News

Secret session discusses unlawful Bryn payments

Published

12 years ago

August 1, 2014

IF you were one of the people trying to find out how controversial Council fat cat Bryn Parry Jones had responded to a Council request to pay back the unlawful payments he received, tough luck! Despite the fact the contents of the letter responding to the Council’s request were already in the public domain, the discussion of how public money had been spent on a public servant was held in private. Conservative group leader David Howlett told the Herald: “With David Bryan, I voted for a public debate which was lost and so we went into private session. We supported a Plaid amendment that it would be foolish to pursue court action due to costs but expressed regret that the money was not being returned. “Some IPPG members supported this and had Labour members also supported it, we would have won. Because Labour did not support the Plaid amendment, we had another vote to take no further action, from which I abstained. “Labour’s stance meant the end result was no further action would be taken. I have to ask whether (Labour leader) Paul Miller sees this as a result, because that is what he and his group made sure happened.” Labour leader Paul Miller told us: “On principle, the Labour group decided not to accept anything less than the Chief Executive being forced to pay back the money unlawfully paid to him. “The vote today is not the end of the matter. “I still firmly believe that the Council must take action to get the money back.” Accepting a request from Bryn Parry Jones’ union Councillors chose to discuss Bryn’s letter, which told his employer to get lost, behind closed doors and with the cameras turned off. That union’s request was backed by the Council’s Head of Legal Services, who said: “Members have strong feelings about this issue, it is the case, in my opinion, that all employees of the Council do have a legitimate and reasonable expectation, both in employment terms and in accordance with their human rights, that their relationship with their employer should be conducted in appropriate confidence. “ The letter’s content was reported online and reveals: • Bryn gave the unlawful payments he received to his wife for her to invest; • Bryn claims his employer acted unlawfully by ceasing to make unlawful payments to him; • Bryn alleges that he has suffered a detriment by not receiving the unlawful payments. In addition to the above, Mr Parry Jones relies upon advice given to the Council that it was doubtful whether he could be compelled to disgorge the unlawful payments back to his employer. That element of his response is likely to cause particular controversy, as the Council’s CEO did not contribute to the cost of the legal advice he now relies upon to buttress his refusal to repay the money he received from the Council. Mr Parry Jones, whose Porsche sports saloon is paid for and insured by Council Tax payers, claims that he was entitled to rely upon the unlawful payments continuing to help plan his retirement and alleges a breach of contract by the Council in failing to make contributions to his pension. However, if the Council had continued to make unlawful payments to its CEO then it would itself have been acting unlawfully. Mr Parry Jones’ suggestion that he should have continued to receive the unlawful payments not only flies in the face of reason, but also suggests that he would have preferred the Authority to spend more Council Tax payers’ money defending his RIGHT to receive unlawful payments in the High Court. Again, at NO cost to himself. In addition, the whole scheme was hatched in order to help the CEO avoid tax on his massive publicly funded pension. The Council did not force Mr Parry Jones to accept the unlawful payments. Instead, he voluntarily entered the scheme in order to avoid future tax payments on his seven-figure pension pot. That scheme was hatched after Westminster government changed the Local Government Pension Scheme rules when it became clear that the system of tax relief was being abused by a minority of senior officers across the UK. The Pembrokeshire Herald asked the County Council to comment both on the letter’s content and the fact that it had been leaked. A Council spokesperson told us: “The letter to which you refer is marked private and confidential. It is not appropriate for us to comment on its contents.”

Entertainment

Imperial Hotel announces four-day Bank Holiday celebration in Tenby

Published

23 minutes ago

July 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Live DJs, terrace sessions and a new community event will form the hotel’s biggest August programme to date

THE IMPERIAL HOTEL in Tenby has announced plans for its biggest August Bank Holiday celebration yet, with four days of music, entertainment and community events overlooking South Beach.

The programme will run from Friday, August 28, until Monday, August 31, building on the hotel’s popular Tenby Rocks terrace sessions, which have taken place every Saturday throughout the summer.

Celebrations will begin on Friday evening with a ticketed event featuring DJ Mammoth, also known as Steve Dickson, who will perform a selection of Ibiza classics and house music.

Guests will also be served a specially prepared set menu in the hotel’s Essence restaurant before the evening continues with music and dancing overlooking the coastline.

Tickets for the Friday event cost £25 per person.

On Saturday, Tenby Rocks will return from midday until 7pm, with music and cocktails served on the terrace throughout the afternoon.

Presenters and DJs from Pembrokeshire radio station Pure West will take over from 5pm until 7pm.

A special community-focused event will then be held on Sunday from 5pm until 10pm.

The hotel has not yet released full details, but organisers say the evening will be designed to bring residents and visitors together in a celebration of Tenby and its community.

The weekend will conclude on Monday with live entertainment from midday until 6pm.

Inspired by the Tenby Rocks format, the final afternoon will feature laid-back reggae music aimed at families and groups of friends enjoying the last day of the Bank Holiday.

Amelia Parkes, Group Marketing Executive at Crest Hotels, said: “Our Tenby Rocks afternoons have become a real highlight of the summer, attracting both local residents and visitors who love the relaxed atmosphere, great music, cocktails and unbeatable views from the Imperial Hotel.

“For the August Bank Holiday, we wanted to create something even bigger by extending the celebrations across the entire weekend.

“Whether you are joining us for our ticketed Friday evening, enjoying DJ sets with Pure West on Saturday, discovering our Sunday community event or relaxing with music on Monday, there is something for everyone.

“Tenby is one of the UK’s favourite seaside destinations, and we are looking forward to welcoming guests from across Pembrokeshire for what promises to be an unforgettable Bank Holiday weekend.”

