Church says council could face judicial review over fire-hit school

A BITTER row over the future of Manorbier Church in Wales VC School has escalated dramatically, with the St Davids Diocese threatening legal action against Pembrokeshire County Council over plans to close the fire-damaged village school.

In an extraordinary intervention ahead of a Cabinet meeting on Monday (Jun 15), solicitors acting for the St Davids Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF) accused the council of running a “procedurally flawed” consultation and warned that councillors risk judicial review if they press ahead with proposals to discontinue the school.

The legal letter, sent by Carreg Law and marked “urgent”, claims the council is using the closure process to avoid responsibility for rebuilding the school following the devastating fire in October 2022.

The future of the school has been hanging in the balance since the blaze forced pupils to relocate to temporary accommodation at Jameston Community Hall.

Legal warning to council

The Diocese, in a letter from Bishop Dorrien Davies, has formally objected to the proposed closure and says the school should instead be fully reinstated.

Lawyers acting for the Church claim the council has failed to respond adequately to previous correspondence dating back to 2023 and warned that Pembrokeshire County Council could face legal claims arising from the handling of the fire and its aftermath.

The letter states: “Our client formally objects to the proposed closure, demands full structural reinstatement of the school premises and places Pembrokeshire County Council on notice that the statutory consultation on the proposed closure and decision-making process undertaken to date is procedurally flawed.”

The Diocese argues that the council has a statutory duty to maintain the school and says any insurance money arising from the fire should be used to restore the building to its pre-fire condition.

It also alleges the council’s actions have left the Diocese exposed to mounting costs because the school remains structurally compromised.

Claims of ‘pre-determination’

The legal challenge goes further, alleging the closure process was effectively decided before the consultation had finished.

Lawyers claim council human resources staff began redundancy consultations with school staff in February 2026, before elected members had formally decided the school’s future.

According to the Diocese, this suggests the public consultation was “a perfunctory exercise rather than a genuine consideration of alternatives”.

The Diocese also accuses the authority of withholding key financial information relating to rebuilding costs, despite repeated requests.

Community opposition highlighted

The intervention comes after council consultation figures showed overwhelming opposition to closure.

Of 252 responses received, more than ninety per cent opposed plans to shut the school.

Parents and campaigners have consistently argued that Manorbier School provides a nurturing environment for children, particularly those requiring additional support, and warned that closure would damage the wider community.

The issue sparked protests outside County Hall in Haverfordwest when councillors met on Thursday (Mar 5) to consider the proposal.

Demonstrators held placards urging the council to save the school, with many arguing that promises had been made to rebuild after the fire.

Church accuses council of discrimination

In one of the strongest claims contained in the letter, the Diocese alleges Pembrokeshire County Council is showing hostility toward Church in Wales education.

The DBF argues that the proposed closure of Manorbier, alongside separate issues affecting other faith schools, demonstrates what it describes as a “systemic pattern” of undermining faith-based education in Pembrokeshire.

Lawyers claim this could amount to discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 because religion and belief are protected characteristics.

The letter also criticises the council for allegedly failing to engage properly with the Diocese over the future of the site and says decisions should not be made without a full understanding of legal and financial liabilities.

Judicial review threat

The Diocese has urged Cabinet to halt the closure proposal and instead enter into negotiations over restoring the school building.

However, if councillors proceed with plans to discontinue the school, the Church says it is prepared to seek judicial review.

The letter warns: “Should the Cabinet proceed to ratify the statutory proposal to discontinue the school on what we say are illegal and discriminatory grounds, our client reserves its rights to pursue all available legal remedies including but not limited to an application for Judicial Review.”

Council officers have previously recommended moving forward with a statutory notice to discontinue the school, arguing that closure is the most sustainable option based on falling pupil numbers, spare capacity at nearby schools, the condition of the building and value for money.

But with legal action now looming, the battle over the future of Manorbier School appears far from over.

