Latest news with #WelshinEducationStrategicPlan
26-05-2025
- Politics
Energy price cut welcome, but charity says ‘bleak winter ahead' for Welsh pensioners
HUW MURPHY, a member of the Independent Group on Pembrokeshire County Council, has confirmed to The Herald this week (May 25) that the Group has submitted a formal request to the Presiding Officer for an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the Council. The purpose of the meeting is to debate a motion of No Confidence in Councillor Paul Miller, specifically regarding his roles as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member. The request, which received unanimous support during a recent meeting of the Independent Group, was formally submitted late on Friday afternoon (May 23) and acknowledged by the Council. It will be formally processed on Tuesday (May 27), the next working day. Under the Council's constitution, the Presiding Officer has five working days to respond. The Independent Group has expressed its expectation that the request will be accepted and a date set without delay. Under fire: Cllr Paul Miller (Pic: Herald file) The call for an EGM stems from a number of concerns, which will be fully outlined during the meeting. However, central to the motion is Councillor Miller's handling of matters related to the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) and his comments at a Cabinet meeting on April 28. During that meeting, Councillor Miller remarked that, in his view, parents send their children to Ysgol Caer Elen for a 'good education' rather than specifically for a Welsh-language education. This statement, the Independent Group argues, conveys a perception of bias against Welsh-medium education. Further controversy arose when Councillor Miller publicly criticised the Welsh Language Commissioner—an independent expert appointed by the First Minister—accusing her of making an 'extraordinary political intervention' after she raised concerns about the legality and implications of his proposal to collect additional data from parents choosing Welsh-medium education. The Commissioner's concerns were grounded in the Welsh Government's Schools Admission Code, which the Commissioner argued would be breached by the proposal. Rather than addressing these concerns or withdrawing the amendment, Councillor Miller accused others of generating negative publicity and failed to accept any personal responsibility. At the Schools Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on May 14, the issue was further examined, yet Councillor Miller did not retract his original stance. Instead, he revised his amendment at Cabinet on May 21 to apply to both Welsh and English language education—a move viewed by the Independent Group as an attempt to save face without acknowledging fault. Despite widespread concern from the Welsh Language Commissioner, senior council officers, the Welsh Government, and committee members, Councillor Miller has neither apologised nor shown any willingness to reflect on his actions. The Cabinet's decision to adopt his revised amendment, with only six of nine members present at a remote meeting, was also a cause for concern. The Independent Group believes that public trust in elected representatives depends on their ability to recognise mistakes, show humility, and respect expert advice. Councillor Miller's refusal to do so—despite being an experienced politician—has led to this motion of No Confidence.
26-05-2025
- Politics
Welsh Conservatives slam Labour's council tax reform as ‘failing families'
HUW MURPHY, a member of the Independent Group on Pembrokeshire County Council, has confirmed to The Herald this week (May 25) that the Group has submitted a formal request to the Presiding Officer for an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the Council. The purpose of the meeting is to debate a motion of No Confidence in Councillor Paul Miller, specifically regarding his roles as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member. The request, which received unanimous support during a recent meeting of the Independent Group, was formally submitted late on Friday afternoon (May 23) and acknowledged by the Council. It will be formally processed on Tuesday (May 27), the next working day. Under the Council's constitution, the Presiding Officer has five working days to respond. The Independent Group has expressed its expectation that the request will be accepted and a date set without delay. Under fire: Cllr Paul Miller (Pic: Herald file) The call for an EGM stems from a number of concerns, which will be fully outlined during the meeting. However, central to the motion is Councillor Miller's handling of matters related to the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) and his comments at a Cabinet meeting on April 28. During that meeting, Councillor Miller remarked that, in his view, parents send their children to Ysgol Caer Elen for a 'good education' rather than specifically for a Welsh-language education. This statement, the Independent Group argues, conveys a perception of bias against Welsh-medium education. Further controversy arose when Councillor Miller publicly criticised the Welsh Language Commissioner—an independent expert appointed by the First Minister—accusing her of making an 'extraordinary political intervention' after she raised concerns about the legality and implications of his proposal to collect additional data from parents choosing Welsh-medium education. The Commissioner's concerns were grounded in the Welsh Government's Schools Admission Code, which the Commissioner argued would be breached by the proposal. Rather than addressing these concerns or withdrawing the amendment, Councillor Miller accused others of generating negative publicity and failed to accept any personal responsibility. At the Schools Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on May 14, the issue was further examined, yet Councillor Miller did not retract his original stance. Instead, he revised his amendment at Cabinet on May 21 to apply to both Welsh and English language education—a move viewed by the Independent Group as an attempt to save face without acknowledging fault. Despite widespread concern from the Welsh Language Commissioner, senior council officers, the Welsh Government, and committee members, Councillor Miller has neither apologised nor shown any willingness to reflect on his actions. The Cabinet's decision to adopt his revised amendment, with only six of nine members present at a remote meeting, was also a cause for concern. The Independent Group believes that public trust in elected representatives depends on their ability to recognise mistakes, show humility, and respect expert advice. Councillor Miller's refusal to do so—despite being an experienced politician—has led to this motion of No Confidence.
