Castle’s future in the spotlight
HAVERFORDWEST CASTLE’S future is in the spotlight as a public consultation is launched on a conservation management plan highlighting its importance to the council’s aim of town regeneration.
A draft conservation management plan has been prepared and is critical in “developing the site as a community asset and tourist attraction” a report to cabinet on Monday states.
Cabinet member for economic development Cllr Paul Miller said the plan was an “enabler” for some of the work the council wants to do in connecting the site more closely with the town centre and its regeneration plans.
The document assists in planning maintenance, conservation and repair works as well as how to adapt the site to meet new uses and improving public access.
An action plan set out in the draft report is “intended to promote the conservation and enhancement of the unique qualities of Haverfordwest Castle, and to provide a practical framework within which the site can thrive,” it says.
Cabinet approved the launching of a public consultation, due in mid to late February.
PLAID Cymru has urged Chancellor Rishi Sunak to prioritise the survival of the hospitality industry in the 2021 Budget by extending the furlough scheme and maintaining the lowered rate of VAT for the sector.
Mr Sunak will set out the UK Government’s Budget on Wednesday, March 3.
More than 120,000 workers in Wales are in the hospitality sector – 8.5% of the workforce, the highest proportion in all the UK nations and English regions.
To help the hospitality industry over coming months, Plaid’s Treasury spokesman Ben Lake called on the Chancellor to extend the furlough scheme “for as long as Welsh Government restrictions require it”, reiterating his party’s view that financial support should be provided in accordance with devolved regulations rather than decided unilaterally by the Westminster Government.
The Ceredigion MP also called on Mr Sunak to extend the lowered rate of VAT at 5% for businesses in the industry for another year.
He said: “Thousands of jobs in Welsh pubs, bars, hotels and restaurants are at risk this spring, when several support programmes are due to come to an end. Some 123,000 people are employed in the hospitality sector – that’s around 8.5% of total employment.
“A failure to support hospitality on March 3 will not only deal a blow to the sector but also to the wider Welsh economy.
“We in Plaid Cymru are therefore calling for an extension of the furlough scheme for as long as Welsh Government restrictions require it.
“We are also calling on the Chancellor to extend the lowered rate of VAT for hospitality and tourism for a year to March 2022. Firms must be given the chance to get back on their feet, and should therefore benefit from at least one summer earnings season and return to profitability.
“The economic impact is likely to be felt for years to come, with businesses facing mounting debt and taxes.
“I therefore urge the Chancellor to set out a sustainable repayment programme for hospitality businesses, to allow staggered payments over a period of time, rather than as lump-sum payments.
“The pandemic has been a nightmare for most businesses – but the end is in sight.
“We cannot afford to throw away successes by prematurely ending much-needed financial lifelines to small businesses across Wales.”