UPDATE:

Late on Friday (Jun 12), councillors were sent a further letter from the Diocese of St Davids urging them to think carefully before Monday’s vote. The Church questioned whether a required Community Impact Assessment had been properly undertaken or disclosed, argued Manorbier’s educational standards could not fairly be criticised following a positive Estyn report in 2023, and warned members to ensure they had been given ‘accurate and full information’ before making a decision. The letter also referenced Pembrokeshire County Council’s recent High Court defeat over its Article 4 direction, where judges found councillors had been presented with flawed and incomplete information

Seven candidates confirmed for Market ward by-election following death of long-serving councillor Brian Hall

AN INTENSIVE CARE nurse from Pembroke Dock has been selected as Plaid Cymru’s candidate in a seven-way contest for a vacant seat on Pembrokeshire County Council following the death of long-serving councillor Brian Hall.

Chloe Richards, who works as a Clinical Practice Educator in the Intensive Care Unit at Withybush Hospital, will contest the Pembroke Dock: Market by-election on Thursday (Jul 9).

Richards lives in the ward and volunteers to encourage young people into nursing careers. She is also a trade union representative with the Royal College of Nursing Wales and sits on the organisation’s national steering committee for critical care.

Speaking after her selection, Richards said she was proud to stand for Plaid Cymru and paid tribute to the late Brian Hall, who had represented the community since 1996.

She said: “I am proud to stand as a Plaid Cymru candidate for the Pembroke Dock: Market by-election. I have lived in the ward since I was a teenager and know the community and its people well.

“Unfortunately, this election comes at a sad time. I would like to pay tribute to Brian Hall, who served this community as a dedicated County Councillor since 1996.

“As a nurse and as an active member of the Royal College of Nursing, I have learned how to represent people, campaign for change, and speak confidently on behalf of others. These are exactly the skills I will use to serve Pembroke Dock on Pembrokeshire County Council. I am committed to making a real difference to our community.”

Ceredigion Penfro MS Elin Jones backed Richards’ candidacy, saying: “Chloe is an excellent candidate for Pembroke Dock: Market. She already represents her colleagues in the nursing sector at a national level, and she is determined to be a strong voice for residents in the ward where she lives.”

Richards joins a crowded field of candidates contesting the by-election.

The full list of candidates published following the close of nominations is:

Paul Haywood Dowson – Independent
Claire Francis-Boswell – Independent
Lee Herring – Welsh Liberal Democrats
Ryan Morgan – Reform UK
Chloe Louise Richards – Plaid Cymru
Jamie Street – Welsh Conservative
Hayley Wood – Independent

The seat became vacant following the death of Councillor Brian Hall in April. Hall had served as county councillor for the ward for almost 30 years and was widely respected across the political divide.

Applications to register to vote must be received by midnight on Monday (Jun 23). Postal vote applications must be submitted by 5:00pm on Tuesday (Jun 24), while applications to vote by proxy must be received by 5:00pm on Wednesday (Jul 1).

Council confirms ongoing enquiries after Herald investigation into Steven Grant

CONSUMERS who say they lost money after dealings with Computer Solutions Wales may have been left falling between police, banks and Trading Standards, Pembrokeshire County Council has acknowledged.

The admission comes after The Pembrokeshire Herald raised further questions about complaints involving Steven Grant, who has operated under the Computer Solutions Wales name.

The Herald has now been contacted by numerous customers, former workers and relatives of customers who allege payments were made for repairs, equipment or services which were delayed, not completed, or not refunded.

Pembrokeshire County Council has confirmed that Trading Standards complaints relating to Mr Grant and Computer Solutions Wales remain under review, and declined to answer some questions because of what it described as “ongoing investigations”.

A council spokesperson said: “Given ongoing investigations, it would not be appropriate to answer questions 3, 4 and 5.”

Those questions related to the number of complaints recorded, whether the council’s assessment had changed, and whether ongoing enquiries included examination of any wider pattern of complaints.

