CODE OF CONDUCT complaints to the Ombudsman against Pembrokeshire councillors have declined from previous years to date, from a peak of 42 in 2022-23 down to seven so far this year, members of the standards committee heard.

A complaints/concerns log was established back in 2022, the latest statistics including complaints made between January to May 2026.

A report for members at the May 12 Standards Committee meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council said: “Complaint volumes have fluctuated across the reporting periods, with the highest levels recorded in 2022-2023,” the report said, adding: “This was followed by a notable reduction in 2023-2024, a partial increase during 2024-2025 and a significant decline in the most recent period. The data for January to May 2026 indicates a continuation of this downward trend, with only a small number of complaints recorded to date.

“While this period covers fewer months than previous reporting years, the reduced volume nonetheless represents a marked contrast to earlier years.”

Statistics from previous years showed county and town and community council level complaints mostly dealt with by informal resolution or ombudsman investigation of: May 2022- April 23, 42; May 2023-April 24, 23; May 2024-April 25, 30; and 10 in May 2025-December 25.

There were 121 complaints received over the period May 2022 to May ‘26; 40 of them harassment, bullying or false accusations, 22 social media-related, 18 meeting behaviour, and 14 altercations with members of the public.

Of the latest complaints received since January, there were six harassment, three social media, two altercation, and one meeting behaviour, with seven complaints referred to the Ombudsman to date.

The report said, across all reporting periods, complaints relating to harassment, bullying and conduct at meetings remain the most common categories, although their frequency has reduced over time.

It added: “Complaints relating to town and community councils continue to account for most cases overall, however very few such complaints have been recorded since January 2026. Taken together, the data suggests a stabilisation of complaint numbers following earlier peaks, with the January to May 2026 position indicating a particularly low level of recorded concerns.”

Seven complaints referred to the Ombudsman highlighted in the report since the start of this year were: an alleged bullying and harassment claim at community council level, currently being investigated; a county council level claim of failure to treat others with respect; discriminatory conduct based on political affiliation, no further action taken; town council level bullying and harassment, disqualified for three years; and a town council level claim of making unsubstantiated or misleading statements, failure to uphold equality principles, conduct bringing the office into disrepute, no further action taken.

It also included three claims currently in the assessment stage: town council level bullying, intimidation, and threatening behaviour; a county level bringing the office or authority into disrepute; and a community council level claim of lack of openness and transparency, improper decision‑making, failure to act with integrity and accountability, and failure to provide accurate records.

All three dated to March.

Committee members agreed to note the report.

PEMBROKE’S Monkton ward will soon have a new town councillor after its previous representative secured a seat in the Senedd as one of six new members for the Ceredigion Penfro seat.

A notice of casual vacancy for the Monkton ward of Pembroke Town Council was publicised yesterday, May 11.

If no written request is made to the county council’s returning officer, the town council may fill the vacant seat by co-option.

The seat was made vacant following now-former town councillor Reform’s Susan Claire Archibald becoming a Senedd member for the new Ceredigion Penfro Senedd ward, one of two Reform candidates to do so.

At the Senedd count on May 8, the former councillor spoke on behalf of herself, fellow Reform winner Paul Marr, and the party’s supporters, saying the supporters would need “new shoes,” given Ceredigion Penfro’s “ginormous constituency”.

She added: “Paul and I are obviously very excited to get to work to representing our constituency of Ceredigion and Penfro.”

The six Senedd members for the new Ceredigion Penfro ward, which saw three Plaid seats, two Reform and one Welsh Conservatives gained, are: Elin Jones, Kerry Ferguson, and Anna Nicholl Plaid Cymru; Susan Claire Archibald and Paul Marr Reform; Welsh Conservatives Paul Windsor Davies.

A formal request for an election to fill the vacant Monkton seat may be made to: Returning Officer, Pembrokeshire County Council, Electoral Services, County Hall, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA61 1TP.

The town council itself saw, last weekend, the inauguration of Councillor Jonathan Grimes, also joint county councillor for Pembroke Monkton and St Mary South, as the 647th Mayor of Pembroke.

Accompanied by his wife, Councillor Deborah Willcocks, a civic lunch was held at the town hall, Main Street, successfully raising £350 in support of his chosen charity, Sandy Bear.

The weekend also saw a service at St Mary’s Church, where the Bishop of St Davids offered a blessing for the newly installed bells.

TENBY postman Dai Morgan has described serving the town as “the honour of my life” after being appointed mayor for a fourth consecutive year.

Cllr Morgan took office on Friday and was praised by fellow councillors for his sincerity, integrity and practical approach to the role.

In proposing him, Cllr Lawrence Blackhall said: “He appears relaxed and laid back but don’t be fooled – he is a smart and capable operator.”

Cllr Morgan, whose postal round covers the Whitland and Llanboidy areas, will again be supported by his wife Melanie as mayoress. His daughter Erin serves as town crier, while his son Miles helps as a stand-in mace-bearer.

Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall described him as “astute, charismatic, dignified, honest, trustworthy, conscientious, empathetic, kind, caring and humble”, adding: “As I like to call him, my big friendly giant.”

Thanking councillors for placing their trust in him again, Cllr Morgan said: “It has been the honour of my life to serve Tenby.

“I remain committed to working hard, representing Tenby with pride, and doing all I can to support our community in the year ahead.”

He said the town council’s new office and hub at the De Valence Pavilion had become a place “at the heart of the community”.

He added: “If we can continue building a council that is approachable, active, and rooted in the community, then we are moving in the right direction.

“But challenges remain, and the only way we can continue making progress is to work together.”

Cllr Morgan also paid tribute to former town clerk Andrew Davies, who recently retired after nearly 24 years’ service, and to former councillor Trevor Hallett, who died in March aged 86.

He announced the creation of the Trevor Hallett Award, an annual honour to recognise people who show outstanding dedication to Tenby.

Cllr Morgan said: “It’s a small gesture but one that ensures Trevor will always be remembered by the town to which he gave outstanding service.”

This year, Cllr Morgan will also take on a personal challenge as he prepares to compete in Ironman Wales for the second time.

Photos: Gareth Davies Photography