News

Our county the reason why Wales has to change

Published

11 years ago

February 24, 2015

WELSH Public Services Minister Leighton Andrews did not pull any punches when making the case for reform of local government. Highlighting events

Leighton Andrews: For reform of
local government.

in Pembrokeshire as an example of why reform was needed, the minister heavily criticised the authority over the size of former chief Bryn Parry- Jones’s remuneration package and was scathing about the perks doled out to the man dubbed ‘Pensioner of the Year’ by Private Eye. Leighton Andrews gave a hint that he anticipated movement from the UK Labour Party on the controversial Barnett formula, by which public funds are distributed across the UK.

Responding to a question about the commitment in the 2011 Assembly Manifesto to redress the balance of public funding between the different parts of the UK, the Minister told The Herald: “Ed Milliband has made it clear that he wants to see a fair funding formula for Wales and he will, I am sure, have something to say about this at this weekend’s Welsh Labour conference.”

He also said that he was open to the idea of reforming Dyfed as a local authority area, from which Pembrokeshire gained hard-fought independence only eighteen years ago. Visiting Pembrokeshire to discuss local government reform and council leadership, the Minister said: “We want to see a very clear distinction between the role of leader of the council and the role of the Chief Executive. In many authorities in Wales, there is clarity and people understand their roles and the difference between the political leadership and the executive leadership of the authority. Other authorities, however, we regard as being officer-led.

I think councillors have been afraid to challenge senior officers and we have, I’m afraid, seen some evidence of this in Pembrokeshire.” On the issue of the Chief Officer’s remuneration he was equally forthright: “I do not think it is acceptable for any chief executive to have a car allowance that is over twice the basic pay of other council employees, or that it can be considered appropriate for a council chief executive to be offered a luxury car, like a Porsche, by the local authority.

I think that the situation we have seen here, in Pembrokeshire, has demonstrated that things have got completely out of hand. We have taken measures to tackle this by establishing an Independent Remuneration Panel to assess senior officers’ pay. In the White Paper, we speak about an Appointments Commission for Wales for senior council staff.

I think that is a proposal that is worthy of consideration.” Highlighting a policy area that will strike accord with opposition parties at County Hall, the Minister detailed proposals to ensure that councillors are accountable to their electorate: “We have a lot to say about the political leadership in the White Paper; including the way in which we think leaders should present a manifesto so that they can be held to the promises they make.”

Mr Andrews did not underestimate the size of the task he faces or the magnitude of the test ahead: “I would say on balance that most council leaders would prefer the status quo. But I do not think that is a viable option. We have seen over recent years, service failures in social services and in education services. When I was education minister, of course, I had to intervene in Pembrokeshire. We have seen a lot of stories about the perks and payoffs of Chief Executives, not least in Pembrokeshire and the scandal of the Porsche.

I think that the public are getting fed up with what has been going on with local government in Wales. I don’t think that anybody in an ideal world would have created a system with 22 councils.” He continued: “I don’t think it will be an easy sell. There will be widespread public debate on the issue and the discussions that are ongoing will not be finished by the time of the next Assembly elections in 2016. There will need to be a consensus to move forward in the Assembly and that will require at least one other party to come on board with the Welsh Government, in my view.”

The Herald pointed out that, on the basis of what Carmarthenshire Council Leader Kevin Madge, a Labour member, had told it last year, that there was not even consensus within the Labour Party on local government reform. Acknowledging the point with good humour, Mr Andrews told us: “There is division in every political party within Wales, based on the conversations I’ve had. I think that is inevitable. Change of this nature needs a lot of discussion and, let’s be honest about this, there are a lot of vested interests involved in the process. There has been a lot of conversations over the last twelve months and those discussions will continue.”

We asked the minister about the prospect of forcing councils to merge, pointing out that Ceredigion had declined the chance to discuss merger with Pembrokeshire when it was the Williams Commission’s preferred option: “I am going to meet the Ceredigion leader later. While the Williams Commission suggested a merger with Ceredigion, it also set out the option of reforming Dyfed as a local authority area. So, there is more than one option to consider going forward.”

