News
First Minister’s summer listening tour branded a ‘PR stunt’ by Plaid Cymru
THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has been forced to defend First Minister Eluned Morgan’s summer “listening tour”, following accusations from Plaid Cymru that the initiative was merely a public relations exercise.
Ms Morgan, who took office as Wales’ First Minister in August, has stated that her summer was spent engaging with voters across the country, gathering insights into their concerns. She claims that these discussions will play a crucial role in shaping the government’s priorities for the coming year.
However, the Welsh Government has come under fire from Plaid Cymru, which has questioned the substance of the listening exercise. Opposition figures have criticised the lack of clarity regarding the aims and objectives of the tour, as well as how its outcomes will be evaluated.
The government’s response to these criticisms has been vague, with a spokesperson stating that the First Minister’s conversations with the public will inform the priorities to be announced at the start of the Senedd term.
‘No measurable outcomes’
During her appearance on the BBC’s Newscast podcast last week, Ms Morgan emphasised the importance of connecting with the public, saying she had spent the summer “getting out, listening to what people have to say all over Wales, getting a really unfiltered view of what they think we should be doing”.
She acknowledged that the implementation of 20mph speed limits had been raised as a contentious issue during her discussions. “Part of the problem of being in power for so long as Labour has in Wales – 25 years governing Wales – is how do you reinvent yourself while you’re in office?” she reflected. “For me, the important thing is to make sure that you reflect on the priorities of the public.”
Despite the First Minister’s efforts to present the tour as an opportunity to hear from the electorate, Plaid Cymru’s Rhun ap Iorwerth has expressed scepticism. In August, he submitted a written question asking for details on the objectives of the exercise, how it would be evaluated, and how the data would be collected. Ms Morgan declined to answer directly, instead referring him to an earlier response given to Conservative member Sam Rowlands, in which she simply reiterated her intention to listen to the concerns of Welsh citizens.
Mr ap Iorwerth did not hold back in his criticism: “Much like many Labour Welsh Government ambitions, the First Minister’s ‘listening exercise’ has no measurable outcomes or evaluation process. It has proved to be little more than a PR stunt to try and curry favour with the public after months of Labour infighting.”
“What was really required this summer was a government getting to work to address the significant challenges facing our economy and public services,” he added.
Opposition questions the tour’s credibility
Videos shared by the Welsh Government on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) show Ms Morgan engaging with communities in Ebbw Vale, Merthyr Tydfil, and parts of North Wales. Welsh Labour also launched an online questionnaire to gather further feedback.
However, opposition parties, including Plaid Cymru, have voiced concerns about the lack of structure and transparency surrounding the tour. Nation.Cymru reported that there were no scheduled events for the tour, further raising questions about its legitimacy.
The Welsh Government has dismissed these concerns, maintaining that the First Minister’s informal engagements were intended to offer a platform for spontaneous and unfiltered conversations with the public.
A government spokesperson said: “Throughout the summer, the First Minister has visited communities across Wales to listen to local people talking about their hopes and concerns. It has also given people the chance to speak directly to the First Minister and offer their spontaneous opinions about what really matters to them.”
They added: “The First Minister was keen that the conversations were not orchestrated, and they will be used to help her set the Welsh Government’s priorities, which will be announced at the start of the new Senedd term.”
New cabinet expected soon
Ms Morgan became First Minister following the resignation of Vaughan Gething, who recently announced that he would step down from the Senedd in 2026. He has also stated that he will not seek a ministerial position under Ms Morgan’s leadership. The First Minister is expected to unveil her full cabinet shortly.
As the Senedd prepares to reconvene, the effectiveness of Ms Morgan’s summer listening exercise will come under increasing scrutiny, with many eager to see if the concerns voiced by the public will translate into concrete government action.
Crime
Whitland fraudster admits accessing vulnerable woman’s bank account
BRUCE Nankervis, of Flat 3 Farmers Arms, Whitland, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court facing charges of fraud by false representation. The court heard that Nankervis committed the offences in April and May 2023 by accessing the bank account of Angela Chatfield, intending to cause her loss.
On 24th April 2023, 25th April 2023, and 2nd May 2023, he dishonestly accessed Chatfield’s account without her knowledge or permission, taking advantage of his position of trust. Nankervis pleaded guilty to the charges on 28th August 2024.
The magistrates sentenced Nankervis to a suspended custodial period of 24 weeks, with a supervision period of 12 months, citing his flagrant disregard for people and their property and the fact that the offences were committed against a vulnerable person. The sentence was suspended to allow for his rehabilitation, maintain his recently acquired home, and enable him to reconnect with his daughter. He was also ordered to comply with rehabilitation activity requirements for up to 15 days and perform 50 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.
