News

Audit row: what was officer’s role?

Published

11 years ago

July 16, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Left of picture: Jonathan Haswell on a site visit with the Audit Committee

A SENIOR Pembrokeshire County Council officer’s intervention at the Council’s Audit Committee has raised questions about the selection of its Vice Chair.

Jon Haswell, the Council’s Director of Finance, whose department is overseen by the Audit Committee, appears to have sounded out a councillor to accept the post and then checked to make sure that the councillor could be appointed while out of the country.

Following the Council legal officers’ embarrassment at being proved wrong by Cllr Jacob Williams on the correct construction of the law governing the Committee’s operation, a member of the opposition had to be appointed Vice Chair to abide the event of the Chairman’s absence. This meant that only Cllrs Guy Woodham and Jacob Williams, as members of the opposition could be appointed to the post.

At the meeting of the Committee on Monday, June 22, Cllr Woodham was absent. As was widely known, he was on holiday in the United States of America. With only Cllr Williams present of the elected members, it might have appeared inevitable that the appointment would fall to him by default.

That did not, however, happen.

When Cllr Mike James proposed Cllr Woodham for the post in absentia, Cllr Williams asked whether Cllr Woodham was in a position to consent to the nomination.

At that point Jon Haswell, the Council’s Finance Director, intervened.

Mr Haswell told the Committee meeting that he knew Cllr Woodham would accept the nomination, saying: “My understanding is that he [Cllr. Woodham] would accept the nomination.”

When The Herald asked Mr Haswell to clarify the circumstances in which he spoke with Guy Woodham about the nomination for vice chair of the Committee, we received the following response from a Council spokesperson: “Mr Haswell recalls that he spoke to Cllr Woodham in May. He did not approach Cllr Woodham and the subject of the Vice Chairmanship of the Audit Committee came up in conversation.”

At the meeting of the Audit Committee, however, Mr Haswell went further. He told the Committee he had asked Cllr. Woodham “if he would be happy to be nominated” – to which Cllr. Woodham answered in the affirmative.

The clear inference to be drawn from the above is that not only did Mr Haswell ‘pop the question’, but Cllr Woodham was open to the proposal. It also leads to the inference that it was subsequently, and after learning of Cllr Woodham’s impending absence from the meeting that the Council’s Finance Director took steps to establish whether the candidate he had asked about accepting the nomination could ascend to the heights of being Peter Jones’ number two.

We asked Cllr Woodham to comment on what had happened. He told us: “Not being at the meeting I don’t feel in a position to comment. As for events prior to the meeting I’m sure these will be clarified when the Committee meets in September.”

In spite of his comments, we are now able to offer some clarification as to the sequence of events.

According to both Mike Stoddart and Jacob Williams, a clue was given to the meeting by Jon Haswell himself. He revealed he had discussed the appointment with Cllr Woodham’s leader, Cllr Paul Miller. While Cllr Miller was himself on holiday on the day of the meeting, The Herald spoke to him about the position.

Cllr Miller told us: “At the end of a 30min meeting on the Neyland Community Hub Project Mr Haswell mentioned in passing that he had not seen Guy recently. I confirmed that Guy was still away on leave at which point Mr Haswell inquired as to his availability for the audit committee which was coming up.”

He continued: “When I passed on Cllr Woodham’s apologies for that meeting Mr Haswell said something along the lines of ‘oh I think they were planning on nominating him for the vice-chairmanship. Could he still be nominated if he’s not there?’ I provided my view on that question (that yes he could) and there the conversation on the audit committee ended. (No more than 30 secs in the course of leaving his office).”

At which point two questions arise: Who are they? And why was the Council’s Finance Director, whose work is overseen by the Audit Committee, involved in the process at all?

As the only persons who can nominate a person for a post on the Audit Committee are its members, ‘they’ have to be the IPPG members of the Committee. Why ‘they’ should have communicated their wishes to Mr Haswell is a mystery. Still more mysterious is why Mr Haswell had asked Cllr Woodham if he, in Mr Haswell’s own words ‘would be happy to be nominated’.

It appears to be the unlikeliest of happy accidents that Mr Haswell would ask the pertinent question of Cllr Woodham unprompted; not least in the light of his subsequent comments to Cllr Paul Miller about the identity of the persons who wanted to nominate Cllr Woodham to the role.

Having prolonged the appointment process for the lay member who now chairs the Audit Committee, Mr Haswell is now in the invidious position of having apparently taken an active role in the appointment of the Vice Chair.

With all of the respect in the world, that cannot be proper the function of a council officer, least of all the Director responsible for Finance. As all Council officers, Jon Haswell is bound by a code of conduct that provides that he, “must serve all Councillors” and “must ensure that the individual rights of all Councillors are respected.” He is obliged to be impartial.

It is immaterial whether or not Cllr Woodham is the right person to be vice chair of a committee charged with the marking of, amongst others, Mr Haswell’s homework. The process seems to have become hopelessly compromised by Mr Haswell’s acting as the agent for one party, or at least seemingly being aware of the wishes of one party, when seeking to ensure Cllr Woodham’s nomination could go through.

Cllr Woodham must now be very aware of the risk of being perceived as the IPPG nominee or, worse, that of Council officers. Whether he is prepared to continue in such circumstances we shall all, no doubt, discover in September.

News

Tributes paid to Pembroke Dock Councillor and former Mayor Pamela George

Published

22 minutes ago

February 2, 2026

Luke Sinclair

It is with great sadness that the Pembroke Dock community mourns the passing of Councillor Pamela George.

Pamela, affectionately known as Pam, dedicated many years to public service, passionately representing her constituents and contributing to the life of the town. She also served as Mayor, where her commitment to the community was widely recognised and appreciated.

