News

The Welsh Government: ‘Inconsistent’ on councils

Published

11 years ago

February 18, 2015

LEIGHTON ANDREWS’ apparently haphazard approach to ramming through radical change to local government in Wales has come under heavy criticism from opposition AM’s.

Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies told The Herald: “Leighton Andrews’ Local Government white paper is certainly looking to make some bold and interesting changes. There’s certainly a need for fresh blood and greater diversity in local government, but a ban on some candidates standing again may not be the fairest or most effective way to introduce younger candidates. Indeed, it’s a bit rich that the Welsh Government with some of the world’s longest serving ministers is proposing a limit on cabinet tenure of 10 years.”

Mr Davies continued: “However, there are some reforms which are also welcome. Pay levels for the most senior officers in Welsh councils have been raging out of control for some time now, at taxpayers’ expense and without any intervention from the Welsh Government to exercise restraint.”

He concluded: “A change in Labour’s local government culture is well-overdue and I, along with my colleagues at the Assembly will be monitoring the proposals in this white paper very carefully.”

Plaid Cymru Local Government spokesperson Rhodri Glyn Thomas observed: “Attempts to address the issue of senior officer pay in Local Government are long overdue and Plaid Cymru welcomes the Labour Government’s decision to heed Plaid demands for action. The wider issue of reorganisation of Local Government should be focused on improving the delivery of services and enhancing democratic accountability. I look forward to considering these proposals in more detail.

Sounding a note of caution, he concluded: “There is a danger that we see the Minister for Public Services jumping from one thing to another. First we had the Williams Commission, then he called on Local Authorities to propose voluntary mergers, they were turned down, now we are given a new introduction to look at management performance. This Labour Government needs to offer a clear vision of the future of Local Government and the delivery of public service delivery in Wales.”

Angela Burns said: “The Local Government White Paper raises some interesting proposals which will need rigorous scrutiny. However my concern is that it is yet another raft of potential changes on top of the Williams Review of boundaries and the many other initiatives currently set in train by Labour. I am not sure that the White Paper have time to be turned into a draft Bill then final Bill before the next Assembly election so it will be another costly exercise resulting in nothing.”

She suggested, however, that Labour and other parties were Johnny-come-latelies on pay restraint: “I thought it was ironic that one of the ambitions in the White Paper is to give Welsh Government tighter controls on the remuneration of Chief Executives and other Chief Officers. Given the scandals that have rocked Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire that is to be welcomed. However the Welsh Government, Labour backbenchers, Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats all voted down a Welsh Conservative amendment to the 2013 Local Democracy (Wales) Bill which could have protected the Taxpayer from such behaviour.”

She concluded: “I find their current protestations and their actions inconsistent!”

Among the more startling proposals is the prospect of the Welsh Government time-limiting the time that Chief Executives for Welsh Councils can stay in post. A senior Pembrokeshire councillor has suggested that the idea is a non-starter and that far from broadening the diversity of the pool from which senior management can be drawn it would significantly constrict it, not least as such a policy inherently assumes that it is only older managers within local government would look to occupy such a post on such terms.

Former Pembrokeshire Chief Executive Bryn Parry-Jones, who is perhaps not the best example to rely upon, was in his mid-30’s when appointed to the post of Chief Executive of the then Llanelli Borough Council in 1991.

WLGA spokesperson Bob Wellington responded: “The WLGA recognises and supports the need to tackle the widespread challenges around diversity and disengagement in democracy generally in Welsh society. The principle of extending more power and a greater say to local people will be central to democratic renewal in Wales.”

Mr Wellington continued: “We need consistency across public services in Wales and equal treatment within the democratic sphere. The WLGA wants to see the difficult role of councillors properly valued.”

He concluded: “Any future changes to the role of local government must acknowledge the hugely challenging financial climate it operates within. Councils will also push to ensure local communities are offered a full say when it comes to developing a shared vision for the future of local public services in Wales.”

