News
Officer fiddles council minutes
THE PEMBROKESHIRE HERALD understands that a senior officer in the County Council’s Development Directorate has undergone disciplinary proceedings for altering the minutes kept of several European grant-awarding panel meetings to put a more favourable gloss on the scrutiny that took place.
Writing on his website, Hakin Councillor Mike Stoddart explained how last year he submitted a Freedom of Information request to obtain the minutes of several panel meetings where applications for European funding were evaluated and approved. Cllr Stoddart duly received the minutes, but says he received an email out of the blue last week from County Hall stating that after he submitted his request, the minutes were significantly altered with the result that the documents Cllr Stoddart was sent as a true record of the panel meetings, were materially different to what had been approved by the panel.
Cllr Stoddart told The Herald: “Some of the amendments are trivial and some less so, but the point is that someone within the authority thought fit to make these alterations.”
“While most of the alterations are merely concerned with tidying up the grammar, those regarding No 29 Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock, involve substantial additions to the text and seem to have been designed to give the impression that the Grant Panel’s evaluation of this application was a good deal more rigorous than indicated by the original minutes.”
The re-writing of such public records is a damning indictment on the authority’s handling of publicly-funded grant cash for property development projects, which has been reported for over a year in the Herald and our sister publication, Pembrokeshire’s Best.
Officers’ role questioned
Allegations of questionable practice have dogged two European-funded property grant schemes in Pembroke and Pembroke Dock since Pembrokeshire’s Best magazine uncovered in 2012 that the majority of monies for multiple projects in Pembroke Dock had gone to a single developer, Cathal McCosker, who had used a maze of pop-up companies to avoid restrictions intended to cap grant money awarded to grant applicants.
In January 2013 it emerged that Cathal McCosker had been granted a licence for bedsits by the County Council in the former National Westminster Bank building in Meyrick Street Pembroke Dock. Those bedsits had been built in a flagrant breach of the planning permission granted by the Council, who turned a blind eye to the developer’s conduct and the well known complaints and behaviour logged by the emergency services as a result of overcrowding. An application for retrospective planning permission for the bedsits was submitted by Mr McCosker, which officers intended to approve under delegater powers, however the local member Cllr Alison Lee called it in to be determined by the committee. Amid public outcry and angry scenes, only the officers and a few ruling IPPG councillors backed the Irish developer’s application for approval, and the application was refused.
Following refusal, and amid strong local opposition to his scheme to develop more bedsits, Mr McCosker subsequently withdrew from other plans he had announced to develop properties in Pembroke near the castle, which had not been required to go to tender by the County Council. In particular, it emerged that Mr McCosker had been accompanied to a key meeting by Council officers to assist his “pitch” for those plans to Pembroke Town Council.
Last year, Pembrokeshire’s Best Magazine revealed that Council officers in the local authority’s Planning Department had acknowledged Police reports of anti-social behaviour in the Meyrick Street bedsits development but withheld that information from members of the Planning Committee.
The Herald then obtained further information which suggested that officers used a contrived definition of its obligations to provide “affordable housing” for those in need, in order to justify the construction of bedsits, widely regarded as Housing Benefit magnets for private developers and a blight upon any hope for economic regeneration of commercial properties.
Cllr Mike Stoddart continued to press the Council for answers to questions about the works supposedly carried out under the scheme and the way in which public money had been lavished on building bedsits in the commercial heart of Pembroke Dock.
His efforts were met with obstruction by officers and repeated attacks on his integrity by IPPG Cabinet member Cllr David Pugh, who at a meeting in December received the support of barely a third of Councillors in a no confidence vote, and had the grants schemes responsibility removed from his cabinet portfolio and handed to Cllr David Simpson.
After a reversal of position by the Council’s Monitoring Officer Laurence Harding on the legal stance, it was agreed that the law allowed the documents sought by Cllr Stoddart to be made available for inspection by all councillors, which also allowed copies to be taken. Shortly thereafter the Police were called in by the Council following representations made to Mark Lewis, Director of Finance and Leisure, by Cllr Stoddart and Cllr Jacob Williams after discoveries they made in the files.
The council refused to confirm or deny the identity of the officer who has been disciplined for tampering with the grant panel meetings minutes, following emails sent by the Herald.
The council also refused to confirm or deny what disciplinary action has been taken against the officer, and if they have been suspended to prevent further documents held by the council being tampered with, in light of the ongoing Police investigation into the grant schemes.
The only response the Herald received from the council came from a spokesperson who said:
“Pembrokeshire County Council’s Audit Committee will be reviewing how the Council deals with grants. As the matter has been referred to the Police, the County Council will not be making any further comment at this time.”
