News

Pembrokeshire Alliance wants a coalition, but leader should go

Published

11 years ago

October 10, 2014

AT A SPECIALLY convened meeting of its governing Executive, the Pembrokeshire Alliance last night rejected Entering into any negotiations which would lead to a coalition with the current governing IPG led by Cllr Jamie Adams. The meeting was called after discussions last week between Cllr Adams and Pembrokeshire Alliance Leader, Cllr Bob Kilmister.

Pembrokeshire Alliance spokesperson, Andrew Lye, commented: “After a long, thoughtful and democratic debate which discussed the current crisis at County Hall, the Alliance’s Executive Committee voted to reject any coalition discussions with the IPG, called for the resignation of Cllr Jamie Adams as Leader of the Council, and called for cross-party discussions to form a Grand Coalition to resolve the huge and mounting problems within the Council.”

Pembrokeshire Alliance Leader, Cllr Bob Kilmister, added: “Our debate shows clearly that decisions made by the Pembrokeshire Alliance are made through an open democratic process. At the same time we are taking a considered and constructive approach on how to take the Council forward. That is why I had discussions last week with Cllr Adams.”

“However, our clear view is that the crisis facing the Council is now so serious that the only way forward is to create a Grand Coalition. This Coalition must elect a new Council Leader who can command the support of both Councillors and the community. There is no other viable way forward, especially in view of further potential defections from the ruling IPG. I am calling on Cllr Adams to put Pembrokeshire first and start the process by standing down as Leader. Time is running out for the Council to deal with its problems. We urgently need a stable and effective Ruling Administration which can tackle the problems and carry out wholescale reform of the way the Council operates. Nothing less will now do.”

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9 Comments

Flashbang

October 10, 2014 at 10:56 am

Sorry Bob but we saw your naked grab for the money last week so I for one still don\’t trust you or your unhinged mate Nutting.
Tomos

October 11, 2014 at 12:19 am

Flashbang – is that you Bryn?

must be, slating off councillors, complaining other ppl are concerned with money
Flashbang

October 11, 2014 at 9:13 am

I’m definitely not that clown BPJ, if I was I would have cleaned out the corrupt and incompetent years ago instead of helping them.
I’m just a humble Pembrokeshire boy who would like to see the corrupt jailed and the county governed by an honest bunch.
kizzy J

