The report published by Estyn rightfully identified several flaws in the Uni’s approach to supporting student teachers, along with requiring the University to make significant improvement.
The decision of the EWC suggest that these improvements have not been made.
We are now calling on the University to get their act together, fix the shortcomings in this program and begin plans to reintroduce the course as soon as possible.
Commenting, a spokesperson for the Welsh Young Liberals said: “There was an overwhelming lack of support, especially for Disabled Students, which has been consistent since 2020.
Previous lecturers were always late, and assignments were marked late and inconsistently.
As a joint honours student my timetable is very erratic, and this has an adverse effect on my wellbeing.
This does not however, mean that the course should be cut, Aberystwyth university should be looking to improve the course and help deliver the next generation of teachers.”
Commenting, the Welsh Liberal Democrat PPC for Ceredigion Mark Williams said: “The reputation of Aberystwyth University as a well-respected centre of education is rightfully a source of pride for many residents here in Ceredigion.
This is why it is so dis-heartening to hear that the Uni have failed to take the recommendations in the 2023 Estyn report seriously, leading them into the embarrassing position of losing their accreditation which risks delivering a severe blow to the future of Welsh-medium education.
The lack of foresight from the Uni in this regard is deeply worrying and I hope that, for the sake of both the students and the wider community, they take all the steps needed to restart the course at the earliest opportunity.”
Crime
Manslaughter charge following death in Carmarthenshire
DYFED-POWYS POLICE have confirmed Jason Thomas, 39, from Llanelli, has been charged with manslaughter following an incident on Saturday, March 25.
Police were called to a property in Robinson St, Llanelli to concerns for the welfare of a man.
Liam Rhys Morgan-Whittle, 22, was taken to hospital where he sadly passed away.
Jason Thomas was quickly arrested and later released on conditional bail while the police investigation continued.
He will appear at Llanelli Magistrates Court on Thursday, May 30, it has been confirmed.
News
£10,000 legal row over English-only parking charge notice continues
THE LANGUAGE campaigner Toni Schiavone will appear in court in Aberystwyth for the fourth time on Monday, 13 May over his refusal to pay an English-only parking charge notice, after the parking company One Parking Solution won an appeal to reintroduce the case in January.
This is despite the judge, Gareth Humphreys, warning that the company should carefully consider the value of continuing with a case that has already been “long, beyond unfortunate” and has cost the parking company over £10,000 in legal fees to date.
Cymdeithas yr Iaith have called on the court to rule that English-only parking charge notices are insufficient as ruled by the judge Mervyn Jones-Evans in a recent case in Caernarfon, and on the Welsh Government to legislate to ensure the rights of Welsh speakers in the private sector are respected.
Toni Schiavone received the English-only notice for not paying for parking in a car park in Llangrannog in September 2020.
The original case was thrown out of court in May 2022 because a representative from the parking company was not present, and the second case in August 2023 was also thrown out because the case was presented late and under incorrect rules.
On 26 January this year, One Parking Solution won an appeal enabling them to continue prosecuting Mr Schiavone, after the judge ruled that there were no grounds to throw the first two cases out of court.
Speaking at the hearing in January, Toni Schiavone said he had received a letter with costs of £10,156.70 a the day before from One Parking Solution, and that the company had acted “disrespectfully, unreasonably and vindictively.” According to research by Cymdeithas yr Iaith, translating the notice into Welsh would have cost only £60.
Siân Howys, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s Welsh Language Rights Group said:
“It is disappointing that One Parking Solution have decided to resubmit this case, but the real reason Toni must appear in court yet again is because the rights of people who live in Wales to use the Welsh language are not ensured in statute. We have seen other cases of this recently as HSBC and the energy company OVO have weakened or even abolished their Welsh-medium services, without any serious response from our Government.
“We call on our members and supporters to be present on 13 May to support Toni, and to demand that the right to use the Welsh language in all aspects of life is respected through legislation.”
On 30 January, the Welsh Government voted against Heledd Fychan MS’s motion on behalf of Plaid Cymru in the Senedd to set Welsh Language Standards on a statutory basis for institutions in the private sector, such as banks, supermarkets and private car parks.
During the debate, Siân Gwenllian MS referred to Toni Schiavone’s case as an example of the need to legislate to ensure the rights of Welsh speakers. Discussing the parking company, she said:
“Once again, the response is arrogant and insulting.
“Why must Welsh speakers continue to campaign and demand services through the medium of Welsh?
“It is high time that the basic rights of Welsh speakers were respected through statute, and that in all aspects of life.”
-
News5 days ago
Police and air ambulances at ‘serious incident’ at West Wales school
-
Business3 days ago
Largest Welsh port appoints communications and marketing director
-
Crime5 days ago
Pembrokeshire pensioner accused of 17 sexual offences against children
-
Crime4 days ago
All three school stabbing victims discharged from hospital, police confirm
-
Community6 days ago
County Hall to offer space for community banking
-
Sport7 days ago
Swifts eyes on double.
-
Community3 days ago
Suspected explosive device found on west Wales beach
-
News1 day ago
‘Honest’ caravan site owner ran site ‘under the radar’ for 20 years