News

Answers wanted over child’s death

Published

12 years ago

March 31, 2014

ON FRIDAY, March 14, friends and supporters gathered at County Hall, Haverfordwest to call for ‘truth and transparency’ regarding the circumstances leading to the teenager’s death.

Fourteen-year-old Seren Bernard’s body was found in Milford Haven in 2012.

Sarah Pollock, from Haverfordwest, has complained to an ombudsman, claiming her concerns and views were ignored.

She said: ““My daughter wasn’t a statistic, she wasn’t a number, and she wasn’t a wage for foster carers. My daughter was a human being with rights. That’s what I’m standing up for today.”

A report published in January about Seren’s death has been strongly criticised by Sarah. The report said it would remain uncertain whether or not the death could have been prevented had any steps been taken.

In a statement responding to the demonstration, officials from Pembrokeshire County Council said that they appreciated “the deep emotion of Mrs Pollock as a bereaved parent. The independent reports that have been completed by external experts into the tragic loss of her daughter have concluded that it would remain uncertain as to whether there were any steps that, if taken, could have prevented her death.”

“At present the matter is still before HM Coroner and it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

Mother of Seren Bernard demands the truth

THE MOTHER of tragic teenage suicide victim, Seren Bernard, has fronted a protest requesting answers over the death of her 14-year-old daughter, whilst under the care of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Social Services department.

Sarah Pollock told The Herald about what she sees as the County Council’s many failures that led to the death of Seren: holding them responsible. Sarah also believes she has been unfairly treated by all agencies concerned.

“I am fighting my case against the whole overview report that they have sanctioned and locked down in the Safeguarding Board of Pembrokeshire. I have a lot of questions to ask of the County Council.

“They say their reviews have been independent and impartial; I dispute this”.

She said of the Executive Summary,

“Their documentation is inaccurate, personal and not professional, and certainly not impartial. The basis of the information provided to other agencies was biased, inaccurate and incorrect”.

Regarding the Executive Summary experience, attended by Sarah Pollock, she said,

“Mr Relf (head of child care) and Mr Brown (safeguarding board) told me I had time to consider the paper before going over it.

“I asked if I could have a private room, so they left the room. I read the first page and they came back in the room asking if I’d finished. After just two minutes he (Mr Brown) demanded to know how long I was going to be. I addressed them with many questions, especially about the care she was receiving. I told them that my mother did not have the capacity to take care of Seren, which they documented as being spiteful, aggressive and unpredictable.

“In that Executive Summary there was no mention of these things I was doing or saying to get my daughter help.

“Seren used the family dynamics to hide behind rather than seek outside help. I went to the school asking them to provide counselling which they failed to document. After various incidents in her school, the then Head told her they’d be phoning me, to which she objected, so they dismissed me totally, calling Social Services. “Social Services were not monitoring her situation closely enough. All I wanted was my daughter to have counselling and be under my care where I could direct her life in a positive way”.

Sarah Pollock continued by asking whether the then foster carers of Seren have been suspended from their position of foster care during this enquiry, citing an incident she believes highlighted their lack of competence in looking after her daughter.

“A child died in their care. The care they gave to my daughter was inappropriate and they subjected her to harm, by overriding my parental rights”.

She supported this claim by alleging that despite her protestations Seren’s foster parents allowed her to go on a night out in Minnie’s, which she considered totally inappropriate. Sarah explained this resulted in Seren being taken to hospital by ambulance, this occurring just six weeks before her death. Regarding her ability to care for her daughter, she continued,

“How can my daughter have stopped her own counselling when she had been hearing voices, self-harming and absconding?

“They (Social Services) even wanted me to take her back after I had had no contact with her for four months. How were we going to help her out if she didn’t sort out her issues? Every time I questioned any of their decisions I was deemed aggressive, unpredictable and confrontational. All I wanted was the best for my daughter”.

Emphasising her competence as a parent, she cited the academic achievements of her son. She accused the various agencies of denying family members the opportunity for any input into Seren’s welfare once she was in foster care, which she said was on a voluntary care order.

“They empowered my daughter to self-destruct. They have destroyed our family’s lives.”

News

Questions raised over delayed west Wales express coach as FOI row deepens

Published

3 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Concerns mount over transparency after Transport for Wales delays response on key documents

QUESTIONS are being raised over the future of a long-promised express coach service linking north and south west Wales, after a Freedom of Information (FOI) request triggered a delay by Transport for Wales.

The proposed express route between Bangor and Carmarthen was identified in a Welsh Government-backed business case in early 2025 as a key project capable of cutting journey times by up to 90 minutes.

However, more than a year after a public consultation was held, there has been no clear update on funding, delivery, or timelines.