We asked how the reorganization would be funded, bearing in mind that councils are feeling the effect of Westminster’s cut in funding to the Welsh Government, which then has to pass on those cuts to local authorities under its control: “These are tough times, and tough times for everybody within local government. There is a cost to merging and a cost to not merging. We have given councils the opportunities to collaborate better together, to look at appointing officers together and save council tax payers’ money.

They have failed to do that and the opportunity costs of not merging are sometimes overlooked.” It seemed from his answer that the minister thought that the savings made would fund the costs of mergers. We asked whether that was really the case: “Ultimately I think that will be true. We have seen a number of estimates of the level of savings that will be made. A review commissioned by the Welsh Local Government Association suggested that savings of £65m a year could be made.

Those are very substantial savings. We will look at all of the costings as we look at our proposals.” One particular proposal that has attracted a lot of comment is that of term limits on service both as a councillor and as a member of a council’s cabinet. We asked whether the Minister would lobby for term limits for AM’s, as well: “I’m relaxed about that. We don’t have a government policy on it. However, we don’t have the powers to set term limits for Assembly Member: that is reserved to the UK government.”

Community

St David’s Day parade brings colour and celebration to Haverfordwest

Published

1 day ago

February 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HAVERFORDWEST town centre was a hive of activity today (Friday, Feb 27) as hundreds of children from schools across Pembrokeshire took part in a special St David’s Day celebration.

The popular parade, organised by the Pembrokeshire Language Forum, returned to the county town once again, with smiles all round from participants and spectators who lined the streets to watch.

Children paraded down High Street, through Bridge Street and along Quay Street, led by Samba Doc, before gathering at Picton Playing Fields for songs and dancing during an open-air jamboree with entertainer Tomos Tanllyd.

Pembrokeshire County Council Leader Cllr Jon Harvey said: “St David’s Day is always a special occasion in Pembrokeshire, and it was wonderful to see so many young people coming together to celebrate our language, culture and national identity.”

Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, Cllr Guy Woodham added: “The annual St David’s Day parade is a shining example of what schools in Pembrokeshire do to celebrate the Welsh language and culture, and they are certainly enthusiastic about it.”

Council Vice Chairman and Champion for the Welsh Language and Children and Young People, Cllr Delme Harries said: “It was fantastic to see such enthusiasm from pupils across the county, proudly celebrating St David’s Day.”

Local member Cllr Tom Tudor also praised the event, adding: “It really was a great celebration of St David’s Day and a highlight for Haverfordwest.”

Welsh Language Development Officer Catrin Phillips said the event continues to grow each year.

She said: “The St David’s Day parade, organised by the Pembrokeshire Language Forum, is always a highlight of the year and it’s wonderful to bring schools together to celebrate Welsh language and culture in such a joyful way.

“It has been especially encouraging to see new schools joining us this year, helping the event continue to grow.”

Crime

Axe gang stormed home as couple feared they would be killed, court hears

Published

2 days ago

February 26, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Five masked men smashed their way into property during terrifying late-night raid

A COUPLE feared they were about to be murdered when a masked gang armed with axes burst into their home, a jury at Swansea Crown Court has heard.

Five men dressed in dark clothing and balaclavas forced entry to the property shortly before 9:00pm on May 29, 2021, in what prosecutors say was a planned aggravated burglary. An emergency call was made at 8:51pm.

Prosecutor Mr Wright read to jurors a police statement from homeowner David Davies, who said he had been sitting with his partner, Carmen Bailey, when he heard loud banging at the front door.

“As I got to the entrance, the glass in the door was smashed and the men came through,” he said.

He described five intruders, all carrying axes. One of the men shouted: “Lay face down on the floor.”

Moments later, another voice yelled: “She’s on the phone,” after Ms Bailey contacted police. A further shout of “Let’s go boys” was then heard before the gang fled.

Mr Davies told officers that drawers throughout the property had been opened. Around £3,000 hidden in a spare room was not discovered, but two £50 notes were stolen along with a sanitary item and a Lloyds Bank paying-in book.

He attempted to follow the men as they left and saw the rear of a white SUV. Although his mobile phone had been smashed, it was still functioning.

In a later statement he described one suspect carrying a yellow-and-black rubber-handled axe, adding that another man “hopped out like a kangaroo” as he entered the property.

Ms Bailey said she was left utterly traumatised by the ordeal.