26-05-2025
- Politics
Independent Group calls for EGM over no confidence in Deputy Leader
HUW MURPHY, a member of the Independent Group on Pembrokeshire County Council, has confirmed to The Herald this week (May 25) that the Group has submitted a formal request to the Presiding Officer for an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the Council. The purpose of the meeting is to debate a motion of No Confidence in Councillor Paul Miller, specifically regarding his roles as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member. The request, which received unanimous support during a recent meeting of the Independent Group, was formally submitted late on Friday afternoon (May 23) and acknowledged by the Council. It will be formally processed on Tuesday (May 27), the next working day. Under the Council's constitution, the Presiding Officer has five working days to respond. The Independent Group has expressed its expectation that the request will be accepted and a date set without delay. Under fire: Cllr Paul Miller (Pic: Herald file) The call for an EGM stems from a number of concerns, which will be fully outlined during the meeting. However, central to the motion is Councillor Miller's handling of matters related to the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) and his comments at a Cabinet meeting on April 28. During that meeting, Councillor Miller remarked that, in his view, parents send their children to Ysgol Caer Elen for a 'good education' rather than specifically for a Welsh-language education. This statement, the Independent Group argues, conveys a perception of bias against Welsh-medium education. Further controversy arose when Councillor Miller publicly criticised the Welsh Language Commissioner—an independent expert appointed by the First Minister—accusing her of making an 'extraordinary political intervention' after she raised concerns about the legality and implications of his proposal to collect additional data from parents choosing Welsh-medium education. The Commissioner's concerns were grounded in the Welsh Government's Schools Admission Code, which the Commissioner argued would be breached by the proposal. Rather than addressing these concerns or withdrawing the amendment, Councillor Miller accused others of generating negative publicity and failed to accept any personal responsibility. At the Schools Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on May 14, the issue was further examined, yet Councillor Miller did not retract his original stance. Instead, he revised his amendment at Cabinet on May 21 to apply to both Welsh and English language education—a move viewed by the Independent Group as an attempt to save face without acknowledging fault. Despite widespread concern from the Welsh Language Commissioner, senior council officers, the Welsh Government, and committee members, Councillor Miller has neither apologised nor shown any willingness to reflect on his actions. The Cabinet's decision to adopt his revised amendment, with only six of nine members present at a remote meeting, was also a cause for concern. The Independent Group believes that public trust in elected representatives depends on their ability to recognise mistakes, show humility, and respect expert advice. Councillor Miller's refusal to do so—despite being an experienced politician—has led to this motion of No Confidence.
26-05-2025
- Politics
DAVIES: ‘First Minister's migration comments dangerously out of touch'
HUW MURPHY, a member of the Independent Group on Pembrokeshire County Council, has confirmed to The Herald this week (May 25) that the Group has submitted a formal request to the Presiding Officer for an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the Council. The purpose of the meeting is to debate a motion of No Confidence in Councillor Paul Miller, specifically regarding his roles as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member. The request, which received unanimous support during a recent meeting of the Independent Group, was formally submitted late on Friday afternoon (May 23) and acknowledged by the Council. It will be formally processed on Tuesday (May 27), the next working day. Under the Council's constitution, the Presiding Officer has five working days to respond. The Independent Group has expressed its expectation that the request will be accepted and a date set without delay. Under fire: Cllr Paul Miller (Pic: Herald file) The call for an EGM stems from a number of concerns, which will be fully outlined during the meeting. However, central to the motion is Councillor Miller's handling of matters related to the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) and his comments at a Cabinet meeting on April 28. During that meeting, Councillor Miller remarked that, in his view, parents send their children to Ysgol Caer Elen for a 'good education' rather than specifically for a Welsh-language education. This statement, the Independent Group argues, conveys a perception of bias against Welsh-medium education. Further controversy arose when Councillor Miller publicly criticised the Welsh Language Commissioner—an independent expert appointed by the First Minister—accusing her of making an 'extraordinary political intervention' after she raised concerns about the legality and implications of his proposal to collect additional data from parents choosing Welsh-medium education. The Commissioner's concerns were grounded in the Welsh Government's Schools Admission Code, which the Commissioner argued would be breached by the proposal. Rather than addressing these concerns or withdrawing the amendment, Councillor Miller accused others of generating negative publicity and failed to accept any personal responsibility. At the Schools Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on May 14, the issue was further examined, yet Councillor Miller did not retract his original stance. Instead, he revised his amendment at Cabinet on May 21 to apply to both Welsh and English language education—a move viewed by the Independent Group as an attempt to save face without acknowledging fault. Despite widespread concern from the Welsh Language Commissioner, senior council officers, the Welsh Government, and committee members, Councillor Miller has neither apologised nor shown any willingness to reflect on his actions. The Cabinet's decision to adopt his revised amendment, with only six of nine members present at a remote meeting, was also a cause for concern. The Independent Group believes that public trust in elected representatives depends on their ability to recognise mistakes, show humility, and respect expert advice. Councillor Miller's refusal to do so—despite being an experienced politician—has led to this motion of No Confidence.