Now, a detailed FOI request submitted to TfW is seeking answers — including business case documents, internal communications, and consultation results — but the transport body has said it needs more time to respond.

FOI delay sparks concern

In a reply dated Friday (Mar 27), TfW said it was relying on Section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act, which relates to commercial interests, and that it required additional time to carry out a public interest test.

The authority has indicated it will respond fully by April 28.

But the applicant, Dr John McTighe, has challenged that position, arguing that most of the requested information — including meeting dates, consultation documents, and performance data — cannot reasonably be considered commercially sensitive.

He has warned that failure to provide the non-sensitive material promptly could result in a referral to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Contrast with north Wales rollout

The FOI request also highlights the introduction of the TrawsCymru T51 service between Wrexham and Rhyl, which was launched in 2025 and is set to receive a fleet of new vehicles this year.

Critics argue that while the north Wales route has progressed quickly, the west-coast express proposal — described as a “headline ambition” for improving north–south connectivity — appears to have stalled.

The Herald understands that the Bangor–Carmarthen route was backed by a positive business case and formed part of wider plans to improve long-distance public transport links across Wales.

Transparency questions

The request seeks details of meetings, internal correspondence, and consultation analysis — including the results of a public consultation which TfW said would be assessed using specialist software.

It also asks for information on how passenger numbers and performance data are monitored across the TrawsCymru network.

Concerns have been raised that key performance data, including annual passenger figures and punctuality statistics, are not routinely published in full.

Calls for clarity

The delay has prompted fresh calls for transparency over how decisions are made on publicly funded transport services in Wales.

There is particular concern in west Wales that strategic investment may not be progressing at the same pace as elsewhere, despite longstanding commitments to improve connectivity along the western corridor.

A spokesperson for Transport for Wales said the organisation is considering where the balance of public interest lies before releasing the requested information, and confirmed a full response will be issued by April 28.

The Welsh Government has been approached for comment.

Local Government

Oil spill alert after pollution hits Pembroke stream and Castle Pond

Published

3 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Heating oil believed to have entered water via culvert as investigation and clean-up continue

AN UGENT investigation is underway after a suspected heating oil spill contaminated the Commons Stream and spread into Castle Pond in Pembroke.

Pembroke Town Council first raised the alarm, warning residents of a potential pollution incident affecting the watercourse. Officers from Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team and Natural Resources Wales are now on site working to identify the source and contain the spill.

Further information from local county councillor Aaron Carey suggests the oil likely entered the stream through a culvert near Foundry House, indicating the source may lie somewhere to the south of that location.

The substance is believed to be domestic heating oil. It is not yet known whether the spill was accidental or the result of a possible attempted fuel theft.

Residents in St Daniel’s Hill, South Road and Orange Gardens are being urged to check their heating oil tanks for any signs of damage or unexplained loss.

Witnesses reported seeing a blue-green sheen on the water near the castle side earlier today, raising concerns about the extent of the contamination.

Clean-up efforts are ongoing, and members of the public may notice increased activity around the stream and pond while teams work to manage the incident.

Anyone with information or concerns is advised to contact the relevant authorities.

News

Reform UK candidate quits days after Nazi salute row

Published

4 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Corey Edwards stood in Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg and appeared at national hustings shortly before stepping down

REFORM UK Senedd candidate Corey Edwards has stepped down from the upcoming election, just days after controversy over a photograph appearing to show him making a Nazi salute.

The party confirmed on Thursday (Mar 27) that Edwards had withdrawn from the race, citing mental health issues. A spokesperson said: “Corey Edwards has informed us that he is stepping down as a candidate for the Senedd election this May, citing issues with his mental health.

“We wish him well for the future and hope his privacy can be respected at this difficult time.”

Edwards had been selected as Reform UK’s lead candidate for Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg, meaning he was in a strong position to be elected if the party secured a seat in the constituency.

His withdrawal comes shortly after a photograph emerged, first published by Nation.Cymru, which appeared to show him performing a Nazi salute. Edwards said the image, taken in 2019, could be “misinterpreted” and claimed he had been imitating either a scene from Fawlty Towers or Welsh footballer Wayne Hennessey, who was previously involved in a similar controversy.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the image “looked terrible” but confirmed Edwards would not be removed as a candidate at the time, describing him as “a human being” and referencing the sitcom scene as context.

Edwards had also appeared publicly as a Reform representative at a national youth hustings event in Cardiff on Thursday (Mar 19), alongside politicians from other major parties.

In a statement, Edwards said: “Like many young people, I have made mistakes. But I am proud of the person I am today and the values I stand for.”

The Herald understands that Reform UK has not yet confirmed whether a replacement candidate will be selected for the constituency.