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Latest News: Consultation Paper and Discussion Notes on Sustainable Development Legislation for Wales see the Consultation Paper here and the Discussion document here .

 

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SPEEL’s objectives (established in 2002) are:

1. To bring together practitioners of education for sustainable development and environmental education in Pembrokeshire.

2. To promote and further the effectiveness and value of education for sustainable development and environmental education.

3. To share ideas and resources.

4. To raise public awareness and make Pembrokeshire a model of excellence and best practice in the field of education for sustainable development and environmental education.

 

Basically, the Group is a platform for ideas and practical talk on how to combine forces to best advantage and impact.  You can see the draft agenda here .

 

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CCW support a study to explore a sustainable intensification approach to farming!

 

To see details of this study please open this file here

 

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Press Release – 19/10/2011

 

Community campaign group uncovers worrying practices within Pembrokeshire County Council.

The Stop the Slurry Lagoon campaign group in Hermon North Pembrokeshire has over 15 dedicated volunteers working to ensure a fair hearing for their concerns regarding the proposed 2 acre slurry lagoon on high ground overlooking the village and the Taf River. In April 2011 the campaign ensured that the planning process was put on hold until the council planning department had further looked into the threats that would be caused by the proposed large development. It has now come to light that there are a number of worrying practices within the County Council and a lack of through examination of planning proposals that have environmental & health impacts. The campaign group have had a response from the County Council Monitoring officer - Laurence Harding admitting that there have been errors in handling the planning applications. The community campaigners have now asked Leader and Chief Executive to answer the following questions:

a)      At what point does a sequence of administrative errors, (oversights, misinformation, failure to provide information, complacency and professional incompetence), such as  the numerous examples we have experienced and described in various correspondence, become symptomatic of systemic and cultural weaknesses in an organisation?  

b)      How is it that all the ‘administrative errors’ we have referred to favour the applicant? Some of our campaign group feel that the LPA is ‘bending over backwards’ to help the applicant.

c)      Does it concern you that the shortcomings we have identified would result in members of the Planning Committee being misinformed and result in unsound decision making?

d)     Are you satisfied that County Councillors on the Planning & Rights of Way Committee have the experience and expertise to question and scrutinise officers’ judgements as they are presented to them, and what evidence do you have that this occurs? We would like the Councillors to feel fully informed so that they can fulfil their duties with a clear conscience.

Copies of the correspondences have been sent to Alan Morris at the Wales Audit Office who is responsible for scoping and carrying out the investigation into PCC as a result of the Estyn report on children’s services. . The campaigners are now asking any other community groups or individuals to flag up other similar occurrences that they have encountered to show systematic and cultural weakness that exists within the authority. Further details and contact information regarding the community campaign group can be found on www.slurrycampaign.org.uk . To sign the on line petition people are asked to visit www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/slurrycampaign

Slurry Campaign Contacts:

Chair – Len Davies: 01239 832074

Media - Cris Tomos – 07974 099738

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Recruitment of Fieldworkers and ARI Mentor / Recriwtio Gweithwyr Maes llawrydd a Mentor Gwirfoddol ARI

Please read Letter and Fieldworker job pack.

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An Uphill Battle to Save Picturesque Welsh Shore Towns From Drowning from the New York Times - it can be read here.

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A Synopsis of energy, environmental,recycling and sustainability initiatives at Pembrokeshire County Council. It can be read here

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Press release from Friends of the Earth Cymru on why the Pembroke Power Station plans are unlawful. This statement can be read here .

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PLAID CALL FOR POWER STATION JOBS BONANZA

Plaid Cymru in Pembrokeshire are calling for urgent action to be taken to ensure that the new Pembroke power station becomes the focus for an eco-friendly business park and takes all steps possible to minimise its environmental impact.

In a joint statement, Plaid’s candidates for the two Pembrokeshire seats, Nerys Evans and Rhys Sinnett, say that the argument should not be about if the power station should be allowed to run, but how the benefits to Pembrokeshire’s economy and environment can be maximised, if the right technology and strategy is put in place.

 

Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire candidate Nerys Evans AM, said:

 

“Plaid Cymru does not oppose the building of the Pembroke power station. We welcome the jobs that will be created at the plant but we want to maximise ALL the benefits to the county from this development.

This is simply a matter of using the waste heat for the economic advantage of Pembrokeshire instead of just dumping it in the Haven, with scant regard for the environmental impact that will follow. The quantity of waste heat which will be generated is enormous, around two gigawatts and, frankly, it would be an economic and environmental tragedy to simply pour it into the sea.

“We are promised 100 new jobs from the power station.  If RWE creates partnerships with a number of key business sectors, waste heat from the power station could help create a great many more jobs.”

 

Rhys Sinnett, Plaid candidate in Preseli Pembrokeshire said:

 

“Plaid members have been at the forefront in getting this issue addressed by the company. We are optimistic that with the right work at this stage we will have four times the employment that the power station alone would have provided and therefore four times the benefit to the county.

“Sectors like horticulture, wood chip and pellet drying, advanced anaerobic digestion and innovative fuels from biomass could all tap into the waste heat and be provided with a very cheap source of energy to run their facilities. These are just some options for using the hot water that will be produced by the power station.

“Now is the time for the County Council in partnership with RWE to really market to possible spin off opportunities for local green job creation alongside the power station site and ensure that we get the best for Pembrokeshire.”

 

"Plaid Cymru in Pembrokeshire will take this issue up urgently with the Minister for the Economy in the National Assembly to try to kick-start an effort to give Pembrokeshire an eco-jobs boost that is desperately needed.”

Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales.  www.plaidcymru.org        

 

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National Assembly for Wales - Sustainability Committee, Inquiry into Flooding in Wales: February 2010

The Sustainability Committee in the National Assembly for Wales, of which I am a member has today launched its report on flooding. Should you wish to discuss any aspect of the report with me please do not hesitate to get in touch.

 

Angela Burns AM / AC, Welsh Conservative Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire/ Aelod y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig dros Gorllewin Caerfyrddin a De Sir Benfro, National Assembly for Wales / Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru, Cardiff Bay / Bae Caerdydd, Cardiff / Caerdydd, ,CF99 1NA , www.angelaburnsam.com

 

 

 

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