News

Rowlands criticises ‘negativity’ about council

Published

12 years ago

December 1, 2014

Tom Sinclair

Ambitions for Johnston: Ken Rowlands.

AN OUTSPOKEN email from Johnston Councillor Ken Rowlands to other County Councillors, in which he engaged in wide ranging criticism of perceived bias on the part of this newspaper and the ‘negative’ approach of several councillors, was recently sent to The Herald. In a noisy member’s room at County Hall, our Assistant Editor Jon Coles met with Ken Rowlands.

Their conversation was wide-ranging and, in its course, Cllr Rowlands made a number of observations and trenchant criticisms both of media coverage of the scandals that have engulfed County Hall and his fellow councillors: “In local politics, I would say that national parties are redundant. Constituency parties have to be ‘on message’, and that message might have little to do with local communities. In 2008, I had been assured by the Labour Welsh Government that a new road, which was desperately needed, would be built. When it became clear that promise was to be broken I could not remain. My critics say I joined the Independent Group that I once criticised. That is wrong. When I joined the council, I had little time for the then executive group.

But that group changed, there was a real sense of working together across parties. The executive became much more inclusive and there was more camaraderie here. I was able to speak to people and get things done. What has happened since then, especially since 2012, is that things have been more confrontational. Nobody could really disagree that the executive should be held to account, but to be negative, negative, negative and not also say what is right is just wrong. The people have been wound up to feel that the Council is not representing them properly.

I honestly think that the whole picture is not being put before the people of Pembrokeshire. Some councillors are following a national political agenda and not serving Pembrokeshire. I am afraid that local issues are being used to further national political ends.” We put it to Cllr Rowlands that he had to accept that criticisms were justified, both in the light of events that had been brought to light and other issues that arose in the course of the last eighteen months: “I think what is tending to happen is that there has been a concerted effort among certain people who are rather negative and that those who have only the interests of Pembrokeshire and its people at heart have not responded to those criticisms as they should have done.

You are not arguing not only with another a member, but with another member and his blog followers and other members with their relationship to other media. Add all those together and it becomes bias. I am not making excuses, there were problems that had to be addressed. But if you look across Wales and the UK, there are other places where matters have been really unacceptable but they have not been criticised in the same way.

I am not saying there was not any reason for these criticisms, there have been some positive results. But there has no regard been given to the efforts of staff across Pembrokeshire to address these issues.” His departure from the Education brief in April has been the cause of a great deal of comment on social media and around County Hall. One version of events has Cllr Rowlands fuming at being removed from the Cabinet. His take on events is somewhat different: “When I left the Cabinet, we had been under a great deal of pressure during a period of upheaval in the County’s education and a corner had been turned.

The whole of our authority – officers, staff, and members – had worked closely together to change the situation. It had been a heavy period of time and when I came to the time I stood down, both Jamie and I felt I was unwell and we agreed I should take a back seat for a while. That does not mean that I will take a back seat forever!” We concluded by speaking about his own ward: “The Community Council and I are hoping to have meetings with Johnston Sports Association and other Village Stakeholders in the near future. The Community Council, with other organisations within the village, work closely together in order to enhance village amenities and we would be pleased to show the press that we have worked well together during this period of austerity. We have bucked the trend during difficult times.”

Crime

Haverfordwest man jailed for seven years for historic rape and sexual assault of girl

Published

16 hours ago

July 22, 2026

Court Reporter

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been jailed for seven years after being convicted of raping and indecently assaulting a girl during the 1980s.

Alan Pyart, aged 60, of North Court, Haverfordwest, was found guilty following a trial at Swansea Crown Court earlier this year.

Pyart had denied raping and indecently assaulting the victim, who was under the age of 16 at the time of the offences.

The case returned to court for sentencing after being adjourned for more than two months so that a further psychiatric report could be prepared.

Judge Geraint Walters sentenced Pyart to seven years in prison for rape and four years for indecent assault. The sentences will run concurrently, meaning he will serve an overall custodial term of seven years.

Pyart was also made subject to an indefinite restraining order and will remain on the sex offenders register for life.

He had previously been remanded in custody while awaiting sentence.

