News

Audit Committee in disarray

Published

10 years ago

December 18, 2014

Tom Sinclair

Questions: One of the properties in Meyrick Street, Pembroke Dock

THE COUNCIL’S continuing reluctance to release correspondence relating to its relationship with controversial Irish property developer Cathal McCosker is raising fears of another cover up at County Hall. Mr McCosker, the so-called ‘Baron of the Bedsits’, received hundreds of thousands of pounds in grants to renovate properties in Pembroke Dock. Instead of allowing scrutiny of his bank accounts when pressed, however, Mr McCosker reached a deal with the Council to repay a rumoured £180,000 to the local authority. It is the correspondence between the Council and Mr McCosker which was the subject of a motion calling for its disclosure, which was debated at a meeting of the Council’s Audit Committee on Monday December 1.

The meeting began inauspiciously. Lay member of the committee and its Chair, retired Morgan Cole partner Peter Jones, was absent.Normally, when a committee chair is unavailable the vice chair takes over handling the committee’s business. In this case, the vice chair of the committee is IPPG councillor Mike James. In the normal course of things, one would expect him to step into the vacant chair. However, the Audit Committee is a special case.

The rules governing the Audit Committee are covered by a piece of legislation called the Local Government Measure (Wales) 2011. It is a piece of legislation that has its own Guidance Notes which councils and their legal officers must make sure they follow. “It is permissible for only one of the committee’s members to be from the council’s executive, and this must not be the leader (or elected mayor). The council must have regard to this guidance when determining the membership of its audit committee. The chair of the committee is to be decided upon by the committee members themselves.

It can be a councillor or a lay member but, in the former case, must not be a councillor who belongs to a group with members in the executive.” The purpose of the guidance is, therefore, to make it clear that whoever chairs the committee it cannot be a member of a group with an interest in preserving the status quo. As one of the roles of the executive is to scrutinise a council’s internal financial controls, having a member of the ruling group deciding how that function should be transacted is inappropriate.

East Williamston representative Jacob Williams challenged Mike James’ chairing of the Committee and pointed out that correct legal position. He pointed out that it was for the committee members to appoint a chair for the meeting and that the chair could not be a member of the ruling group. Acting Head of Legal Services, Claire Incledon, was summoned from her garret to help the Committee reach a decision. Ms Incledon took the view that there was nothing in the rules to prevent the blameless Mike James from taking over the committee’s transaction of business on Monday.

The IPPG councillors on the committee ensured that her view was followed on nothing harder than the basis that Ms Incledon was a lawyer who should know her stuff, regardless of what the law actually said. So, Mike James chaired the meeting: a move which calls into question whether any of Monday’s business was lawfully transacted. The substantive order of business before the Committee related to Cllr Mike Stoddart’s motion to ensure that councillors had the chance to scrutinise how and in what circumstances the authority had decided to settle up with Mr McCosker.

Detective Sergeant Lewis of Dyfed Powys Police, who was attending the committee to assist it with its enquiries, confirmed that no arrests had been made, no charges brought, and no court proceedings were pending. Claire Incledon intervened. This move, she told the Committee, would involve the council breaking the sub judice rules. Since March, Council Leader Jamie Adams and others on the IPPG benches have repeatedly and persistently misused the sub judice rule to stifle debate on the grants scandal.

Experienced newspaper proprietor that he was, Mike Stoddart pointed out with some force that the Contempt of Court Act and the sub judice rule it enshrines was not applicable. The Contempt of Court Act only bites when arrests have been made, charges brought and court proceedings are either pending or ongoing. As none of those circumstances applied, the sub judice argument was nonsense. While the police objected to the release of records under Article 6 of the Human Rights Act, it was argued that the limited circulation of the material to which Cllr Stoddart wanted access would not lead to any unfair trial, as the material would be treated confidentially.

In similar circumstances in January of this year, Monitoring Officer Laurence Harding was compelled to acquiesce in the request to release documents for councillors’ examination. On that occasion, of course, the Committee was under the robust leadership of John Evans MBE, who later resigned in disgust at the failure of the Council to respond responsibly to legitimate public concerns. Speaking to The Herald, Mike Stoddart said: “What an absolute shambles! First the IPPG members used their 4:2 majority to elect one of their own as chairman despite having it explained to them by Cllr Jacob Williams that such an appointment was clearly against the law. This constitutionally defective committee then went on to reject my Notice of Motion on the basis of what were clear misrepresentations of the Human Rights Act and the sub judice rules.”

News

Coastguard called to Goodwick breakwater after items found

Published

38 minutes ago

March 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

HM COASTGUARD teams from Fishguard and Moylegrove were called into action on Tuesday morning (Mar 25) after personal belongings were discovered on Goodwick breakwater.

