News
Controversial council boss could receive a £320,000 pay-off

Back to work: Bryn Parry Jones
ON THURSDAY afternoon (Oct 16), Pembrokeshire’s County Councillors will meet in what is likely to be a private session to discuss the terms of a settlement between the Council and its most senior employee, Chief Executive Bryn Parry-Jones.
The Pembrokeshire Herald understands that the sum likely to be on the table is in excess of £320,000.
While all councillors spoken to by this newspaper are staying tight-lipped about the potential terms of any settlement, a County Hall insider has told us the key components of any settlement.
After speaking with a public sector employment specialist, The Herald has established that in most Welsh local government contracts for senior staff, guidance for calculating settlements indicates a gross payment of between three months’ to two years’ salary, based on seniority and overall length of service.
Bryn Parry-Jones would be at the upper end of the settlement framework.
Starting from that point (and stripping away other payments) Bryn Parry-Jones’ base salary is around £173,000.
In a settlement agreement it would also be usual to incorporate a provision for payment in lieu of notice. While this might vary depending on circumstances, the amount in lieu of notice would usually be around three months’ pay.
In local government contracts there is a provision for a payment in respect of other guaranteed payments additional to the base salary and these are often incorporated into the settlement agreement sum.
The Council would be obliged to deduct tax from the any part of the payment exceeding £30,000.
One potential sticking point is how the Council deals with Mr Parry-Jones’ pension. As things stand he would need the Council’s permission to draw any benefit from the scheme, as he opted out of it two years’ ago when the Council approved the unlawful payments scheme which has ultimately led to the current fracture between the parties. Mr Parry-Jones has previously told Councillors that he regards that issue to be far from closed. The Council ceased paying Mr Parry-Jones’ pension contributions (the unlawful pay supplement) around the time of the Extraordinary Meeting which discussed it on February 14, this year.
The overall position turns on how both sides view their risk exposure. An employer, particularly a County Council, will always need to bear in mind political as well as litigation pressure.
The prospect of a significant monetary settlement will weigh heavily upon councillors, who will bear in mind the likely outraged reaction of their constituents if Mr Parry-Jones walks away with what potentially equates to a 1% increase in Council Tax for every household in Pembrokeshire.
The prospect of further protests tomorrow about the settlement, as the Council tries to push through £50m in cuts, cannot be discounted.
The pay-off is due to be debated after 2pm.
Local Government
National Park Authority publishes Welsh language standards report
PEMBROKESHIRE COAST NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY has published its latest Welsh Language Standards Annual Report, setting out the work carried out over the past year to support and promote the use of Welsh across its services.
The report covers the period from April 2025 to March 2026 and outlines the Authority’s progress in meeting its statutory duties under the Welsh Language Standards.
The Standards require public bodies in Wales to provide services and communicate with the public in Welsh, ensuring that people can access information, take part in public life and engage with organisations through the language of their choice.
The legal framework for the Standards is set out in the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011, which places duties on public organisations, including National Park Authorities, to treat the Welsh language no less favourably than English.
For Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, the report is not only a statutory requirement but also a reflection of the importance of Welsh to many communities across the county.
The Authority says its work under the Standards supports residents, schools, community groups, volunteers and visitors, while helping to ensure that Welsh remains visible and accessible in everyday life.
Tegryn Jones, Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, said: “The Welsh language is central to the identity, culture and everyday life of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
“As an Authority, we recognise our responsibility not only to comply with the Welsh Language Standards, but to help create the conditions in which Welsh can be used naturally and confidently.
“For many people in Pembrokeshire, Welsh is the language of home, family and community, and it is important that they are able to engage with the Authority in their first language.
“This work is reflected across the Authority’s services, from the way we share information with the public to our work with schools, communities, volunteers and visitors.
“The Annual Report provides an opportunity to look at what has been achieved over the past year, while also recognising where further progress can be made.”
The Authority’s wider commitment to the Welsh language is also reflected in its Welsh Language Strategy, National Park Management Plan and Local Development Plan 2.
The full Welsh Language Standards Annual Report is available at: www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/welsh-language-standards/.
Crime
Serviceman caught drink-driving in BMW Z4 near Nolton
Robert Seymour was three times the legal limit after police received reports of a car swerving near Pembrokeshire coastal village
A FORMER serviceman has been banned from the road after being caught driving a BMW Z4 while three times over the drink-drive limit.
Robert Seymour, 56, was seen driving between Portfield Gate and Nolton Haven at around 9.15pm on June 13 after police were alerted by a member of the public concerned about his driving.
“The Z4 had been seen swerving all over the road,” Crown prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.
Officers found the car around ten minutes later, reversing slowly out of a caravan park before moving forward.
Ms Vaughan said Seymour had removed the keys from the ignition when officers approached.
“He was very intoxicated and was slurring his words,” she said.
“There was also a very strong smell of alcohol emanating from the vehicle.”
Seymour, of Chestnut Tree Cottage, Portfield Gate, Haverfordwest, gave a positive roadside breath test and was arrested.
