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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Welsh councils face £5.25m power station pay-out
There are serious questions to answer over why a legal row over a defunct power station has left a group of ten Welsh councils footing a bill in the millions, a senior Tory has said. Earlier this year a High Court judge declared that a contract to demolish Aberthaw Power Station for the Cardiff Capital Region was awarded unlawfully. At a Senedd committee the chair of the consortium, Mary Ann Brocklesby, said the region will pay a settlement of £5.25m to a rival company that lost out. Andrew RT Davies, Conservative MS for South Wales East, said it was "frankly unacceptable". Brocklesby told the Senedd's economy committee, which Davies chairs, that an independent review handled by accountancy firm Deloitte is underway. The region's director Kellie Beirne assured Members of the Senedd (MSs) the region will take steps to ensure it does not happen again. Ms Beirne admitted it had caused "a lot of pain and anguish for many, many people". Under the region's plans the site, which hosted a coal fired power station until 2019, will be used to support the production of renewable and green energy projects. The region says the legal settlement has been funded from "commercial returns on interests" generated, and that no further public money is required for it. Is this old power station about to turn green? Power station set to close, risking 170 jobs End of Welsh coal era at Aberthaw A company set up by the city region - a consortium of a number of local authorities including Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan - awarded a contract for the demolition of the power station last year to a company called Erith in 2023. Cardiff council - which had run the procurement - admitted liability in court after lawyers for a rival company, Brown and Mason Limited, challenged the contract. According to a court document, High Court judge Justice Jefford declared that the procurement "was unlawful" and that the claimant would have otherwise been awarded the contract. Brocklesby, who is also Labour leader of Monmouthshire council, told the economy committee "the amount of the settlement... was £5.25m". "I'm not able to say much more at this point, because we are undergoing an independent review, which we commissioned as political leaders," she said. Ms Beirne added that the region was "taking this extremely seriously - we recognise the gravity of it." She indicated the body was in touch with Audit Wales "throughout this process". The director added: "When that review concludes and we have findings, we'll be able to be much more open about what happened and take steps to ensure that this can't happen again." Brocklesby added that the figure was "final", but said there were "legal processes that we need to go through". Andrew RT Davies, who chairs the committee, questioned the pair on how the region was securing "hundreds of millions" needed to seek the project through. He asked how the body was "giving confidence to the private sector, and the independent sector more generally, to come in as partners in light of what's gone on". Brocklesby said the future of Aberthaw "does actually look very bright, and we're not feeling any effects from the impact of this highly regrettable procurement issue". Challenged on that point by Davies, she added: "I wouldn't be so foolish as to say that there is no risk to reputation or to Aberthaw. What I am saying is that we are mitigating it in various ways". Bernie said that "maybe bigger figures" than "hundreds of millions" could be needed for Aberthaw. £38.6m is being invested on acquiring, clear and remediating the site. Davies said: "Taxpayers will pick up this £5.25million bill thanks to the Labour-run Cardiff Capital Region's bungled handling of this contract. "This is frankly unacceptable, as this cash should be going towards improving our public services. "CCR's Labour leadership have serious questions to answer." A statement from the region said: "A legal challenge was made following a procurement exercise for the demolition contract relating to the Aberthaw Power Station, which was awarded in July 2023. "A mediated settlement with the claimant has now been reached and an independent review of the procurement arrangements is underway. "The settlement has been fully funded from commercial returns on interest generated on balances held, with no impact on core programme budgets or any requirement for further public funding. "In line with Cardiff Capital Region's commitment to transparency and accountability, the independent review will examine the procurement process in full in order to ensure that all issues are identified and acted upon. "While the independent review is being conducted and until that process is concluded, we are unable to comment further. "This matter does not affect the wider work of Cardiff Capital Region or the progress of the Aberthaw project. The redevelopment of the site into a flagship green energy park is progressing at pace."
