News
‘Scandal’ and ‘disgrace’ as IPPG prevent Mik Smith report publication
MEMBERS of the IPPG on Pembrokeshire County Council closed ranks to prevent the publication of a damning report into the Council’s handling of allegations of misconduct into paedophile social worker Mik Smith.
Smith had continued in the Council’s employment even after complaints of ‘grooming behaviour’ towards children had been made against him.
A motion proposing that the report be disclosed to the public was kicked into the long grass following a tied vote. It concerned whether a motion proposed by Hakin councillor Mike Stoddart should go forward or be remitted to the “never-never land” of a review by a Council committee.
Motions uncongenial to either officers or the IPPG have a record of disappearing in such a system, never to be heard of again, as has been remarked on by Cllr Stoddart on a number of occasions.
Although a recorded vote was not carried out, only one member of the Cabinet voted against the party line, St David’s councillor and Education spokesperson David Lloyd, who remains unattached to the IPPG. Former Cabinet members for education and children’s services Ken Rowlands, Sue Perkins and Huw George voted to keep the report under wraps.
As The Herald reported two years ago, the head of Pembrokeshire County Council’s youth services department gave paedophile Smith a positive reference on an application to register as a foster carer.
The reference was given following two council investigations into Smith’s inappropriate conduct towards children, which had resulted in Smith being given a written warning.
The same council officer gave Smith the positive reference for a 2010 fostering application as had previously handed down Smith’s written warning.
Two years ago, Mike Stoddart pointed out that: “The fostering application was thwarted because some of the panel members were aware of the history.
“It happened that somebody on the Fostering Panel happened to know so it was pure luck that saved us from a disaster and not good practice”.
As The Herald had previously revealed, claims made by IPPG leader Jamie Adams at a Council meeting in July 2014 that the Council’s former CE, Bryn Parry Jones, knew nothing about the serious allegations made by colleagues against Mik Smith are untrue. We revealed the existence of a series of explosive internal documents that showed that when allegations were made about Mik Smith’s inappropriate conduct towards children, Council officers tried to sweep them under the carpet.
In March 2015, revealing that a second investigation was not carried out by an independent social worker but by a graduate trainee in the Chief Executive’s own department, Cllr Stoddart asked whether Mr Parry-Jones had ever explained, when asked about it by Cllr Adams as he had previously claimed in July 2014, why a similar child protection procedure involving social workers and the police wasn’t instigated following a second investigation in 2006.
The council leader answered: “I simply do not recall”.
Speaking impassionedly at Council on March 2, Cllr Stoddart told councillors that they had been systematically misled about what had happened in relation to Mik Smith: “What went on over this foster parent business is a disgrace; I’m determined to get this out in the open. It’s an even bigger disgrace that the youth worker who first exposed the matter was unceremoniously sacked while the person who had handed out references which made no mention of Mr Smith’s previous disciplinary record is sitting at home with a fat pension.
“That is an injustice I’m not prepared to tolerate.”
Following the tied vote, Chair Tony Brinsden, voted in line with the recommendation not to publish the report.
However, the drama did not end there as Labour leader Paul Miller pointed out a discrepancy between the number of votes cast, including abstentions and the number of councillors present. He was told by Monitoring Officer, Claire Jones that it was some possible some councillors present had neither voted nor abstained.
Health
Phone calls to reduce GP visits for 42% of patients this winter
NEW research from the Royal Voluntary Service has shown that a simple phone call could significantly impact well-being, reducing GP visits by 42% among patients who receive regular telephone support.
The charity urges those feeling isolated this winter, particularly the elderly, to use telephone support services as a way to improve health and free up GP appointments, potentially reducing waiting times. It is estimated that if people experiencing loneliness in later life reduced their GP visits by just one appointment a year, this could free up 588,000 appointments annually.
As winter approaches, the Royal Voluntary Service reports that isolation can sharply increase, especially for adults over 75, with nearly half (47%) of people in this age group feeling lonelier in the colder months. Among those who live alone, one in six say they feel forgotten during winter, and 20% report having no one to turn to for emotional support.
In addition to loneliness, older generations face several winter worries, including increased heating costs, cited by 55% of respondents, and reduced ability to go out, which 29% said they dreaded as winter sets in.
To address these challenges, Royal Voluntary Service has launched the Stay Safe, Warm and Well campaign in partnership with Yakult. The campaign provides a guide for practical and emotional winter preparation, encouraging sign-ups for telephone support services and offering access to the Virtual Village Hall online community for events and activities. Practical advice on money-saving and energy-saving tips is also available through the guide.
Royal Voluntary Service Ambassador Elaine Paige, who has herself made support calls for the charity, described the positive impact these calls can have. “A warm, friendly phone call can transform someone’s day. Some conversations leave you smiling long after the call ends—something we could all use, especially in winter. For those facing the season alone, there are amazing people ready to remind you that you’re not alone,” she said.