“I was absolutely petrified,” she said. “I felt like I was going to get murdered.”

She told police she could only see the men’s eyes through their balaclavas as she grabbed the house phone and called emergency services. A male voice shouted: “Where’s the money?”

The force of the attack shattered glass up to two metres into the hallway, the court heard.

A third witness, Doreen Jones, said she had phoned Mr Davies during the incident and heard male voices shouting: “Get down, get down.”

The investigation

Jurors were told that a white Nissan Juke — stolen in the Manchester area and fitted with cloned number plates — was later recovered near Paradise Nightclub in Pontardawe after the registration plates had been removed.

Several other men have already pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, but Mohammed Mills and Michael Quinn deny involvement.

When Mills was arrested, officers recovered £235 in cash and a black iPhone. A vehicle linked to him was searched, leading to the discovery of a machete with an orange handle, black gloves and a balaclava.

Quinn was arrested in November 2021. Officers recovered a gold iPhone and a machete, while a large knife was found under his bed at home. A Nokia handset seized from him contained very little data, most of which had been deleted.

Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras placed vehicles linked to the defendants in the Bryncethin area at 6:40pm. Both vehicles were later seen at McDonald’s in Morriston at 7:35pm and at a Tesco service station at 8:32pm — around twenty minutes before the burglary.

There is no CCTV footage of the break-in itself.

The prosecution case

The prosecution allege the burglary was carefully planned, including what they describe as a “dry run” the previous day. They say the vehicles travelled together from Manchester and that the meeting in the area had been pre-arranged.

Jurors were told telecommunications evidence, including phone activity and satnav data, places devices linked to the defendants in relevant locations.

The defence

Mills claims he had recently started taxi work and was paid to drive men to Wales, saying he did not know their intentions. He denies wearing a balaclava and says the machete recovered was not his. His barrister told the court he cooperated fully with police and provided access to his phone.

Quinn maintains he travelled to Wales to sell his Vauxhall Insignia and denies any knowledge of the burglary. He says the knife found under his bed was used for dismantling furniture.

The judge reminded jurors that emotion must play no part in their deliberations and that the verdict is theirs alone.

The trial continues.

News

NRW invites feedback on draft decision to issue Withyhedge landfill permit variation

Published

2 days ago

February 26, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NATURAL RESOURCES WALES (NRW) is seeking public feedback after reaching a draft decision to approve changes to the environmental permit for the Withyhedge Landfill site in Pembrokeshire.

Following what it described as a detailed technical assessment, NRW said it is “minded to” grant a permit variation requested by the site operator, Resources Management UK Ltd. The variation would amend the environmental permit that controls how the site operates (permit number EPR/MP3330WP, application reference PAN-025929).

A four-week public consultation has now opened and will run until Thursday, March 26, 2026. NRW said all responses will be considered before any final decision is made.

The operator is proposing several changes, including alterations to the final shape of the land once the landfill is capped, updates to monitoring and management arrangements for groundwater, surface water and leachate, and the addition of up to 50,000 tonnes of waste soils for restoration purposes under a new waste recovery activity.

The application also includes consolidation and modernisation of the permit, including a review of existing improvement and pre-operational conditions.

NRW said it considers the proposed changes acceptable and believes they could help ensure the site operates without causing harm to the environment or nearby communities.

Residents are being encouraged to provide feedback on issues such as emissions, potential health impacts, environmental risks and how waste is managed at the site.

However, NRW stressed that certain matters fall outside its remit and cannot be considered as part of the consultation. These include planning issues handled by the local authority, such as the site’s location, traffic levels, visual impact, land use, access arrangements and operating hours.

Huwel Manley, Head of South West at Natural Resources Wales, said: “We know the community has a long-standing interest in what happens at Withyhedge Landfill, and we take that responsibility seriously.

“Given the history of the site and the concerns people have previously raised, we promised to take an approach that goes further than our usual consultation process for a permit variation.

“Being ‘minded to’ issue this variation means our specialists are satisfied the operator can meet the required standards, but before we make any final decision we want to hear from the people who live and work nearby. We encourage anyone with an interest in the site to take part in the consultation.”

Details of the draft decision and information on how to submit comments are available via NRW’s Consultation and Engagement Hub.