News

Committee embarrassed by senior’s applications

Published

10 years ago

March 8, 2016

County Hall

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL’s leader has not been given permission to speak or vote on a notice of motion that he has submitted to Thursday’s full council meeting.

Councillor Jamie Adams’ question relates to Bovine Tuberculosis and he had appealed to the Standards Committee to be able to speak and vote on the matter.

However, Cllr Adams simply submitted a form stating that the reasoning behind his application would be provided at the Standards Committee that met on Monday, March 7.

The Chairman of the committee, Mr David Morgan, said that he was embarrassed and disappointed by the situation and it was agreed that the application from Cllr Adams should not be discussed.

The ruling from the committee meant that two other similarly sparse applications from Cllr Tom Richards and Cllr Owen James were also not dealt with.

The Committee has been in a trial period over a new model for applications for dispensation and it was agreed that there was a grey area in the cross-over between the old and new model.

Mr David Morgan told the committee: “I appreciate that this has been the subject of much debate recently and we are very grateful to Claire for producing the new procedure and setting out what is to happen in the future.

“We are in between the time when people put in an application which served everybody reasonably well for a period of time and then we allowed people to come and present their case before the procedure was formally adopted.

“During that time, the quality of these applications has got increasingly worse and so it has been more or more difficult to try and work out what the applicant is actually wanting even if he does appear in person.

“I think we have now got to the point, particularly in respect of those applications where people say they’ll be turning up on the day, that we should not, I personally would have great difficulty in considering applications of that sort.

“Our job is to try and help the process of approving a dispensation but if we have got absolutely no opportunity to consider these things in advance it would be extremely difficult for us to give a reasonable answer.

“I also feel that the people presenting these applications, saying they will come on the day, are extremely senior councillors who would probably not tolerate that kind of behaviour if we went to their meeting and did the same. I hope that these applications can be re-submitted very quickly.”

The Council’s Monitoring Officer, Mrs Claire Jones added: “There has been a big period of transition for this committee.

“The recommendation in my report did give perhaps the room for manoeuvre for members to believe that there was an alternative that either you filled in the form or came to this committee.

“I absolutely take the point that applications that give no information aren’t helpful, it does not give you the opportunity to prepare but there is a dilemma as to whether or not they needed to fill in the form as well as attending in person.

“It is very clear to members from today that they do need to fill in the application form in great detail otherwise it will be rejected.”

Community Councillor George Allingham said: “It might have become a grey area but for a long time there has been a necessity to fill out the form.

“The information from Cllr Adams is dated February 23 which is 13 days ago so this could have been completed properly in adequate time.”

Mr Morgan also said: “One of the applications we are considering is from one of the members of our committee (Cllr Tom Richards) who is well aware of how we got to this point.

“It puts me in great difficulty and some embarrassment and disappointment that we are faced with this situation.

“I am extremely sorry that there is a council meeting coming up but I still think the principle that we are the Standards Committee and we really ought to set our own standards in that respect and I think proper behaviour and good manners are very much a part of that.”

The committee agreed that the applications should not be considered and Mr Morgan also apologised to the leader for coming to the conclusion they had.

News

Flood warnings issued across Wales as heavy rain raises river levels

Published

22 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

FLOOD warnings and alerts have been issued across large parts of Wales as persistent heavy rain causes river levels to rise, with parts of the country facing an increased risk of flooding on Thursday (Dec 18).

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has confirmed that four flood warnings are currently in place, meaning immediate action is required, while a further 16 flood alerts have been issued where flooding is possible.

A yellow weather warning for rain has been issued by the Met Office, covering much of Wales from 10:00am on Thursday until 7:00pm, with disruption expected in some areas.

NRW said the warnings follow prolonged wet weather, with further heavy rainfall forecast to move across the country during the day.

The Met Office said: “An area of heavy rain will move northeast across the warning area during Thursday morning and afternoon before clearing to the east through the evening.

“Given recent very wet weather, there is potential for some disruption to travel and possible flooding.

“Much of the warning area will see 15–25mm of rain but some places could see 40–50mm, with the highest totals falling over high ground of south Wales.”

Forecasters have also warned that strong winds could worsen conditions, particularly along the coast.

“There is a chance of 60–70mph gusts along the exposed south coast, and perhaps 40–50mph some way inland,” the Met Office added.

Flood warnings in force

NRW has confirmed flood warnings are currently active at the following locations:

River Towy at Carmarthen Quay, Carmarthen
River Ritec at Tenby
River Towy affecting isolated properties between Llandeilo and Abergwili
River Rhyd Hir at Riverside Terrace, Pwllheli

Residents in these areas are being urged to take immediate action to protect property and personal safety.

Flood alerts issued

In addition, flood alerts — meaning flooding is possible — have been issued for the Lower Severn catchment in Powys, along with other areas shown on NRW’s live flood monitoring maps.

NRW is advising people to remain vigilant, avoid flooded roads and footpaths, and keep up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings.

The Herald understands that river levels will continue to be closely monitored throughout the day as rainfall moves through Wales.

Members of the public can check the latest flood warnings and alerts on the Natural Resources Wales website or by signing up for flood alerts direct to their phone.

Flood alerts and warnings across Wales on Thursday (Pic: NRW).

Crime

Jury discharged after failing to reach verdict in historic abuse trial

Published

1 hour ago

December 18, 2025

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

CPS have a week do decide if they wish to pursue a re-trial, judge confirms

THE JURY has been discharged in the trial of a Milford Haven man accused of historic child sex offences after telling the court it was unable to reach a verdict, even by majority.

Thomas Kirk, aged 50, of Meyler Crescent, Milford Haven, is charged with the oral rape and sexual assault of a child, with the offences alleged to have taken place in Pembrokeshire between 2007 and 2009, when the complainant was aged between thirteen and fifteen. He denies the charges.

On Thursday (Dec 18), the jury returned to Swansea Crown Court and was asked whether it had reached a verdict on either count upon which at least ten jurors were agreed.

The foreman replied: “No.”

Judge Paul Thomas KC then asked whether there was any realistic likelihood that further deliberations would lead to a verdict being reached.

The foreman replied: “No, your honour.”

Judge Thomas KC said that in those circumstances he would discharge the jury and give the prosecution seven days to decide whether it would seek a retrial.

Addressing the jurors, the judge said they should not think they had failed or let anyone down.

“These things happen,” he said. “It’s one of the strengths of the jury system that people hold different views.”

He thanked the jury for their service and wished them a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

The court heard that the prosecution will now consider its position, with a further hearing expected next week to determine whether a retrial will take place.