News

Police step in to pensions row

Published

12 years ago

February 6, 2014

Dyfed-Powys Police and South Wales police forces are seeking legal advice from the Crown Prosecution Service about whether there is any evidence to support criminal charges in relation to unlawful pay supplements made to Pembrokeshire County Council chief executive Bryn Parry Jones and Carmarthenshire County Council chief executive Mark James.

With the county council due to hold a special meeting to consider the report within the next three weeks, it is unclear whether the intervention of the authorities will have any effect on the timing of such a meeting.

County councillors across the political spectrum have already been in touch with The Pembrokeshire Herald giving their views as to the future of controversial chief executive, Bryn Parry Jones. The majority of those who have provided their opinion are in favour of the Council setting up its own investigation into the affair and the suspension of the CEO while the investigation takes place.

Some Pembrokeshire councillors have also called for the suspension of those of their fellows who sat on the staff remuneration committee that approved the unlawful payments to Bryn Parry Jones in September 2011.

The Pembrokeshire Herald understands that the referral to the police was made by Plaid Cymru MP Jonathan Edwards, who wrote to the chief constables of Dyfed Powys and South Wales police forces.

Pembrokeshire County Council has continued to refuse to reveal the identity of the second officer who has benefited from the unlawful payments agreed by the staff remuneration committee.

A Council spokesman told The Pembrokeshire Herald:

‘We are not prepared to identify the second staff member who took up the new pension arrangements agreed on September 28, 2011.’

The Council’s refusal to disclose the identity of the second staff member, The Pembrokeshire Herald understands, is simply delaying the inevitable revelation of the employee’s identity when it publishes its annual accounts. It was the appearance of the Chief Executive’s name in the authority’s accounts that gave rise to the current and ongoing scandal.

One question that has yet to be resolved is whether Bryn Parry Jones will be compelled to repay the unlawful pay supplement he has received over the last two years. While the county council has the power to request repayment of any and all sums paid under the tax dodging scheme, it is not clear whether it will – in fact – do so. In addition, it is not clear whether any personal tax penalties will have accrued to the tax dodge’s beneficiaries.

With widespread disquiet about the tax dodging scheme across the county, it remains to be seen whether the IPPG-led Council will take decisive action to end the growing scandal.

Entertainment

Story of friendship and history becomes a profound study of complicated humanity

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

WITH the Torch Theatre’s popular £5 cinema ticket offer running throughout January and February, Eleanor the Great is a standout screening not to be missed.

The film features a remarkable central performance from June Squibb, who shines as Eleanor Morgenstein, a sharp-witted and spirited 94-year-old whose carefully told story begins to take on a dangerous life of its own.

Eleanor has always prided herself on staying connected to the world around her. Following a devastating loss, she leaves Florida for New York City to live with her daughter and grandson, hoping to rebuild family ties. Instead, she finds herself increasingly isolated and invisible. A chance encounter leads her into a support group where she does not quite belong, and in an unguarded moment she shares a story that unexpectedly draws attention she never intended to seek.

As a young journalism student begins to pursue Eleanor as both a friend and mentor, the consequences of that story grow increasingly complex. When the situation spirals beyond her control, Eleanor is forced to confront the truth — and the cost of the life she has allowed others to believe.

Critics have praised Squibb’s performance. The Guardian described her as giving “an enjoyably twinkly performance,” while Empire Magazine noted: “The plot is predictable and the look unmemorable, but Johansson has nevertheless crafted a pleasingly old-fashioned character piece with just enough bite to balance its emotion.”

In her directorial debut, Scarlett Johansson delicately weaves themes of ageing, family, loss and the blurred line between truth and deceit. What begins as a quiet story of friendship and memory gradually unfolds into a thoughtful and deeply human exploration of identity.

Eleanor the Great will be screened at the Torch Theatre on:

Friday, January 16 at 5:15pm
Saturday, January 17 at 4:15pm
Sunday, January 18 at 7:15pm
Tuesday, January 20 at 7:45pm

Tickets are priced at £5 as part of the January cinema offer. For more information, visit the Torch Theatre website or contact the Box Office on (01646) 695267.

Health

Cardigan same-day urgent care service to open this weekend

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A SAME-DAY urgent care service in Cardigan will open this weekend to help relieve pressure on local hospitals.

The Same Day Urgent Care (SDUC) service at Cardigan Integrated Care Centre (SA43 1JX) will be open on Saturday, January 10, and Sunday, January 11, between 9:00am and 6:30pm, supporting services across the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.

The service brings together urgent primary care, minor injuries treatment, and some same-day urgent care in one location, led by experienced advanced urgent care practitioners.

Patients are asked not to attend without an appointment and should first phone 01239 807019 to speak with a triage nurse, who will assess their needs and arrange an appropriate appointment time.

Andrew Carruthers, Chief Operating Officer at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said:
“Our hospitals are currently dealing with significant demand, which is leading to long waits in our emergency departments.

“The Same Day Urgent Care service in Cardigan is an excellent alternative for people who need treatment over the weekend.

“I’d like to thank the service for working quickly to extend their opening hours this weekend. This will provide important support for our wider healthcare system. I’d also like to thank our community for helping us to help you by choosing the right service in the right place.”

X-ray facilities will not be available this weekend. However, patients are still encouraged to phone the triage service on 01239 807019 for advice and guidance.

Health services remain under pressure due to increased demand. By choosing the most appropriate service, patients can help ensure NHS resources are used responsibly and that staff are able to care for those most in need.

Anyone unsure which service they need for an illness or injury can visit:
https://hduhb.nhs.wales/help-us-help-you

Further information and directions for Cardigan’s Same Day Urgent Care service are available at:
https://hduhb.nhs.wales/healthcare/hospitals-and-centres/same-day-urgent-care/

In a life-threatening emergency, always dial 999.

News

Search of River Teifi continues as police scale back multi-agency response

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Family kept informed as officers urge public to avoid unsafe independent searches

A POLICE search of the River Teifi in Cardigan will continue over the weekend as officers look for a man who entered the water during the early hours of Sunday (Jan 4).

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police have spent the past five days searching the river and its banks alongside colleagues from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, the RNLI and HM Coastguard.

The man is believed to be 30-year-old Kurtis Brook. Police say they remain in close contact with his family to ensure they are kept updated and supported.

Despite the large-scale operation, Kurtis has not been located.

Because of the nature of the incident and the time that has passed since the last sighting, the multi-agency element of the response is now being stood down. The search will continue under the direction of Dyfed-Powys Police.

Chief Inspector Richard Yelland said the outcome so far was not what officers or the family had hoped for.

“Sadly, the search to date has not resulted in the outcome we were hoping for, and we have communicated this to Kurtis’s family,” he said.

“We remain committed to finding Kurtis and will continue to do all we can in the coming days to bring him home.”

He added that police retain the specialist capability to continue searching on the water with the force’s marine unit, along the riverbanks on foot, and from the air using drones, which will be deployed when appropriate by trained search managers.

Chief Insp Yelland also thanked members of the public who have volunteered to help.

“Over the past few days we have coordinated volunteer searches, and we are grateful to those who have adhered to our search parameters,” he said. “It shows how close-knit the Cardigan community is, and we know the family has taken comfort from the support shown.”

However, he warned against uncoordinated efforts.

“There are risks in carrying out independent searches. If there are safe areas that can be searched, we will communicate this. Your cooperation helps keep everyone safe and respects the integrity of the search operation.”

Anyone with information that could assist officers — or if the person who entered the water is now safe — is asked to contact police quoting reference 52 of Sunday (Jan 4):

• Online via Dyfed-Powys Police
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 101