PROPOSALS for a Pembrokeshire Church in Wales school is to be discontinued are “fundamentally flawed,” in part due to land ownership issues, councillors heard.

At last May’s meeting, Pembrokeshire County Council considered a report of the School Modernisation Working Group which outlined the findings of a review of education provision in the Preseli area.

A later July meeting backed a general consultation to discontinue Cilgerran Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School, and to establish it as a 3-11 community school.

“In particular, the review considered the extent of surplus school places in the area, set against a significant decline in the pupil population,” the council in its consultation has said.

The consultation closed on January 30.

Hundreds have opposed the proposed changes, with a petition, on the council’s own website opposing the changes recently closing after gaining 391 signatures.

Any petition of more than 100 signatures triggers a debate at a council scrutiny committee, in the case of Cilgerran that debate taking place at the February 5 schools and learning overview and scrutiny committee.

The Cilgerran e-petition, created by Louise Williams, said of the proposed changes: “Ysgol Cilgerran VC school has strong links with the Church community in Cilgerran and we believe this [change] will have a negative impact on the children who attend the school, the community of Cilgerran and the links between the two.
“We are proud of our school ethos and values which are strengthened by our links with the church. The school has close and strong relationships with our Church in Wales federation governors one of which is also our safeguarding governor.

“Our Church Federation governors work closely with the school and are regular visitors to the school and the children. They provide vital support and guidance to the school and have a positive impact on the children’s education. We believe these links will be weakened by this proposal to remove our VC status and we believe this is an un-necessary action.”

Speaking at the meeting, vice-chair of the school governors Gary Fieldhouse said the loss of the Church in Wales status would be “a profound mistake,” the school’s association with the church “not symbolic but fundamental,” with “a sense of belonging” that would not be the same if it lost that link and would “change the essence of what we are”.

He said the were issues of land ownership, and the “thriving” school, in a strong financial position with no deficit, was likely to benefit in terms of numbers when a new housing estate in the village was built.

Reverend John Cecil said the proposals were “fundamentally flawed,” with the school’s land legally in trust as a Church of Wales school, and change “essentially creating a new school with no premises to occupy”.

Cabinet member for education Cllr Guy Woodham repeated assurances he had given when petitions for other schools in the county, which are facing potential closures, saying final reports on the school’s future would be “as balanced as possible”.

“I’m happy to give that assurance again; to present in a fair way so councillors can make an informed decision.”

Members heard that legal conversations connected with that issue were ongoing, agreeing to note the petition.

A report on the final proposals will be brought to a future council meeting.

Annual memorial service at Milford Haven Cemetery to remember those who never returned home

A MEMORIAL service will be held at Milford Haven Cemetery to honour local fishermen who lost their lives at sea on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

Organised by Milford Haven Town Council, the annual gathering gives families, friends and residents the opportunity to come together in quiet reflection and remembrance of those who made their living on the water but never returned home.

The service will start at 11am and will be officiated by Rev Dr Adrian Furse SSC.

Milford Haven has long been shaped by its fishing and maritime industries, with generations of local families connected to the sea. While the harbour has provided work and prosperity, it has also brought tragedy, with storms and accidents claiming lives over the years.

The service will include prayers, readings and the laying of wreaths, creating a moment for the community to pause and acknowledge the sacrifices made by fishermen past and present.

Town councillors say the event is always a moving occasion and are encouraging anyone with links to the fishing community, as well as members of the wider public, to attend and show their support.

The aim, they say, is to ensure those who were lost are never forgotten and that their contribution to the town’s heritage continues to be recognised.

Residents wishing to attend or find out more can contact Milford Haven Town Council on 01646 692505 or visit www.milfordhaven-tc.gov.wales.

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.

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.