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Controversy over Cleddau cash

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cleddaubridgeA DISPUTE about tolls on the Cleddau Bridge has delayed the council’s accounts being signed off by its external auditors.

Councillors have been kept in the dark about the argument and the fact the council has had to seek external legal advice on the issue.

It is alleged that the council has been funnelling between £1.5m and £2m per annum into the council’s revenue services account and not accurately accounting for either the income it receives or the deficit it claims the vital transport link has accumulated over time.

The Pembrokeshire Herald can confirm that the council has been in dispute with the Wales Audit Office (WAO) about the way it accounts for revenue from tolls on the Cleddau Bridge.

The spat turns on the interpretation of part of an Act of Parliament from 1987, The Dyfed Act, which sets out how the Council is supposed to deal with the revenue from bridge tolls it collects. The dispute is also about how the council’s own figures show a large accumulated deficit for operating the bridge, which is more a work of accounting fiction than a true reflection of its financial position.

The Herald has spoken to a person close to the dispute who has told us that one way the council has used the revenue from tolls is to subsidise its Council Tax figures, using the money gathered in tolls to drive down Council Tax bills so that Pembrokeshire has apparently lower Council Tax than other councils.

The Herald further understands that the accumulated deficit shown in the council’s accounts is an issue which is under discussion between the council and the WAO. The picture is obscured by the fact that while the bridge was commissioned in the 1960’s under one local government settlement, there have been two subsequent re-alignments of the local government landscape. Those reorganisations have contributed to the confusion about how to draw up the profit and loss schedule for the bridge, how much it has received in tolls, whether a profit has accrued and, in the event it has, what the council and its predecessors have done with the money.

Our source told us that it’s fair to say the situation is a mess and one partly created by the 1987 Act’s unclear drafting.

With local government re-organisation a hot topic at the moment, the effect of any merger will be that the council will need to both strike a more realistic position in respect of the Bridge’s financial status.

At the same time, in the event of merger with neighbouring authorities the effect of the backdoor subsidy given to Pembrokeshire’s Council Tax will unwind as a sudden and significant rise in Council Tax for the county.

Significantly, members of the council appear to have been kept in the dark about the situation and the potential impact it will have on the council’s financial position going forward.

The Herald understands that the council has sought external legal advice on how to sort out the dispute, which both it and the WAO are keen to resolve.

The Herald asked for a comment from the council about the position of its accounts. A spokesperson told us: “We anticipate the matter will be resolved at the next meeting of the Corporate Governance Committee which will be held before the end of the financial year.”

The WAO said: “We had a formal objection in regard to the accounting for the Cleddau Bridge. This delayed the accounts opinion. That has recently been resolved with the Council and we are awaiting an updated set of accounts, so we can check and certify them in March.”

 

4 Comments

4 Comments

  1. Louis Riel

    March 4, 2015 at 4:24 pm

    \”I need to seek external advice\” said the Head Of Legal Services when asked if she took her tea with sugar.

  2. Tomos

    March 5, 2015 at 9:37 am

    So the one “excuse” to pay BPJ a fortune – lowest taxes in Wales – was down to us having to pay to cross the bridge i.e we were paying is now shot to pieces as well.

    Now we’re in a position to ask – Why on earth was BPJ ever taken on, why was he not sacked, why was he protected – You have no reasons, no justifications – we need to learn from IPiGs mistakes otherwise we are eestined to make the same mistakes again and again

  3. ieuan

    March 8, 2015 at 1:47 pm

    As head of Legal services she should know here job, it’s what she’s paid for!

    I smell a cover up

  4. John Hudson

    March 24, 2015 at 8:03 am

    Given that the Leader is on record at the last Council meeting as saying that the Council’s Accounting methodology for the Bridge has not changed:-

    why The Auditor required The Council to seek Legal advice to substantiate the accounting entries in respect of the Bridge, an unusual step.

    Why the Statutory Trading account for the Cleddau Bridge
    was amended from the Draft 2013/14 Accounts figures by the exclusion of an amount in respect of a “notional” annual deficit, changing an annual net loss of £4.3m to a profit of £1.1m.

