News
THE DEATH OF DEMOCRACY

THE EXTRAORDINARY meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council to decide if the Chief Executive, Bryn Parry Jones should be suspended has collapsed, amongst unprecedented scenes at County Hall last week.
On Friday, February 14, opposition Councillors were told by a top QC that they should withdraw from the meeting due to comments they had made in the press.
A stunned Cllr Bob Kilmister stood up and said “Can I just have a point of clarification please before other members go, I gave a response to the “Pembrokeshire Herald” and the question that they asked me was ‘Do you as an elected member support the growing calls for the chief executive to resign?’ Now I’m not aware that we have got that motion before us, I don’t believe that that is something that we can actually vote on as nobody is actually calling on him to resign.”
He added: “Now we have a notice of motion that is in that uses the word suspension. Suspension is a highly different thing to resignation. Resignation can only be done by the person concerned. I was asked my question about resignation and I said it in the chamber already that those people in that position should consider their position including that resignation.”
Cllr. Guy Woodham was next on his feet, saying: “I am one of the signatories on the notice of motion. When I gave the quote that appeared in the Pembrokeshire Herald, it said I believe it said the chief exec should be suspended pending an investigation. To me that doesn’t show pre-determination.”
Cllr. Reg Owens told the meeting: “Mr Chairman, are these names just the ones that came from the Pembrokeshire Herald? Because my name wasn’t read out and I gave my quote to the Western Telegraph. You have only been given the press cuttings from the Pembrokeshire Herald, You haven’t been given the press cutting from the Telegraph!”
Tim Kerr QC, the lawyer advising the Council on the ‘tax-dodge’ pension arrangements read out a list of Councillors who he felt could not participate in the meeting due to negative comments they had made about Bryn Parry Jones in the local press.
In light of this, most members of the opposition walked out of the council chamber and the one remaining signatory to the notice of motion that Bryn Parry-Jones be suspended, Cllr Phil Baker, withdrew the vote.Cllr. Phil Baker told the Herald after the meeting: “I knew something was afoot when the QC was allowed to remain after the Wales Audit Office report was discussed.”
He added: “I think that a lot of IPPG members as well as opposition Councillors are not happy about what has happened today. Very shabby indeed, it’s like the old East Germany.”
Pembrokeshire Alliance
The Pembrokeshire Alliance Group have made a statement about the meeting:
A spokesperson said: “This meeting was an insult to democracy. The people of Pembrokeshire deserve openness, transparency and good governance and this meeting was an example of what happens when these principles are quite deliberately not followed.”
The Pembrokeshire Alliance Group says it is now in discussions with other opposition groups and non-affiliated Councillors as to what should happen next.
AM wants Bryn stripped of returning officer powers
Welsh Labour AM Rebecca Evans has called for embattled chief executive of Pembrokeshire Council Bryn Parry-Jones to be stripped of his role as Returning Officer for Wales in the European elections this May until local Councillors are allowed to debate the issue properly and the police investigation has concluded.
Rebecca Evans AM, Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales said: “After the embarrassing spectacle that was Friday’s ‘extraordinary meeting’ of Pembrokeshire council, it is clear that the Pembrokeshire council leadership is content to allow the debate to descend into farce rather than grapple openly and in public with the serious issues presented by the Wales Audit Office reports.
“It would now be utterly preposterous for Bryn Parry Jones to preside over the European Ballot as Returning Officer while his pension payments are still under police investigation. The public must have complete confidence in the election process, and in all of the people involved. Until the police investigation is concluded, alternative arrangements must be made – and that means relieving Bryn Parry Jones of his Returning Officer role.”
Paul Miller, leader of the Labour group in Pembrokeshire said: “Sometimes, particularly around planning issues, pre-determination rules help ensure fairness but last week it was worrying to see those rules used to stifle debate and silence critics in a totally unjust and undemocratic way. Many opposition Councillors felt cornered having a QC tell them that they had to leave. Having sought legal advice, I know that no Labour councillors pre-determined the debate. Pre-determination is a matter for individuals not lawyers. Enlisting a barrister in a crude attempt to undermine our roles as Councillors and prevent us from seeking to represent the views of our constituents on this hugely important issue is nothing short of Orwellian.
