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Adams: ‘We can move on from Bryn controversy’

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Jamie Adams: There is life after Bryn

Jamie Adams:
There is life
after Bryn

THE PEMBROKESHIRE HERALD met with Independent Group leader Jamie Adams on Thursday (Oct 30). In an extensive interview with Herald Assistant Editor Jon Coles, the council Leader spoke about the challenges and opportunities facing Pembrokeshire and its council. The recurrent theme of the interview was the limit on what could be done in a time of long term uncertainty over the council’s future and the constraints placed on the council’s budget. Beginning with how he proposed to move on from the events of October 16, when following an impassioned debate councillors approved a six-figure settlement to be paid to their Chief Executive Bryn Parry-Jones, Councillor Adams said: “There has been a very different feel at County Hall the last few weeks. There has been a storm outside the Council the last few weeks, but there is a sense in itself that the Council is healing from within.

I have had more constructive and positive conversations with members of the opposition. In light of that, I am confident that the council can move on from the controversy involving the Chief Executive.” Looking at the question of the vacancy within his own Cabinet, Jamie Adams told us: “I made it clear when I appointed Alison Lee to Cabinet that I saw it as an opportunity to engage with the wider membership. I have two or three credible options to fill the vacant Cabinet post from both within and outside the Independent group.

I am quite relaxed about where that person comes from but I am determined to get the best person for the role.” The Herald then raised the sore point of the council’s response to the South Wales and West Wales Shoreline Management Plans and the future of Pembrokeshire’s coastal communities: “We are mindful that there are ongoing budget requirements within the council supported by the Welsh Government, but I am afraid funding is not following through. We do not have the capacity to deliver some of the solutions to deliver some of the solutions to protect those communities in peril from rising tides.

Acknowledging the challenge to the main link between Haverfordwest and Saint Davids, deemed unsustainable in even the short term, Cllr Adams said: “The A487 is going to be quite a challenge. We intended to use some of the coastline mitigation funds the council received after last winter’s storms towards resolving the infrastructure issue. But it took a long time to get it through the Welsh Government that this was an urgent requirement. We are going to need a wider consultation on the transport links to the Saint Davids Peninsula, as the current alternative route is proving too difficult for HGV’s and buses.

I am confident the Trunk Road Agency can help us. We have variable message signs on the A40 at Redstone Cross and if we can direct some of the HGV traffic from that point via Letterston then it might help us manage that process. But it is not a great solution, as once we put HGV’s on that road we encounter difficulties.” The problem with local government reorganization was also discussed, The Herald’s question was answered with one from Jamie Adams: “Will services cost less or will they improve?

If we cannot answer either one or both of thus positively, I do not see how we can justify change. I think that it is only the Labour Government in Cardiff Bay that supports Council mergers, the other parties reject it and I am aware of Labour MP’s who are sceptical.” On defending Pembrokeshire, Jamie Adams confirmed that his preferred outcome was no change to Pembrokeshire’s autonomy: “Pembrokeshire is distinct. The brand is strong and synonymous with being a brand of quality. You cannot day the same of other counties.

Pembrokeshire has particular qualities and a defined status that other counties do not.” Jamie Adams revealed that the ongoing public consultations about future services had given members of the Cabinet an insight into the issues that concerned the Pembrokeshire public: “I have to confess that I took part in one on Thursday (Oct 16) (the evening of the vote on Bryn Parry-Jones’ settlement) which was particularly challenging. It has been interesting that the matters which councillors think are important to the public are not always those that people find important.

There are occasions that there have been more robust exchanges between two members of the public with opposing views than there have been between my Cabinet colleagues and the same members of the public. “By and large what has come across clearly are concerns about senior officers’ pay and councillors’ remuneration. There is a commitment to look at the whole cost of senior management. “In terms of where we go, the opportunities to trim around the edges is no longer there, we are going to have to look more dispassionately at the services we provide and what communities can provide” The full interview can be seen online at pembrokeshireherald.com

5 Comments

5 Comments

  1. Tomos

    November 28, 2014 at 12:50 pm

    If a crime is committed then there’s no statute of Limitations on that.

    This case though completely legal will NOT be forgotten,

    The IPiG councillors should realise that or they are even more stupid than I thought.

    Even today 28th November we look at the main BBC news website for Wales, the MAIN story for our area?

    we see that Bryn got the £90k Porsche as well – it also took the Beeb a VERY long time to get the info as I guess Jamie was trying to keep that fact quiet as well?

  2. Tomos

    November 28, 2014 at 12:52 pm

    PS Why do we want the A40 made into a dual carriage way – was it as a result of the refinery closing in Pembroke, If so then surely it’s the A478 that should be upgraded or are the councillors in the North of the county more interested in themselves ?

