Local Government

Minutes under scrutiny as Neyland councillor faces standards tribunal hearing

Published

3 months ago

January 13, 2026

NEYLAND TOWN COUNCIL RECORDS QUESTIONED AHEAD OF TWO-DAY CASE IN HAVERFORDWEST

QUESTIONS over the accuracy and fairness of Neyland Town Council’s official minutes have resurfaced ahead of a two-day standards tribunal hearing involving one of its members.

Councillor David Devauden is due to appear at a hearing at Haverfordwest County Court on Thursday (Jan 15) and Friday (Jan 16) from 10:00am, in connection with an alleged breach of the Code of Conduct under the Local Government Act 2000.

The renewed focus on council record-keeping comes after minutes from an earlier meeting recorded a statement that Cllr Devauden had been “found guilty by the Ombudsman” of breaching the Code of Conduct and bringing the town council into disrepute.

The wording appears in the minutes of a meeting held on Monday (Oct 6), during a discussion about civic arrangements for the Remembrance Service. In that section, the minutes record Cllr Mike Harry raising concerns about Cllr Devauden being offered a public role, referring to his behaviour in previous meetings and “the fact that Cllr Devauden had been found guilty by the Ombudsman of breaching the Code of Conduct and bringing NTC into disrepute.”

However, the standards tribunal hearing listed for this week has yet to take place. No independent finding from an Ombudsman has been produced to the public record to substantiate the claim as written in the minutes.

Cllr Devauden disputes the accuracy of the statement and says it has caused serious reputational damage. He has also claimed the language recorded in the minutes amounts to defamation, and says similar wording was later repeated in motions passed by the council.

Concerns about the accuracy of the written record have also been reflected in later council business. Minutes from the meeting held on Monday (Nov 3) show the town council postponed approval of the minutes of a previous meeting, after the Clerk asked for time to check the recording and make amendments where necessary.

The Nov 3 minutes note that the October minutes would be reviewed against the recording before being brought back for approval, underlining the importance of ensuring formal records accurately reflect what was said and decided.

Cllr Devauden has also raised concerns about the process leading to this week’s hearing, saying he has never been called before a Standards Committee and questioning whether due process has been followed.

In correspondence, he also highlighted the practical issue of documentation, claiming the maximum number of documents to be presented is 200, while he says he has more than 1,000 documents relevant to the matter, with further material continuing to be updated.

The two-day hearing is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest County Court on Thursday (Jan 15) and Friday (Jan 16), beginning at 10:00am.

Local Government

Dog bin misuse causing mess at Haverfordwest Racecourse

Published

16 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Town council says general litter is blocking dog waste bins and leaving walkers with nowhere to dispose of bagged waste properly

HAVERFORDWEST TOWN COUNCIL has urged Racecourse users to dispose of rubbish responsibly after repeated misuse of dog waste bins.

The council said it provides both general waste and dog waste facilities at the Upper and Lower Racecourse, as well as at most other green spaces it owns or maintains.

However, it has received ongoing reports — backed by photographic evidence — of general litter, including coffee cups and other rubbish, being placed in dog waste bins at Haverfordwest Racecourse.

Council officials say this misuse is causing the bins to become blocked and appear full when they are not. As a result, dog walkers are sometimes left with no option but to place bagged dog waste beside the bins, creating what the council described as an avoidable and unpleasant environment for everyone.

The council said this was not acceptable and could easily be avoided.

Dog waste bins are intended for bagged dog waste only and should not be used for general litter.

The council is asking all users to avoid putting general rubbish in dog bins and instead either take litter home or use the appropriate general waste bins available elsewhere on the Racecourse.

The town clerk thanked the majority of responsible users for their cooperation and said their support helps keep the Racecourse clean and welcoming for everyone.

Local Government

Haverfordwest faces weeks of road disruption as resurfacing works roll on

Published

21 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Closures, temporary lights and phased schemes across key routes are set to affect drivers, businesses and town-centre traffic into May

DRIVERS in Haverfordwest are facing weeks of disruption as a programme of resurfacing works hits key roads in and around the town.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s roadworks listings show temporary traffic lights on Haven Road and Portfield from Tuesday, April 22 to Tuesday, April 29 as resurfacing work is carried out. At the same time, motorists are already dealing with delays on Main Street, where temporary lights have been in place since March 25 because of a dangerous structure.

Town council information also shows High Street is due to close for two days from Saturday, April 25, adding to concerns about congestion in the town centre and disruption for shoppers, businesses and local traffic.

And the disruption is not expected to end there. Further resurfacing works are also planned at Merlins Hill, Winch Lane and St Thomas Green during the weeks that follow, meaning drivers could face a rolling programme of delays into May.

The works form part of the council’s annual road maintenance programme and come after Pembrokeshire County Council said its newly approved 2026-27 budget would direct extra funding towards front-line services including road repairs, gully clearing and highway maintenance.

While many motorists will welcome smoother and safer road surfaces in the longer term, the timing is likely to frustrate residents and businesses already coping with traffic issues in Haverfordwest. With several schemes either under way or imminent, the impact could be felt well beyond the roads directly affected as drivers look for alternative routes.

The overlap between resurfacing works and existing restrictions is likely to increase pressure on surrounding roads, particularly at busy times of day and as spring visitor numbers begin to rise. Businesses in the town centre may also be concerned that closures and delays could affect trade.

Motorists are being urged to allow extra time for journeys and to check for updated traffic information before travelling.

Local Government

Milford Haven launches search for Citizens’ Awards 2026 nominees

Published

3 days ago

April 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Residents invited to honour people who make the town proud

MILFORD HAVEN TOWN COUNCIL is calling on residents to nominate local people for its Citizens’ Awards 2026.

The annual awards recognise individuals who make a positive difference in the community and help make Milford Haven a place people feel proud to call home.

In a public appeal, the council asked: “Who makes you feel proud of Milford Haven? Please let us know. It’s time to celebrate those who really need to be celebrated.”

Residents are being encouraged to put forward the names of people they believe deserve recognition for their contribution to the town.

The council has also made clear that previous award recipients cannot be considered for further awards.

A full list of past winners can be found on Milford Haven Town Council’s website.