Audit Committee take action on grants
Yesterday (Thursday, April 24) the Council’s Audit Committee considered the ongoing issue and briefly discussed the alterations made by the unnamed officer, of the record of grant panel meetings. The Monitoring Officer Laurence Harding told the committee that the officer responsible had been disciplined, but added that he could not reveal who it was nor could he say what punishment was given out.
Cllr Jacob Williams told other members: “There are two recent developments that I’m aware of with which I’m very uncomfortable: firstly the fact that the minutes of the grant panel have been edited by an unnamed member of staff. That to me is very frightening.
“The second matter is that at the cabinet meeting in early April, an updated report was presented in which WEFO (the Welsh European Funding Office) requested that the Council sends them a response.
“I have now received a copy of the confidential report the council sent in response to WEFO, and I’m absolutely appalled at it. It’s shocking to me, knowing what I do about what’s happened, and as councillors you are all entitled to see it and I urge you to, you’ll be amazed at what has been said – I can’t believe anybody thought this was a fit and accurate representation of what’s gone on here”.
Cllr David Simpson, who recently took over control of the Council’s public works grants schemes from Cllr David Pugh, said: “We should be looking at a full internal audit into the process on one of the units. A full audit by the authority to look at the process, to see where we started at, the process in its implementation, how grants were paid, the staff that were involved”.
Independent lay-Chair of the committee, John Evans MBE, responded saying: “We should start something now to learn lessons as quickly as possible.
“By taking one and learning the lessons as quickly as possible from that, so we need to learn those lessons quickly to rebuild the confidence of others in the organisation so that we can move forward”.
Cllr Mike James added: “Time is of the essence”.
As a result of their deliberations, the Audit Committee agreed that a management review should take place in respect of the grants process for 29 Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock, as quickly as possible, which will return to a reconvened extraordinary meeting at a date which has not yet been set.
It was also agreed that the two matters raised by Cllr Jacob Williams – the tampering of documents and the response the council sent to WEFO – would also be discussed when the extraordinary meeting reconvened, though this is likely to be behind-closed-doors in private session, where the press and public are excluded.
News
FUW marks 70th anniversary with quadbike raffle for lifesaving air ambulance

Big year for Welsh farmers’ union as fundraiser prize tops £10,000
THE FARMERS’ Union of Wales is celebrating its 70th anniversary with a major fundraising raffle in aid of the Wales Air Ambulance – offering a top prize worth over £10,000.
The charity raffle prize is a Honda TRX420 FE1 Electric Shift ATV, complete with a safety helmet, generously supplied in partnership with Dalton’s ATV Ltd in Talsarn, Ceredigion.
FUW President Ian Rickman said: “It’s a big year for our organisation. There have been huge changes since 1955, but we are proud to still maintain our democratic roots and original county structure 70 years on.
“Our founding members started with nothing – no offices, no staff, no money. But they had the vision to launch the Farmers’ Union of Wales, or Undeb Amaethwyr Cymru.”
Today, the FUW employs around 110 people across Wales through the union and its insurance arm, FUW Insurance Services Ltd.
Rickman added: “We’ve grown into a large organisation, but our commitment remains the same – to be there for our members whenever they need us.”
Founded in 1955 – a different world
The union was created in response to what many Welsh farmers saw as neglect from UK-wide agricultural bodies, which they felt focused on large arable farms in England. A pivotal meeting in Carmarthenshire led to the formation of the FUW by a group of twelve determined farmers.
Since then, the FUW has remained independent and has been formally recognised by both the UK and Welsh governments since 1978 as the voice of Welsh farming.
Generations of tradition – and a modern fundraiser
Rickman, whose family marks 50 years at Gurnos Farm in Bethlehem this year, recalled how farming has changed: “My father used to walk the fields every day or round up sheep with a horse and dog. Now, with a quadbike, we can cover much more land, and it’s easier on the legs too.”
That’s why the choice of fundraiser prize was a natural fit.
“When we started planning a big fundraiser for the Wales Air Ambulance, we wanted something with a wow factor – something that would really help draw attention and support.
“A quadbike is part of daily life for many farmers today, so it felt right. And we’ve included a safety helmet too – I can’t stress enough how important it is to wear the right safety gear.”
Tickets on sale across Wales
Raffle tickets cost £5 and are available online, via FUW county offices, and at many of the agricultural shows the union will attend over the summer. All proceeds go to the President’s chosen charity – the Wales Air Ambulance.
