News

Motions ‘kicked into the long grass’

Published

10 years ago

February 13, 2015

County Hall

MEMBERS of the Corporate Governance Committee felt that two notices of motion were being ‘kicked into the long grass’ on Monday.

Cllrs Viv and Mike Stoddart both saw their motions sent to the Constitutional Issues Working Group, a group which has not met since April 2014.

The working group was the subject of much debate and Council Leader Jamie Adams stated that he was happy to commit to the group meeting by the end of February but other councillors were not convinced.

Cllr Mike Stoddart proposed that a person putting forward a Notice of Motion, if he/she wishes, could propose that it be debated on the day and the council would vote on the matter.

Cllr Michael Williams said: “I find the recommendation a bit strange because in the leaders’ meeting last week there was a general acceptance that the Constitutional Issues Working Group was at best in a state of complete torpor. When did it last meet? This is certainly a boot into the long grass”.

Acting Head of Paid Service Ian Westley added: “This particular issue was raised by myself because whilst I understand there are issues about how often this group has met and how affective it might have been, the issue that was raised at that meeting was in fact that it is still in place and we should bring it back on track and use it for its intended purpose. This is nothing to do with kicking things into long grass”.

Cllr Kilmister added: “We already have a constitution which says how a notice of motion should be dealt with and that should be that it goes to this committee for a decision and then it goes on to council. This committee is being used in the wrong way. We need to put it back to council and stop referring these things. We shouldn’t be extending this process. We need to determine this and if it goes to the working group it will be lost for months to come. They haven’t once looked at the notices of motion and it is a complete farce!”

Cllr Jacob Williams said: “These issues do not need to go off to a Constitutional Issues Working Group, which is, in my opinion, kicking it into the long grass and I would also disagree that this committee should be able to kick it there without it going back to council”.

Cllr Viv Stoddart proposed that non-executive members should be allowed to ask questions or comment on an agenda item at an executive meeting.

She said: “My motion seeks to close the gap at Pembrokeshire County Council. A non-executive member can send representations to the Cabinet member who may inform the Cabinet of the issues brought to his or her attention. The key word there is ‘may’. Non-executive members should not have their representations subject to the whim of the Cabinet member. This discretion affords the Cabinet member an opportunity to abuse their positions of power.

“If we go back to autumn 2013, when the proposed merger of schools in my ward was on the agenda for the November Cabinet meeting, I emailed my contribution to all members; did the cabinet member raise my email? There wasn’t a word from the cabinet member.

“There is no equality of arms between the non-executive member and the cabinet member. The Cabinet member, during the debate, can make the case for his ward. This gives them an unfair advantage over the non-executive members.

“When it comes to scrutiny, in September, the leader accepted that Cabinet members needed to be more inclusive in the way they dealt with members.

“If this is accepted it will be seen by the public as being more open and transparent”.

Council Leader Jamie Adams said: “We need to recognise that the process of undertaking a complete review of the constitution is the way forward to provide a firm footing for the council to operate.

“The opportunity is with us to shape how we operate in the future; we’ve got an opportunity in our grasp within three months we could have that on the table. I would suggest our efforts be concentrated on that rather than adopting well-meaning aspects of change when we can have a fundamental review”.

Cllr Jacob Williams said: “I completely support the proposal and it is interesting as the leader says it’s got merit so I can’t see why he would be keen to kick it into the long grass. We’ve got to grab the bull by the horns and get on with it”.

Cllr Kilmister stated that Cabinet should be more accessible and that it was time for councillors to speak for themselves.

Ian Westley added: “I share your frustrations. As officers we are being told of the need to redraft elements of the constitution, it’s in all of our interests to do. You’ve heard the leader commit to calling a meeting of the Constitutional Issues Working Group before the end of this month and his commitment to attempt to get the constitution redrafted by the annual council which is not four months away”.

Speaking earlier in the meeting, he stated that he saw the recommendations for the two agenda items as a positive way of moving forward.

Council Leader Jamie Adams added: “It has proved difficult and we’ve probably got bogged down which is why we agreed a set of principles to guide the council forward. If we’re chipping away at the current constitution I don’t believe we would be doing ourselves much of a service and I gave the commitment at the leaders meeting and I am happy to do it again here that I see a real opportunity to get a new working constitution to council by the AGM this year. I’d like to think that is a far better way forward”.

Education

Excellent progress on the construction of new lower school building at Portfield School

Published

1 hour ago

May 20, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PUPILS from Portfield School have had the exciting opportunity to leave their mark on history as work continues at pace at their fantastic new school.

The pupils attended an event to mark the reaching of the highest point of the new building, traditionally known as the ‘topping-out’ ceremony. The event gave pupils a chance to sign one of the first steel beams, and leaving handprints on a wall, symbolising their role at the heart of the school community and the bright future ahead.

The event was hosted by Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd and was attended by staff, pupils, governors, senior Council officers and officers from the project team to celebrate the key milestone.

