Local Government

Devauden disputes tribunal ruling as Neyland row shows no sign of ending

Published

44 seconds ago

February 8, 2026

Former councillor says legal fight will continue while wider council issues remain unresolved

FORMER Neyland town councillor David Devauden has spoken out following last week’s tribunal decision which resulted in his suspension from public office for four years.

As previously reported by The Herald, the two-day Ombudsman-related hearing at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court found that Cllr Devauden had breached the councillors’ code of conduct following complaints linked to his dealings with the town clerk and the mayor.

***Defiant:*** **Former Neyland councillor David Devauden**

In a statement to this newspaper, Mr Devauden said he strongly disputes the findings and intends to continue pursuing legal action.

Mr Devauden provided a longer statement containing additional claims about the council. The Herald has reported only those matters which can be independently verified or which were raised in open proceedings.

Hearing focused on conduct

The tribunal heard evidence from town clerk Elizabeth Anne Matthews and Mayor Peter Hay, alongside other witnesses, and examined allegations relating to Cllr Devauden’s behaviour, tone and communications.

Appearing without legal representation, Mr Devauden told the tribunal he was “nearly eighty” and said: “My brain is not as quick as it used to be.”

Although the hearing gave Cllr Devauden the opportunity to challenge the credibility of witnesses and to provide context for his dispute with the clerk, he struggled to do so. He did not mount an effective cross-examination, and frequently failed to put his own version of disputed events in a clear, structured way. As a result, the tribunal heard repeated allegations about his conduct and tone, but much less by way of explanation of the underlying grievances which he said lay behind his anger.

The panel later imposed a four-year suspension and ordered further code of conduct training.

Long-running tensions

However, the dispute at Neyland Town Council did not begin with the tribunal and is unlikely to end with it.

Over the past two years the authority has faced repeated internal conflict, public disagreements and the loss of councillors.

Former members Brian Rothero and Steve Thomas both resigned last year during the period of unrest. During the tribunal, the court heard that the situation had taken a toll on Mr Thomas’s mental health.

A further standards case is also still to be heard. The Herald understands that former councillor Brian Rothero is scheduled to face his own Ombudsman-related tribunal in the coming weeks, with the hearing expected to take place by video link.

The council has also struggled at times to fill vacancies, relying on co-options to maintain numbers. Residents have raised concerns that the ongoing instability has made it harder to attract new councillors and has contributed to what some describe as decision-making paralysis.

The Herald has previously reported on wider controversies at the authority, including disagreements over civic events, complaints about transparency, and leaked correspondence which illustrated deep divisions between councillors.

Civil claims remain live

Separately, Mr Devauden has issued two civil claims arising from events linked to Remembrance Sunday arrangements and council meetings in 2024.

One claim is against Mayor Peter Hay personally, alleging defamation, while the second is against Neyland Town Council, alleging a failure of duty. Those claims have not been tested in court and no hearing dates have yet been listed.

“Not the end of the matter”

While the tribunal ruling brings the standards process to a close, it does not determine the outcome of those civil cases or address broader questions about the council’s governance and culture.

Local Government

Milford Haven Town Council set for full council meeting

Published

18 minutes ago

February 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Budget, donations and theatre funding bid on agenda at Sea Cadets base

MILFORD HAVEN councillors will meet on Monday evening (Feb 9) for a Full Council session covering finances, community issues and updates from across the town.

The meeting will take place at the Milford Haven Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets Unit, Unit A, Havens Head Business Park, starting at 6:00pm. Remote access is available for councillors and members of the public on request.

Among the key items for discussion will be financial matters, including the acknowledgement of donations and an application for financial assistance from the New Xenon Theatre Company. Councillors are also expected to revisit minutes from a special precept-setting meeting relating to the 2026/27 budget, which were deferred from January.

The agenda includes the usual public question-and-answer session, giving residents up to ten minutes to raise issues directly with councillors.

Updates will also be heard from the Mayor, along with reports on councillor engagements and feedback from representatives serving on outside bodies.

The Milford Haven Multi-Agency Working Group will present minutes from its latest meeting, alongside a report highlighting current “areas of concern” affecting the town.

Other business includes declarations of interest and formal approval of minutes from recent council meetings.

