Latest news with #JonathanGrimes
Western Telegraph
7 days ago
- Western Telegraph
County councillors receive special recognition police awards
At the recent Dyfed-Powys Police Force Awards, held at Police Headquarters in Carmarthen, County Councillor for Pembroke Monkton and St Mary South, Cllr Jonathan Grimes, was named a finalist for the prestigious Special Recognition Award. Nominated by the Pembroke and Pembroke Dock Neighbourhood Policing and Protection Team (NPPT), Cllr Grimes was praised as a 'prominent member of the community in his ward,' noted for his unwavering dedication and proactive engagement with local policing efforts. His contributions include regularly joining police patrols, sharing key messages with the public, and serving as a vital communication link between the community and local authorities. More: Replacement of deteriorating Pembrokeshire school building backed More: More concerns raised over proposed new Pembrokeshire Lidl Described by Dyfed-Powys Police as showing 'dedication to his community' and 'passion' in his work, Cllr Grimes has also taken part in community awareness events, including walks to highlight issues such as violence against women and children. He has played a crucial role in relaying vital crime-related information to the police — particularly in cases where community members were hesitant to come forward. He was presented with his finalist certificate by Temporary Chief Constable Ifan Charles. Cllr Grimes was joined by fellow finalist Cllr Chris Williams of Saundersfoot Community Council. The Special Recognition Award was ultimately awarded to Iwan Jenkins from the Crown Prosecution Service.
Pembrokeshire Herald
01-07-2025
- General
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Welsh Water urges customers to conserve water after record-breaking dry spring
MAJOR traffic disruption in Pembroke caused by temporary traffic lights installed for road works at Bush Hill (A4139) has sparked widespread public outrage, with residents and local businesses expressing frustration and anger at severe delays. Traffic lights installed by Wales & West Utilities at the junction have reportedly allowed only minimal vehicles through at a time, leading to significant tailbacks and lengthy delays throughout Monday. Wales & West Utilities Programme Controller for Pembroke, Adam Smith, said: 'We are working in the Well Hill area of Pembroke, to upgrade the gas network. This work is essential to keep the gas flowing safely to heat and power local homes and businesses and to make sure the gas network is ready to transport greener gas. 'In agreement with Pembrokeshire County Council and in order to keep the local community, road users and our colleagues safe while we work, four-way traffic lights are in place along Well Hill at its junction with Holyland Road, Main Street and Station Road. 'These lights are manned during peak traffic hours; however, we are now increasing the number of traffic officers to try and improve the flow of traffic. While this should help us minimise disruption, we would still encourage people to leave more time for travel and to take alternative routes if at all possible. 'Barring any unforeseen circumstances, we expect to complete our work on Well Hill and remove these lights by 21 July. 'Before our work started, we wrote to homes and businesses in the area letting them know what to expect and held a community drop-in session where people could learn more about the plans. We would like to thank the local community for their patience during these works. We appreciate that working on roads like this is not ideal, and we're sorry for the disruption our work is causing, but it really is essential to keep the gas flowing and to make sure the network is fit for the future.' Jonathan Grimes, County Councillor for Pembroke St Mary South & Monkton, expressed deep concern about the disruption, stating he had spoken directly to Wales & West Utilities and was liaising with Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC). Residents voiced their frustration online, highlighting journeys normally taking ten minutes were lasting up to an hour and a half. Local business owner Peter Chesmore described the situation as a 'damn disgrace,' saying it took him 45 minutes to make a short journey to work. Chesmore further demanded night-time works to reduce disruption or financial compensation for affected businesses through rate relief. School runs were particularly affected, with Anne Braithwaite noting she was 40 minutes late picking up her grandson from nursery. Commuters like Amanda Jane Mcknight and Margaret Powell shared similar stories of extensive delays, suggesting traffic management should mirror arrangements made during Pembroke Fair, using alternative routes or two-way systems to ease congestion. Concerns were also raised about emergency service accessibility, with locals noting a potential risk if ambulances or fire engines needed rapid passage through the area. Residents including Virginia Billing described feeling 'imprisoned' in Monkton due to continuous traffic disruptions in recent months, further exacerbating frustration and calls for urgent action. Councillor Grimes acknowledged a failure in initial traffic management, revealing traffic signals had not been adequately manned initially by Wales & West Utilities. He confirmed that PCC had intervened to address the issues.
Pembrokeshire Herald
06-06-2025
- Business
- Pembrokeshire Herald
‘Anti-social behaviour' fears over new Pembroke housing plan
A CALL to change holiday lets to flats in Pembroke's main street has been given the go-ahead despite concerns of antisocial behaviour connected with a nearby nightclub is creating scenes 'like the OK Corral'. In an application recommended for approval at the June meeting of Pembrokeshire County council's planning committee, Pembroke Assets Ltd sought permission to change nine holiday lets at 6-10 Main Street to flats. The scheme was supported by Pembroke Town Council. It was brought to committee as it was recommended for approval despite being a departure from the development plan, the departure relating to a previous scheme for the holiday lets being granted. The site was once Co-Op's old shop before it moved to the town's Goose's Lane in 2017, being empty until a number of developments took place including mixed business use and the previously-granted self-catering holiday lets. A report for members said there were high levels of noise both day and night at the location in Pembroke's main street, 'due to the presence of public houses and nightclubs'. Referring to the departure from planning guidelines, as in the previous scheme, it said: 'The primary justification of that proposal was economic regeneration of the town centre. As was considered then, the building was and is again vacant. Continued vacancy would lead to deterioration, to the detriment of the town centre and the surrounding Conservation Area.' Cllr Jonathan Grimes, one of two members of a joint ward covering the area, raised concerns about the scheme in an email to the committee, saying that, while he supported increasing affordable housing stock, he had concerns about the location, saying it was 'highly unsuitable for any form of housing for residents who would want or indeed expect a peaceful standard of living'. 'My main concern is the location of the property next door to a nightclub. The nightclub in question – 'OUT' has already attracted considerable negative publicity over the past few years due to the high number of incidents of anti-social behaviour. 'This has included loud noise, drunken behaviour, the use of drugs as well as street violence. I am led to believe that one of the main reasons that the former owners of the holiday rentals decided to sell up was due to the large number of complaints from guests over the late-night activities originating from the aforementioned nightclub. 'I have also received a number of complaints from local residents living in the vicinity about anti-social behaviour originating from the nightclub and having a detrimental effect on the neighbourhood.' Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Rhys Jordan said: 'These properties were considered for purchase by this council, withdrawn at the last moment, I assume around some of the planning conditions in place. I get the feeling this change of use is solely to allow the sale potentially to this council; if that's a reason that's absolutely fine but I don't buy it's going to bring a much-needed supply of flats in Pembroke.' He asked if the council had an interest in the scheme, but was told the initial interest several years before had not been progressed. He went on to say: 'The social housing element of this council are not interested in these properties, that leaves very few options going forward. Given the luxury nature of these flats, I'd imagine they have a high rent; are we opening up a can of worms for the future? It's like the OK Corral down there on a Friday or a Saturday night, I can't imagine anyone wanting to pay the rent there.' He warned any potential change to social housing would lead to 'potentially vulnerable people' housed 'in what is basically a sketchy area'. 'I'm not going to support it,' said Cllr Jordan, adding: 'I think we're opening a can of worms that could cause significant problems for the town in the future.' After approval was moved by Cllr Brian Hall, new committee chair Cllr Mark Carter stressed: 'We have to determine the application in front of us; if people want to live next to a nightclub that is their choice.' The application was passed by 11 votes to one, with one abstention.