October 11, 2014 at 11:11 am

Well I am not Bryn. I am a disabled woman living in Pembrokeshire and brought up here. I don’t trust Bob either. I attended the second meeting of the PA’group’ something I do not do often is leave my house. It was blatant from before we walked in the door and was duped into giving our detail in order to attend the ‘open’ meeting or I could not go in and was charged Â£1 for the venue. I was assured that this was only for safety to know who was in the building ect and would not be put on any data base or mailing list or email list ect ect. During the meeting we then were told what that info was for was we had been singed up as paid up member of the ‘party’ and the £1 was my membership fee…. !!!! That was my first impression and that the Councillors had it all sown up. I had my name removed as a Member of the Pembrokeshire Alliance that night and was treated with disdain for even pointing out that they should have informed me I was Joining a Political Party. I had no manifestation to contract and was duped into it. Bob and his party lost all credibility last week when he had his secret “negotiations” with Jamie Adams. announcing it after the event is not democracy. More so when on their page the people of Pembrokeshire asked questions they were abused and dismissed by Jonathan Nutting and told “YOU ARE WORNG” ect. Several of us. The women were told they were venting and they did not understand. When support for the questions and opinions began to grow Jonathan’s behavior became more bizarre. After 27 people voting against his discriminatory bullying and condescending posts on comments, that did not answer one question, what Bob did was rip down all our, the people of Pembrokeshires questions and opinions, took away our right to reply, removed us from the page and then started another conversation about us without any of us being able to see. Bob Kilminster was making implications that we were IPG on the page to oppose then and that we had hijacked the page on purpose. Jonathan Nutting called me by name saying I Bob was sick of me “giving him a kickin” but I had no right to reply, why? I can assure you I have never Kicked Bob Kilminster and that is a false accusation by Jonathan Nutting. If he meant a verbal “kicking” then why was my and others question and opinions seen as an attack by a Party who say they are here to listen. As one of the others abused by Nutting that night said what is the pint of giving you opinion and getting involved when as soon as you speak on page you are told your opinion is “WRONG”. I was one of those people and luckily other people sent me screen shots of what they were saying about me, as they had stated we should have a right of reply and freedom of speech to voice our opinions and not be slated and have accusations thrown against our character when we had just been removed and all our posts removed. That person said that they were then also removed and their comments removed! Isn’t that censorship? I am not IPG I am just a Pembrokeshire woman voicing her opinion about Bob Kilminsters disgraceful behavior “negotiating” with Jamie in secret. That night their President and Secretary resigned because she was never been kept in the loop and the councilors made all the decisions without any consultation or even informing her from the start.I do not know how all the other people that were treated like myself feel, a few I do as we have talked. However I feel that calling me a IPG member who came on the page to deliberately cause trouble is deformation of my character and besmirching of my good name, done deliberately behind my back immediately after I had been removed. What right has Bob Kilminster got to tarnish my name by implication. He has no evidence because there is no evidence. For 20 years I have barley left my house and the Pembrokeshire Alliance is the first thing I had attended for over a decade. I have never attended IPG meetings nor have I ever had any communication with the IPG or Jamie Adams but I was not allowed a right to reply. That is not democracy that is bullying. 27 people upset by Jonathan Nutting and he is still on the page stating he will answer no more questions as he is misunderstood and someone more capable will do it form now on. No Mr Nutting your not misunderstood your patronizing, condescending and dismissive and the people are telling you that you are just not listening and neither is Bob if he is removing us and keeping you there after so many complaints.I have been asking for a copy of the Pembrokeshire Alliances complaints procedure and the name of the regulator since June this year and they are just ignoring my requests and denying me that right. How do I have my right to reply to these implications. I have asked the President and Bob Kilminster himself. Hayley Wood assured me she had sent them to all the councilors, I have asked for it over 20 times now and have not one reply from anyone. I have asked Bob and he is ignoring me. Why can I not take this through a formal complaints procedure when I have been asking for over 4 months? Where is the Openness, Transparency, Integrity in that stance Bob? I had great hopes for a alliance group in Pembrokeshire to speak up for our concerns and need. The Pembrokeshire Alliance in my opinion was corrupted when the councilors voted themselves elite and turned it into a Party and began Press Ganging members and feathering their nests. Now they are sticking with the IPG there will be little confidence in them as all the comments that have been ripped down disagreed with it and only sportive comments left… you know like they do in china and the like….. !I think the PA has let us the People of Pembrokeshire down badly ….
kizzy J

October 11, 2014 at 11:23 am

Here here FlashBang .. I am wondering how long my comment will be allowed to stay up lol ….
kizzy J

October 11, 2014 at 11:35 am

here here Flashbang
michael williams

October 11, 2014 at 8:28 pm

Kilmister squirming. Not an edifying sight. He has just seen his Deputy Leaders salary drifting away,poor dab. So much for principles and democracy. The Alliance was never a serious option, with a seriously flawed leader, who, as soon as money became available ditched his so called principles.
Tomos

October 12, 2014 at 9:44 am

Oh dear, already infighting and Jamie and BPJ still in power, still being paid loads of money – couldn’t we just fight them first to ensure they leave and then start fighting amongst ourselves?
Jonathan nutting

October 13, 2014 at 10:18 am

Jilly J did they make an error in spelling, changing your comment into kizzy j ?

Health

£2m hospital upgrade to ease A&E pressure at Carmarthen site

Published

2 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MAJOR refurbishment work has begun at Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Glangwili Hospital after more than £2 million in funding was secured from the Welsh Government.

The £2.096m investment will be used to overhaul the hospital’s Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) unit, creating extra consultation rooms, a redesigned reception, and a more comfortable environment for both patients and staff.

Health chiefs say the expanded unit will help reduce pressure on the hospital’s busy Emergency Department by allowing more people to be treated quickly without needing an overnight stay.

The project forms part of wider efforts to improve urgent and emergency care across the health board’s sites, including the Minor Injury Unit at Prince Philip Hospital.

Keith Jones, Director of Operational Planning and Performance for the health board, said the funding would increase capacity and speed up patient flow.

He said: “This investment will help us reduce pressure on the Emergency Department and provide a smoother, swifter experience for patients. We’re grateful to Welsh Government for the support.”

Services temporarily relocated

While the work takes place, several services have moved elsewhere on the hospital site.

The SDEC unit, Discharge Lounge and Medical Day Unit have relocated to Y Lolfa, formerly Padarn Ward.

The Cancer Information and Support Service and Cancer Psychological Support Service have also moved, although contact details remain unchanged.