  3. Flashbang

    November 30, 2014 at 11:03 pm

    Why is this story appearing (1Dec) now if the interview was on 30/10? There seems to be a problem with this website as all the stories carry todays date even though they were published months ago. Please fix it.

  4. ieuan

    December 1, 2014 at 7:08 pm

    Yes there is life after Bryn, there can and I hope life after Jamie and his cowboys in the IPPG.

    I have no faith in ANYTHING this man says!

  5. Ian

    December 1, 2014 at 9:30 pm

    bet the Lodge, the Police,Jamie, Bryn and their families are worried tonight, BPJ is now one of the biggest stories on one of the most popular websites in the world – I hope the Council , the Senedd and the Police will now feel pressurised into actually doing SOMETHING!

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2855841/Council-boss-slashed-pay-1-000-staff-5-000-KEPT-90-000-company-Porsche.html?

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News

Pembrokeshire miracle cat survives journey beneath moving recovery truck

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Zyla the fun-loving feline had a day to remember on Monday after climbing on the chassis of a recovery truck parked close to her home in Neyland.

After curling up into a cosy little ball, the 14-year-old cat found herself being whizzed around the roads of Pembrokeshire. And her journey continued on into the evening.

Just before 7pm, when the truck driver returned to Neyland, he heard some plaintive little cries coming from beneath his vehicle.

“They were quite loud cries, and when my partner went to investigate, this little beauty made an appearance,” said the recovery driver’s partner, Emma Louise James.

“We’ve no idea how she managed to stay securely on the vehicle throughout the afternoon because the truck had been on recoveries over quite a wide area including Whitland, Haverfordwest and Clarbeston Road.”.
Despite appearing to be uninjured, Emma decided to take the cat to the local vets in order that she could be scanned for a microchip.  They also put photographs of her on social media, hoping that her owner would recognise her and come forward. 

Sure enough, after no fewer than 1,700 shares, her owner, Paula Busby, was able to breathe a sigh of relief when she learned that her precious little Zyla was safe and well.

“This was one of the best presents I could have had,” Paula told The Herald.

“The last time I saw Zyla was mid afternoon on Monday.  I slipped out for a few hours but when I came back,the alarm bells immediately started ringing because Zyla always responds to the whistle.  But when I blew the whistle, there was no sign of her.”

Paula’s concerns were exacerbated by the fact that a few days previously, little Zyla had suffered a seizure and was booked in to see the vet.

“So in many ways, her adventure has been something of a blessing,” continued Paula.  “While she was at the vets she had another fit which enabled the vet to carry out some tests which confirmed that she has epilepsy.  So from now on she’s on medication to help her.

“When you consider how long she spent underneath the recovery truck, it really is a miracle that she survived.  From now on we shall be keeping a very close eye on her.

“We’re just so grateful to the hundreds of people who shared the post on Facebook and of course to Emma and her partner for doing everything they could to help little Zyla.

“She really is a miracle.”

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Crime

Lamphey man stole £1,300 from train passengers’ bags

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A LAMPHEY man has been sentenced for stealing £1,300 in cash and bank cards from passengers’ bags on the Tenby-Pembroke Dock train.

The court heard that on August 11, Luke Brummit, 46, removed two rucksacks from the luggage rack and searched them.

“The defendant took the bags into another carriage, searched them, and removed a purse and wallet before leaving the bags beneath the seat,” Crown Prosecutor Derek Davies told magistrates.

Brummit also admitted stealing £86.06 worth of items, including two legs of lamb and bottles of beer, from Sainsbury’s in Tenby on September 19.

Defence solicitor Tom Lloyd said Brummit has since taken steps to address his behaviour: “He’s doing better than he’s ever done and is working to improve his conduct.”

Magistrates imposed an 18-month community order, including 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and a 120-day alcohol monitoring programme. Brummit must pay £1,300 compensation to the victim, £86.06 to Sainsbury’s, a £114 court surcharge, and £85 in costs.

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Ex-refinery worker sentenced for harassment and stalking in Milford Haven

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A FORMER refinery worker has been sentenced after harassing his ex-partner by dumping rubbish in her garden and shouting through her letterbox.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard that on June 14, at around 6:20am, Kyle Allerton, 29, arrived at Leah Jenkins’ property in Milford Haven after attempting to call and text her earlier that morning.

“He rang her at around 6:00am, then turned up at her property at 6:22am,” Crown Prosecutor Derek Davies said.

“He shouted through the letterbox, demanding she come to the door or window to talk to him. He then emptied bins over her garden before driving off in a white van.”

Jenkins said in her victim impact statement: “I feel harassed by his actions and worried about what he might have done.”

Probation officer Courtney Colman explained that Allerton had struggled to cope with the end of their seven-year relationship, turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism.

“He was drinking up to ten cans a day, which contributed to his losing his job at the refinery,” she said.

Allerton pleaded guilty to harassment. Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order, including 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 10 hours of unpaid work. He must pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.

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