Reporting restrictions are in place which legally protect the identity of the victim.

Detective Inspector Sarah Totterdale, of Pembrokeshire CID, praised the victim for coming forward many years after the abuse took place.

She said the case demonstrated the lasting effect sexual abuse can have on victims and their families, adding that it was never too late to seek justice.

DI Totterdale said: “I would like to commend the victim for the immense courage she has shown in coming forward and speaking about what happened to her all those years ago.

“Abuse of this nature can leave deep and long-lasting scars, but it is never too late to seek justice.

“We hope this conviction and sentence sends a clear message that Dyfed-Powys Police will pursue offenders, no matter how much time has passed.”

She encouraged anyone who has experienced sexual abuse, either recently or in the past, to contact police, saying they would be listened to, supported and taken seriously.

Information about reporting rape and sexual assault, as well as details of available support services, can be found through the Dyfed-Powys Police website.

Community

Goodwick Sea Scouts spruce up headquarters ahead of Wales in Bloom judging

Published

16 hours ago

July 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

GOODWICK Sea Scout Group has praised its young members, leaders and volunteers after they helped brighten up the area outside the group’s headquarters.

The team rolled up their sleeves ahead of the town’s recent Wales in Bloom judging, clearing overgrown vegetation and transforming an old boat into an eye-catching flower bed filled with colourful plants.

The group said the work had made a real difference to the front of the hall and thanked everyone who gave their time to help.

A spokesperson said: “Our Scout group worked hard to tidy up the front of our hall in time for the town’s Wales in Bloom judging.

“Well done to all the young people, leaders and volunteers who helped.”

The group is now hoping to build on the improvements and would like to hear from anyone with gardening experience who could volunteer to help care for the land surrounding the hall.

Anyone interested in lending a hand is encouraged to contact Goodwick Sea Scout Group directly.

News

Burnham more willing to listen on Welsh devolution, says First Minister

Published

20 hours ago

July 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Rhun ap Iorwerth says he will press the new Prime Minister for powers over policing, railways and Wales’ natural resources when the two leaders meet.

FIRST MINISTER Rhun ap Iorwerth has said he believes Andy Burnham is more willing to listen to Wales’ demands for further devolution than his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer.

The Plaid Cymru leader is expected to hold an introductory meeting with the new Prime Minister on Thursday, following a telephone conversation between the pair earlier this week.

Mr ap Iorwerth said he hoped the change in leadership at Westminster would provide an opportunity to take Welsh devolution to the “next level”.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Wednesday, he said: “I had a conversation with Andy Burnham yesterday, congratulated him on becoming Prime Minister, and we both made it clear to each other that we wanted to have a positive relationship, a constructive relationship.

“I know that he understands devolution for Manchester. I want to help him understand what devolution means in Wales and what tools we need to make it work better.”

The First Minister said his government had been elected with a mandate to seek greater control over policing and justice, rail services and funding, as well as Wales’ natural resources.

He said: “There is a list, if you like, of things that we need to devolve now in order to move the story of Wales, the story of devolution, on to the next level.

“It’s clear that we now have a Prime Minister who is open to listening, perhaps in a way that Keir Starmer wasn’t, and I’m eager to do everything that I can to make the case for Wales.”

A planned meeting between Mr ap Iorwerth and Sir Keir failed to take place before the former Prime Minister left office, with the First Minister previously blaming “chaos in Westminster”.

Plaid Cymru formed the Welsh Government in May after ending more than two decades of Welsh Labour rule at the Senedd election.

Mr Burnham has extensive experience of devolved government after serving as Mayor of Greater Manchester, where he repeatedly called for greater powers and funding to be transferred away from Westminster.

However, the new Prime Minister has sought to play down the prospect of major constitutional reform.

During conversations with the leaders of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on Tuesday, Mr Burnham said his immediate focus would be on “practical measures” rather than constitutional changes or further independence referendums.

Mr ap Iorwerth supports Welsh independence but has said his government will not seek to hold an independence referendum during its first term.

Thursday’s meeting is expected to focus on the working relationship between the Welsh and UK governments, as well as funding, transport and the future balance of devolved powers.