The charity’s support services match volunteers with individuals across the UK for friendly chats, reducing isolation and boosting mental health. Catherine Johnstone CBE, Chief Executive of Royal Voluntary Service, said: “The feedback that conversations with volunteers are helping people to visit their GP less is testament to the value of connection.”
Yakult Marketing Manager Reshma Patel added: “Our research with Royal Voluntary Service shows that one in four adults over 75 feel they’d benefit from practical and emotional support over winter. We are committed to helping people access the Stay Safe, Warm and Well guide to support their overall well-being.”
Crime
Welsh shop workers face ‘surge in shoplifting linked violence and abuse’ says union
A NEW survey by retail trade union Usdaw has revealed disturbing figures on the abuse, threats, and violence endured by Welsh shop workers, with incidents increasingly linked to shoplifting. Released during Respect for Shop Workers Week, which runs from November 11 to 17, the statistics highlight a troubling trend that is impacting thousands of retail employees.
Usdaw’s survey, based on responses from over 4,000 retail staff, shows that in the past year:
- 69% experienced verbal abuse.
- 45% were threatened by customers.
- 17% were assaulted.
Usdaw General Secretary Paddy Lillis commented on the findings, saying: “Shop workers deserve far more respect than they receive. These reports from Welsh retail staff make grim reading. It is shocking to see over two-thirds of our members subjected to abuse, threats, and violence. Seven in ten of these incidents are related to theft, much of it tied to addiction and organised crime.”
Usdaw’s survey suggests that shoplifting is increasingly becoming a flashpoint for violence. Many shop workers report encountering hardened criminals who appear to steal goods “to order” or to fund addictions. According to the union, incidents are on the rise across Wales, with police-reported shoplifting up by 33% in the past year.
Usdaw member testimonies paint a vivid picture of the dangers faced on the shop floor:
- One respondent described being “spat at, pushed against a wall, punched, and threatened with a knife.”
- Another reported that, after refusing to sell alcohol, they were told to “F**k off” and threatened with a beating by a group of five.
- Others spoke of being punched, spat on, and verbally abused, with threats that often left lasting emotional scars.
New measures on the horizon
Usdaw has been calling for greater legal protection for retail workers for years, and it appears these calls are finally being heard. The recent Crime and Policing Bill, announced in the King’s Speech, proposes to:
- End the £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters, which has been a source of frustration for retailers.
- Introduce town centre banning orders for repeat offenders.
- Allocate funding for tackling organised shoplifting and increase police presence in shopping areas.
“We welcome these new measures and hope they will provide much-needed protection,” said Mr. Lillis. “After 14 years of neglect under successive Tory governments, we are encouraged by the steps the new Labour government is taking to address the retail crime epidemic.”
As Christmas approaches—a time when retail crime tends to peak—Usdaw is urging the public to “respect shop workers” and remain calm as stores become busier.
Usdaw, which represents around 360,000 members, primarily in retail, launched its Freedom From Fear Campaign to tackle the growing issue of violence against shop workers. The final results of the 2024 survey are expected in March 2025.
Charity
Milford Haven RNLI celebrates heartfelt donation from Neyland Ladies Choir
MILFORD HAVEN RNLI Fundraising Group received a generous donation of over £1,000 from Neyland Ladies Choir this October, marking a touching tribute to Mrs. Dorothy Beckett, one of the RNLI’s longest-standing supporters.
The Neyland Ladies Choir held a special concert at St. Mary’s Church on Waterloo Road, Hakin, to celebrate Dorothy Beckett’s 90th birthday. A lifelong supporter of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Dorothy has played a crucial role in lifeboat fundraising in the Milford Haven area, dating back to the 1970s. She was instrumental in establishing the Hakin Point RNLI fundraising group, which has raised over £500,000 to support the RNLI’s lifesaving work.
The concert’s proceeds were presented in a moving ceremony at Bethesda Baptist Church in Neyland. Accepting the donation on behalf of the RNLI were Steve Lewis, Chairman of the fundraising group, and Thomas Kehoe, Deputy Coxswain of the Angle Lifeboat.
Adding to the evening’s celebrations, Alice Coleman, RNLI Community Manager, presented Dorothy with the Long Service Medal, recognizing her fifty years of dedication to the institution. This award, given by the RNLI, honors Dorothy’s unwavering commitment to saving lives at sea.
“Thank you, Neyland Ladies Choir and Dorothy Beckett,” said the RNLI in a heartfelt message to the community. “Your support and dedication mean the world to us.”
The Milford Haven RNLI Fundraising Group encourages supporters to share and spread the word, hoping that Dorothy’s legacy inspires continued community support.
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