Review pledge over racism links

STREET names and monuments, including a monument to Sir Thomas Picton, are to be re-evaluated across Carmarthenshire.

County councillors voted in favour of a motion which makes clear the authority’s abhorrence of racism, prejudice and discrimination - past and present.

The motion pledges to work with black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) comunities to identify and eradicate racism in Carmarthenshire.

A cross-party task and finish group will be set up to take the work forward, and efforts made to include colonialism, exploitation, discrimination and racism in Wales’s new school curriculum.

“Action is the only remedy to indifference,” said Cllr Cefin Campbell, who spoke in support for what was an amended motion at a full council meeting.

He said people from BAME communities in the UK were more likely to be stopped and searched, arrested, and die from Covid-19 and less likely to be

employed and get social housing.

“When it comes to race, we should all be colour blind,” he said.

The amendment to Cllr Liam Bowen’s motion was put forward by Cllr Fozia Akhtar, who said it was important the council identified the needs of BAME communities.

Cllr Mair Stephens said the council had a good track record in recruiting from BAME communities, and added that victims of modern slavery should not be forgotten in the work to come.

Cllr Alan Speake said he felt everyone in Carmarthenshire should have a say because council taxpayers had contributed to the upkeep of memorials and monuments for years.

He said he supported the motion and had played rugby and cricket with ethnic minority players, but added: “I think this is a bit rushing through. I would rather see all of us consulted.”

Cllr Bowen said the aim of the motion was not to forget history but to learn about all of it, good and bad.

“Injustice based on racism exists in Wales, and here in Carmarthenshire,” he said.

Cllr Bowen said his own actions in this matter had not always been correct.

“My hope is that we all learn from our mistakes,” he said.

The approved motion, which will also celebrate the contribution of BAME communities during Black History Month in October, will now go before the council’s executive board.

The Carmarthenshire branch of Unison has called for the Picton memorial to be removed.

Q

My partner and I have not been getting on during this lockdown and have decided to separate. The house is in our joint names with a joint mortgage and we have agreed that the house will be transferred to me as long as I pay her £5,000, which is about half the available equity. However we are not sure how to go about transferring the house into my name. I am reluctant to give her £5,000 until I know the house is mine. What do we do next?

A

The last few months have certainly put a strain on many relationships and it’s not easy to have such difficult discussions, however, it seems that you have both reached an agreement which is a great starting point.

You have already assessed and agreed on the value of the house, calculated the remaining mortgage and worked out the available equity which you have agreed should be split between you.

As you have a mortgage then your next step is to make contact with your lender to seek their consent to remove your partner from her liabilities under the mortgage. They may wish to reassess your financial position to check you are able to afford the mortgage on your own salary and as long as there are no issues in this respect then they should provide their consent.

You should provide your lender with the details of the solicitor you intend to use as the lender will write to the solicitor setting out their own requirements as regards the mortgage.

The solicitor will also draft the document that transfers ownership from you both on a joint basis into your sole name and will also handle the transfer of the £5,000 from you to your partner.

Your partner would not be able to use the same solicitor and should seek her own independent advice but it is not essential she do so.

You can be assured that your £5,000 would not be passed to your partner and she would not be released from her liabilities under the mortgage until all documents had been signed by her. Your partner in turn can be assured the house would not be transferred into your name until your solicitor is holding the £5,000 ready to provide to her on completion of the transfer.

Our conveyancing department at Gomer Williams will be able to guide you through the process and answer any concerns or questions you may have in a sensitive manner.

Find more legal advice from Juliet Phillips-James at... http://gomerwilliamssolicitors.co.uk