News

Questions over Scarlets cash

Published

11 years ago

January 6, 2014

HERALD EXCLUSIVE

A CARMARTHENSHIRE Councillor has made a formal complaint to the European Commission that an alleged £20m of funding provided by Carmarthenshire County Council to Llanelli Scarlets was an unlawful state subsidy.

Independent Cllr Sian Caiach took the step in the teeth of a statement by Carmarthenshire County Council that said it had provided no money to the cash-strapped rugby region. It is understood part of the complaint relates to the favourable terms of a loan given by the County Council to the regional side and an agreement that the Scarlets do not have to pay rent in respect of the land upon which Parc-y-Scarlets is built.

If the European Commission takes the view that the funding given by the County Council amounts to West Wales’ rugby region is state aid, the Scarlets could be forced to repay any monies received that the Commission rules are unlawful. Such a move would be devastating for the regional rugby team, widely followed across Pembrokeshire, which has struggled financially for some time.

Carmarthenshire Council has relied on legal advice dated 2007 to support its claim that support given by the Council to Scarlets Regional Rugby Ltd amounts to unlawful state aid. Scrutiny of that advice has been denied to councillors on the basis that it is legally privileged document. The Council has not revealed whether or not it sought advice on any funding or assistance given to the Scarlets after 2007.

An expert interviewed for BBC Wales, Martin Stephens, said “If there isn’t an audit trail then they’re in a position of non-compliance and the aid is therefore in breach of the regulations.”

The complex saga has also taken in the sale of a car park to the Marston’s chain of pubs. Carmarthenshire Council were the freeholders of the property while the Scarlets held a 150 years’ leasehold on it granted by the Council.

The car park was originally ear-marked for a retail development, but instead was transferred to Marston’s for £850,000.

Controversy has arisen in relation to the division of the sale proceeds between the Council and the Scarlets. The Council received £200,000 for its interests and the Scarlets £200,000. Questions have been raised, however, about approximately £280,000 being given to the Scarlets for what are described as “allowable expenses”.

The “expenses” were allegedly used for paying off a commercial loan the Scarlets had taken out to fit out its shop and restaurant within Carmarthenshire County Council’s Eastgate development.

It is believed a reference has been made to the Wales Audit Office in respect of the sale of the land.

Carmarthenshire County Council continues to deny that rules on state aid apply to the funding and assistance they have given the Scarlets.

Crime

Attempted burglary at the Welsh Bakery, Milford Haven

Published

3 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are investigating an attempted burglary at the flat above the Welsh Bakery on Robert Street, Milford Haven. The incident is believed to have occurred between 4:30pm on Saturday, January 18, and 8:45am on Monday, January 20, 2025.

It is understood that force was used in an attempt to gain access to the upstairs flat.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact PC 865 Andy Baxter at Haverfordwest police station. You can reach out via:

Online: Dyfed-Powys Police Contact Form

Email: [email protected]

Direct message on social media

Phone: 101

Please quote reference number 50 of January 20.

Crime

Lung condition cited as defence in Haverfordwest drink-drive case

Published

3 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A LUNG condition has landed a Hakin man in the dock after he refused to give a breath test when suspected of driving through Haverfordwest town centre while over the drink-drive limit.

Frank Morrissey was stopped by officers on December 12 and asked to provide a roadside breath test. He refused.

This week Morrissey, 58, of Glebelands, Hakin, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court, where he denied failing to provide the breath test for analysis. His solicitor, Tom Lloyd, claimed his client suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is a lung condition resulting in breathing difficulties. As a result, the defendant was unable to provide the breath test.

The case was adjourned to March 20, when Morrissey’s trial will take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court. He was released on unconditional bail.

Crime

New Year’s Day drink-driver crashes into parked car

Published

3 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A NEW YEAR’S DAY drinking spree has resulted in a lengthy disqualification for Pembroke motorist Pauline Turner, who crashed into a parked Mercedes while over twice the drink-drive limit.

Police were called to St Anne’s Crescent, Pembroke Dock, just before 2:30pm on January 1, following reports that a black Toyota Yaris had collided with a parked Mercedes.

Officers discovered Turner, 61, who admitted being the driver of the Yaris.

“She identified herself to police officers and told them that she’d consumed five or six pints,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest Magistrates Court this week.

After admitting the charge of drink-driving, Turner, of Ashdale Lane, Pembroke, was disqualified from driving for 20 months. She was fined £150 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £60 surcharge.