“The public deserve reassurance that this matter is being dealt with properly. I will not lie down and be silenced by the puppet administration running Pembrokeshire, and will continue to fight to ensure the full council are able to debate this.”
Angela Burns urges Bryn to step aside
AM Angela Burns has called for Pembrokeshire council’s chief executive to step aside.
She said: “I would say that he should stand aside. I’m perfectly happy for the status quo to be restored, providing the police investigation comes up saying that everything is as it should be.”
Mrs Burns said: “I would like to see an independent investigation being undertaken because I feel that the councillors involved here have acted with the most extraordinary behaviour.”
Plaid Cymru speaks out
Pembrokeshire Plaid Cymru leader Cllr Michael Williams has called on the Welsh Government to intervene in the running of Pembrokeshire County Council.
Cllr Williams told The Herald: “The recent events are yet more evidence of the gross incompetence of the Independent Group which presently masquerades as the controlling group of the Council. We say “masquerade” as it is patently obvious that the authority is run by a small cabal of out of control senior officers orchestrated by the Chief Executive, who are bringing the Council into disrepute.”
He added: “After their appalling performance in the Council meeting on Friday, is it any wonder that PCC is the laughing stock of Wales? Pembrokeshire tax payers deserve better. We deserve honesty and integrity, and they have consistently failed to deliver.”
“This Council staggers from crisis to crisis, from travel claims which were years late from the Leader to the misuse of Council computers by Councillor Rob Lewis to produce Independent group election literature. This together with failures to properly safeguard our children, a failed social care provision and recently dubious grant dealings in Pembroke Dock render them unfit.
“It was amazing to see on Friday their efforts to extricate themselves from their self-inflicted problems. Legal advice of forty five pages, which we, as elected Members, were not allowed to see, and the costs of at least one Q C, with another expert flown in from Edinburgh. This, plus the mysterious brown envelope left on the passenger seat of the Council vehicle which transported the Q C with information enclosed selectively identifying those Members who had stated that the CEO should go. “The rulers of North Korea would be proud.
“Mr Parry-Jones should step aside immediately, and take his poodle, Jamie Adams with him. The Welsh Government should immediately install Commissioners to take over the running of PCC” he concluded.
QC advice was ‘not the whole story’,says Herald
The Pembrokeshire Herald took independent legal advice before publishing comments made by County Councillors this month, in the days leading up to the vote over the suspension of chief executive of Pembrokeshire council, Bryn Parry Jones.
During the extraordinary meeting of Full Council, members were told to withdraw by a barrister appointed by senior officers and leaders of the authority.
Mr Tim Kerr QC told members that some of them had ‘crossed the line’ by showing predetermination over whether the chief executive should be suspended. Mr Kerr told members that this predetermination was demonstrated by comments made in the newspaper article.
Mr Kerr had been given photocopies of selected press cuttings from The Pembrokeshire Herald’s February 7 edition by the monitoring officer, Mr Laurence Harding. He told the meeting that the newspaper article had been ‘brought to his attention’ but refused to say by who. However, Deputy Leader, Cllr Rob Lewis told members that he also had copies of the same documents. He did not, however, admit to giving them to Mr Laurence Harding.
Pembrokeshire Herald editor Thomas Sinclair said: “There is legislation regarding the issue of predetermination that was not brought up at the meeting. Section 25(2) of the Localism Act 2011 provides that ‘a decision-maker is not to be taken to have had, or to have appeared to have had, a closed mind when making the decision just because the decision-maker had previously done anything that directly or indirectly indicated what view the decision-maker took’.”
Mr Sinclair added: “This legislation clearly applies to all County Councils in Wales & England, but a very restrictive interpretation of it was given to Councillors at Friday’s meeting.”
He concluded: “In the newspaper’s view if Lawrence Harding was acting in the best interests of all the members of the council, he would have advised members of any issue with what they had said before the meeting.”
Crime
Domestic abuse a ‘public health emergency’, say campaigners

Report finds NHS training ‘inconsistent’ as victims fall through the cracks
DOMESTIC abuse should be treated as a public health emergency, a leading charity has warned, after a new report exposed widespread failings by the NHS in identifying and supporting victims.