“Pam was incredibly passionate in her role as Councillor and Mayor, and she will be sorely missed,” said a spokesperson from Pembroke Dock Town Council. “Her dedication to the town and its residents was remarkable, and her legacy will live on in the many projects and initiatives she supported.”

During her tenure, Pam was involved in numerous community groups and local committees, playing an active role in initiatives such as the Pater Hall Community Trust and Friends of Memorial Park. She was known for her warm personality, steadfast dedication, and willingness to champion causes that benefited the town and its people.

Councillors, colleagues, and residents alike have expressed their condolences, praising her tireless work and commitment to Pembroke Dock.

A book of condolences has been opened at Pembroke Dock Town Council for residents wishing to pay their respects.

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Community

New parking rules spark concern at Dew Street site

Published

13 hours ago

February 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Residents question phone-only payments, rising permit costs and future of former library building

RESIDENTS in Haverfordwest’s upper town say new parking rules behind the former County Library on Dew Street risk excluding older and less tech-savvy drivers, as concerns grow over both rising permit prices and the uncertain future of the prominent community building.

The car park is owned by Ateb Group, which allowed free public use over Christmas. However, signs installed this week state that drivers must pay either by phone or online.

Campaigners say both options effectively require a smartphone or internet access, leaving some motorists without a practical way to pay.

Mike Daffern, acting secretary of the Dew Street Campaign, told The Herald: “Realistically these are the same method. Both depend on a phone. For many older people, or anyone without mobile data, that simply isn’t accessible.

“Government guidance says there should be more than one way to pay. Most car parks still offer cash or card. We feel this discriminates against some of the very people who rely most on town centre parking.”

Permit prices questioned

Residents also say they were previously informed that Ateb intended to mirror the charging structure used by Pembrokeshire County Council.

They expected this would reduce the cost of residential permits. Instead, several have reported being quoted figures more than four times higher than equivalent council permits, alongside what they describe as a 30 per cent rise on last year.

One nearby resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “We were told it would be in line with the council. When the price came through it was nowhere near. For some households it just isn’t affordable.”

The Herald has approached Ateb for clarification on its pricing structure and the choice of payment systems.

Building left in limbo

Beyond parking, frustration is mounting about the long-term future of the former library itself.

Planning permission to refurbish the site was granted in 2023, but residents say little visible progress has been made. There is speculation the housing association may instead base operations in Milford Haven following the closure of Meyler House.

Campaigners argue that if the building is no longer required for offices, alternative community uses should be explored rather than allowing further deterioration.

A petition signed by ninety-five locals has been submitted to Cadw requesting the structure be considered for listing.

The request is backed by Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales and The Twentieth Century Society, both of which recognise its architectural significance as an example of late 20th-century civic design. The building also features in Simon Phipps’ book Brutal Wales / Cymru Friwtalaidd, which celebrates modernist architecture across Wales.

Mr Daffern said: “It’s part of Haverfordwest’s story. Even people who don’t love the look of it accept it’s an important public building. Leaving it empty helps no one.”

Temporary arrangement

Public use of the car park may only ever be short-term. The 3.5-acre site, including the former library, was sold by the council for £250,000 in 2022.

A consultation held in early 2024 on potential redevelopment proposals drew criticism, with some residents describing suggested housing plans as “cut-price” and out of keeping with the conservation area surrounding the historic upper town.

No formal planning application has yet been submitted.

Residents say clearer communication is needed on both the future of the land and day-to-day parking arrangements.

Mr Daffern added: “People understand the site will change one day. But while it’s open, it should be fair and accessible. All we’re asking for is common sense and proper engagement with the community.”

international news

Mandelson quits Labour over Epstein controversy

Published

13 hours ago

February 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Former cabinet minister says stepping down is ‘in best interests of the party’ as questions raised over historic payments

LORD MANDLESON has resigned his membership of the Labour Party, saying he does not want to cause “further embarrassment” following renewed controversy over his past links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The former cabinet minister and one-time UK ambassador to the United States confirmed his decision in a letter to Labour’s general secretary after fresh documents released by the US Department of Justice appeared to reference him in connection with Epstein’s finances.

The files suggest that three payments of $25,000 — totalling $75,000, about £55,000 at today’s exchange rates — were allegedly made to Peter Mandelson in 2003 and 2004.

Lord Mandelson said he had “no record or recollection” of the transactions and believes the allegations may be false, but intends to investigate the matter himself.

In his resignation letter, he wrote that he felt “regretful and sorry” to be linked again to what he described as the “understandable furore” surrounding Epstein.

He added that stepping down from party membership was the responsible course of action while he reviewed the claims.

“I do not wish to cause further embarrassment to the Labour Party,” he said. “I have dedicated my life to the values and success of the party and believe I am acting in its best interests.”

Ambassador role ended

Lord Mandelson had been appointed the UK’s ambassador to Washington by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in December 2024.

However, he was removed from the post last year after earlier revelations about his past friendship and contact with Epstein, including emails showing communication after the financier’s 2008 conviction.

The latest release of files has also included photographs said to show Lord Mandelson alongside an unidentified woman. He said he could not place the location or circumstances of the images.

There is no suggestion that appearing in the documents or photographs indicates criminal wrongdoing.

‘Deep regret’

Earlier this weekend, Lord Mandelson reiterated his regret for ever having known Epstein and apologised “unequivocally” to the women and girls who suffered abuse.

“I want to repeat my apology to the women and girls whose voices should have been heard long before now,” he said.

Epstein died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, but investigations into his network of associates continue to generate political fallout on both sides of the Atlantic.

Labour has not yet issued a detailed statement beyond confirming it had received Lord Mandelson’s resignation.