News

Are the officers revolting?

Published

10 years ago

March 17, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Cllr Jamie Adams

COUNCIL LEADER Jamie Adams called an urgent meeting for 4pm Thursday February 26, to discuss a major legal issue arising from the recruitment process for the new Chief Executive.

It appears as though the consequence of overpaying Bryn Parry-Jones for many years has come back to bite the council, as heads of service, directors have lately become aware of the possibility that they have been UNDERPAID and have potential legal claims against the council for setting their pay at too low a level.

An email sent to group leaders and members of the Senior Staff Committee from Cllr Adams headed ‘Urgent Meeting at 4.00 p.m. on Thursday, 26th February 2015 in Leader’s Room’ reads: ‘Following discussions between myself and the Section 151 Officer (i.e. Jonathan Haswell, Head of Finance) I need to discuss with you the issue of the relationship between Chief Executive (sic) remuneration and that of the Chief Officers. I trust that you will make every effort to attend this meeting. If however you are unable to attend I would be happy to contact you by telephone later on Thursday evening. Please provide me with your contact details if you are unable to attend’.

The Herald is able to confirm that, despite clear advice given by two senior officers on two separate occasions, an issue is alleged to have arisen in relation to the pay differentials between the council’s chief and other senior directors.

At a council meeting in December, the issue of pay ratios was raised by Hakin councillor Mike Stoddart. At that meeting Cllr Stoddart referred to a pay rule adopted by the council which meant that no Director’s pay could not encroach within 77.5% of the Chief Executive’s pay.

Ceri Davies, Head of HR, told councillors on that occasion: “I can advise that, having looked into the matter East Williamston’s Jacob Williams then asked for confirmation of when the provision, which he had established was passed in 1995, was repealed.

Mr Davies replied: “I don’t have the exact date for members this afternoon, but I believe it was in 2004-2005, but I would need to look into that.”

On begin asked by Cllr Tom Richards to confirm whether or not the position was as he stated, Mr Davies ducked the direct question by saying: “That’s my understanding.”

At the meeting of the Senior Staff Committee which set the £130,000 salary for a new appointee on Tuesday February 3, councillors were again advised – this time by Mr Mark Woolgar, the Corporate HR Manager, gave similar advice to council. This time advising that, although not rescinded as previously advised, the policy was ineffective as the issue of encroachment had not arisen for many years.

However, it now appears that the advice given by officers to councillors was flawed, as the restriction meant that the top end of directors’ pay should have been within 77.5% of the chief officer’s pay. In other words, if the chief officer’s pay was £200,000 per annum, the top end of directors’ pay would be £154,000 instead of the c. £115,000 per year as at the moment.

On February 5’s Senior Staff Committee meeting, it was confirmed that senior officers’ pay was set at around 66% of Bryn Parry-Jones’ eye-watering pay packet.

The council potentially faces substantial claims for the senior staff cadre who will argue that their pay has not been set according to the Council’s own policy. As a result, it is alleged that the council has potentially operated in breach of its own policies and procedures for an extended period of time.

As the salaries involved are large, the sums involved are, likewise, considerable.

A council spokesperson told The Herald: “The report on the Chief Executive’s salary was due to be considered at next week’s Full Council meeting. However, this will no longer be the case due to a significant financial risk having been identified, following a matter raised by a County Councillor. The spokesperson explained: “The Chief Finance Officer, in his role as Section 151 Officer, has determined that the matter must be re-considered. A new report on the issue will be drafted for consideration by Council in the future.”

Crime

Man jailed for Pembroke Dock cannabis farm involvement

Published

12 mins ago

November 15, 2024

Madeline Knox

AN ALBANIAN man, Armando Beti, 37, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Nov 15) for his role in producing class B drugs.

Beti, who has prior convictions in 2022 and 2023, was arrested on October 3, 2024, at 10:00am after police found him hiding in a neighbouring building’s attic. The arrest followed a raid on the former Woolworths building on Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock, where officers discovered three rooms containing 594 cannabis plants. The crop was described as part of a wholesale operation, with an estimated street value of between £64,000 and £196,000, depending on yield.

Using an aerial drone, police tracked Beti as he attempted to escape by crossing two rooftops. He pleaded guilty immediately after his capture, claiming the cannabis farm was already operational when he arrived 10 days earlier. Beti described himself as merely the gardener, tasked with watering the plants, and alleged he was coerced into the role by individuals he met at an immigration detention centre to repay a debt.

Beti’s defence counsel stated: “He is under no illusion regarding the seriousness of his offending. He is eager to start his prison sentence so he can ultimately reunite with his wife in Albania.”

However, Judge Geraint Walters rejected Beti’s claims, citing a pattern of similar excuses in previous cases. The judge noted that Beti had been convicted in Cardiff in 2022 for cultivating over 600 cannabis plants, during which he also claimed to be a coerced gardener with little knowledge of the operation.

