Politics

Candidates fighting for the Mid and South Pembrokeshire seat have their say

Published

5 months ago

June 26, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

MID & SOUTH Pembrokeshire general election hopefuls have outlined why you should vote for them on July 4.

As part of constituency changes, bits of north Pembrokeshire – including St Davids and– are joining the new Mid and South Pembrokeshire constituency.

Mid and South Pembrokeshire covers Letterston, Solva and St Davids down to Hundleton and Tenby, stretching eastwards to Amroth, Narberth and Lampeter Velfrey.

Other parts of the north of the county are now in the new Ceredigion Preseli constituency; which extends up past Aberystwyth and also includes Cilgerran, Crymych, St Dogmaels, Fishguard and Llanrhian.

There’s now a 15-candidate battle for the two seats, eight in Mid and South Pembrokeshire and seven in Ceredigion Preseli.

With a July 4 date set for the general election, the currently declared candidates for Mid and South Pembrokeshire are: Hanna Andersen (Women’s Equality Party); Alistair Cameron (Welsh Liberal Democrats); Stephen Crabb (Welsh Conservative); Stuart Marchant (Reform UK); James Purchase (Green Party); Vusi Siphika (Independent); Cris Tomos (Plaid Cymru); and Henry Tufnell (Welsh Labour).

Liberal Democrat hopeful Alistair Cameron said: “Having been a Pembrokeshire County Councillor representing Kilgetty and Begelly since 2022, I am used to campaigning on behalf of local people whether in terms of better road safety or better community facilities. I would use this campaigning experience to fight for more investment into the county from the UK and Welsh Governments.

“I grew up in Pembrokeshire and now as Liberal Democrat Group Leader on the council, have a wide appreciation of the needs of my county and the challenges we face.

“Pembrokeshire has the fourth highest level of child poverty in Wales and I will fight for better jobs for our area and investment in our public services including the NHS, social services and our schools and colleges.”

Green candidate James Purchase said: “Vote for me! Even I wouldn’t vote for me, a 71-yr-old rough-shod builder. I’m no silver-tongued slick career politician. I have two daughters so I’m not even allowed an ego.

“No; you must vote for the Green Party and its tough love policies. We’re the only party that’s telling you the truth about the climate crisis and keeping social injustice in focus.

“As George Monbiot says: ‘The Green Party is our best option,’ but if saving the planet is not enough to get your vote, how about this … I’m standing as a Not-For-Profit MP! All of my MP’s salary, after tax, will go back to the county in a charitable trust for community initiatives. So even if I am rubbish as an MP I’d still be value for money.”

Women’s Equality Party candidate for your vote, Hannah Anderson, said: “I’m standing in this election because I believe that together, we can imagine a different future.

“Inequality is deepening, poverty is skyrocketing, and vital public services have been driven to the brink. But the old political parties, whose failings drove us here, lack the will and ambition to change it, and we are being offered the same tired policies we’ve seen for years.

“It doesn’t have to be this way, a vote for me and the Women’s Equality Party is a vote for the future, for investing in care and communities, for our health and happiness.”

Labour candidate Henry Tufnell said: “Pembrokeshire is crying out for change. The legacy of 20 years of a Tory MP in Pembrokeshire and 14 years of a Tory Government in Westminster is a cost-of-living crisis and over a decade of cuts to our public services.

“I will be a strong voice for Pembrokeshire, will put the interests of our county first, and have the skills and energy to be an MP that people can be proud of. I will make Labour’s plan work for Pembrokeshire and reset our relationship with the Welsh Government in Cardiff. It is time for change.”

Conservative candidate Stephen Crabb said: “As a local man who lives and was raised in the heart of Pembrokeshire, I am committed to providing a strong local voice for our county.

“I understand the needs of our community and have a trusted track record of speaking up for Pembrokeshire. I always work hard for local people, whether they have voted for me or not.

“Fighting to protect local health services and Withybush Hospital from Welsh Labour cuts remains my top priority. I will always be grateful for the opportunities that Pembrokeshire gave me, and I am passionate about seeing Pembrokeshire become an even better place to live and work.”

Reform candidate Stuart Marchant said: “Within the last year I came to the conclusion that this country needs change. We in Wales actually need it more than elsewhere in the UK.