Residents wishing to observe the meeting remotely can contact the Town Council in advance to arrange access.

Local Government

Work begins on Tŷ Haverfordia sheltered housing and reablement centre

Published

2 hours ago

February 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CONSTRUCTION work has begun on a new sheltered housing and reablement development at the former Haverfordia House site in Haverfordwest.

Pembrokeshire County Council says the scheme will deliver twenty-six affordable apartments for residents aged fifty-five and over, alongside a twelve-bed reablement centre designed to help people regain independence after leaving hospital.

The project, known as Tŷ Haverfordia, is being built by Wynne Construction and forms part of the council’s wider plan to expand accessible housing and modernise health and social care provision across the county.

Initial works began on Monday (Jan 26) and include securing the site, installing temporary offices and welfare units, and setting up a contractor compound and parking area.

Pedestrian routes to nearby facilities, including the GP surgery and leisure centre, will remain open throughout the build.

A limited number of public parking spaces, including disabled bays, have been retained, with pay and display machines relocated to reduce disruption.

Rifleman Field impact minimised

To accommodate site facilities, a small section of Rifleman Field is being used temporarily.

The area has been fenced off and the footprint kept as small as possible. The council says any affected land will be fully restored once construction is complete.

Residents will have the chance to learn more about the plans at a community drop-in session on Thursday (Feb 19) from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at The Green Room in Haverfordwest Leisure Centre.

Housing officers and project representatives will be available to answer questions and gather feedback.

Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Michelle Bateman said the start of works marked an important milestone.

She said: “I am pleased that we have finally reached the stage of commencing on site and look forward to seeing the development progressing.

“We have been able to move forward after receiving much-needed Welsh Government grant assistance for both the housing and reablement elements of the scheme.
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Community

Work on new 26-home Pembrokeshire development gets underway

Published

2 days ago

February 6, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

CONSTRUCTION work has started on a Haverfordwest scheme to provide sheltered housing apartments for the over-55s.

The Tŷ Haverfordia affordable housing and reablement development of 26 sheltered housing apartments for the over-55s alongside a dedicated 12-bed reablement centre to support residents returning home from hospital at the former Haverfordia House site, delivered by Wynne Construction, forms part of Pembrokeshire County Council’s “continued commitment to increasing high‑quality, accessible housing and deliver effective modern health and social care support across Pembrokeshire”.

Initial works began on January 26 and include securing the site, setting up a small compound and contractor parking area, installing controlled access for site personnel, and positioning temporary office and welfare units.

To maintain safe access to nearby facilities, including the GP surgery and Haverfordwest Leisure Centre, pedestrian routes through the area will remain open.

In addition, a minimum number of public parking spaces, including disabled bays, have been kept with Pay & Display machines relocated to reduce inconvenience.

In keeping the minimum number of parking spaces as well as needing to accommodate essential contractor welfare facilities, a small section of Rifleman Field has had to be used during the duration of the development of the site.

This space will be securely fenced off, and the footprint minimised. Any areas of Rifleman Field affected by the works will be fully reinstated on completion and restored to a condition that is equal to or better than at present.

To ensure residents and stakeholders are kept informed and have the opportunity to engage with the development, Pembrokeshire Housing Services will be hosting a Community Engagement Drop-in Event on Thursday, February 19, 5-7pm, at The Green Room, Haverfordwest Leisure Centre.

Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Michelle Bateman, said: “I am pleased that we have finally reached the stage of commencing on site and look forward to seeing the development progressing.

“We have been able to progress with the development after receiving much-needed Welsh Government grant assistance for both the reablement and housing parts of the development.”

Last year, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, members approved awarding a fixed contract of £13,560,454.21 to C Wynne & Son for the Haverfordia House works.

In 2019, Cabinet backed the acquisition of the freehold of Haverfordia House, with the overall intention to deliver a new housing and wellbeing facility following its demolition.

A report for members at last year’s June meeting said: “As well as providing long-term residents with a sense of place and community, it will provide short-term reablement users with the facilities and in-house support which they need to relearn the skills required to keep them safe and independent when they return home.”

It said there was a need for one-bed properties, and a review of sheltered over 55 accommodation was undertaken in 2018-19 which identified that existing sheltered housing stock is “no longer fit for purpose”.