News

Badger goes to the farm

Published

11 years ago

February 26, 2015

HELLO READERS! WELL, just when you thought that the aff airs of Pembrokeshire County Council could not slip any deeper into the realms of Whitehall farce (keep your trousers on, Huw!), we had the fi nal act in the saga of ‘A Funny Th ing Happened on the Way to the Dole Queue’, which Badger can only describe as not only being beyond parody but almost beyond belief. Back when Badger wrote his last column, our hero – Bryn Parry-Jones – was on his way out of County Hall, borne aloft on the narrow shoulders of the IPPG along a path strewn with palm fronds and rose petals, while Unison members sobbed with laughter. And then there was a surprise last minute twist of the type beloved by fi lm directors like Alfred Hitchcock, David Fincher and Peter Rogers (the last being an auteur of the genre, being behind classic crime thrillers like Carry on Constable).

Rather like Banquo’s ghost rocking up at the feast, the Auditor made an appearance and threw over the council’s ‘best off er’ possible deal. Now, readers, to understand this you have to ask yourself a very straightforward question based upon events at County Hall over the last calendar year. Let us swift ly recap the situation, readers: • In September 2013, this newspaper exposed the fact that Bryn Parry- Jones had entered into a scheme designed to help him avoid tax on his seven-fi gure pension pot.

Instead, Mr Parry-Jones would receive the grossed up equivalents of the council’s contribution to his pot for him to invest as he wished for his retirement. • In January, the Assistant Auditor for Wales ruled that the payments handed to Bryn Parry-Jones in lieu of pension contributions were unlawful.

• In February, the council held an extraordinary meeting at which the council agreed to stop making the payments. • In May the Chief Executive was invited to repay the pay supplements.

• In July, the Chief Executive said, through his representatives, that not only would he not pay back the money he had received but that he was considering his position about suing the council to make it continue the unlawful payments.

• In August, the Chief Executive took a ‘period of absence’ aft er this paper revealed how he subjected two councillors to a tirade of abuse for not voting in accordance with his wishes and interests in relation to his repayment of the unlawful payments. • On October 16, the council agreed a £330K settlement package. Crucially, that settlement package included compensating the Chief Executive in respect of the unlawful payments he had not received since February and the unlawful payments were taken into account when calculating other elements of the compensation package. Several councillors parroted the view that, while it was a lot of money, the £330K was a triumph for tough negotiating and was the best the council could do.

• Last Tuesday, the Assistant Auditor for Wales stepped in and pointed out the logical fl aw in Baldrick Adams’ cunning plan. Can you guess what the Wales Audit Offi ce thought of compensating an offi cer for unlawful payments made to him? I bet you can, readers! But, apparently, the assembled brainpower of the council, its own legal team and their external advisors had not considered the Auditor might look askance at the prospect. For a few desperate hours, the carefully laid plans of mice and men (well, readers, certainly those of rodents) lay in tatters all about them. Contrary to the spin the council tried to put on events, this was not a case of dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s to the Auditor’s satisfaction. Th e Auditor made it clear that there was no agreement between him and the council to sign off on a deal which contained elements he had earlier this year ruled unlawful.

Drawing a comparison with modes of travel: it appeared as though that the council was in a small canoe on a well known brown and smelly waterway without a means of propulsion. Several issues arose: if the agreement was not signed, would Bryn return? Put another way: How could Bryn return when the leader of council, in an earlier interview, had related how much better things were now he had gone? More to the point, would the council need to call councillors together to vote on any revised deal? (Almost certainly) And what were then the risks of no deal being approved? Would the council allow the Investigatory Committee to meet and to potentially suspend Bryn to avoid him appearing at County Hall on Monday (Nov 3), like a cross between last night’s dodgy curry and Fu Manchu? But a deal was announced on Friday (Oct 31).

