News

New committee structures agreed

Published

10 years ago

February 29, 2016

THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE has recommended a new structure for the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

countyhall

The committee met on Monday (Feb 8), and had a lengthy debate on a number of possible options to take forward.

Council Leader Jamie Adams suggested that the committee should recommend four options to the council labelled C, D, E & F.

The first of those (C) is to introduce a Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee to look at the roles of the Leader and Chief Executive and others.

Secondly, (D) there will be a new Service Scrutiny Committee/s, thirdly (E) a new policy scrutiny committee and finally (F) a new partnership committee.

Other councillors also said that there should be a committee to look at School performance and that was added to the recommendations.

Council Leader Jamie Adams said: “If we keep doing what we are doing would add no value to the way the council is having to move because of financial and organisational pressures.

“There are four elements that stick out for me and those are C, D, E & F but that forms the basis of a sensible way forward in the authority.

“There is currently no scrutiny holding myself, the chief executive, finance, HR, IT to account and there should be.

“D is a one committee role but I believe that we should have a standing committee for School performance and anybody who looks over that will recognise the need to maintain focus.

“E, as Cabinet we would find that enormously helpful in terms of some of the challenging situations we have to grapple with currently.

“F, more and more we are being asked to deliver things on a regional basis or in conjunction with other authorities and there is plenty of scope to improve that working within the county as well but there has to be a framework of holding that process to account.

“There is some ongoing work in scrutiny that needs to be brought to conclusion and we could begin this work in September.”

Cllr Michael Williams said that education was of such importance that it should be a stand-alone matter.

Cllr Guy Woodham said: “It is difficult to be asked to make a decision. I don’t feel there is enough information. It has got to be the right change and I wouldn’t like to see the council going down a particular route because it is too early at the moment. There needs to be much more member involvement.”

Cllr Jacob Williams suggested that councillors could be given free passes to speak at certain committees so that they could give their views on a topic that interests them.

Cllr Bob Kilmister said: “The current model doesn’t work. There is absolutely no pre-scrutiny work and that is completely wrong. All we are doing is looking at what’s already happened. We need to start this pre-scrutiny work in the new municipal year.

“The worst thing we could do now is to take the long grass option.” Cllr Keith Lewis said: “The existing system has performed very well over the last four years.

Cllr Michael Williams has continually made a valuable point that there is too much overview and not enough scrutiny within the existing set up. I think this is a very common sense approach. There is a need for radical change.

“In the last economy meeting there was a very good example of pre-decision scrutiny on Scolton Manor where Cabinet referred and out of that will come a recommendation on its future and that is the level of scrutiny that needs to be in place.”

Cllr Mike Stoddart felt that the new structure was very light on scrutiny performance and also said: “People say scrutiny is good but what I am told is that on certain committees, half of the members turn up month after month and never say a word and that is the problem.

“There is not enough robust scrutiny. Until you’ve overcome that problem I’m afraid moving the deckchairs around will not solve the problem.”

The Leader said that there was an awful lot of work that would now be done and the four options suggested and a school performance committee were approved with ten voting in favour and two abstaining.

Charity

Blood Bikes Wales volunteer finds new purpose after lifeboat career ends

Published

4 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A FORMER lifeboat coxswain who was told he was too old to continue going to sea has found a new sense of purpose with Blood Bikes Wales.

Clive had spent decades serving his community, including almost 20 years as a First Responder with the Welsh Ambulance Service and 38 years with the lifeboat. He eventually became coxswain, but at the age of 65 was told he could no longer continue in the role.

Despite being fit and healthy, holding a Class 1 driving licence and a Private Pilot’s Licence, stepping away from something that had been such a major part of his life proved difficult. He said the loss of involvement, purpose and identity hit hard.

Determined to find a new volunteering challenge, Clive contacted Blood Bikes Wales. As an advanced driver, he hoped to take on a car-based role, but discovered the charity operated motorcycles. At that point, he did not even have a motorcycle licence.

Rather than give up, Clive decided to learn to ride, pass his motorcycle test and work towards the advanced qualification needed to apply as a Blood Bikes Wales rider.

“It was the best decision I ever made,” he said. “The challenge and freedom that motorcycling gave me was a real tonic.”

With determination and support from mentors, Clive achieved his RoSPA Gold qualification and passed the assessments to become a Blood Bikes Wales rider.

Now, just over 18 months into his Blood Bikes Wales journey and approaching his 70th birthday, he says the charity has given him back something he feared he had lost.

He said: “I am truly grateful that I committed to the challenge and extremely thankful to Blood Bikes Wales for giving me back the direction, involvement and identity I had lost a few years earlier.

“Blood Bikes Wales is a truly inspirational and inclusive charity, made even more remarkable by the fact that every member is a volunteer. I feel proud to wear my rider’s jacket and represent the charity.”

Crime

Man wanted in connection with rape investigation has Pembrokeshire links

Published

4 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police in Milford Haven and Neyland assisting Warwickshire officers in appeal to trace 23-year-old

MILFORD HAVEN and Neyland police have issued an appeal to help locate a man wanted in connection with a rape investigation.

Officers are assisting colleagues from Warwickshire Police, who are seeking information on the whereabouts of 23-year-old Rhys Trott in connection with a rape allegation in Nuneaton.

Police say Trott is believed to have links to the Milford Haven area of Pembrokeshire.

In a public appeal, Warwickshire Police said they are keen to trace Trott as part of ongoing enquiries.

Anyone who has seen him or has information about his whereabouts is urged to contact Warwickshire Police through their website or by quoting the relevant incident details.

Milford Haven and Neyland Police shared the appeal on social media on Tuesday (June 3), asking local residents to come forward with any information that may assist officers.

Photo caption:

Rhys Trott, 23, is wanted by Warwickshire Police in connection with a rape investigation and is believed to have links to Milford Haven (Pic: Warwickshire Police).

Community

Youth centre given colourful new look thanks to local firm

Published

6 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

YOUNG people at a Haverfordwest youth centre have helped transform one of its rooms into a bright and welcoming space.

The Edge Youth Centre, Haverfordwest, has thanked W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd for supporting the painting and decorating project, which saw young people work alongside Chris, a painter and decorator from the company.

The project has given the room a colourful refresh, creating a cheerful space for young people using the centre.

Rabart Decorators Merchants, Pembroke Dock, also supported the work by supplying the colourful paints.

A spokesperson for The Edge Youth Centre said: “We’d like to extend a huge thank you to W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd for supporting us with the painting and decorating of one of the rooms at our Youth Centre.

“The young people were fortunate enough to work alongside Chris, a painter and decorator from W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd, to transform the room.

“Thanks to Chris and the young people’s hard work and enthusiasm, the space is now looking bright, welcoming, and cheerful.

“We’d also like to thank Rabart Decorators Merchants, Pembroke Dock, for generously supplying the colourful paints. Your support has helped create a vibrant room that young people can enjoy for years to come.”

The centre added: “Thank you both for your generosity and for helping us create such a positive space for our young people.”

Photo caption: Bright new look: Young people worked alongside W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd to refresh a room at The Edge Youth Centre, Haverfordwest.