In delivering the sentence, Judge Walters said: “People like you need to understand that judges are not completely naive. We know what is going on. We are well aware of the activities of criminal Albanian gangs in this country, as are you.”

Police believe the operation uncovered in Pembroke Dock is linked to a wider network of organised crime targeting rural locations for cannabis cultivation.

Community

Pembs Agricultural Society’s Christmas Fair expands to an all-weekend event

Published

4 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY’S Christmas Fair will be an all-weekend event next month. The Christmas shopping extravaganza is all set to take place on Saturday, 14 December as well as Sunday, 15 December.

The Parkhouse building on the Haverfordwest Showground will be transformed into a Christmas paradise. There will be even more stalls this year with a wide variety of quality local businesses exhibiting as well as festive music, Santa in his Grotto and an outdoor food court.

Judith Roach and Emma Thomas, the event organisers, said, “We are excited to be able to announce that our Christmas Fair will be on for two days rather than just one this year. We continue to build on the success of last year’s event with twice the opportunities to attend and even more stallholders. It will be the perfect start to the festive season as the Parkhouse Building will be transformed into a one-stop-shop for those preparing for Christmas.”

The Fair will be open from 10am until 4pm and admission is free. Visitors will find unique gifts, handmade decorations, art and beautiful homeware. Some of the county’s very best food and drink producers will also have stalls to give visitors the opportunity to stock up on all their festive treats. From decadent chocolate brownies, fudge, festive spirits to Welsh cheeses, there’s something to tantalise everyone’s tastebuds. There will also be a range of outlets for ‘on the go’ eating and drinking.

One special guest at the event will be everyone’s favourite bearded gentleman in red – Santa will be taking time out from his busy schedule to attend the event. There will be a charge of £3 per child to visit Santa and all proceeds will go directly to Sandy Bear charity to support their work. Each child will receive a small gift from Santa as part of their visit. Parents can book in advance via the website: www.sandybear.co.uk/santa

Adam Thorne, Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s President is looking forward to the festive event. He said, “The Society would like to thank Judith and Emma for all the hours they have put in, voluntarily, to organise the two-day Christmas event. We’re delighted to be able to offer visitors the opportunity to do all their Christmas shopping whilst enjoying the festive atmosphere.”

Follow Pembrokeshire County Show’s Christmas Fair event page on Facebook for a full list of stallholders in the run up to the event.

Community

Officials announced for 2026 Eisteddfod in Pembrokeshire

Published

15 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD returns to Pembrokeshire in 2026, and organisers have named the officials who will steer this major cultural event over the next year and a half.

With the artistic and local committees already established, meetings to finalise competitions and adjudicators are underway to ensure the List of Competitions is ready by spring. Committee members have also been voting over the past weeks to elect key officials for the Executive Committee.

John Davies, former leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, has been appointed Chair of the Executive Committee. Known for his deep connection to Pembrokeshire and extensive experience with national organisations, Davies aims to make the Eisteddfod a true community event, welcoming involvement from all corners of the region.

Tegryn Jones, Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, takes on the role of Deputy Chair (Strategy). With a strong passion for Welsh culture and language, Jones brings a wealth of experience working with local communities, visitors, and volunteers across three counties.

Deputy Chair (Culture) is Carys Ifan, Director of Canolfan Egin and a seasoned cultural organiser. Based in Llangrannog and originally from Llandudoch, Ifan has led numerous artistic and community projects across the region.

Cris Tomos, a community development veteran with over 30 years of experience, will lead the 2026 Eisteddfod Local Fund. Working with PLANED, a community development charity, Tomos has supported countless community enterprises and co-operatives in Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Carmarthenshire.

Non Davies, recently elected as Executive Committee Secretary, brings extensive cultural management expertise as Ceredigion County Council’s Corporate Manager for Culture. Having chaired the Cardigan Local Fund Committee for the 2022 Ceredigion Eisteddfod, Davies is well-versed in managing cultural projects.

National Eisteddfod Chief Executive, Betsan Moses, said: “We’re looking forward to working with John and the team over the next few months as we prepare for the 2026 Eisteddfod.

“There’s almost a quarter of a century since the Eisteddfod was last held in Pembrokeshire, and we’re very much looking forward to returning to the area. 2026 is an important year for us as we celebrate 850 years since the first Eisteddfod was held in Cardigan Castle in 1176.

“We’re looking forward to working in a new way within a catchment area which includes parts of another two counties, which is, of course, a chance to work with local people in Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire again.”

Further announcements are expected in the coming weeks, including the sale of competition prizes and opportunities to donate the Crown and the Chair.

The National Eisteddfod will be held in Llantood from August 1–8, 2026.