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Welsh councils face £5.25m Aberthaw Power Station station pay-out
There are serious questions to answer over why a legal row over a defunct power station has left a group of ten Welsh councils footing a bill in the millions, a senior Tory has this year a High Court judge declared that a contract to demolish Aberthaw Power Station for the Cardiff Capital Region was awarded a Senedd committee the chair of the consortium, Mary Ann Brocklesby, said the region will pay a settlement of £5.25m to a rival company that lost RT Davies, Conservative MS for South Wales East, said it was "frankly unacceptable". Brocklesby told the Senedd's economy committee, which Davies chairs, that an independent review handled by accountancy firm Deloitte is region's director Kellie Beirne assured Members of the Senedd (MSs) the region will take steps to ensure it does not happen Beirne admitted it had caused "a lot of pain and anguish for many, many people".Under the region's plans the site, which hosted a coal fired power station until 2019, will be used to support the production of renewable and green energy region says the legal settlement has been funded from "commercial returns on interests" generated, and that no further public money is required for it. A company set up by the city region - a consortium of a number of local authorities including Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan - awarded a contract for the demolition of the power station last year to a company called Erith in council - which had run the procurement - admitted liability in court after lawyers for a rival company, Brown and Mason Limited, challenged the to a court document, High Court judge Justice Jefford declared that "the defendant's conduct of the procurement was unlawful" and that the claimant would have otherwise been awarded the who is also Labour leader of Monmouthshire council, told the economy committee "the amount of the settlement... was £5.25m"."I'm not able to say much more at this point, because we are undergoing an independent review, which we commissioned as political leaders," she said. Ms Beirne added that the region was "taking this extremely seriously - we recognise the gravity of it."She indicated the body was in touch with Audit Wales "throughout this process".The director added: "When that review concludes and we have findings, we'll be able to be much more open about what happened and take steps to ensure that this can't happen again."Brocklesby added that the figure was "final", but said there were "legal processes that we need to go through".Andrew RT Davies, who chairs the committee, questioned the pair on how the region was securing "hundreds of millions" needed to seek the project asked how the body was "giving confidence to the private sector, and the independent sector more generally, to come in as partners in light of what's gone on".Brocklesby said the future of Aberthaw "does actually look very bright, and we're not feeling any effects from the impact of this highly regrettable procurement issue".Challenged on that point by Davies, she added: "I wouldn't be so foolish as to say that there is no risk to reputation or to Aberthaw. What I am saying is that we are mitigating it in various ways".Bernie said that "maybe bigger figures" than "hundreds of millions" could be needed for Aberthaw. £38.6m is being invested on acquiring, clear and remediating the site. Davies said: "Taxpayers will pick up this £5.25million bill thanks to the Labour-run Cardiff Capital Region's bungled handling of this contract."This is frankly unacceptable, as this cash should be going towards improving our public services."CCR's Labour leadership have serious questions to answer." A statement from the region said: "A legal challenge was made following a procurement exercise for the demolition contract relating to the Aberthaw Power Station, which was awarded in July 2023."A mediated settlement with the claimant has now been reached and an independent review of the procurement arrangements is underway. "The settlement has been fully funded from commercial returns on interest generated on balances held, with no impact on core programme budgets or any requirement for further public funding."In line with Cardiff Capital Region's commitment to transparency and accountability, the independent review will examine the procurement process in full in order to ensure that all issues are identified and acted upon."While the independent review is being conducted and until that process is concluded, we are unable to comment further."This matter does not affect the wider work of Cardiff Capital Region or the progress of the Aberthaw project. The redevelopment of the site into a flagship green energy park is progressing at pace."
Sky News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
'No plans' to reduce speed limit to 10mph in Wales
The Welsh government has said there are "no plans" to reduce the speed limit to 10mph on some roads. It comes as a Welsh government minister called the suggestion of reducing the limit to 5 or 10mph an "interesting" idea. Jane Hutt, the Trefnydd (leader of the house), made the comments in the Senedd earlier this week, in response to a report by the Road Safety Foundation. The Road Safety Foundation said in a statement that it had "not made any recommendations about what speed limits would be appropriate". Its technical research paper noted that "translating these findings into policy and practice is complex" and that further work was needed to "develop comprehensive speed management guidelines". Responding to a question in the Welsh parliament on the report, Ms Hutt said: "It is interesting that that association did come forward with proposals, based on evidence, that in some circumstances... 10mph, 5mph is appropriate in terms of road speeds." She said the evidence had shown the rollout of the 20mph speed limit had "not only saved lives, cut insurance bills, but actually has now been welcomed by the people of Wales". New data released on Wednesday revealed the number of collisions on 20mph and 30mph roads was at a record low in 2024 - the first full year since the default speed limit in Wales was changed in September 2023. Former leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies said the minister's failure to rule out a further reduction in the speed limit was "ludicrous". But Ken Skates, the cabinet secretary for transport, said there are "no plans to reduce speed limits to 10mph in Wales". A YouGov poll published this week found more than half (52%) of people in Britain would oppose a 10mph speed limit. On Wednesday, Mr Skates was in Wrexham as the first roads in North Wales were changed back to 30mph. Mr Skates said the change in limit in some areas was "about getting the right speeds on the right roads". It follows a review of the guidance for local authorities, commissioned by the government, after a record-breaking petition on the Senedd's website called for the policy to be reversed.