According to the latest Office for National Statistics figures, more than 12 million people in England and Wales—around one in four adults—have experienced domestic abuse. The charity Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse (Stada) says that, despite frequent contact with both victims and perpetrators, NHS staff are often ill-equipped to intervene.
Stada reviewed domestic homicide and suicide cases published during 2024 and found that in 9 out of 10 cases, the NHS had failed in its safeguarding duties. The most common failing was a lack of proper training for staff on recognising signs of abuse.
Although national guidance recommends mandatory training for frontline NHS staff, the report found that provision remains patchy and inconsistent across services. Failures to record risk properly, share information between agencies, and link victims with mental health or alcohol support services were also highlighted.
The warning comes as a separate study in The Lancet found that more than one in four women who died by suicide and were under secondary mental health care had previously suffered domestic abuse.
Cherryl Henry-Leach, chief executive of Stada, said: “Treating domestic abuse purely as a criminal justice issue costs lives. The NHS is uniquely placed to help, but it must be properly resourced and trained to do so.”
The report urges the government to fund standardised training and improve data sharing. Without urgent reforms, Stada warns that the government’s stated aim of halving violence against women and girls by 2034 will not be met.
Tim Woodhouse, a suicide prevention expert, said as many as 1,800 suicides a year may be linked to domestic abuse, calling it “a national scandal”.
Andrea Simon, from the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said healthcare workers are often the only professionals victims may encounter: “They must be trained to spot the signs and know what to do. Inaction can lead to serious harm or even death.”
Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners, added: “Given the trusted relationships GPs have with patients, it is deeply worrying that chances to help might be missed.”
In response, an NHS spokesperson said: “All NHS staff must complete safeguarding training which includes domestic abuse, and this training is currently being reviewed and updated.”
A UK Government spokesperson said a new strategy to prevent domestic abuse is due later this year. “We remain committed to protecting victims, holding perpetrators accountable, and ensuring healthcare professionals have the tools to support survivors,” they said.
Help is available for domestic abuse victims in Pembrokeshire
Support services offer confidential advice, refuge and counselling
Anyone experiencing domestic abuse in Pembrokeshire is urged to seek help. Support is available 24 hours a day, and no one should suffer in silence.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
There are several local and national organisations offering confidential support, practical advice and emergency accommodation:
Key Helplines
- Live Fear Free Helpline (24/7, confidential):
📞 0808 80 10 800
📱 Text: 07860 077333
📧 Email: [email protected] - Victim Support (for anyone affected by crime):
📞 0808 16 89 111 - Refuge National Helpline (for women and children):
📞 0808 2000 247
Local Services in Pembrokeshire
- Pembrokeshire Domestic Abuse Services (PDAS)
Offers outreach, one-to-one support, refuge, counselling, and children’s programmes.
📞 01554 752 422 - Stori (formerly Hafan Cymru)
Provides housing support, drop-in advice and specialist help for women, men and families.
📍 8 High Street, Haverfordwest, SA61 2DA
🕘 Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
📞 01437 768 761
📧 Email: [email protected] - Welsh Women’s Aid
A national organisation working with local providers to ensure survivors get the help they need.
Contact via the Live Fear Free Helpline above.
You are not alone.
Whether you need immediate safety, someone to talk to, or long-term support, these services are here to help. All calls are confidential and support is available for women, men and children.
Business
Mayor welcomes Eyemazy to Tenby with official opening

TENBY Mayor Cllr Dai Morgan officially welcomed a unique new business to the town on Sunday (June 23) with the opening of Eyemazy, a creative studio specialising in transforming photographs of the human iris into striking pieces of personalised art.
Speaking at the launch, the Mayor said: “Tenby has always been a place of breathtaking beauty, creativity, and warm community spirit. Today, we celebrate something new that captures all of that—and more.”
Eyemazy, which offers cutting-edge imaging and custom artwork services, allows visitors to turn a close-up image of their eye into a one-of-a-kind visual display. The studio adds to Tenby’s growing reputation as a hub of artistic innovation and tourism.
