Local issues
CCTV - Closed Circuit Television: Levels of vandalism and disorderly behaviour have increased over the years prompting the incumbent Mayor (2007-8 Alan Jones) to spearhead a campaign to have parts of the town covered by CCTV in the belief that this is will reduce rowdyism and vandalism. Home Office figures on the success of CCTV would suggest that CCTV is more likely to be an expensive failure, than a behaviour modification or crime detection tool.
Blaen Bowi Wind Farm: Are the three (occasionally) rotating giant turbines potent symbols of a possible bright future in eco-friendly Wales? Are they needed to remind us of the pressing need to move away from fossil fuels? Or are they merely expensive, irrelevant and unnecessary blots on the West Wales landscape?
The (formerly) Dansco Cheese Factory: The cheese factory in Newcastle Emlyn is an important employer and its milk consumption is vital to the prosperity of the local farming community. In March 2003 an e-mail was received by this website claiming criminal activity by the owner of the Dansco parent company - Hebatco. Our attempt to publicize these claims was silenced by Hebatco lawyers soon afterwards. Three years later the claims were investigated by BBC Radio Cymru and broadcast. The factory is now under new ownership following Hebatco’s Bankruptcy.
Disabled Access: Like all small towns, Newcastle Emlyn was not designed with disabled access in mind, so the process of trying to comply with the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act has been difficult for many “service providers” such as businesses.
It took 2 years to convince the Town Council that holding their monthly meetings in the “Council Chamber” which was completely inaccessible by wheelchair, when an alternative, accessible venue 100 yards away was available, was in fact breaking the law.
This section of the site contains general information about implementing the DDA.