Council confirms police referral gap

The Herald asked Pembrokeshire County Council whether it had formal information-sharing arrangements with Dyfed-Powys Police in cases involving potential consumer detriment or trading concerns.

The council said it maintained working relationships with police and that information was shared where appropriate, in accordance with legislation, data protection rules and established professional protocols.

However, it added that there was “no single overarching agreement that captures every type of referral”.

The council said: “Where the Police identify potential consumer detriment or trading concerns, these may be referred to the Trading Standards Team for further consideration.”

It also said a significant proportion of complaints were received through the Citizens Advice Consumer Service, which records reports on a national intelligence database and allows Trading Standards to monitor trends, identify repeat offenders and prioritise enforcement activity where necessary.

Consumers ‘falling between agencies’

The Herald also asked whether the council was concerned that some complainants might be falling between agencies — for example where police classify matters as civil, Trading Standards is not automatically notified, and financial institutions may seek police reference numbers or criminal findings before progressing reimbursement claims.

The council said: “The Council recognises the potential for some matters to fall between agency remits, particularly where issues are assessed as civil disputes rather than criminal offences.

“In such cases, the Police may not make a referral to Trading Standards, and consumers may instead be directed towards civil remedies.”

The authority said the Citizens Advice Consumer Service was intended to reduce that risk by providing a central reporting mechanism so concerns relating to consumer detriment could still be captured and assessed by Trading Standards, even where they had not been referred by police.

But the council also acknowledged problems where banks or credit card providers require police evidence before considering refunds.

The spokesperson said: “The Council is aware that challenges can arise where financial institutions require evidence such as a crime reference number before progressing reimbursement claims.

“While Trading Standards does not determine the criteria used by financial institutions, we continue to work with partners to promote clear reporting routes and ensure consumers are signposted appropriately to the most relevant agency.”

Police treated Starlink complaint as civil

The Herald had asked the council about a documented complaint from a customer who said she paid £1,427.95 for a Starlink installation which was not carried out.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed separately that it received a report of alleged fraud on October 3, 2025.

A police spokesperson said: “It was alleged that a payment had been made for services that were not subsequently delivered.

“The allegation was investigated by the force and confirmed to be a civil matter, which was communicated to the victim as well as further advice being given with regards to the returning of their funds. No further police action was taken.”

The complainant says she was left in difficulty because her bank would not refund the payment without police action.

Trading Standards said it had not been aware of that specific police complaint and said the complainant should report it through the Citizens Advice consumer helpline so it could be recorded and referred.

Earlier Trading Standards involvement

In an earlier statement to the Herald, Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed that complaints relating to Steven Grant and Computer Solutions Wales were first received by Trading Standards in October 2024.

At that stage, the council said the complaints were assessed as predominantly civil in nature and did not warrant a criminal investigation.

However, Trading Standards officers met Mr Grant to discuss concerns and offered “extensive business advice” verbally and in writing, outlining his statutory duties as a trader and steps he could take to resolve grievances.

The council said advice was also offered to complainants on how devices might be recovered and the avenues available for civil redress.

But the authority added: “Unfortunately, since this early engagement Trading Standards colleagues have been unable to obtain updates from Mr Grant, and attempts to engage in further dialogue have gone unmet.”

The council also confirmed officers were aware of changes to trading address, company status and officers.

The council said it was aware that certain matters remained unresolved and of wider complaints, and would continue to assess whether a criminal investigation might be warranted.

Customers and workers come forward

The Herald’s investigation began after customers contacted the newspaper alleging missing devices, unpaid refunds and payments for goods or services they said were not supplied.

Since publication, further people have come forward.

Among them is a Cardiff-based animator, Rebecca “Bex” Merrell, who says she paid £2,964.55 to Steven Grant trading as Computer Solutions Wales for a replacement computer in December 2024.

Bank records seen by the Herald confirm the payment. Ms Merrell says the computer was never delivered and that promised refunds did not arrive.

Her father, Jay Merrell, has also contacted the newspaper and confirmed the family’s account.

