News

Neyland Town Council paralysed as Clerk submits grievance over harassment

Published

2 years ago

October 8, 2024

NEYLAND TOWN COUNCIL has confirmed that the postponement of Monday’s (Oct 7) council meeting was due to the submission of a formal grievance complaint, alleging harassment by several councillors.

The Mayor of Neyland, Councillor Peter Hay, has issued a statement outlining the situation and the actions taken so far.

According to the statement, published on social media, the complaint was lodged by the Town Clerk, and its serious nature was the primary reason for the delay of the scheduled meeting.

The council is now following proper procedures in dealing with the matter, which include officially acknowledging the receipt of the grievance and informing all parties involved.

An internal assessment meeting was hastily convened last night, utilising the time made available by the meeting’s postponement.

All councillors, except those named in the complaint, were invited to participate.

Following this internal review, the council concluded that there is substance to the Clerk’s grievance.

Further steps will now be undertaken to fully address the complaint in line with the council’s established procedures. The Mayor has reassured residents that a new date for the postponed council meeting is being arranged and hopes the swift action will alleviate any concerns regarding the delay.

Grievance sparks division within Neyland Town Council, and residents express concern

The handling of the issue has drawn sharp criticism from local residents, as reflected in comments on the council’s Facebook post.

One resident, Jessica Hatchett, questioned the need for making the matter public, stating, “Grievances are confidential, and nobody needed to know. However, since this complaint has been known about by several people outside the council for several months, I do wonder why it has taken so long to investigate it. It should also be investigated by someone completely impartial, not just uninvolved councillors.” Hatchett further expressed disappointment in the apparent divisions within the council, saying, “At the moment, it is very obvious when you attend meetings that the council is split into groups. It’s a shame.”

Other comments mirrored Hatchett’s concerns about the council’s apparent factionalism. Frank Rowland supported the call for unity, writing, “The council should all be working towards the betterment of Neyland, not pursuing personal vendettas.” Another resident, Steve Thomas, who claims to be a current councillor, highlighted the difficulties faced by some members in their attempts to work for the community. “We shouldn’t have to battle against other Councillors to do what is right for the people of Neyland, but unfortunately that has been the very sorry state of affairs for the last two years,” Thomas stated.

Thomas also defended the timing of the information release, suggesting that the public needed to be aware of behind-the-scenes events. He alleged that the councillors involved in the grievance complaint had been holding a private meeting on the same evening the council meeting was postponed, a move that had raised concerns among some members of the public. “The exclusion of some Councillors now, Councillors who they are desperate to remove from the Council as we are scrutinising wrongdoing, is nothing less than an abuse of power, i.e., corruption,” Thomas claimed.

Amid the growing public debate, there were also legal concerns raised about the manner in which the grievance has been handled. Another commenter, Ian Hatchett, reminded the Mayor of his legal obligation to maintain confidentiality surrounding the identity of individuals involved in a grievance. “My thoughts go out to the clerk,” he added, voicing support for the council employee at the heart of the issue.

The situation has shone a light on what appears to be deeper fractures within Neyland Town Council, with residents and councillors alike calling for an end to internal conflicts in order to better serve the local community.

A new date for the postponed council meeting has yet to be announced, and residents are hoping for a resolution that will allow the council to refocus on issues affecting the town.

All eyes are now on Neyland Town Coucil.

The handling of this grievance could have lasting implications for the unity and effectiveness of the council moving forward.

(Pictured: Neyland’s Mayor, Cllr Peter Hay, and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Ash Phelan).

Climate

Blue sea creatures wash up on Welsh beaches including Tenby

Published

8 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

VISITORS to Welsh beaches have been warned not to touch unusual blue sea creatures which have washed ashore along parts of the coastline.

Hundreds of velella velella, commonly known as by-the-wind sailors, have been reported on beaches in Anglesey, Gwynedd and Tenby.

The small, bright blue marine creatures are free-floating hydrozoans and are related to Portuguese man o’ war, sea anemones and corals.

They get their name from a small sail-like structure on their body, which catches the wind and carries them across the surface of the sea.

One was spotted on Tenby South Beach on Tuesday (Jun 16), where beachgoer Maxine Allinson described it as “fantastic” and “like a crystal”.

Marine experts say the creatures are often seen after changes in currents or stormy weather, which can push large numbers ashore at the same time.

Although they are much smaller and less dangerous than Portuguese man o’ war, they do have stinging cells.

Their sting is usually mild, but people are being advised not to pick them up, especially as contact with the face, lips or sensitive skin could cause pain or tingling.

Experts also warn that the stinging cells can remain active even after the creatures appear to be dead on the beach.

The advice is to admire them from a safe distance and leave them where they are.

Caption: Maxine Allinson spotted a velella velella on Tenby South beach Tuesday

Local Government

Mayor to hold drop-in session for Haverfordwest residents

Published

8 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HAVERFORDWEST residents will have the chance to raise ideas, concerns and local issues directly with the town’s mayor this week.

Cllr Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner will hold a Talk to Your Mayor session on Thursday, from 12:00pm until 2:00pm.

The initiative is aimed at giving residents an opportunity to speak directly with the mayor about matters affecting the town and wider community.

Cllr Thomas-Turner said communication and engagement were “vital”, adding that the session was about listening to local people, working together, and ensuring every voice had the opportunity to be heard.

Anyone wishing to book an appointment is asked to contact the Haverfordwest Town Council town clerk.

The mayor said: “Together, we can continue building a stronger and more connected community. Together we can make Haverfordwest the best in the west.”

News

Senedd rejects Reform call to end Welsh Government international spending

Published

10 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE SENEDD has rejected a Reform UK motion calling for an end to all Welsh Government international spending, after a heated debate which saw several Members walk out of the chamber.

The motion, tabled by Reform MS Llŷr Powell, was defeated by 48 votes to 37 on Wednesday (Jun 17).

An amended motion, backing Wales’ reputation as an “internationalist, tolerant and outward-looking nation”, was then passed by the same margin.

The debate followed warnings from Hub Cymru Africa and other campaigners that ending international spending would damage Wales’ global reputation and undermine projects linking Welsh communities with partners overseas.

Reform argued that Welsh Government money should be focused on domestic pressures, including the NHS, schools, transport and the cost of living.

Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar backed the Reform motion, saying foreign relations and international development were matters for the UK Government rather than Cardiff Bay.

But Plaid Cymru and Welsh Government speakers rejected that argument, saying Wales’ international work supported trade, public services, education, health partnerships and the country’s reputation abroad.

The debate became heated after comments by Reform MS Joe Martin, who criticised overseas schemes including beekeeping and tree-planting projects in Uganda.

Several MSs left the Siambr during his contribution, with the Llywydd later urging Members to reflect on the tone of the debate.

Hub Cymru Africa had said before the vote that Wales’ international solidarity budget represented a tiny fraction of overall spending and helped deliver work in public health, climate action, women’s empowerment and sustainable development.

The organisation said the vote was an opportunity for the Senedd to reaffirm Wales’ place in the world.