Charity

Fishguard RNLI volunteer steps down after more than 50 years of saving lives

Published

10 minutes ago

February 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A DEVOTED volunteer and former employee at Fishguard RNLI has stepped down from his final role after more than five decades of outstanding service to the local community and those in need at sea.

After 50 years of unwavering commitment, Chris Williams has retired from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), bringing to a close a remarkable chapter defined by professionalism, compassion and lifesaving impact.

Chris and his wife Brenda returned to the area in 1974 when he took up the position of second engineer with British Rail Ferries. Shortly afterwards, he was approached by then assistant mechanic Roy Williams, who, anticipating his own retirement, recognised the station would soon need a new mechanic. Chris joined the lifeboat crew and answered his first callout in 1976.

He was already closely connected to the station. His mother had been a founding member of the local Women’s Lifeboat Guild, raising vital funds for the charity, and Chris had often helped with fundraising efforts.

In 1979, when full-time station mechanic Noel Murrow retired, Chris stepped into the role. Having spent five years sailing between Fishguard and Rosslare, he decided to dedicate himself fully to the station — a position he held until 2005.

In 2006, Chris became the station’s Volunteer Water Safety Advisor, leading community engagement initiatives to promote safety around the coast — a role he carried out until 2021. Alongside this, he took on additional responsibility in 2016 as Launch Authority, a crucial volunteer position coordinating communication between the lifeboat station and HM Coastguard.

Following the departure of the previous Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM) in 2021, Chris stepped in to lead the station on a temporary basis. In 2024, he was formally appointed to the role. As LOM, he served as station manager and the key link between Fishguard RNLI and RNLI headquarters in Poole, a responsibility he fulfilled with diligence and dedication until his retirement this month.

Over the course of his career, Chris served aboard three successive classes of lifeboat as they came into service.

The first was the Watson class lifeboat Howard Marryat. Reflecting on those early days, Chris recalled:
“On a rough night you got wet as you hit the water at the bottom of the slip — and you stayed wet until you got back.”

The Watson was followed by the Arun class lifeboat Marie Winstone. Chris described her as:
“A huge step up in speed — 18 knots — and space; you could almost hold a dance in the wheelhouse. She was highly manoeuvrable, but a very uncomfortable sea boat. She had a vicious roll and could slam so hard in a heavy sea you thought the fillings would come out of your teeth.”

His favourite, however, is the current Trent class lifeboat Blue Peter VII, which arrived on station in 1994.

Among many memorable moments, Chris described his most poignant as being part of the crew tasked with taking a replacement lifeboat to Newlyn the day after the loss of the Penlee lifeboat Solomon Browne in 1981 — the last time an RNLI lifeboat and all her crew were lost at sea. Battling severe conditions, the journey from Fishguard took 25 hours. On arrival, they were met by dozens of local people cheering and waving in support.

While his later years as LOM brought different challenges from those faced at sea, Chris approached each with the experience and professionalism gained from a lifetime of service.

Asked what he is most proud of after more than half a century with the RNLI, Chris answered in characteristically understated fashion:

“Simple. On the certificate of service the Area Operations Manager recently gave me, it says that during the 50 years I was involved with Fishguard Lifeboat in various roles, at least 114 lives were saved. That’s it.”

Reflecting on his career, he added: “Over the years it’s been a real privilege to work with crew members from such diverse backgrounds who are united by one purpose — saving lives at sea.”

Throughout his service, Chris has been supported by his wife Brenda, who was presented with a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the RNLI during the ceremony marking his retirement.

Recruitment for the role of Lifeboat Operations Manager has now been completed, and the new post holder will be announced shortly.

Caption: The crew of Fishguard RNLI in 1980 lined up in front of the lifeboat Howard Marryat. Pictured left to right are = Chris Williams, Huw Evans, Roger Strawbridge, Brian Hughes (cox), John Knight (nav), John Monk (head launcher), Keith Bean.