20-05-2025
- Politics
Excellent progress on the construction of new lower school building at Portfield School
A SPECIAL meeting of senior Pembrokeshire councillors is to consider a 'call-in' on a Cabinet decision which has led to claims of 'a bias against the provision of Welsh Language education'. The Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) is a ten-year plan, mandatory for all local authorities in Wales, that outlines how Welsh medium education will be developed within the authority. The WESP aims to increase the proportion of school year groups taught through the medium of Welsh and focuses on Year 1 learners. The plans also aim to contribute to the Welsh Government's goal of having 1 million Welsh speakers by 2050, as part of the 'Cymraeg 2050' initiative. Pembrokeshire County council's schools and learning overview and scrutiny committee met on May 14 to consider a 'call-in' by Independent Group leader Cllr Huw Murphy of a cabinet decision on April 28, specifically an amendment by Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller to its previous recommendation to note a report. The scrutiny committee voted for Cabinet to consider removing an amendment: 'That the Director of Education be tasked with exploring how demand for Welsh language can be better captured. 'In particular this work should focus on disaggregating demand for Welsh Medium Education from other school choice considerations such as perceptions of learning outcomes, facility quality etc,' replacing it with: 'That the progress being made against the objectives set out in the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan, and Welsh Government's feedback to the Council's 2023/24 Annual Report, be noted.' Cllr Murphy's lengthy 'call-in' said: 'Some comments made by Cabinet appeared to display a degree of bias against the provision of Welsh Language education.' He quoted Cllr Miller from that meeting, in relation to Welsh medium Ysgol Caer Ellen: '…basically we've opened Caer Ellen and loads of people went there and therefore by definition they must want a Welsh Language education. 'I'm not sure how true that is, might be partly true, might be completely true but also it might not be. I know quite a few parents in that particular area obviously given my constituency in Neyland West and all of them that I know who send their children to Caer Ellen honestly couldn't give a toss whether it was Welsh or English, they're looking for a good school and so what they've got is a good school in Caer Ellen, great facilities, and so they're sending their kids there.' Cllr Murphy went on to say: 'Councillor Miller then continues and commented 'honestly the fact its Welsh medium has got nothing to do with anything so how do we differentiate those looking for a good school' and re-asserts this point where it appears that Cllr Miller by his comments does not think parents select Caer Ellen on the basis of providing Welsh education, rather that it's a 'good school' and requests data be collected to ascertain from parents why they choose Welsh Language education.' Cllr Murphy also raised concerns that some members of the Cabinet 'had little idea of the workings' of Fforwm Cymraeg, a committee which examines in greater detail the provision of Welsh language education in Pembrokeshire. Dealing with the data collection proposal, Cllr Murphy said there is no provision in the Schools Admission Code to enable PCC to collect the data, adding that 'to try and collect this data would be a clear indication that some Cabinet members do not believe parental choice in electing Welsh Language education when the evidence is clear that within Pembrokeshire the demand for Welsh education is growing and the majority of schools at or near capacity are those providing Welsh medium education such as Caer Ellen, Hafan y Mor, Bro Ingli, etc'. At the May 14 meeting, Cllr Murphy said he had reported the matter to the Welsh Language Commissioner, who had shared his concerns, and was 'aghast what Pembrokeshire County Council recommended.' Cllr Miller responded saying there was no evidence members displayed a limited knowledge of WESP, and allegations that his comments displayed a degree of bias were 'entirely without merit,' standing by his words. 'It must be the case it is at least possible some parents are choosing Welsh medium schools other than because of the medium of Welsh. It's currently unknown; surely it's right the council seeks to understand the impact of other forces.' On his 'perhaps relaxed language' he said he was reflecting the views of some of his constituents, saying Cllr Murphy was 'trying to make something out of nothing,' in 'a naked attempt to create outrage, trying to paint some in this council as anti-Welsh'. He added: 'Cllr Murphy should be deeply ashamed of his actions over the last week in trying to create artificial division in the county of Pembrokeshire,' suggesting he was attempting to draw a wedge 'between the people of Pembrokeshire that speak Welsh and those that don't,' adding: 'If he honestly believes he can draw political benefit I suggest time will show him he is sorely mistaken. 'This administration will continue to make decisions based on sound evidence for the benefit of all it represents.' Cllr Murphy told members he had received 'petulant emails' from Cllr Miller after he contacted the language commissioner, adding of Cllr Miller: 'If he's proud of what the Welsh Language Commissioner has written he needs to have a real serious period of reflection.' Cllr Murphy's call succeeded by seven votes to five, with the May 21 extraordinary meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council's Cabinet now considering the matter.