Additionally, Nankervis was ordered to pay £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service, a £154 surcharge, and £1,484 in compensation to Angela Chatfield. Payments are to be made in monthly instalments of £40 starting from 16th October 2024.
Business
Council denies responsibility for The Range store’s snub of Haverfordwest
THIS week Pembrokeshire County Council has refuted claims circulating on social media that it was responsible for The Range’s decision not to open a store in the former Wilko unit in Haverfordwest.
The rumors, which gained traction on Facebook this week, suggested that the discount retailer pulled out due to issues related to car parking charges in the nearby Perrots Road car park.
A council spokesperson addressed the situation, on Wednesday (Sept 18) telling The Herald: “There is absolutely no truth in the rumour that The Range decided not to take on the former Wilko store in Haverfordwest due to car parking charges in the nearby Perrots Road car park. The Council is unaware of where this rumour has come from.”
This statement comes in response to a flurry of social media activity, where several residents expressed their disappointment and frustration. One user, Stephen Hughes, sparked conversation with a post claiming, “Range wanted to go to Wilko and the council refused free parking at Haverfordwest absolutely shocking.” The post received multiple comments, reflecting the growing frustration among the community.
Chris Wilson said: “The council seemed determined to wreck Haverfordwest,” while Julie McIntosh added, “OMG we will never have them now.”
These sentiments echo a broader dissatisfaction with the current state of the Haverfordwest town centre.
The council, however, has made it clear that The Range’s decision was independent of any car parking policies. “While The Range ultimately decided not to proceed, the Council is currently in detailed discussions with a prospective tenant for the unit and very much hope to have the building brought back into use as soon as possible,” the spokesperson added.
The speculation on social media highlights the ongoing concerns about the town’s retail prospects and the council’s role in facilitating or hindering economic development.
Recent reports indicate that The Range is expanding in the UK, with five new branches opening by Christmas in locations such as Walkden, Cwmbran, Leamington Spa, Chelmsford, and Oswestry.
Additionally, The Range’s parent company, CDS Superstores, has announced plans to reopen up to 300 Wilko stores after acquiring the brand, with five concept stores expected to open by Christmas 2024
Despite Haverfordwest now being off the list, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and whether the prospective tenant will bring a new chapter to Haverfordwest’s retail scene.
Crime
Parc Prison now much more stable, says Welsh Social Justice Minister
A SOUTH Wales prison where 10 inmates have died this year has made “considerable progress” in its management, according to a Welsh government minister.
Jane Hutt, the Social Justice Minister, stated that HMP Parc in Bridgend, which houses man prisoners from Pembrokeshire, is now “much, much more stable.” The prison, operated by security company G4S, has faced allegations of drug misuse but maintains it has a “zero-tolerance policy towards drugs.”
Minister Hutt said she received reassurances from Ian Barrow, who oversees the management of Welsh prisons, that there had been significant improvements at Parc following the appointment of a new director in June.
The minister announced plans to visit Parc later this month alongside the UK government’s prisons minister, Lord Timpson.
Will Styles was appointed as the new director of Parc after Heather Whitehead stepped down. Styles, who has been with G4S for a year managing HMP Five Wells in Northamptonshire, took over the role following Whitehead’s departure. G4S stated that her immediate exit in August 2023 was “not in response to one single incident.”
Since February, 10 inmates have died at the prison, with at least four of the deaths believed to be drug-related. In June, three prisoners were also hospitalised following disorder at the facility.
South Wales Police reported in March that a synthetic opioid, Nitazene, had been identified in connection with all four drug-related deaths, with another synthetic drug, Spice, also identified in two of the cases. G4S reiterated its “zero-tolerance policy towards drugs” in response to these findings.
The deaths have sparked protests from the families of inmates who died while in custody. In May, they demonstrated outside the prison, demanding answers from authorities regarding claims of drug misuse within the facility.
At the Social Justice Questions session in the Welsh Parliament on Wednesday, Conservative Senedd member Altaf Hussain expressed concerns about healthcare at Parc. In response, Jane Hutt extended her thoughts to the staff and families affected by the “deeply concerning” deaths in custody earlier this year.
Hutt stated that she met Ian Barrow last month and received “reassurances on the progress made at Parc” since the new director’s appointment. “My understanding from that meeting is that Parc has made considerable progress since the spring,” she added. “It’s now much more stable.”
She confirmed her upcoming visit to the prison with Lord Timpson on 30 September.
HMP Parc is one of the UK’s largest category B prisons, housing convicted male adult and young offenders, as well as convicted sex offenders or those awaiting trial for sex offences.
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