Some clinics, including podiatry, neuro-rehabilitation and occupational therapy, will stay at the Priory Day Hospital, but patients may need to use different access routes.

Patients are being notified through appointment letters, and extra signage will be in place around the hospital. Staff are urging visitors to check their letters carefully or contact departments directly if unsure where to attend.

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Jeremy Miles said the upgrade would help tackle overcrowding and delays.

He said: “This investment will reduce waits, ease handover pressures and improve the overall experience for patients and staff when they need urgent or emergency care.”

Work is expected to continue over the coming months.

Crime

Stepdad denies murdering five-month-old baby as trial hears ‘shaking’ evidence

Published

2 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Court Reporter

A WEST WALES man accused of murdering his partner’s five-month-old son has told a jury he “panicked” and shook the baby in an attempt to revive him.

Thomas Morgan denies killing Jensen-Lee Dougal, who suffered catastrophic brain injuries at the family home in Clydach in March 2024.

The child was rushed to the University Hospital of Wales but died the following day in his mother’s arms.

Morgan, of Penyrheol Road, Gorseinon, is on trial at Swansea Crown Court charged with murder and three counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent. He denies all charges.

Opening the defence case, the court heard Morgan claims the infant had been sick after feeding and was found choking and unresponsive when he returned with fresh clothes. He said he shook the baby, tapped his back and splashed water on him in an effort to get a reaction before seeking help from a neighbour. He told jurors he could not call an ambulance because his phone was faulty.

Asked in the witness box what he physically did, Morgan said: “I completely panicked. I shook him to get a reaction out of him.” He added he did not believe he used enough force to cause harm and said it was “absolutely not” his intention to hurt the child.

Prosecutors allege the injuries were inflicted deliberately.

The jury has heard detailed medical evidence describing bleeding and swelling to the brain, bleeding to the spine and eyes, bruising to the ears and chin, multiple rib fractures and fractures to the legs, elbow, spine and foot.

Doctors said some of the rib fractures showed healing, suggesting they occurred during two separate periods — between early January and early February, and again between mid-February and the end of March.

Consultant paediatrician Dr Deborah Stalker told the court each set of injuries was rare in babies and strongly associated with non-accidental trauma. Considering the total pattern, she said they were “purposefully inflicted”, consistent with abusive head trauma such as violent shaking.

“These injuries do not occur in the course of normal handling of a baby,” she said.

She added the brain damage was so severe that Jensen-Lee would have lost consciousness and gone into cardiac arrest within minutes. An equivalent accidental force, the court heard, would be comparable to a high-speed road collision or a fall from a second-floor window.

The prosecution claims Morgan was “fired up with anger” following an earlier argument when the injuries were caused. Morgan denies losing his temper or assaulting the child.

The trial continues.

News

Political leaders and unions react to Milford Haven school assault

Published

14 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

First Minister, MP, MS and teaching unions call for safety and support for staff

POLITICAL leaders and teaching unions across Wales have spoken out following Thursday’s assault on a teacher at Milford Haven School, which led to a lockdown, a major police response and the arrest of a 15-year-old boy on suspicion of attempted murder.

The First Minister Eluned Morgan said she was “deeply concerned” by the incident and stressed that violence had no place in Welsh schools.

***Police at Milford Haven School on May 5 (Pic: Herald)***

Her comments come just days after she visited the Milford Haven campus following the school being placed into special measures by Estyn, where she met leaders to discuss improvement plans and support arrangements.

She said her thoughts were with the injured teacher, their family and the wider school community, and praised the swift response of staff and emergency services.

Local MP Henry Tufnell, who represents Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, described the incident as deeply upsetting for what he called a close-knit community.

He said he was thinking of the teacher and pupils affected and thanked Dyfed-Powys Police and ambulance crews for their professionalism.

Meanwhile Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz said: “Deeply concerning news across the water in Milford Haven.

“Sadly, violence in our schools is becoming all too common, and thanks must go to the emergency services for their timely response. Thoughts are with the injured teacher, their family and the wider school community.”

Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies said teachers must feel safe at work and called for continued support for school staff.

Teaching unions also responded.

NASUWT said teachers “deserve to feel safe in their workplace” and that any violence against staff must be taken seriously, while National Education Union said schools must remain safe spaces for both pupils and staff and urged continued focus on safeguarding and behaviour support.

All said support would be offered to the Milford Haven school community in the days ahead as police investigations continue.