News

Complaint follows council carve up

Published

12 years ago

January 5, 2015

A VETERAN former local councillor has suggested that Council Leader Jamie Adams and his Cabinet broke the rules when they took part in a debate at a Full Council meeting on Thursday, December 11. William Rees MBE, who spent twenty-nine years as a community, district and county councillor has threatened to refer the conduct of the IPPG Leader and his Cabinet at a Council meeting that took place on Thursday December 11 to the Public Services Ombudsman.

Mr Rees was in the public gallery in County Hall and made a vocal interjection pointing out that Council Leader Jamie Adams had failed to declare a pecuniary and personal interest in a matter being debated on the floor of the Chamber. The key point to which Mr Rees has taken objection arose during the debate on Councillor Jacob Williams’ motion seeking to put in place a process that could lead to the annual election of the Council Leader. In Pembrokeshire, the Council Leader has wide and sweeping powers of patronage. With very little, or any, oversight the Leader has the power to appoint Cabinet members to their remunerated posts; the power to appoint councillors as the remunerated chairs of some committees; the power to appoint councillors to remunerated positions on public bodies outside the authority.

In the most blatant instance of gerrymandering positions outside the authority, when Cllr Peter Stock left the Independent Group he was replaced as the authority’s representative on the Dyfed Powys Police Authority by Independent Group loyalist Steve Yelland. When Cllr Adams had been challenged on the appointment of Cllr Stock shortly before he left the Independent Group, he claimed he had appointed Cllr Stock on merit as the best man for the job. It is apparent, therefore, from his subsequent act that Cllr Adams felt Cllr Stock’s then m e m b e r s h i p of the Independent Group Cllr Adams leads was the most merit-worthy of his qualities.

The issue of patronage and remuneration is important to Mr Rees’ point. In a letter addressed to Council Monitoring Officer Laurence Harding, he makes it clear that, as the current incumbent who could face loss of post if Cllr Williams’ motion was passed, Cllr Adams had, in his view, an interest in the outcome of the vote that he should have declared.

In addition, the members of Cllr Adams’ Cabinet also had an interest in the outcome both on the vote regarding the annual election of the leader and on an amendment proposing that the appointment of Cabinet members be vetted by the full Council. Neither Cllr Adams nor any member of his Cabinet declared an interest in the outcome of the vote. Monitoring Officer, Laurence Harding was challenged on the issue of whether Cllr Adams or his Cabinet had an interest in the votes’ outcomes.

Mr Harding told disbelieving councillors that as all of them were potential Cabinet members, Cabinet members were in no different a position than of other councillors. Mr Rees, who is a former Chair of South Pembrokeshire District Council, headmaster and schools inspector for Estyn, disagrees with Mr Harding and regarding Cllr Adams wrote: “Jacob Williams’motion, currently, is directly applicable to him but there was no declaration of interest.

As the position is salaried then surely there is a direct pecuniary interest. “There was an amendment to the motion [proposed by Cllr Paul Miller] that called for all members of cabinet to also be subjected to a vote at the AGM. A councillor asked for advice regarding members of cabinet being able to vote on a matter in which they had a direct pecuniary interest. You advised that as all councillors could be members of cabinet that all were entitled to vote. Surely the issue is not who could be members of cabinet but those who actually are.”

Mr Harding’s interpretation of the rules has been shown to be flawed in the past. In January, he was compelled to back down and release documents relating to the grants scandal in Pembroke Dock. In the month before last week’s Council meeting, Mr Harding was also forced into a humiliating public climb down – coincidentally by Cllr Jacob Williams – over his interpretation of the constitution affecting the election of the Council Leader. Mr Rees’ letter makes it plain that his letter is a formal complaint and that his letter has been seen by the Ombudsman’s office who regarding it that it should be treated as such. The Ombudsman has confirmed that Mr Harding has a twenty day period to reply prior to Mr Rees making a referral.

Crime

Footballer given 200 hours’ unpaid work for eye-gouging assault during match

Published

29 seconds ago

July 16, 2026

Court Reporter

Magistrates heard Robert Hedley put an opposing player in a headlock before gouging at his eyes during a match in St Clears

A FOOTBALLER who put an opposing player in a headlock before jumping on his back and gouging at his eyes has been ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

Robert Hedley, 42, returned to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (July 16) after being found guilty of assaulting Liam Morley-Trivett and causing him actual bodily harm.

The assault took place during a football match at St Clears on August 30 last year.

Following a two-day trial earlier this week, magistrates concluded that Hedley grabbed Mr Morley-Trivett in a headlock before jumping onto his back and gouging at his eyes.

The court heard that Mr Morley-Trivett suffered injuries including blurred vision following the attack.

When delivering the guilty verdict on Tuesday, the presiding magistrate said the defence had given varying versions of what had happened and where the two players had been positioned on the pitch.

The prosecution witnesses, however, were found to have given credible accounts of Hedley jumping onto Mr Morley-Trivett’s back and gouging at his eyes.