The lifeboat crew from RNLI Fishguard also launched, as emergency services responded to concerns that a person may have entered the water.

The incident began at around 10:34am when Dyfed-Powys Police requested assistance in conducting a coordinated search of the area, both by land and sea.

After a full search involving Coastguard teams and the lifeboat, no missing person was found and the operation was stood down.

A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: “If you’re ever out and about and see something that doesn’t look right, don’t ignore it. Call 101 to report non-emergencies or dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard if there’s any danger to life on the coast.”

Education

County’s musical talents celebrated at annual music festival

Published

46 minutes ago

March 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE MUSIC SERVICE welcomed pupils from across the county to share their musical talents with a delighted audience at the Primary Valero Music Festival.

The overall winner of the festival, held at Ysgol Caer Elen on March 22^nd, was Ysgol Bro Penfro pupil Wolfgang Evans on the piano, with his rendition of “Jackson Street Blues” by Martha Mier.

Wolfgang was also winner of the Open Brass class, performing “Rondino” by Allan Street on trumpet.

In the morning the children performed in the Open Classes and in the afternoon the audience enjoyed the Spotlight Concert that featured performances winners:

Open woodwind – Saxophonist Autumn Sheppard, Coastlands, who played “Bye Bye Blackbird by Ray Henderson

Open Strings – violinist Denisa Rusu, Saundersfoot School, who played “Gavotte” by Couperin.

Open Drums – Ifan Murphy, Ysgol Caer Elen, who played “Are You Gonna Go My Way.”

Saundersfoot CP School’s orchestra won the Ensemble category but sadly could not perform in the afternoon due to a variety of commitments. Earlier in the day they performed “Drive Time” by Jock McKenzie.

Head of Pembrokeshire Music Service Philippa Roberts said: “Congratulations to our dedicated primary pupils for their wonderful performances at the music festival. Their hard work and dedication shone through in a truly inclusive and supportive atmosphere, where every child was celebrated.

“It was a fantastic showcase of music and teamwork supported by dedicated tutors, parents and carers.”

Karin Jenkins, who adjudicated the strings classes, echoed Philippa’s sentiments, and added: “How amazing today’s music festival was for Pembrokeshire’s primary pupils. It was a fantastic opportunity to immerse ourselves in musical talent and I loved every moment. Everyone seemed to be having such a great time performing, and their energy was fantastic.”

Pembrokeshire Music Service Primary Valero Music Festival 2025 Results:

Woodwind

Initial Grade flute:

1^st – Lyra Constable, Spittal

2^nd – Maisie Parkin, St Oswalds

3^rd – Lara Morgan, Wolfscastle

Initial Grade clarinet & saxophone:

1^st – Maya Cunliffe, Cleddau Reach

2^nd – Ellis Roberts, Bro Ingli

3^rd – Lois Morgan, Wolfscastle

Grade 1:

1^st – Mia John, Mary Immaculate

2^nd – Ethan Stoney, Prendergast

3^rd – Iolo Thomas, Bro Ingli

Grade 2:

1^st – Eva Evans, St Aidans

2^nd – Paige Youngs, Johnston

3^rd – Phoebe Rees, Coastlands & Skyla Fletcher, Johnston

Open:

1^st – Autumn Sheppard, Coastlands

2^nd – Osian Kite, Roch

3^rd – Hattie Phillips, MHCPS

Brass:

Initial Grade:

1^st – Sam Triggs, Llandudoch

2^nd – Wilf Davies, Llanychllwydog & Leila Mundy-Kearns, Llandudoch

3^rd – Jaxon Price, PDCS

Lower Brass Grade 1:

1^st – Phoebe Jones, Hafan y mor

2^nd – Gwennan Davies, Bro Preseli

3^rd – Eliana Barder, Hafan y mor

HC – Alfie Chester, Cleddau Reach & Molly Thomas, St Teilos

Trumpet & Cornet Grade 1:

1^st – Noah Lewis, Wdig

2^nd – Llion Davies, Bro Preseli

3^rd – Penny de Wreede, Roch

HC – Olivia Conroy-Thornberry, Johnston & Chester Price, Tenby VC

Grade 2:

1^st – Isaac Phillips, Saundersfoot

2^nd – Edward Skidmore, St Teilos

3^rd – TJ Stewart, Glannau Gwaun

Open:

1^st – Wolfgang Evans, Bro Penfro

2^nd – Carys Meiring, Hafan y mor

3^rd – Ella-May Kirby, MHCPS

HC – Mali McFarlane, Caer Elen & Iolo Simms, Caer Elen

Strings

Initial grade:

1^st – Archie Hayden, Redhill

2^nd – Sara Thomas, Bro Preseli

3^rd – Tillie Ward, Bro Preseli

HC – Phoebe Harries, St Oswalds, Nia Owen, Ger y Llan, Maisie Gray, Ger y Llan, Poppy Armstrong

Grade 1:

1^st – Esme Phillips, Penrhyn Dewi

2^nd – Haf Evans, Cilgerran

3^rd – Rebecca Lowe, Caer Elen

HC – Huw Tamplin – Narberth, Efa Britton – Johnston, Suki Heulwen – Bro Penfro, Gracie Jones – Waldo Williams, Patsi Reynolds – Caer Elen, Ashley Cristabel – Prendergast, Aled Hooper – Caer Elen, Saskia Winton – Narberth, Maisie Torok -St Oswalds & Harper Wallis – Hafan y mor

Open:

1^st – Denisa Rusu, Saundersfoot

2^nd – Alice Ng, Caer Elen & Leila Powell

3^rd – Elsa Rae Gibbons, Caer Elen & Fred Powell

HC – Harrison Sheppard, Caer Elen & Bella Raymond, Caer Elen

Piano & Harp

Initial grade piano:

1^st – Harry Brace, Penrhyn

2^nd – Efa Harries, Penrhyn Dewi

3^rd – Maiya Cunliffe, Redhill

HC – Dougie Nevinson, Lamphey

Grade 1 piano:

1^st – Carys Callan, Redhill

2^nd – River Regelous, Penrhyn

3^rd – Evelyn James, Tavernspite

HC – Michael Aulehla-Atkin, Caer Elen & Elodie Voaden, Tavernspite

Grade 1 Harp:

1^st – Efa John, Maenclochog

2^nd – Haf Evans, Cilgerran

3^rd – Ruby Robinson, Caer Elen & Bella Grove, Maenclochog

HC – Delun Hancock-Phillips, Caer Elen

Grade 2 piano:

1^st – Harry Hayden, Redhill

2^nd – Emily Thomas-Ward, Redhill

3^rd – Ella Schwierzi, Nant y Cwm

HC – Seth Morris, Croesgoch

Grade 2 harp:

1^st – Elen Davies, Bro Preseli

2^nd – Olivia Davies, Caer Elen

3^rd – Ffion Fenrick, Cilgerran

HC – Ethan Dunkeld, Cilgerran

Open piano & harp:

1^st – Wolfgang Evans, Bro Penfro

2^nd – Eva Evans, St Aidans

3^rd – Gethin Wade, Maenclochog

HC – Cadi Haf Marshall-Jones, Bro Preseli

Percussion

Initial Grade:

1^st – Luca Rebiga, Saundersfoot

2^nd – Harper Wolverson, St Florence

3^rd – Dylan Chan, Saundersfoot & Madi Wright, Saundersfoot

Grade 1:

1^st – Sadie Neuman, Roch

2^nd – Felix Livock, Tenby VC

3^rd – Alfie Hughes, Tenby VC

HC – Harry D’Ortez, Tenby VC

Open:

1^st – Ifan Murphy, Caer Elen

2^nd – Ollie Holloway, Roch

3^rd – Aled Hooper, Caer Elen

HC – Esme Muir, Gelliswick

Ensembles

1^st – Saundersfoot School orchestra

2^nd – Bro Preseli Harp ensemble & Cilgerran Harp ensemble

3^rd – Violin duet (Fred & Leila Powell) & Wiston piano duet (Eva Evans & Millie Griffiths)

HC – Hook ensemble & Caer Elen harp ensemble

Community

Loved and lost baby remembrance service to be held in Carmarthen

Published

50 minutes ago

March 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE ANNUAL Hywel Dda ‘Loved and Lost Baby Remembrance Service’ will take place at midday on Saturday (Apr 26) in Carmarthen.

The service, organised by Hywel Dda University Health Board and led by the Spiritual Care Department (Chaplaincy), is intended to offer comfort and reflection for parents and families who have experienced the loss of a baby.

It will be held at Bethel Chapel, Hill House, Picton Terrace, SA31 3BT. The chapel is behind the Welsh Government offices and the Army Reserve Centre, with parking available nearby.

Senior Chaplain Euryl Howells said the service is an opportunity for people to come together and remember babies who have passed away, regardless of when the loss happened or at what stage of pregnancy.

A parent who attended a previous service said it meant a great deal to them in remembering their child.

Cerian Llewellyn, interim head of midwifery, said the service also allows health professionals to show support for grieving families and to honour the memory of the babies who have died.

Parents are invited to bring a photograph or a small item such as a blanket, toy, or something bearing the baby’s name to place on a memory table during the service.

Refreshments will be provided by Pastor Tim and members of Bethel Church.