Cover photo: The crew of Fishguard RNLI in 1980 lined up in front of the lifeboat Howard Marryat. Pictured left to right are: Chris Williams, Huw Evans, Roger Strawbridge, Brian Hughes (cox), John Knight (nav), John Monk (head launcher), Keith Bean.

Community

Tudor women’s lives explored in upcoming Pembroke history talk

Published

4 hours ago

February 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE & MONKTON Local History Society will welcome a leading Tudor historian to its next meeting on Saturday, March 7, promising a fascinating insight into the lives of women in the sixteenth century.

Guest speaker Melita Thomas will present a talk titled The Life and Times of Tudor Women, drawing on research from her acclaimed book 1000 Tudor People. The talk will explore the social, legal, political and economic challenges faced by women during the Tudor period, while also examining how some were able to carve out their own paths in areas such as trade, literature and even warfare.

Organisers say the event will offer a fresh perspective on whether Tudor women’s lives were as restricted as often portrayed, highlighting both the hardships and opportunities of the era.

Melita is the founder of the popular Tudor Times website and a member of the Tudor Players performance group. Alongside researching and writing books, she is currently undertaking a PhD at University College London.

Doors open at 10:00am for coffee, with the talk beginning at 11:00am. The event takes place at Pembroke Town Hall, where the Pembroke Museum and Council Chamber — located on the first floor — will also be open to visitors. A lift is available for disabled access.

The society has also announced that Pembroke Museum has reopened following its winter closure. The museum is open from 10:00am to 12:30pm Monday to Friday, with hours extended until 3:00pm from Easter. Entry is free.

For more information, visit www.pembrokeandmonktonhistory.org.uk or follow the society on Facebook. Enquiries can be sent to [email protected].

Local Government

Candidate who withdrew from Hakin race will still appear on ballot paper

Published

4 hours ago

February 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Election law means Labour hopeful’s name cannot be removed after nominations close

THE LABOUR candidate who withdrew from the Hakin county council by-election yesterday will still appear on ballot papers when voters go to the polls next month.

Nicola Harteveld announced she was stepping back from the race after nominations had already closed, meaning election officials are legally unable to remove her name from the ballot or allow Welsh Labour to nominate a replacement candidate.

***The First Minister, Eluned Morgan MS, with labour supporters out campaigning for Nicola Harteveld on Saturday (Feb 21)***

Under UK election rules, once the deadline for nominations passes and candidates are formally confirmed, the ballot paper is fixed except in very limited circumstances, such as the death of a candidate. Withdrawal after that point does not change the ballot.

As a result, Harteveld will remain listed as the Welsh Labour candidate for the Hakin ward when voting takes place on Tuesday, March 17, even though she is no longer campaigning.

***The First Minister gave Nicola Harteveld her endorsement earlier this week in a social media video***

Potential confusion for voters

One elector in the ward told The Herald the situation could lead to uncertainty at the polling station.

“This will cause confusion, and technically means she could still be elected, when in reality she doesn’t want to be,” the resident said.

Any votes cast for Harteveld will still be counted in the election result, as there is no mechanism to invalidate votes for a candidate who has voluntarily withdrawn after the close of nominations.

If a withdrawn candidate were to receive the most votes, further procedural steps could be required, potentially including a fresh election depending on the circumstances at that stage.

Background to withdrawal

Harteveld stepped back from the contest after reporting verbal abuse directed towards her son, in a development that also led to political controversy after the First Minister visited the ward to support her campaign on the same day she did not attend and later confirmed her withdrawal.

Because nominations had already closed by that point, Labour was unable to field another candidate, leaving the party without an active campaign presence in the contest.

Election context

The Hakin by-election was called following the death of long-serving Independent councillor Mike Stoddart.

The remaining active candidates are:

Derrick Abbott (Independent)
Sam Booth (Wales Green Party)
Lee James Bridges (Independent)
Duncan Edwards (Independent)
Brian Taylor (Welsh Conservative)
Scott Thorley (Reform UK)
Sam Warden (Welsh Liberal Democrats)

Polling stations across the ward will be open from 7:00am to 10:00pm on March 17.