Headteacher Sarah Hartley said: “We were thrilled to involve our pupils in this important moment. The new building represents a new chapter for Portfield School, and it’s wonderful that our children could be part of its foundations.”

The Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, Cllr. Guy Woodham, said that he was extremely pleased at the progress being made.

“Whilst I was unable to attend the event myself, my colleagues have shared with me their experience of the event, and the excellent progress being made on the new building at the school.

“This development will provide much needed modern, inclusive accommodation for the learners, and I am particularly pleased that the project remains on budget, and on programme, which means that Portfield School will be in a position to move into the building in December 2025.”

Following their visit, pupils made the following comments: “We had to wear protective clothing before entering the building site. Being able to write my name on one of the walls in the new building was really cool. I am very grateful to have been chosen to write my name in the new build it is extremely cool. Even though I am leaving this year my name will be there for ever.”

“Oh it was fun! I put my hand in paint and then put it on the wall.”

The project is being funded by Welsh Government and Pembrokeshire County Council as part of the Sustainable Communities for Learning Capital programme.

Charity

Woman spared jail after drunken assault on two police officers

Published

1 hour ago

May 20, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE woman battling a complex range of mental health issues has narrowly avoided prison after spitting at and assaulting two police officers while heavily intoxicated.

Elisha Callen, 25, of Glenview Avenue, Pembroke Dock, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week for sentencing after admitting two counts of assaulting emergency workers and being drunk and disorderly in a public place.

The court heard that on April 21, Callen was found in a severely intoxicated state on Larch Road, Milford Haven. Officers attempted to calm her, but she became increasingly aggressive.

“She was told to behave herself, but she failed,” said Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies.

Following her arrest, Callen lashed out at officers at the station—striking one and spitting in the face of another.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, one of the officers said: “As a police officer, we expect to face conflict on a daily basis, but I don’t expect to be spat on by someone I’ve never met before.”

Callen later told officers she had no recollection of the incident.

Her solicitor, Tom Lloyd, urged magistrates to impose a suspended sentence, arguing she had significant mental health issues and was engaging with support services.

“Letting her attempt to seek help on her own hasn’t worked,” he said. “If you look at the marks on her neck and hands, you can see this is someone with far more going on than just anxiety and depression.”

“This is an individual with complex needs who is extremely upset by what happened and wants to apologise to every officer involved,” he added.

Magistrates imposed an 18-week custodial sentence, suspended for 24 months. Callen must also comply with a mental health treatment requirement, attend 25 rehabilitation activity days with drug and alcohol support, and complete a 120-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement.

“I can’t emphasise enough that this is your last chance,” the presiding magistrate warned. “You’ve come that close to custody.”

Callen was also ordered to pay £85 costs, a £154 victim surcharge, and £100 in compensation to each of the two officers.

As she left court, Callen said: “Thank you so much. This won’t happen again. I just need support.”

Charity

Blue Lagoon to open for charity event during May half-term

Published

3 hours ago

May 20, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Fundraiser to support Milford Youth Matters and celebrate community spirit

BLUESTONE’S Blue Lagoon Water Park will be opening its doors to the public for a special charity evening this May half-term – with every penny raised going to support a local youth charity.

The event, which takes place on Tuesday 27 May at 5:30pm, is part of the Bluestone Foundation’s popular community events programme. Up to 600 local residents will be welcomed to enjoy a fun-filled evening at the park, while raising funds for Milford Youth Matters – a third-sector organisation supporting young people in Pembrokeshire.

This will be the third Blue Lagoon charity event of the year. The two previous evenings raised a combined total of £7,854 for the Megan Starr Foundation in February and Fishguard and Goodwick’s POINT youth trust in April.

The Bluestone Foundation – the charitable arm of Bluestone National Park Resort – was created in 2010 to support environmental, economic and social initiatives across the county. Through its Community Events and Community Fund schemes, it has awarded more than £250,000 to local projects to date.

Milford Youth Matters works with young people aged 11 to 25, offering vocational training, volunteering, and work-based learning opportunities alongside social activities. The charity has already supported over 500 young people across the county.

Dayle Gibby, Co-ordinator at Milford Youth Matters, said:
“We’re all about investing in young people. The support from the Bluestone Foundation means we can evolve and try new activities, reach new audiences, and remove financial barriers that often stand in the way of young people’s development.

“In recent years, we’ve developed a strong relationship with Bluestone. Many of the young people we support now work there, which is a great example of how our work is helping young people gain the skills they need for employment – right here in Pembrokeshire.”

Mike Slack from the Bluestone Foundation added:
“We’re looking forward to hosting our third charity event of the year at the Blue Lagoon. These evenings are a great opportunity for local families to enjoy themselves while supporting brilliant causes. Milford Youth Matters is a fantastic organisation, and we’re proud to help them continue their vital work.”

More information about the Bluestone Foundation can be found at:
https://www.bluestonewales.com/about-us/bluestone-foundation