    If, as the Leader would like us to believe, that Council is as usual, infallible, why it is taking so long to issue the report so that the Council’s Corporate Governance Committee can meet in order approve the Council’s 2013/14 Accounts and The Auditor can sign off the Accounts.

    Why surplus toll income, over and above that required to meet annual Bridge operational expenses is applied to reduce the Council’s budget requirement and hence Council Tax.

    Prior to the Auditor’s refusal to sign off the Accounts in respect of the Bridge, The Council had completed an in depth scrutiny and review of the financial prospects for the Bridge which concluded the exercise had covered all issues to do with the Bridge and all was well.

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News

Local rugby talent Osian Williams selected for Wales Under-20 clash with England

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A FORMER Haverfordwest Blues junior has earned international honours after being selected to represent Wales Under-20 rugby union team in their fixture against England.

Osian Williams, who began his rugby journey at Haverfordwest Rugby Football Club, will pull on the red jersey this evening in what marks a proud milestone for both the player and the Pembrokeshire club that helped develop his talent.

Club members said the call-up reflects years of hard work, commitment and steady progress through the ranks, with Williams recognised locally for his determination and performances on the pitch from a young age.

A spokesperson for Haverfordwest RFC said the whole club is “incredibly proud” to see one of their own step onto the international stage.

They added that it is always special to watch former junior players progress to represent their country, describing Williams’ selection as “fully deserved” and an inspiration to the next generation coming through the Blues’ youth setup.

The match against England provides a stern test for the young Welsh side, but for Williams and his family it is also a moment to savour after years of dedication to the sport.

Friends, coaches and former teammates are expected to be cheering him on from Pembrokeshire as he makes his mark in Welsh colours.

Photo caption:

Osian Williams has been selected to play for Wales Under-20s against England (Pic: Supplied).

 

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Crime

Man arrested for murder following death of pensioner in Pembroke Dock

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Officers called to Hawkstone Road property as investigation continues and residents urged to come forward

DYFED-POWYS POLICE officers have launched a murder investigation following the sudden death of an eighty-five-year-old man at a property in Hawkstone Road, Pembroke Dock.

Emergency services were called at approximately 1:30pm today (Friday, Feb 6).

Officers attended the scene and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the death.

A man in his forties has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.

Residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area while the investigation continues.

Anyone with information that could assist officers is urged to come forward.

Information can be provided online, by 101.

Quote reference: 212 of February 6.

Alternatively, reports can be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via their website.

 

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Education

Second west Wales school placed in lockdown within days

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Precautionary measures activated at Ysgol Brynteg after morning disturbance outside gates

CARMARTHENSHIRE pupils were kept inside classrooms after a precautionary lockdown was triggered at Ysgol Brynteg on Friday morning (Feb 6), marking the second west Wales secondary school to enter lockdown in the same week.

Police were called shortly after 9:00am following reports of a verbal altercation outside the school grounds.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police attended and the Llanelli school activated its safeguarding procedures while the situation was assessed.

No weapons were reported, no injuries have been confirmed and there have been no arrests at this stage. The incident is understood to have involved a dispute outside the site rather than inside the school itself.

Pupils remained indoors under staff supervision while officers made checks. Once police were satisfied there was no ongoing risk, the lockdown was lifted and lessons continued as normal.

A spokesperson said the measure was purely precautionary.

The incident comes just days after armed officers were deployed to Milford Haven School following a serious assault on a teacher, prompting a temporary closure and widespread concern among parents.

While the circumstances in Llanelli were far less severe, the two events occurring so close together have heightened anxiety among families across west Wales.

Schools routinely use lockdown procedures when there is any uncertainty or potential threat nearby, even if the risk later proves minimal. The approach is designed to err on the side of caution and protect pupils while emergency services investigate.

Parents were informed that Brynteg was safe and operating normally once the situation had been resolved.

There is currently no indication that pupils inside the school were directly involved in the disturbance.

The Herald understands enquiries are ongoing.

Both incidents underline how quickly everyday school days can be disrupted, and how safeguarding responses are increasingly becoming part of standard practice across Welsh schools.

Anyone with information about the Llanelli incident is asked to contact police.

 

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