News

‘Scandalous’ and ‘appalling’: Leighton Andrews

Published

10 years ago

February 5, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Bryn’s Porsche targeted again: Leighton Andrews.

WELSH Public Services Minister has announced his intention to crackdown on Chief Officer pay in local government.

Citing the provision to Mr Parry-Jones of a Porsche Panamera, reported in The Herald last May, as ‘appalling’, Mr Andrews went on to state that stories about the pay and pay-offs offered to council chief executives were ‘scandalous’.

The comments formed part of a biting critique of the quality of local government leadership across Wales, which Mr Andrews condemned as reactionary and not doing enough to head off crises in key services councils deliver.

Asking why councils seemed satisfied to wait for inspectors to point out ‘major failings’ in ‘big services areas like education and social services’, rather than tackle problems themselves, the Minister went on to say that it was “time for action” on local government in Wales.

Speaking ahead of an address to the Institute of Welsh Affairs on Tuesday (Jan 20), Mr Andrews repeated his determination to reduce the £25m annual cost of senior council officers’ pay ‘very significantly’.

Mr Andrews’ view followed hot on the heels of Plaid Cymru Leader Leanne Woods’ statement regarding senior officer pay, which showed that Pembrokeshire’s Chief Officer received fifteen and a half times the pay of the council’s lowest paid employee.

Responding on the question of pay ratios, Council Leader, Jamie Adams, said: “We do not have a Chief Executive at present and the table does not reflect the current position as regards to the Acting Head of Paid Service. It is still to be established whether or not the Authority appoints a new Chief Executive and therefore the issue of the salary level is still to be decided.”

Mr Andrews’ comments form part of an aggressive campaign by the Welsh Government to shake up local government and public services in Wales. It is known that the Health Minister Mark Drakeford is considering plans to further streamline the structure of health-care provision in Wales, with an emphasis on bringing the few recalcitrant Community Health Council’s into line. While Mr Andrews’ reputation as a political bruiser is demonstrated by the brutal way he dealt with Cardiff Metropolitan University while Education Minister.

The use of local government as a political football is not, however, confined to politicians from Cardiff Bay. Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb has attracted criticism for his comments about the travails of Pembrokeshire County Council, with Cllr Mike Stoddart saying that the MP’s intervention is ‘a belated attempt to jump on the anti-IPPG bandwagon’.

Mr Stoddart goes on to challenge Stephen Crabb to produce evidence of his public pronouncements on the subject during the last ’well over ten years’; saying that this should not be difficult as he has been ‘saying this for a long time’.

BBC Wales have reported that the council is shortly to reveal just how much it paid in monthly instalments for the former Chief Executive’s Porsche Panamera, having failed in an attempt to conceal it.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

5 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

12 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

13 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.