The Herald has also seen evidence from Emma Venables, an NHS worker, who says she paid £589 in October 2024 to repair her son’s water-damaged laptop.

Bank records confirm the payment. Ms Venables says she was later told the laptop was repaired but locked inside premises because of a landlord dispute. She says she later gained access to the premises through a letting agent, but the laptop was not there. She says no refund was received.

Another customer, who asked not to be named, told the Herald she paid £1,750 by credit card for a new Apple Mac and transfer of family photographs from her late husband’s old computer. She says she waited months, was given repeated explanations for delays, and eventually recovered the money through a Section 75 credit card claim.

Her original computer was later returned by a member of staff.

Pensioner’s hard drive

The Herald has also been contacted by Tanya Mardell, who says her 71-year-old father paid £600 in total in an attempt to recover data from a hard drive containing more than 10,000 family photographs.

Mrs Mardell said her father first paid £400 and later paid a further £200 after what she described as “a lot of backwards and forwards”.

She said Mr Grant still had the hard drive and that her father now wanted it returned, whether repaired or not, so he could try another company.

She said the situation had been “incredibly stressful, emotional and financially draining” for her father, who lives on his pension.

Two PCs and court order

Another complainant, Zac Townley, said he handed over two custom-built desktop PCs for repair in March 2025 and later paid £710 after being told the work was complete.

He says the computers were never returned.

Mr Townley took the matter to court. He says a hearing took place in October 2025, which Mr Grant did not attend. The court ruled in his favour and issued an order in November for the return of the two computers and repayment of £377 in court fees.

Mr Townley says the deadline passed and the computers remained unreturned.

Holiday home Wi-Fi dispute

Retired builder David Norman Barrett, who runs holiday accommodation, visited the Herald offices and said he paid Mr Grant £1,000 to install new Wi-Fi equipment at one of his rental properties.

Mr Barrett said the work was not completed and that repeated attempts to arrange follow-up visits were met with explanations that Mr Grant was unwell or dealing with other urgent matters.

“One time he said he had collapsed and was in hospital so couldn’t attend. I did not believe him,” Mr Barrett said.

He said Mr Grant later requested additional payments despite the original amount being paid upfront.

Mr Barrett said he eventually instructed another company to complete the work.

“They were excellent and finished everything properly for £600,” he said.

Mr Barrett’s grandson, Tom, confirmed his account to the newspaper.

A Herald reporter contacted Mr Grant by telephone regarding Mr Barrett’s complaint.

Mr Grant confirmed he had received money from Mr Barrett and said he was aware a second company later completed the work, but disputed the amount involved.

“Mr Barrett had given me money, but not £1,000,” he said.

Mr Grant also alleged that Mr Barrett had taken his tools, which he said was the reason he did not return to complete the job.

Mr Barrett denied that allegation.

Laptop left in pieces

The Herald has also been contacted by college tutor and self-employed seamstress Suzanne Morris, who says she had dealings with Mr Grant in 2024 after initially taking a laptop to him over a minor technical issue.

She says the laptop was later reduced to what she described as “a cardboard box full of bits”.

Ms Morris said she lost college lesson preparation, presentations, lesson plans, resources and business accounts stored on the device.

She said the loss meant she had to duplicate a significant amount of work before the start of a new term.

Ms Morris says she has catalogued and summarised her communications with Mr Grant and is willing to provide them to the Herald.

That material is still being reviewed.

Former worker tribunal judgment

The investigation has also uncovered employment-related complaints.

Employment Tribunal documents seen by the Herald show Matthew Allen brought a successful claim against Computer Solutions Pembs Ltd.

The tribunal ordered the company to pay £13,952.49 in unpaid wages, notice pay, pension contributions and holiday pay relating to employment between February and July 2023.

Mr Allen says the money remains unpaid and believes the total owed has increased due to interest.

Another former worker has also contacted the Herald alleging non-payment, lack of employment documentation and intimidation. He has asked not to be named publicly without explicit consent, and the Herald is reviewing supporting evidence.

