Latest news with #RhodriWilliams
BBC News
16-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
S4C: Ex-Labour politician Delyth Evans to chair Welsh broadcaster
A former Labour politician is to set to chair the Welsh language broadcaster Evans was a broadcast journalist before she represented Mid and West Wales in the then-National Assembly for Wales from 2000 to chair Rhodri Williams decided not to seek a second term in charge last year after he dismissed S4C's former chief executive Sian Doyle following a bullying will replace former Tory MP Guto Bebb, who has been an interim chair for the last 12 months. Announcing Evans as her preferred candidate for the job, UK government Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: "Delyth began her career as a broadcast journalist, and her vision for S4C's future reflects a deep understanding of the Welsh cultural and media landscape, as well as an enduring commitment to public service." Before politics Delyth Evans was a journalist at ITV-broadcaster HTV Wales, working on current affairs programme Y Byd ar Bedwar for later worked as a reporter for the World at One and PM for BBC Radio her stint in the Assembly she was chief executive of Smart Works, a women's employment charity, and is currently a board member at Sport Wales, and a trustee of the will appear before the Welsh Affairs Select Committee for a pre-appointment hearing on 23 April.
BBC News
17-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Wales rugby fan faces 54-mile run after England win
A rugby fan who vowed to run a mile for every point Wales lost by during the Six Nations tournament is facing a 54-mile run after their thrashing by England. Rhodri Williams said he was "counting those miles increasing and increasing" as he watched the game unfold on racked up a record Six Nations win over Wales with a 68-14 victory in Cardiff during Wales' final game of the tournament."I wasn't feeling too good yesterday morning," he told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast on Monday. The Bristol-based video content producer, whose family is from Cardiff, is raising money for rugby mental health charity LooseHeadz to help tackle the stigma around mental health."So far it's been amazing," he said, adding he has so far raised over £2, lost by six points to Scotland, seven points in Italy and nine points to Ireland, but suffered heavy losses against France and England, conceding 43 and 54 points in those matches respectively."I would have liked to have spread the pain over the games," Rhodri said. "I thought it would be more even."Saturday's defeat brought his total number of miles to run up to 119. Covering 43 miles after Wales' defeat at the Stade de France was a challenge, Rhodri told BBC Wales last month, setting out at 06.30 GMT and not returning until will complete the final 54 miles to account for the loss to England in stages, he said."It's finding the time to run for that long," he said. "I'm going to do it, I think, in four half marathons."He is considering a similar challenge for the women's rugby World Cup, he said, but won't do miles per point again."I think I've learnt my lesson," he said.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Yahoo
Former S4C boss files claim against the channel
The former chief executive of S4C has filed a personal injury claim against her former employer at the High Court. It comes after Sian Doyle was sacked from the publicly funded Welsh language broadcaster on November 2023 after being accused of being "dictatorial" and "creating a culture of fear". In a statement to BBC-produced Newyddion S4C, her lawyers said Ms Doyle had been subjected to a "truly extraordinary and inappropriate period of mistreatment" which "has seriously damaged her health and wellbeing". S4C and former chairman Rhodri Williams have declined to comment. Report told sacked TV boss behaved like dictator TV boss in hospital after bullying allegations After the BECTU union initially complained of a "bullying and toxic culture" within the broadcaster in spring 2023, then chairman Rhodri Williams launched an independent investigation into the allegations. Capital Law undertook the investigation, and 92 people gave evidence about the culture and working environment at S4C. According to the report, 10 people broke down in tears while giving evidence, while 11 claimed working at S4C had a "detrimental effect on their health". Some people were quoted as saying she directly impacted negatively on their health. One person said: "The chief executive had put me in a very nasty position, many other staff too, I was aware of that. "But my friends and my family worried a lot about my mental health at the time. I had become very tearful. I couldn't sleep." Ms Doyle said she did not "recognise or accept the allegations made" and had no opportunity to respond, and noted it focused on a small minority of views despite being commissioned by the chairman. It has now been revealed that on February she filed a personal injury claim against S4C and has until 21 February to provide details of her alleged injury, as well as the compensation she is claiming. Her lawyer, Paul Daniels, said they had no choice but to take action due to S4C and Rhodri Williams' "prolonged" failure to accept their mediation offer and the unacceptable delays in responding to the claim letters. According to Mr Daniels, the claims are for negligence [breach of the duty of care owed to our client], unlawful harassment, misfeasance in public office, breach of privacy rights, breach of confidence, and data protection breaches. He added: "No-one should be treated in this way, whether a senior or a junior employee, by an organisation and a chairman that is legally required to act lawfully, fairly and in accordance with the Nolan Principles governing the conduct of public office." In a written statement, her husband Rob Doyle said: "I am deeply saddened by the traumatic impact that S4C and the former chairman's treatment has had on Sian and my family. "The distress and emotional harm she has suffered is devastating and is affecting every aspect of her wellbeing. "This ongoing mistreatment has caused lasting harm and we are committed to obtaining full justice and accountability under UK law and the Nolan principles." S4C and former chairman Rhodri Williams declined to comment on the High Court claim. Scandal-hit S4C needs new chair, say Welsh MPs S4C must 'restore trust' after bullying claims Sacked TV boss slams chairman in government letter
BBC News
14-02-2025
- BBC News
Former S4C boss files personal injury claim against the channel