The council had appeased the Auditor by shaving the unlawful elements out of the deal. Bryn had taken a hit of £52K and would now receive a paltry £280K for piloting the council to public ignominy and to levels of ridicule that s u c c e e d e d in giving the impression that the council were to government what Laurel and Hardy were to piano moving. Now, readers, Badger has it from an impeccable source that his Royal Bryness’ opening gambit in negotiations was for a settlement around £550K in value. In the end, he has copped just over half that fi gure. And here, readers, here is the big question that arises from all of this?

If – on short notice – the former CEO of our council was prepared to shed over £50K from his pay off , what confi dence can we have that this was best settlement possible? Because the fact Bryn accepted over £50K less than the council agreed on October 16 suggests that, unless the council put another sweetener on the table to sugar taking £50K off the settlement, the £330K plus deal agreed originally was signifi cantly more than he would have settled for. The question for the thinking councillor is not whether or not they should have had the chance to scrutinise the lower deal, but rather whether they can have any faith whatsoever in the bland and blithe assurances of the council’s leadership that everything necessarily is as they are being told.

It is remarkable, readers, that a supposed group of independent councillors can come together – without whipping or direction – and as one not only back “the best deal possible” but churn out the same line of re-assuring drivel, self-justifi catory nonsense, and abuse of those who questioned whether £330K was the best deal possible. Pull the other one. It’s got bells on. No doubt another magnum opus from the council’s own Beria, former PC Rob Summons, is headed for the pages of another local newspaper explaining how – rather like the desperate propaganda put about by Squealer in Animal Farm – black is really white and that Boxer really was only taken to the hospital and not to the knacker’s yard. If Orwell shone the same light as on the Kremlin on the Cleddau, which animal would represent your councillor, readers?

Health

Welsh Government urges faster treatment during Eating Disorders Awareness Week

Published

6 hours ago

February 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has called on health boards to improve access to eating disorder treatment and strengthen early intervention services as part of Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Minister Sarah Murphy said earlier support can have a “significant positive impact” on people living with eating disorders, as she outlined progress made across Wales and future plans to improve services.

The update comes as part of the Welsh Government’s wider Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, launched last year, which focuses on prevention, earlier intervention and tackling the wider causes of poor mental health.

The Minister said eating disorders are complex conditions influenced by biological, psychological and social factors, requiring a cross-government approach to prevention and treatment.

Schools also play an important role, with Welsh Government guidance highlighting the need for supportive environments and targeted help for pupils experiencing disordered eating or poor body image. Public Health Wales data shows that as of February 2026, 96% of schools — including all secondary schools — are actively planning to meet wellbeing needs.

The Welsh Government has also promoted its “Seek Help Now” campaign, which highlights that more than 1.25 million people in the UK are affected by eating disorders, yet only around one-third seek formal help. Campaign materials have been shared with healthcare providers, schools and third-sector organisations to encourage earlier support.

Healthcare staff training has also been expanded, with a new foundation-level e-learning course developed by Health Education and Improvement Wales to help professionals identify and respond to eating disorders more effectively.

Ministers say investment has continued in early support services, including more than £110,000 in funding for the BEAT Wales helpline in 2025, helping people access advice while waiting for specialist care.

Across Wales, health boards have expanded services, supported by more than £2 million in funding through NHS performance improvement programmes aimed at improving access, quality and outcomes.

Work is also underway to develop a national early intervention service model based on the FREED approach (First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders), with flexibility for local needs.

While most patients are treated in the community, the Welsh Government confirmed that eight specialist adult inpatient beds were secured in Wales in 2024 to allow more people to receive care closer to home.

The NHS Joint Commissioning Committee is now exploring options for intensive day treatment services, with modelling work expected to report in the spring.

A research and evidence network has also been established to improve outcomes and ensure services are based on the latest evidence.

Sarah Murphy said she has written to all health boards urging continued leadership focus to reduce waiting times and implement early intervention services once national specifications are finalised.

All health boards have confirmed their commitment to the programme.

News

Documentary ‘Fighters’ lands a knockout in Cardiff Bay screening

Published

7 hours ago

February 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A SPECIAL screening of the British documentary Fighters was recently hosted at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay by local MS Samuel Kurtz, in partnership with Great Britain Disability Boxing and Pembroke and Pembroke Dock Amateur Boxing Club.