Western Telegraph
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Pembrokeshire's Oakwood Theme Park revival plan put forward
The iconic attraction was shut down last March by its owners, Spanish leisure company Aspro Parks, who blamed decreasing footfall and rising costs for their decision to end the park's 38-year existence. Aspro is now said to be considering the proposal from RLP (Richens Leisure Projects) and RLP said: "We'd love to open as soon as possible." The man behind RLP, who lives in Carmarthenshire, close to the Pembrokeshire border, has asked to remain anonymous for the time being. But he has happy childhood memories of Oakwood in its glory days as the top tourist attraction in Wales, when it brought in over 500,000 visitors a year. The ride photo from Megafobia was a must-have Oakwood souvenir. (Image: Andrew RT Davies) "We don't just want to reopen the park — we want to enhance it, evolve it, and build something Wales can be proud of on an international scale,' he told the Western Telegraph. 'This is our one project, our full focus, and our commitment is absolute." Megafobia was regarded as one of the best wooden roller-coasters in the world. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) 'I grew up in West Wales,' he added.' I remember every queue, every hill climb, every first drop. "Oakwood wasn't just a theme park — it was a rite of passage for kids in this country. You didn't just go there. You remembered it.' He continued: 'This isn't about nostalgia — it's about rebuilding pride. It's about giving today's kids the same memories we had, only with something stronger behind it: community ownership and a long-term plan.' Within a week of closure, the park was looking sorry for itself. (Image: Hidden Pembrokeshire - Gareth Davies Photography) He confirmed that he understands that his formal acquisition proposal is being reviewed by Aspro Parks and added: "The public response has already been overwhelming — what's missing is movement from the owners. We're ready when they are.' At the time of Oakwood's closure, Wales' First Minister, Eluned Morgan, said she was 'deeply saddened' at the news. She is amongst key stakeholders throughout Wales – including Welsh Government economy and tourism divisions and Visit Wales – who have been contacted by RLP. A visit to Oakwood was always a n eagerly-awaited treat. (Image: Oakwood Theme Park) While not wishing to reveal any images of their plans for Oakwood's revival at this stage, RLP's owner says that the plan "isn't about flipping a distressed asset. It's about rebuilding something meaningful for west Wales - a park with pride, roots and identity." "The moment we get the green light, we're ready to raise the serious funding this will require. "That's already in motion — but it only activates once we have Aspro's approval to proceed. We've planned the infrastructure, the rides, the workforce, and the Welsh-facing identity. "Now we just need the door to open."
South Wales Argus
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Pembrokeshire's Oakwood Theme Park revival plan put forward
The iconic attraction was shut down last March by its owners, Spanish leisure company Aspro Parks, who blamed decreasing footfall and rising costs for their decision to end the park's 38-year existence. Aspro is now said to be considering the proposal from RLP (Richens Leisure Projects) and RLP said: "We'd love to open as soon as possible." The man behind RLP, who lives in Carmarthenshire, close to the Pembrokeshire border, has asked to remain anonymous for the time being. But he has happy childhood memories of Oakwood in its glory days as the top tourist attraction in Wales, when it brought in over 500,000 visitors a year. The ride photo from Megafobia was a must-have Oakwood souvenir. (Image: Andrew RT Davies) "We don't just want to reopen the park — we want to enhance it, evolve it, and build something Wales can be proud of on an international scale,' he told the Western Telegraph. 'This is our one project, our full focus, and our commitment is absolute." Megafobia was regarded as one of the best wooden roller-coasters in the world. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) 'I grew up in West Wales,' he added.' I remember every queue, every hill climb, every first drop. "Oakwood wasn't just a theme park — it was a rite of passage for kids in this country. You didn't just go there. You remembered it.' He continued: 'This isn't about nostalgia — it's about rebuilding pride. It's about giving today's kids the same memories we had, only with something stronger behind it: community ownership and a long-term plan.' Within a week of closure, the park was looking sorry for itself. (Image: Hidden Pembrokeshire - Gareth Davies Photography) He confirmed that he understands that his formal acquisition proposal is being reviewed by Aspro Parks and added: "The public response has already been overwhelming — what's missing is movement from the owners. We're ready when they are.' At the time of Oakwood's closure, Wales' First Minister, Eluned Morgan, said she was 'deeply saddened' at the news. She is amongst key stakeholders throughout Wales – including Welsh Government economy and tourism divisions and Visit Wales – who have been contacted by RLP. A visit to Oakwood was always a n eagerly-awaited treat. (Image: Oakwood Theme Park) While not wishing to reveal any images of their plans for Oakwood's revival at this stage, RLP's owner says that the plan "isn't about flipping a distressed asset. It's about rebuilding something meaningful for west Wales - a park with pride, roots and identity." "The moment we get the green light, we're ready to raise the serious funding this will require. "That's already in motion — but it only activates once we have Aspro's approval to proceed. We've planned the infrastructure, the rides, the workforce, and the Welsh-facing identity. "Now we just need the door to open."