The former chief executive of S4C has filed a personal injury claim against her former employer at the High comes after Sian Doyle was sacked from the publicly funded Welsh language broadcaster on November 2023 after being accused of being "dictatorial" and "creating a culture of fear".In a statement to BBC-produced Newyddion S4C, her lawyers said Ms Doyle had been subjected to a "truly extraordinary and inappropriate period of mistreatment" which "has seriously damaged her health and wellbeing".S4C and former chairman Rhodri Williams have declined to comment. After the BECTU union initially complained of a "bullying and toxic culture" within the broadcaster in spring 2023, then chairman Rhodri Williams launched an independent investigation into the Law undertook the investigation, and 92 people gave evidence about the culture and working environment at to the report, 10 people broke down in tears while giving evidence, while 11 claimed working at S4C had a "detrimental effect on their health". Some people were quoted as saying she directly impacted negatively on their person said: "The chief executive had put me in a very nasty position, many other staff too, I was aware of that."But my friends and my family worried a lot about my mental health at the time. I had become very tearful. I couldn't sleep."Ms Doyle said she did not "recognise or accept the allegations made" and had no opportunity to respond, and noted it focused on a small minority of views despite being commissioned by the chairman. It has now been revealed that on February she filed a personal injury claim against S4C and has until 21 February to provide details of her alleged injury, as well as the compensation she is lawyer, Paul Daniels, said they had no choice but to take action due to S4C and Rhodri Williams' "prolonged" failure to accept their mediation offer and the unacceptable delays in responding to the claim to Mr Daniels, the claims are for negligence [breach of the duty of care owed to our client], unlawful harassment, misfeasance in public office, breach of privacy rights, breach of confidence, and data protection added: "No-one should be treated in this way, whether a senior or a junior employee, by an organisation and a chairman that is legally required to act lawfully, fairly and in accordance with the Nolan Principles governing the conduct of public office." In a written statement, her husband Rob Doyle said: "I am deeply saddened by the traumatic impact that S4C and the former chairman's treatment has had on Sian and my family. "The distress and emotional harm she has suffered is devastating and is affecting every aspect of her wellbeing."This ongoing mistreatment has caused lasting harm and we are committed to obtaining full justice and accountability under UK law and the Nolan principles."S4C and former chairman Rhodri Williams declined to comment on the High Court claim.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Welsh Water bills to rise annually for five years
People in most parts of Wales are facing a 27% increase in their water bills from April, with the average annual bill going up from £503 to £639. It marks the start of a five-year period of bill increases from Welsh Water, totalling 42% by 2029-30 - but the biggest rise will happen at the beginning. A consumer group said there was "an urgent need to bring in a new system of providing help for people who will find it increasingly difficult to pay their bills". Welsh Water said from April clean water would cost "an average of £1.75 a day" and the overall increases would fund a "68% increase in investment" over the next five years. Why are water bills rising and what can I do? Water bills to rise by £86 on average next year Water companies across Wales and England are increasing bills, which they say will lead to more investment to deal with problems like leaks and sewage overflows. Hafren Dyfrdwy, which serves about 87,000 customers along the Wales-England border is increasing bills by 32% from April taking the average bill from £447 to £590. But the company said customers "have the lowest bills in Wales and one of the lowest in the UK" and help is available for those struggling to pay. Each company runs its own system of cheaper rates or capped bills, called social tariffs, for eligible customers. Welsh Water said it currently supports 150,000 customers with reduced bills and was increasing its financial support packages from £63m to £73m over the next five years. But Rhodri Williams, deputy chair of the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), called for an end to the "postcode lottery" of support for struggling families. The CCW has proposed a single system of support for customers across Wales and England. Mr Williams said that, under the proposed scheme "there would be more money to spend on assistance for customers in Wales" because rates of poverty were higher than in England. Mum-of-two Bianca Lepore from Cardiff gets her water charge capped by Welsh Water, saving her about £280. She gets a cheaper bill under the WaterSure scheme because one of her children is disabled. The NHS worker said the saving "means that I can do more of the meaningful things in life with my children". She said anyone who is struggling with bills should "reach out to Welsh Water." "Until you ask, you don't get," she added. Dwr Cyrmu Welsh Water and Hafren Dyfrdwy, offer a variety of schemes for some struggling customers. WaterSure caps costs for families who have a water meter, or if they are receiving certain benefits and either have three or more dependent children at home or have someone in the family with a medical condition that increases water use HelpU tariff caps bills for households receiving certain benefits and with an income below £18,800 for a family of three or more, or below £17,400 for a family of two. The single person income threshold is £11,600 If you are already in debt with your water bill, you may be able get financial contributions towards paying it off if you can follow a pre-agreed payment plan Consider getting a water meter if you are in a small household - CCW provides a calculator to see if it might save you money. If you are already on a water meter think about how you can use less water, and fix any leaks around the house Get free water saving devices from Welsh Water to use on taps and shower heads and in toilet cisterns to reduce water usage. Despite the increases, water bills for each household will vary, depending on factors like the size of the house, whether there is a water meter, and how much water is used. But Mr Williams said the cost of bills had already impacted many people's budgets. A survey by CCW found that a quarter of households with a water meter were cutting back on what was considered "essential" water use. He added that if customers were paying more, water companies "are going to have to improve their performance" in relation to "environmental pollution and leaks being fixed quicker". Sam James of Welsh Water said it had not taken the decision to increase bills "lightly" but "if people are worried, we can provide help and we encourage people to get in touch with us". Welsh Water plans to spend £2.5b on projects to improve the environment over the next five years. She said it would make the not-for-profit company's infrastructure "more resilient" to climate change and would deliver a "really ambitious environmental programme", protecting rivers and seas. The latest price increase, Welsh Water said, compares to an industry average hike of 26% and comes after price rises over the last 15 years that were below the rate of inflation. Water bills up £120 by 2030 to tackle pollution Warning millions will struggle to pay water bill rises Record numbers seek help with water bills