The winning ticket will be drawn at the Winter Fair in Llanelwedd in late November.
Dr Sue Barnes, Chief Executive of Wales Air Ambulance, said: “The FUW is marking an incredible 70 years. Congratulations to Ian Rickman and everyone involved with the union – it’s a huge achievement.
“We are honoured to have been chosen as Ian’s charity of the year, and we are truly grateful for the support since our partnership began in 2024.
News
Drifting sailing vessel sparks RNLI launch at Newport Beach

Fishguard lifeboat escorts vessel to safety
FISHGUARD RNLI volunteers were launched on Monday morning (July 14) after a 16ft sailing vessel began drifting towards rocks off the north end of Newport beach.
The alarm was raised at 10:03am when HM Coastguard requested the launch of the charity’s Trent-class all-weather lifeboat Blue Peter VII. A single crew member aboard the drifting yacht was reportedly struggling to maintain control in worsening conditions.
The volunteer lifeboat crew launched promptly, preparing towing equipment en route in case the vessel needed to be removed from immediate danger.
Upon arrival at the scene, the RNLI lifeboat was joined by a safety boat from Newport Yacht Club, which had also been tasked to assist. The yacht club vessel successfully established a towline and agreed to take the yacht back to a safe mooring.
Fishguard RNLI escorted both vessels to safe water, remaining on standby throughout the operation. Once all vessels were out of danger, the crew were stood down by HM Coastguard and returned to station.
Fishguard RNLI Volunteer Press Officer Cedwyn Rogers said: “The lifeboat attended and determined that the safety boat was capable of towing the sailing vessel back to safety. We remained on scene to offer support and ensure everything went smoothly.”
He added: “In this case, the sailor was able to call for help in good time. We urge all water users to carry a reliable means of calling for assistance—such as a handheld VHF radio, a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch, or a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). Ideally, carry more than one option.”
Crime
Case reopened after emergency worker assaults in town centre incident

A MAN convicted of assaulting two police officers and verbally abusing two women in Haverfordwest has had his case reopened—but his convictions and sentence remain in place.
DANIEL WATSON, aged 36, of Rowan Drive, Heybridge, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday afternoon (July 14) for a legal application under Section 142 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 to reopen his case.
The original conviction, imposed on May 13, 2025, was set aside and reheard in full. Following review, magistrates reimposed a community order with an increased duration.
The court heard that on April 24, 2025, Watson launched a series of abusive and violent acts in Haverfordwest, including:
- Using threatening and abusive behaviour towards Tanya Sargeant and Beth Davies, causing them harassment, alarm or distress.
- Assaulting PC 1162 James, a female police officer, and PC 1390 Rees, a male officer, during the incident.
- Resisting PC James while she was carrying out her lawful duties.
All offences took place on the same day in the town.
Magistrates imposed a revised 18-month community order requiring Watson to complete up to 10 days of rehabilitation activity, extended from the original 12 months due to the serious nature of the offences.
Watson was also fined £480, ordered to pay £50 in compensation to each officer, a victim services surcharge of £114, and £85 in court costs, bringing his total financial penalty to £779. He must pay in instalments of £50 per month starting from September 8, 2025.
The offences were officially recognised as aggravated due to being committed against emergency workers acting in the course of their duties.
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Jonathan
April 25, 2014 at 7:30 pm
About time this is found out Cathals properties are poor quality for a private let lock him away and throw away the key 🙂
Welshman 23
April 25, 2014 at 10:46 pm
One disaster to another what are the hierarchy going to do now. Cover up. It’s about time names of the individual should be made public. What this person has done is illegal and a should be added to the list currently being investigated by the police
les
April 26, 2014 at 8:11 am
surely the altering of minutes is a misconduct in public office. the police should step in whether invited or not,especially given the apparent “governance issues” at PCC.
Keanjo
April 27, 2014 at 11:08 am
A very thorough report on this topic. Congratulations, please keep on with your investigative journalism into the shambles at County Hall.
Teifion
April 28, 2014 at 9:24 am
It’s a great pity Bryn, the other senior managers and our councillors have never heard of The Nolan Principles of honesty, accountability, openness, objectivity, transparency and leadership
Archie
May 14, 2014 at 9:47 pm
What a refreshing change to read all about the trials and tribulations going on within PCC, This paper is a credit to investigative journalism, but don’t stay rooted in County Hall, there is a lot to report in some of our wayward Community councils, St Florence and Manorbier to name just two!
Phil
December 3, 2014 at 10:14 am
This bastard needs to sort his plumbing out. Look at the flowers, just keep looking at the flowers!