“This innovative studio transforms something truly personal—your iris—into a unique work of art,” added the Mayor. “It’s a celebration of individuality, creativity, and the beauty within each of us. Eyemazy not only brings artistic flair to Tenby but also strengthens our local economy and continues our proud tradition of blending creativity with commerce.”
Cllr Morgan concluded by offering a warm welcome to the Eyemazy team and said he looked forward to the studio becoming a popular destination for both residents and tourists.
News
Tenby station rebranded as ‘Home of Long Course Weekend’ in sustainable travel push

Sporting event teams up with Transport for Wales to promote greener travel and boost local economy
TENBY Railway Station has been officially rebranded as The Home of Long Course Weekend in a new partnership between Transport for Wales (TfW) and the internationally renowned endurance festival.
The move is part of Long Course Weekend’s wider Sustainability Strategy, aimed at encouraging athletes, families and spectators to travel to Tenby by train—not only for the event itself but also for training breaks and year-round holidays in one of the UK’s most picturesque regions.
Launched in Tenby in 2010, Long Course Weekend has grown into a global phenomenon with editions in New Zealand, Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Mallorca and Yorkshire. Despite its international expansion, the event’s roots remain firmly in Wales, drawing over 50,000 visitors to Pembrokeshire each year and generating more than 160,000 bed nights annually—contributing millions to the local economy.

Now in its 15th year, the event is reaffirming its local commitment by transforming Tenby’s railway station into a branded celebration of sport, sustainability and community pride. The initiative comes as Transport for Wales increases services to the coastal town for the summer season.
Matthew Evans, founder of Long Course Weekend, said: “It’s incredible to see how far LCW has come, but Tenby is—and always will be—our first home. Partnering with TfW helps us open the door to a more sustainable future, inviting athletes, families and visitors to arrive in style while reducing their environmental impact. The increased train services this summer are fantastic for Tenby and for Pembrokeshire’s ambition to be a global leader in sustainable tourism.”
Victoria Leyshon, Partnership Marketing Manager at Transport for Wales, added:
“We’re thrilled to work with LCW to celebrate what makes Wales special—from world-class sporting events to stunning destinations like Tenby. By encouraging rail travel, we’re supporting a cleaner, greener Wales and welcoming thousands to an iconic coastal location.”
Tenby Mayor David Morgan welcomed the initiative, saying: “It’s great to see the strides made by Long Course Weekend and Transport for Wales—from the new station branding to the real improvements in local transport. Most importantly, the increased train services over the summer will benefit both visitors and the people who live here. We’re looking forward to another brilliant event.”
Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall added: “We are delighted to see LCW and TfW promoting sustainable travel for athletes year-round. It’s exactly the kind of forward-thinking partnership we should be celebrating.”
More than a station makeover, the project represents a gateway to Wales and a call to explore its landscapes—anchored in community, sport and sustainability.
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Teifion
February 28, 2014 at 7:59 am
So let’s get this right, a London QC paid for by the Pembs. tax payer basically stops councilors who have expressed an opinion NOT favourable to Bryn Jones are told they cannot vote BUT those who support him through thick and thin and have told the press they will continue to do so and as I understand get special allowances from the Council ARE allowed to vote – No wonder the place is called the Kremlin on the Cleddau.
I can only hope the more decent and honest members of the IPPG have been disgusted by actions and acts conducted in their name will revolt against Mr Adams when the vote comes
rath_riviera
March 1, 2014 at 11:39 am
Seems there is a lack of understanding in Council between the technicality of the law and the spirit of the law. If speaking to the press provides rationale for stating pre-determination, then any pre-meeting conversation could be construed the same so that IPGG meetings would be an equivalent technical problem? The payment of a QC under these circumstances appears a questionable use of public funds: as a tax-payer, how am I gaining by paying for certain individuals being able to de-rail a Council meeting by show-boating a QC? Did full council have notice a QC would be present (and why)? It is reasonably foreseeable that the outcome would be a publically funded Council meeting being de-railed so that a vote the whole County wants cannot take place. Why not have him pop out of a cake? Whatever the technicalities, perception of foul-play is undermining integrity and trust. On top of the apparent shambles with pension funds, educational degradation, and current investigations into property, are we obtaining value for our money? Who sanctioned the QC payment? When was the last time the accounts were independently audited?