Community

Public want government in Wales to prioritise cost of living, health and housing

Published

9 months ago

March 3, 2024

THE WELSH public want government to prioritise addressing the cost-of-living crisis, reducing NHS waiting lists and improving affordable housing provision above other challenges in the coming years, according to a new report published by Deloitte.

The State of the State 2024 is an annual report on attitudes to government and public services, published by Deloitte and the independent think tank Reform.

The research includes a survey by Ipsos UK of 5,815 UK adults aged 16-75, including 713 from Wales, as well as in depth interviews with leaders from across the public sector.

For the second year running, the cost of living crisis was the Welsh public’s top concern, mentioned by 77% of people surveyed, followed by NHS waiting lists, which were mentioned by 75%. These two areas of concern were the top priorities for members of the public in all UK regions.

The Welsh public’s next priorities for improvement were jobs and the economy (48%), social care for children, the elderly and vulnerable adults (46%) and the provision of affordable housing, which saw the number of people highlighting it as a key concern rise by 11 percentage points to 47% from the previous State of the State survey. Concerns about crime (40%) and the country’s infrastructure (36%) both increased by six percentage points.

The research also found that people in Wales are pessimistic about some of the issues they most want to see improved, with 61% of those surveyed expecting NHS waiting lists to get worse in future and 54% expecting the availability of affordable housing to worsen. However, the number of people expecting the cost-of-living crisis to get worse decreased to 55% from 79% in the previous survey.

Timely access to services top of public’s wish list

Asked how they would like to see public services improved, the top priority cited by 50% of people was being able to access decent quality services when they need them, while 42% wanted complaints to be dealt with effectively when things go wrong. The third response, highlighted by 41% of people, was to be able to access the same services wherever they live in the country, while 35% of those surveyed wanted better contact and communication.

Deloitte’s interviews with public sector leaders revealed that the successive crises of recent years have left their services ‘fragile’, their workforces ‘tired’ and their decision-making ‘reactive’. Those leaders told Deloitte that the public sector’s aspirations are too often beyond the reality of its resources, and reform is needed that will allow the sector to prioritise, work towards a collective vision and improve its ability to deliver.

While the survey found the Welsh public expect government spending to stay at current levels or go up (56%), Welsh public sector leaders indicated they expect spending cuts on the near horizon due to the challenging state of Welsh public finances.

The survey also found that trust in the Welsh government was down on the previous survey carried out in late 2022, but it still remains more trusted than the UK and Northern Ireland governments.

Liz Jones, Senior Partner for Wales at Deloitte, said: “Recent years have seen government and public services face successive disruptions, not least from COVID and the cost-of-living crisis. This year’s State of the State survey shows those years have taken a toll on the Welsh public’s optimism for the future and expectations for public services.

“Our interviews with public sector leaders also painted a challenging picture of the state of public services in Wales, and a difficult outlook that will require tough choices. But against that backdrop, we heard real optimism for the future of Wales. Leaders across government and public services told us that Wales has huge strengths to leverage.

“The challenge for any Welsh government is to come out of crisis mode, think more strategically and find a way to unlock the power of a small nation which has the capacity to be agile and innovative in how it delivers public services. There is undoubtedly an opportunity to use the power of devolution to deliver significant change.”

Ian Howse, Senior Partner for Wales at Deloitte added: “While our discussions with public sector leaders explored serious challenges for the Welsh public sector, interviewees were undoubtedly ambitious for the future. They argued that Wales needs to think longer-term, collaborate better within the public sector and better connect government and business to thrive in the years ahead.

“Consideration needs to be given to how public policy helps create economic growth by making Wales a location that businesses want to invest in. That means investing in the skills coming out of our universities and colleges, but also in good housing provision, robust infrastructure, well maintained parks, and a safe environment that appeals to investors.

“The Welsh government has put in place globally recognised policies on issues such as the rights of older people and children, wellbeing and climate. If that same innovative thinking is applied to economic development and understanding business, it could be a game changing development for Wales.”

Community

Rent in Pembrokeshire rises 7% over past year

Published

15 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Design Team

NEW figures reveal that private rental costs in Pembrokeshire have climbed by 7% in the past year, with the average monthly rent reaching £625 in October. This is a significant increase from £582 a year earlier and represents a 22% rise over the past five years, where the average rent was estimated at £511.

The data, collected by Rent Officers Wales as part of the Housing and Regeneration Division, highlights growing pressure on tenants amidst rising costs. The collection aims to cover approximately 15% of the rental market by gathering data from landlords and letting agents.

Across Wales, the average monthly rent has risen 8% year-on-year to £766. Cardiff recorded the highest rental cost in the country at £1,062 per month, while Powys had the lowest at £556.

Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown, commented on the challenges faced by renters in a press statement sent to The Pembrokeshire Herald. She said: “Getting good news about your rent is about as common as discovering your housemates have washed up for you, or your landlord suggesting you get a dog. For many, the only way out of the endless cycle of rising costs is to buy, but that’s far easier said than done when rents absorb so much of your income.”

The situation is compounded by a lack of available rental properties. Nathan Emerson, chief executive at Propertymark, explained: “As we continue to see further increases in rental prices across the UK, our members emphasize the lack of rental stock versus an ever-growing number of tenants. Selling up or turning to the short-term letting market has become a more attractive option for landlords due to challenging legislative changes and increased financial liabilities.”

Breakdown of Rental Costs in Pembrokeshire

The figures show a range of costs depending on property type and size in Pembrokeshire:

– A one-bedroom property: £462 per month

– A two-bedroom property: £576 per month

– A three-bedroom property: £732 per month

– Homes with four or more bedrooms: £934 per month

By property type:

– Detached houses: £768 per month

– Semi-detached houses: £653 per month

– Terraced houses: £629 per month

– Flats or maisonettes: £521 per month

In October, the average rent for private properties across Great Britain stood at £1,307 per month—up 9% compared to the same period last year. This equates to an increase of £105 per month.

As landlords adapt to changing regulations and financial pressures, the shortage of rental properties continues to push prices higher, creating further challenges for tenants across Pembrokeshire and beyond.

Climate

Pembrokeshire group plans for larger community wind turbine

Published

19 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A NORTH Pembrokeshire group which has raised more than £76,000 from its community wind turbine for local projects is hoping to expand with a bigger turbine.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Abergwaun Community Turbine Ltd, through agent Machynlleth-based Dulas Ltd is hoping to get permission for a larger turbine to replace the existing Abergwaun Community Turbine.

The proposed turbine, in a pasture field at Trebover Farm, to the south of Fishguard, would be 67m tall, the existing 2015 one being 45 metres.

In supporting statements, parent company Transition Bro Gwaun said: “The Community Climate Fund (CCF) is the mechanism by which Transition Bro Gwaun (TBG) is fulfilling our ambition of funding projects in Fishguard, Goodwick and across North Pembrokeshire, using income from the community wind turbine.

“The core themes for grants are climate change mitigation and adaptation, enhancement of biodiversity and improvements to community resilience through promotion of community engagement and resource sharing.”

In 2015, TBG raised its 50 per cent share of capital funding for the project by means of loans from 28 local individuals and four community groups, contributing a total of £286,500, the other 50 per cent contributed by landowners Parc-y-Morfa Farms Ltd.

The statement added: “Profit generated by sale of electricity from the turbine is split 50:50 between TBG and Parcy-Morfa Farms Ltd through the jointly owned trading arm, Abergwaun Community Turbine. By the end of 2022, all loans had been repaid, allowing the launch of TBG’s Community Climate Fund. This year we have awarded our third round of grants bringing the total amount granted to £76,036.”

In 2022, £15,274 was awarded to seven projects, including Fishguard Sports AFC to install solar panels on their clubhouse as part of their Tregroes Park development, Ysgol Bro Gwaun for their Increasing Biodiversity and Bees project, and Nevern Valley Veg / Llysiau Cwm Nyfer to install a solar powered vegetable irrigation scheme.

In 2023, £39,85 was made available for seven projects, including Sea Trust Wales to part fund the installation of solar panels on the Ocean Lab roof and to produce a display on solar technology, Letterston Memorial Hall to part fund the installation of an air source heat pump heating system, and Fishguard and Goodwick Rugby Club to install solar panels on their clubhouse.

2024 awards of £20,917 were made to six projects, including Theatr Gwaun to insulate their loft to reduce heating loss, Parc Cerrig Growers for developing a rainwater harvesting system with a pond to irrigate their allotments, Caerhys Organic Community Agriculture for an electric cargo bike for delivering organic vegetables in the Fishguard and St Davids areas, and Nevern Valley Veg to develop wildlife ponds and rainwater harvesting for food production.

The supporting documentation concludes: “The repowering of the existing turbine at Trebover would require a limited increase in turbine size which would result in a very limited change in landscape and visual effects in comparison to the existing Trebover turbine.”

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

Community

Council warns of icy conditions as temperatures drop

Published

1 day ago

November 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ROAD users in Pembrokeshire are being urged to exercise caution tonight as temperatures are forecast to dip below freezing.

Pembrokeshire County Council has announced that road surface temperatures could reach as low as -2°C, with the possibility of sleet or snow on higher ground. In response, precautionary salting of the county’s primary routes will be carried out this evening and overnight.

A spokesperson for the council said: “Road users are advised to take care if travelling on untreated roads.”

Motorists are reminded to plan ahead and drive carefully, particularly in areas that may not have been treated.

Stay tuned to The Herald for updates on road conditions and weather warnings.