The celebrations are expected to add to the atmosphere in Tenby during what is traditionally one of the town’s busiest weekends of the summer.

Tickets for Friday evening are available through the Imperial Hotel Tenby website, with further details about Sunday’s community event due to be announced in the coming weeks.

Local Government

New Hook homes help local families remain in their communities

Published

27 minutes ago

July 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Harcourt Close development provides social and intermediate-rent properties for households facing rural housing pressures

A NEW housing development in Hook is helping local families remain in rural Pembrokeshire amid growing concerns over the availability and affordability of homes.

Harcourt Close includes a mixture of two to five-bedroom properties, designed for households ranging from first-time tenants and smaller families to larger, multi-generational families.

The homes have been built to modern standards and include energy-efficiency measures aimed at reducing running costs and supporting more sustainable living.

The development includes both social housing and intermediate-rent properties, providing affordable options for people with differing levels of housing need.

Social housing is intended for households in the greatest need, while intermediate rent provides an alternative for working households that may not qualify for social housing but are struggling to meet the cost of renting privately.

A Local Lettings Policy has also been introduced, giving priority to applicants with strong connections to Hook and the surrounding area.

Pembrokeshire County Council said the policy had helped residents remain close to relatives, schools, employment and existing support networks.

One resident said the policy had enabled her family to remain in the community where she had grown up.

She said: “I have lived in Llangwm all my life, and the Local Connections Lettings Policy meant that I was able to secure a family home in the same area where I grew up.

“This has allowed me to remain close to family and friends and means that my daughter can attend the same primary school that I did.”

Housing availability has become an increasing concern across rural Pembrokeshire, where rising property prices, private rents and the number of second homes have made it more difficult for some local people to remain in their communities.

Councillor Michelle Bateman, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said Harcourt Close was providing much-needed affordable homes.

She said: “Harcourt Close is providing much-needed affordable homes for local people while helping to keep families connected to their communities.

“The mixed-tenure approach ensures a range of housing options for residents, supporting those in greatest need as well as working households looking for an affordable home.

“This development demonstrates the positive impact that well-planned affordable housing can have, not only by providing quality homes but also by helping communities to thrive and remain sustainable for future generations.”

The council said the scheme formed part of its wider effort to meet local housing demand and support sustainable rural communities.

Anyone wishing to apply for one of the properties must have an up-to-date housing application.

Further information is available by emailing [email protected], calling 01437 764551 or visiting the Pembrokeshire County Council Housing Services Facebook page.

Business

Port appoints two new directors as energy and regeneration projects advance

Published

2 hours ago

July 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Sustainability expert Rebecca Heaton and regeneration specialist Owen Davies will join the board later this year

THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN has appointed two new Non-Executive Directors as it prepares for a period of major investment in renewable energy, the Celtic Freeport and the wider economy of south-west Wales.

Dr Rebecca Heaton and Owen Davies will join the Port’s board later this year, bringing extensive experience in sustainability, energy transition, regional development and regeneration.

Dr Heaton has worked in sustainability and climate policy for more than 25 years, holding senior positions with organisations including Lloyds Banking Group, Drax Group, OVO Energy, Shell and BP.

Her experience includes governance, commercial strategy, risk management and stakeholder engagement. She has also served on the Climate Change Committee and the Natural Environment Research Council.

Dr Heaton said the Port occupied a central position in Wales’s energy system and had an opportunity to help deliver long-term economic and environmental benefits.

She said: “Having lived in Wales for more than 30 years, I have seen the vital role that infrastructure, industry and energy play in supporting communities and creating economic opportunity.

“The Port sits at the heart of Wales’s energy system and has a unique opportunity to help shape a stable and sustainable future.”

Mr Davies joins the board with more than 30 years’ experience in regional development, town planning and placemaking.

A Chartered Town Planner and Fellow of the Institute of Place Management, he has advised the Welsh Government on regional economic frameworks, town centre regeneration and community engagement.

He has also worked as a UK Government High Streets Task Force expert and has been involved in regeneration and master-planning projects in waterfront and coastal communities, including Pembrokeshire.

Mr Davies currently runs his own consultancy and holds several advisory and governance positions, including with the Canal & River Trust in Wales and the Plas Gunter Mansion Trust.

He said: “The Port occupies a uniquely important position within Wales as a major economic driver, a nationally significant energy gateway and the custodian of one of our most important natural assets.

“Pembrokeshire and south-west Wales are entering a period of significant opportunity, with investment in renewable energy, the Celtic Freeport and wider economic development helping to shape the region’s future.”

The appointments come as Debra Bowen Rees and Erica Cassin complete their terms as Non-Executive Directors.

Dr Sian George, Chair of the Port of Milford Haven, welcomed the new members and thanked the departing directors for their service.

She said: “Rebecca and Owen bring outstanding experience and expertise that will further strengthen the breadth of skills and perspectives around our board table.

“The Port has a unique responsibility as a Trust Port to balance commercial success with our role as custodians of the Milford Haven Waterway and as a key contributor to regional prosperity.”

Dr George said both new directors shared the Port’s commitment to sustainable growth and long-term investment.

She added: “I would also like to express my sincere thanks to Debra Bowen Rees and Erica Cassin as they complete their terms on the board.

“Both have made a significant contribution to the Port during a period of considerable progress and transformation.”

The Port of Milford Haven is Wales’s busiest port and handles around 20% of Britain’s seaborne oil and gas trade. It also owns and operates Pembroke Port and Milford Waterfront, with its activities supporting more than 4,000 jobs in and around Pembrokeshire.