News

Grants scandal: Ex-cabinet member speaks out

Published

6 years ago

November 21, 2014

• ‘I found dodgy payments in a matter of minutes’
• Council director ‘refused’ to discipline staff involved

Cllr David Williams

A NEW perspective was given to the Pembroke Dock grants scandal by former Cabinet Member David Simpson. Speaking exclusively to The Pembrokeshire Herald about the insight he had gained, Councillor Simpson, who is also a magistrate, told us: “I have several concerns about the grants investigation. When Councillor Mike Stoddart started to put things on his webpage, I had nothing to do with grants. I wasn’t even on the Audit Committee. I would read his page and I would go in the next morning and always question David Pugh about what was going on.

Inevitably, I would end up speaking to Gwyn Evans (the council’s European Manager). I was reassured over and over again over months that everything in the grants system was whiter than white. So, I questioned everything Mike Stoddart said. When I got on to the Audit Committee, I started to see more information. John Evans (the former Audit Chair) was very supportive of efforts to investigate and look at the grants. There was an instance at council when Cllr Stoddart wanted to see the documents relating to the grants.

I disagreed because I thought that would give one councillor exclusive access to information. So, I said that the right way forward was through the Audit Committee. “ He went on to explain: “The grants issue had been brought up before by Michael Williams and I wanted the Audit Committee to get a grip of it. I actually went in to County Hall one morning and spoke with Jon Haswell and asked him if I could see the fi les. I was particularly interested in 29 Dimond Street. Within 20 minutes I had found £8,000; in another hour and a half I had found £22,000 of irregular payments with the potential for a further £23,000.

There was around £46,000 of wrongful payments on that spreadsheet. I am no auditor, I’m just an ex-businessman. I can only confi rm that what I saw is the same as what everybody else saw. It went through Audit Committee. All the documents were put in a sealed room so everyone could see them.” Cllr Simpson continued: “Councillor Stoddart found out what I did and more and on other properties. The work of the Audit Committee was being done properly. Councillor Stoddart was involved in it, not even a member of the Audit Committee, but he was involved and acted very professionally. John Evans wanted a full audit of every project involving Mr McCosker, but I said to do 29 Dimond Street as a sample, because once we have found one set of problems we can then do the rest.

There was a bit of argy-bargy about the content of the Audit Report. It was decided the Director with responsibility for the grants (Dr Steven Jones) should have access to that report and be allowed to comment and to make adjustments. Which he did do (long pause) he did do. He acted upon 95% of all mistakes that were brought up. There was one thing he didn’t do, which was about offi cers’ conduct. He didn’t do anything about that until the last meeting on Monday (Sept 22).I have asked him on many occasions – many occasions – why were no offi cers suspended, when there is gross incompetence on the part of one or more offi cers. I went through the Audit report with Steven Jones.

One of the main concerns for me was that disciplinary action was needed. I asked why one member of staff had not been suspended and he told me he was not going to suspend him. So that was that! His reply was that he was not going to suspend him even though I know for a fact that Jon Haswell (now Head of Finance) and Kerry MacDermott (Head of Revenue Services) in the same circumstances would have suspended the member of staff concerned.”

Health

Tavernspite School the ‘healthiest of schools despite the pandemic’

Published

17 mins ago

April 21, 2021

Andy Chandler

THE STAFF, governors, parents, and of course, the children of Tavernspite Community Primary School are delighted to gain the Welsh Network of Healthy School Schemes National Quality Award for an incredible 5th time after a recent and very rigorous assessment.

The school is already well known and highly regarded for its outstanding work in developing the health and wellbeing of all members of its school community. To achieve this prestigious recognition in the midst of a pandemic is all the more impressive.

Health and Wellbeing at the school is led by teacher, Lauren Arthur, who has done an incredible job preparing for this re-assessment and raising the profile of the Healthy Schools scheme.

The assessor Mrs Lynne Perry, enjoyed a virtual tour and presentation by Year 3 pupils who took great pleasure in proudly showing Mrs Perry all the wonderful work the school has done to ensure its children are safe, happy with high levels of emotional and physical wellbeing.

In her report, Mrs Perry wrote, ‘Tavernspite School continues to be an outstanding health promoting school. The health promoting school ethos is evident across the whole school population and it runs seamlessly throughout everything that the school does. Tavernspite School continues to give high priority to promoting and enhancing the health and well-being of the whole school community.’

The school received fantastic support from Mrs Liz Western, Senior Public Health Officer and Lead for Healthy Schools and Pre-schools, Pembrokeshire, to whom they are very grateful.

Head teacher Kevin Phelps said, ‘We were delighted to receive this award for the fifth time, particularly considering the experiences we have all been through these past twelve months. Health and wellbeing has never been so important and we are proud to be leading the way like this.’

News

Joinery learner through to Screwfix Trade Apprentice of the Year Finals

Published

3 hours ago

April 21, 2021

Andy Chandler

PEMBROKESHIRE COLLEGE joinery learner, Conor Ratcliff has made it through to the final ten in this year’s Screwfix Trade Apprentice of the Year competition.

Now in its seventh year, the competition celebrates the next generation of tradespeople as they start out on their career. With over 2,500 nominations, Conor was shortlisted to the top 30 where he had to deliver a video presentation to industry-leading judges and trade body representatives. Judged on professionalism, creativity, innovation, enthusiasm and knowledge of their trade, Conor impressed the judges and is now in the final 10.

Simon Jackson, Screwfix Customer and Digital director, commented: “Every year we are amazed by the outstanding quality of entrants and, this year, we are on the lookout for apprentices who go above and beyond to succeed within their chosen trade.

“We’ve seen how this career-boosting accolade and £10,000 prize bundle helps kickstart an apprentice’s career. I’d like to wish everyone through to this stage the best of luck!”

The prize package includes everything a future tradesperson may need to start up their own business including £5,000 of tools, a £3,000 training budget and £2,000 worth of technology. The college where they study will also receive £2,000.

Conor is thrilled to have made it through to the finals and commented: “I am extremely honoured to have made it is this far in the competition and I am very excited for the final event. It would be an amazing opportunity for me, if I won this competition.

“I hope it encourages more people to consider an apprenticeship in a trade, the Carpentry and Joinery department have been incredibly supportive during my studies.”

The Final is due to take place imminently where the judges will conduct an online interview with the ten finalists before selecting and announcing their overall winner.