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.

Community

Kurtz welcomes £4.3m National Lottery boost for local communities

Published

9 hours ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SAMUEL Kurtz MS has welcomed more than £4.3 million in National Lottery funding awarded to community projects across Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire since 2021.

Figures released by The National Lottery Community Fund show that £4,318,484 has been distributed through 122 grants in the constituency since the 2021/22 financial year, the same year Mr Kurtz was elected.

The funding has supported a wide range of grassroots charities, voluntary organisations and community groups through programmes including National Lottery Awards for All, offering grants of up to £20,000, and People and Places, which provides larger awards of up to £500,000.

Projects backed locally include mental health support for young people, environmental and sustainability initiatives, community workshops, outdoor wellbeing activities, support for vulnerable adults, and programmes aimed at building skills and confidence.

Among the organisations to benefit is Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, which received £343,584 for its Routes to Discovery project, helping improve mental and physical wellbeing through accessible outdoor activities.

St Davids Diocesan Council for Social Responsibility was awarded £398,078 to deliver its Plant Dewi: Strengthening our Communities initiative, supporting families and local groups.

Other recipients include The VC Gallery, Redberth Croft CIC, The Tenby Project CIC and Neptune’s Army of Rubbish Cleaners, with funding supporting projects ranging from food initiatives and nature-based wellbeing to volunteering and environmental action.

Mr Kurtz said: “Community groups and charities across Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire do incredible work supporting people and strengthening local communities.

“It is fantastic to see more than £4.3 million of National Lottery funding invested in projects that are improving wellbeing, tackling isolation and creating opportunities for people of all ages during my time in office.

“The voluntary sector plays a vital role in our area, and this funding is helping organisations deliver projects that bring people together and make a real difference to people’s lives.”

The National Lottery Community Fund is the largest funder of community activity in Wales, supporting initiatives that bring communities together, promote environmental sustainability, help children and young people thrive, and improve health and wellbeing.

Organisations across Wales can apply for funding through the Awards for All and People and Places programmes to support projects that matter most to their communities.

Further information is available on The National Lottery Community Fund website.

Cymraeg

National Eisteddfod unveils legacy framework to boost Welsh language and communities

Published

9 hours ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW national framework aimed at securing a lasting legacy from the National Eisteddfod has been published jointly by the festival’s organisers and the Welsh Government.

The plan sets out how the Eisteddfod’s impact will be strengthened before, during and after each annual event, bringing together partners from across education, community development, culture, the economy and the Welsh language sector.

While each Eisteddfod reflects the identity of its host community, the framework aims to ensure long-term benefits are consistently delivered nationwide, rather than limited to the festival period.

The legacy programme will cover a wide range of areas including education, inclusion, digital innovation, volunteering and economic development, with new national and local structures designed to coordinate delivery more effectively.

A national project board will oversee the strategy, setting direction and sharing best practice year-on-year. At a local level, a steering group will drive community-based work, helping turn the Eisteddfod into a catalyst for lasting change.

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Welsh Language, Mark Drakeford said the festival’s impact goes far beyond a single week.

“The Eisteddfod is far more than a week-long festival. It is a multi-year project that leaves a lasting legacy for the Welsh language and culture in the area,” he said.

“By bringing together partners from across key sectors, this framework will help deliver real and lasting change for our communities and support our ambition of reaching a million Welsh speakers by 2050.”

Nic Parry, President of the Eisteddfod Court and Chair of its Management Board, said the framework strengthens collaboration at both local and national level.

“It allows us to deliver on a long-held ambition to drive language planning through the lens of the National Eisteddfod,” he said.

“It also positions the Eisteddfod as a powerful tool for boosting local economies and supporting sustainable communities for future generations.”

Further details are expected later this year, with membership of the national project board due to be confirmed by mid-June.

A dedicated session at this year’s Eisteddfod will also gather evidence from the 2026 host area to help shape future plans for 2027 and 2028.

More information is available via the Eisteddfod’s legacy framework online.

Community

Former Neyland police officer Louis Knight dies aged 83

Published

9 hours ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Tributes pour in for former Neyland officer remembered as a “true gentleman” and “local legend”

A FORMER Neyland police officer remembered as a “true gentleman” and “local legend” has died at the age of 83, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across Pembrokeshire.

Louis Knight, of Neyland Hill, Neyland, passed away peacefully at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest on Thursday (Mar 5).

Mr Knight, who served as a police officer in the area for many years, was a familiar and respected figure in Neyland and beyond. In the hours following the announcement of his death, hundreds of messages flooded social media, painting a picture of a man whose impact stretched far beyond his time in uniform.

Many described him simply as “one of the best,” while others called him “a proper local legend” and “a tremendous police officer.”

One resident wrote: “A face and name I will never forget from my youth.”

Another said: “He was a tremendous police officer… a kick up the backside and a word was enough. It stayed with you.”

Others remembered his warmth and humour away from policing.

“He always had a story to tell on the way home in the taxi,” one tribute read, while another added: “Every time you asked him how he was, the answer was always ‘bloody marvellous.’”

Many spoke of his kindness and the time he gave to people.

“Louis was one of the most kindest gentlemen around. Always made time to chat,” one message said.

Another added: “Neyland won’t be the same again.”

While some reflected fondly on a different era of policing, what came through most strongly was the respect Mr Knight earned within his community — something repeatedly highlighted in tributes from those who knew him as children, neighbours, and later as adults.

Mr Knight was the beloved husband of the late Angela, devoted father of Andrew and Alison, and adored father-in-law of Frank. He was also a loving grandfather to Michelle and Laura, and a cherished brother of Jennifer, Charles and Richard.

His family said he was loved dearly and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

The funeral service will take place on Wednesday (Apr 1) at 11:30am at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth.

Family flowers only. Donations in memory of Louis, if desired, are for Ward 8 at Withybush Hospital and may be sent directly to the ward at SA61 2PZ.

All enquiries to Tom Newing & Sons Ltd, Funeral Directors, Dartmouth Street, Milford Haven (01646 693180).

Photo caption:

PC Louis Knight pictured during a Royal Visit, engaging with local children — a familiar sight in Neyland for many years (Pic: Supplied).