At the police station, he gave a lowest breath reading of 105 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.
Seymour pleaded guilty to drink-driving.
Defending, solicitor Michael Kelleher said Seymour had served in the military for nearly 30 years and was now employed as a public servant with the Department for Work and Pensions.
“His full-time work takes him to various centres all over Dyfed,” he said.
“This is going to have a huge effect on his life, however his employers have said that he is going to retain his job.”
Magistrates fined Seymour £750 and ordered him to pay a £300 surcharge and £85 costs, making a total of £1,135.
He was disqualified from driving for two years.
Crime
Concerns for prisoner at Haverfordwest video link hearing
Michael Carruthers was described as “shaking and shivering” at Parc Prison before court appearance was adjourned
CONCERN was raised for a Pembroke Dock prisoner after he was unable to appear before magistrates by video link from Parc Prison.
Michael Carruthers, 34, was due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning charged with assaulting a police officer by beating.
The alleged offence is said to have taken place in Haverfordwest on April 24.
But prison staff told the court Carruthers was not in a fit state to appear by live link from the Bridgend prison.
“After being taken out from his cell, he sat shaking and shivering on the floor and was holding his head in his hands,” a prison officer told the court.
“His head isn’t really in it.”
When asked whether Carruthers had been seen by a prison medic, prison staff confirmed he had not.
Defending, solicitor Tom Lloyd said Carruthers’ behaviour was consistent with his medical history.
“He’s appeared before this court many times before, but he’s severely autistic and has PTSD,” said Mr Lloyd.
“He has severe issues. When the prison officers described the way in which he is today, it’s clear that today came as a particular shock to him, as the first he learned of today’s court appearance was this morning.”
Mr Lloyd asked for the case to be adjourned so he could speak to Carruthers and prepare him for his next appearance.
Magistrates agreed, and the case was adjourned until July 14.
The court’s legal adviser stressed the importance of Carruthers attending the next hearing.
“People can’t hide by being in prison,” she said.
“If he’s deliberately refusing to come to court, then he must be physically brought here by the prison staff.”
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Flashbang
October 15, 2014 at 4:46 pm
The damage that BPJ has done to the county over the years far outweighs any payment he gets. Let’s not forget his mismanagement of pretty much everything he’s had a hand in, his abuse of position and the personal slander on Councillor Mike Stoddart. He should have been sacked long ago were it not for the cosy arrangement he has with Jamie Adams which should be put under the microscope. The whole thing stinks to high heaven and beyond.
Bob
October 15, 2014 at 5:24 pm
Someone please tell me this is a joke? I pray that councillors will see sense and NOT agree to any pay off, let the investigation take its’ course and then dismiss BJP for misconduct without compensation.
Tomos
October 15, 2014 at 7:14 pm
Were all those “leaks” about 1.8 mill or 2 million even just spin to soften the blow so we think £300k is cheap?
If I’d known it was this cheap I’d have sacked the ****** years ago
PS Why pay him off honestly? Anyone who had done ONE of the many actions/decisions he’s made over the years would have resulted in any other employee of the council being sacked – not him, WHY?
Andrew Lye
October 15, 2014 at 9:48 pm
I understand why the photo always used shows him grinning.He will be the only person smiling in the County, having won the Pembrokeshire Lottery whatever agreement is reached.
mark woodward
October 16, 2014 at 10:26 am
Since he has bought the council into disrepute, he should be sacked. No pay off, let him fight for it. End off matter. Thats how any other employee would be treated. Additionally his little buddy Jamie Adams needs to be suspended and fully investigated for his part in all of these shananigans.
Paul Rutherford
October 16, 2014 at 10:27 am
I agree with Tomos, why should he get a payoff at all? Does he have some sort of ‘anti-sacking’ clause in his contract?
The same sort of thing is happening at other councils, where it seems CE’s manage to get themselves fired with huge payoffs and then just move on to a recently vacated post.
I believe this is happening at Wirral council, where their CE is going in a month or so. He’d better not come down here.
Like most I know, I’m furious.
Paul Cardin
October 16, 2014 at 11:00 am
Presumably, he won’t just be paid off; he’ll be gagged and given a clean bill of health to take with him – inside a compromise / settlement agreement.
Here’s a survey of 345 English councils (which includes a link to £32 million worth of pay offs in Wales).
Within, there’s approx. £226 million worth of compromise agreements with gagging clauses, over a six year period. It makes up one helluva big lump under the grubby “public sector carpet:
http://wirralinittogether.wordpress.com/2013/02/19/2519/
CJ
October 19, 2014 at 9:12 am
One word to describe this “disgraceful”.
Ieuan Williams
October 19, 2014 at 11:45 am
All who voted for this pay off should consider themselves traitors to the People of Pembrokeshire.
Bryn is laughing all the way to the bank! an dour services must suffer for his pay off.
Jamie and co hang your heads in shame!
private jet florida
December 26, 2025 at 9:03 pm
Such a well-structured and engaging article. Thank you!