The powerful film explores themes of disability, identity and resilience through the world of amateur boxing. It follows several participants, including Amelia, a young deaf boxer preparing for her first competitive bout, and Matt Edwards, a lower-limb amputee determined to secure his amateur boxing licence as the first step towards achieving his ambition of turning professional.

The documentary also highlights the wider barriers disabled people can face in both sport and everyday life, while showcasing the positive impact of inclusive opportunities.

Samuel Kurtz MS said: “Sport is a fantastic social mobiliser, and working with Chris to bring this film to Cardiff Bay has been an immense pleasure. Fighters is one of the most inspiring projects I’ve ever been involved in. It shows not only what can be achieved in the ring, but what is possible when barriers are challenged and opportunities are opened up.”

Chris McEwen of Pembroke and Pembroke Dock Amateur Boxing Club — who features in the film — attended the screening alongside supporters of disability sport from across Wales.

The club was named Parasport Club of the Month in 2021 in recognition of its work supporting people with disabilities and continues to run a wide range of inclusive boxing sessions across Pembrokeshire.

Praising his commitment, Mr Kurtz added: “Chris is a passionate advocate for boxing and for our community. He works tirelessly to ensure that opportunities in sport are open to everyone, regardless of ability.”

Chris McEwen said: “Boxing should be accessible to all. This film shows the determination it takes to break down barriers, but it also demonstrates why inclusive clubs matter. Our aim is simple — to ensure that anyone who wants to take part feels welcome and supported.”

The screening brought together campaigners, athletes and community leaders, reinforcing the importance of keeping sport open, inclusive and accessible for everyone.

Photo caption: Samuel Kurtz MS with Chris McEwen, local dignitaries and supporters of Fighters at the Senedd (Pic supplied).

Ministry of Defence

Aberporth fears raised after Russian claims and spy ship incidents off Welsh coast

Published

7 hours ago

February 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CONCERNS are being raised in West Wales after a community meeting was announced over claims that Aberporth has previously been identified as a potential Russian military target.

Campaign groups have circulated material stating that the Ceredigion site was included on a list of UK locations referenced by a senior Russian political figure in 2022, prompting calls for discussion about the risks associated with defence-related activity in the area.

Aberporth is home to West Wales Airport and a major unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) testing range, where defence contractors operate alongside civilian aviation projects. The site has long been linked to UK drone development programmes.

The issue has resurfaced amid wider geopolitical tensions and follows previous incidents in Welsh waters involving suspected Russian military activity.

In November last year, The Pembrokeshire Herald reported that a suspected Russian sonar device had been recovered off the coast near Skomer Island, just months after a Russian intelligence-gathering vessel was monitored operating off the Pembrokeshire coastline. RAF surveillance aircraft and a Royal Navy warship were deployed to track the vessel during that incident.

While there is no evidence of any specific threat to Aberporth, defence analysts have warned more broadly that modern conflicts increasingly involve long-range precision weapons and infrastructure targeting.

In December 2022, Dmitry Rogozin — a former deputy prime minister of Russia — published a map on social media naming a number of UK defence-related locations in response to British support for Ukraine. Among the sites referenced was Aberporth, due to its links with drone testing and defence contractors.

Security experts note that such statements are often political rhetoric rather than operational military targeting plans.

Nevertheless, the presence of defence-related infrastructure in rural communities can raise concerns locally, particularly when international tensions are high.

Campaigners argue residents should be fully informed about the implications of military-linked development in the region and the potential risks it could bring.

A public meeting organised by campaign groups is scheduled to take place at Aberporth Village Hall on Friday evening.

The Ministry of Defence does not comment on specific security arrangements but has previously stated that the UK maintains robust measures to protect national infrastructure and works closely with NATO allies to monitor threats.

Government defence policy documents also acknowledge that long-range missile threats and hybrid warfare — including intelligence-gathering activity near critical infrastructure — are increasing challenges for Western nations.

The debate comes as defence and security are expected to feature prominently in political discussions ahead of the next UK Strategic Defence Review.