“We’re satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant caused injuries and, as a result, we find him guilty,” the magistrate said.

Hedley, of Wesley Way, Spittal, appeared for sentence after an all-options pre-sentence report had been prepared by the probation service.

A victim personal statement from Mr Morley-Trivett was read to the court by prosecutor Sian Vaughan.

Magistrates imposed a community order lasting until July 15, 2027, requiring Hedley to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £200 compensation to Mr Morley-Trivett, £650 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge.

The total financial penalty must be paid in monthly instalments of £100, beginning on August 14.

The bench considered imposing a restraining order but decided it was neither necessary nor proportionate because of the length of time since the offence and the absence of any further offending.

Community

Pembrokeshire pupils discover careers on the Milford Haven Waterway

Published

8 minutes ago

July 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

More than 200 pupils took to the water to learn about opportunities in energy, engineering, tourism and conservation

PUPILS from two Pembrokeshire secondary schools have been given a first-hand look at the wide range of careers connected to the Milford Haven Waterway.

More than 200 Year 8 pupils from Ysgol Harri Tudur in Pembroke and Milford Haven School took part in a series of educational boat trips organised by the Port of Milford Haven in partnership with Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum.

Travelling between the Cleddau Bridge and Stack Rock, the pupils heard from professionals working in industries based on and around the Waterway.

Representatives from Dragon LNG, Ledwood, the Port of Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum and the Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation spoke about their own career journeys and offered advice on routes into employment.

The initiative was designed to help pupils understand the opportunities available locally as they begin considering their future subject choices. A separate trip was also arranged for Year 10 engineering pupils from Milford Haven School.

Topics covered during the sessions included marine renewable energy, tourism, environmental conservation, skippering, engineering and careers within the energy industry.

Anna Malloy, Communications and Marketing Director at the Port of Milford Haven, said the project aimed to introduce young people to careers they may not previously have considered.

She said: “The Milford Haven Waterway supports a diverse range of industries and offers a wealth of career opportunities, many of which young people may not be aware of.

“Through this project, pupils had the chance to experience the Waterway from a unique perspective and hear directly from professionals whose work contributes to a thriving local economy that reaches global markets.

“By showcasing the breadth of careers available, we hope to inspire young people to consider the exciting opportunities that exist here in Pembrokeshire and broaden their understanding of the industries that help shape our region.”

Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum facilitated the trips.

Tom Luddington, Coastal Stakeholder Manager, said: “Hearing directly from people working in local businesses and conservation along the Waterway was an impactful and innovative way to inspire pupils about potential future careers.

“The professionals were able to share their knowledge and experience across areas including marine renewable energy, tourism, conservation, skippering and the energy sector.”

The project forms part of the Port of Milford Haven’s educational engagement programme, which aims to raise awareness of local career pathways and encourage the next generation to explore opportunities within Pembrokeshire’s maritime, industrial and environmental sectors.

Photo caption: Year 8 pupils explore career opportunities during an educational boat trip on the Milford Haven Waterway.

Local Government

Pembrokeshire family support programme receives national recognition

Published

10 minutes ago

July 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

AN INNOVATIVE programme helping children remain safely with their families has received national recognition for its work in Pembrokeshire.

The Fostering Network’s Step Up, Step Down service, delivered in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council, was highly commended and named runner-up at the recent national Social Care Accolades.

The programme was recognised for its work supporting children, foster carers and birth families, while helping to reduce the number of young people entering the care system.

Step Up, Step Down provides practical and therapeutic support to families experiencing difficulties. This includes parenting programmes, mentoring, supervision and community-based activities designed to build confidence and resilience.

Since its launch in Pembrokeshire, the service has supported more than 30 parents and carers, as well as 43 children and young people.

The programme was originally funded by the Welsh Government and the KPMG Foundation following a successful pilot scheme in Northern Ireland.

Pembrokeshire County Council said work to secure the long-term sustainability of the service had ensured the support could continue beyond the initial funding period.

Chris Frey-Davies, the council’s Head of Children’s Services, said the award reflected the dedication of everyone involved.

He said: “This award is a testament to the dedication of everyone involved, particularly our foster carers, whose compassion, skill and commitment have been instrumental in supporting children and families through challenging times.

“The Step Up, Step Down approach reflects our philosophy in Pembrokeshire that, wherever it is safe and in a child’s best interests, children should be supported to remain with their families and communities.

“By building on families’ strengths and providing the right support at the right time, we can achieve better outcomes for children while keeping important relationships and local connections intact.

“This recognition highlights the positive impact of a collaborative, strengths-based approach that is helping more families stay together and thrive.”

Cabinet Member for Young People and the Well-being of Future Generations, Cllr Marc Tierney, said the programme was making a significant difference to families across the county.

He added: “It is fantastic to see the positive impact the programme has on reducing the need for children to enter the care system.

“Helping families stay together and improving the lives of those children is at the heart of this work. Congratulations to everyone involved.”

Members of the Step Up, Step Down team are pictured with Head of Children’s Services Chris Frey-Davies.