Company status and trading history

Companies House records show Computer Solutions Pembs Ltd was dissolved on Tuesday (July 29, 2025) following compulsory strike-off proceedings.

Filings show changes to directors and persons with significant control in the months before dissolution, along with a change of registered office address from Haverfordwest to Barrow-in-Furness.

Steven Grant was appointed as a director and person with significant control in March 2025, before filings later recorded his termination and cessation as a person with significant control at the end of April 2025.

A new director and person with significant control was recorded in May 2025, shortly before the company was dissolved.

Despite the dissolution of the limited company, services continued to be advertised online under the Computer Solutions Wales name.

Archived photographs, social media posts and marketing material seen by the Herald show the Computer Solutions Wales name has been used publicly for several years, including from a high street premises in Pembrokeshire and in promotional material dating back to 2022.

A promotional post from November 2022 referred to Computer Solutions Wales being awarded a Welsh Enterprise Award, while images from 2023 show a shopfront displaying the Computer Solutions Wales branding.

Customers who contacted the Herald said they believed they were dealing with the same ongoing business regardless of the underlying limited company structure.

Online reviews

The Herald has also reviewed online reviews and public comments relating to Computer Solutions Wales.

Some reviews are positive, but many negative reviews describe experiences involving delays, disputed refunds, non-return of devices and repeated promises to deliver equipment or payments.

The newspaper has not relied on anonymous online comments as evidence unless those individuals have contacted the newsroom directly and provided supporting documentation.

Grant’s response and legal threats

Mr Grant has previously said issues arose because of a dispute with a former landlord which restricted access to premises containing customer devices.

In a statement supplied to the Herald, Computer Solutions Wales said: “This issue began when Computer Solutions Wales was in dispute with its then landlord over building repair obligations and subsequent rent requirements.

“Since then, the landlord has denied CSW access to the property which contains a number of computers. These computers do not belong to CSW nor the landlord, but to CSW customers.

“CSW does not understand the legal position regarding ‘ownership’ of these computers, and is urgently seeking legal advice as to how the computers can be returned to their rightful owners at the earliest opportunity.

“CSW fully understands the frustration of its customers, and can reassure them that it is making strenuous efforts to resolve this matter as soon as is possible.”

The Herald later asked Mr Grant to clarify why customers were not kept informed during the alleged access dispute, how many devices were affected, how long access had been restricted, and who the landlord or managing agent was so the account could be checked.

He declined to provide further comment.

Following further reporting, Mr Grant sent the Herald a cease-and-desist email alleging defamation and harassment, demanding removal of existing articles and warning of legal action.

He has also said he has complained to the Independent Press Standards Organisation.

The Herald rejects any suggestion that its reporting is harassment. The newspaper has based its coverage on documents, court records, payment evidence and on-the-record accounts, and has offered Mr Grant repeated opportunities to respond.

Police and council position

Dyfed-Powys Police has previously said matters brought to its attention in relation to Computer Solutions Wales appeared to relate to civil liability and potential consumer protection issues.

In the Starlink case, police confirmed they received a report of alleged fraud but investigated the allegation and determined it was civil.

Pembrokeshire County Council has now acknowledged that consumers can fall between agency remits where matters are assessed as civil rather than criminal.

The council has also confirmed that Trading Standards was first made aware of complaints relating to Mr Grant and Computer Solutions Wales in October 2024, that officers met Mr Grant and gave business advice, and that further attempts to obtain updates from him went unanswered.

The council says complaints should be reported through Citizens Advice so they can be recorded and referred to the relevant Trading Standards service.

How to complain

Pembrokeshire County Council says any new complaints relating to Steven Grant or Computer Solutions Wales should be directed to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.

The council said Citizens Advice can provide consumer advice, signpost further guidance and notify the relevant Trading Standards service of matters of concern.

The Herald is continuing to review further accounts and documentation from people who have come forward.