“We have the worst NHS within the UK and Sir Keir Starmer believes that Wales is the blue print for the UK. We will not see improvements if we follow his route. Our transport system in Wales is terrible. Our schools over subscribed and run down. We don’t have homes for the needful.

“People should choose to lend me their votes at this election. I am the only candidate that offers true change. If voters lend me their vote, and Reform are able to form Government, then our Contract With The People sets out what we will do within 100 days.”

Independent Vusi Siphika said: “There needs to be more trust, connection and co-operation between the local council, Welsh Government and UK government. The current political climate is divisive and toxic and from my interactions this has turned voters away.

“The political classes have broken the social contract with us. I want us to rewrite it as a constituency and become a blueprint for the UK by having a manifesto that is unique to Pembrokeshire. I believe that despite our differences we can move more to unity.

“My heart is in this constituency. I want to serve you and bring us together for the progress of all.”

Cris Tomos of Plaid Cymru did not respond to a request for comment.

The candidates have also been contacted for further responses on subjects to come, the next two being the cost-of-living crisis/the economy and agriculture/the countryside.

Education

Pembrokeshire free school transport call to be heard at County Hall

Published

5 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to allow school pupils from Johnston and Tiers Cross access to free school transport to the nearby Haverfordwest high school is to be heard by councillors next week.

Due to a change in catchment areas the pupils are no longer able to access free transport to Haverfordwest, instead coming under the Milford Haven catchment area.

A petition calling for the reinstatement of the former catchment area to access free transport for pupils to Haverfordwest was recently started in the county.

The e-petition, which ran from September 18-November 1 on the council’s own website, attracted 351 signatures, meeting the threshold for a debate at the relevant Pembrokeshire County Council overview and scrutiny committee, in this case the Schools And Learning Overview And Scrutiny Committee meeting of November 28.

The petition, started by Kirsty Coaker, reads: “We call on Pembrokeshire County Council to change Johnston and Tiers Cross School Catchment back to Haverfordwest.

“Children of Johnston and Tiers Cross are now ineligible for free school transport to Haverfordwest High due to the areas no longer being in ‘catchment’.

“Both Johnston and Tiers Cross are Haverfordwest postal codes and are classed as Haverfordwest, yet the school catchment is Milford Haven.

“Please help our children access suitable transport to and from secondary school.”

The e-petition will now be considered at the November 28 meeting.

Climate

Pembrokeshire group plans for larger community wind turbine

Published

5 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.

Business

Call to end ‘fad’ of ‘school dogs’ in Pembrokeshire

Published

11 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to end the ‘fad’ of permanent ‘school dogs’ in Pembrokeshire for their benefit and the befit of the schools, instead using visiting ‘therapy dogs’ is to be heard next week.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Schools And Learning Overview And Scrutiny Committee meeting of November 28 will consider a public submission by Robert Thomas – who works with therapy dogs – on the subject of school dogs.

The submission reads: “My definition of a school dog is one that spends long periods in the school and is managed and owned by school employees not outside assessed and insured visiting therapy dogs who stay for an hour with a competent handler.

“The welfare of many dogs in schools in Pembrokeshire has been compromised over the last few years and we are concerned that the rise in the popularity of school-owned or teacher-owned dogs is an animal welfare issue.

“I can think of several school dogs in Pembrokeshire where it has gone wrong for the animal.”

He cites examples of ‘school dogs’ the county, where he says they have had to be removed, with the animals being unsettled, barking and even nipping on occasions, showing “a lack of understanding of animal welfare”.

His submission adds: “We have done some work with the Animal Welfare team at the Welsh Government around licensing this field, a consultation was completed in March 2023, currently awaiting the outcome.

“It has become a fad across the country and many dogs spend all day in schools supported by staff members who have another job to do. It feels like PCC does not have a policy overarching animal welfare policy in schools to protect dogs from being seen as staff members and there purely for human benefit, not the dogs.

“Dogs need to rest and sleep during the day and not in school. The visiting therapy dog model works best as the impact is greatest and the welfare of the dog is managed externally. If the dog is there all the time that can diminish the impact, and the novelty can wear off for the pupils.

“In my experience schools should concentrate on teaching and leave the therapy dog introduction to those that have the expertise in animal welfare.”

The submission will be considered by committee members at the November 28 meeting.