News

Deputy Council leader is suspended for misconduct

Published

12 years ago

March 31, 2014

COUNCILLOR Rob Lewis has been suspended for two weeks by the Standards Committee after they found that he was in breach of the code of conduct.

After receiving an anonymous DVD entitled ‘IPG election campaigns 2008 and 2012’ Councillor David Bryan made a complaint and in September 2012 the Public Services Ombudsman was called in to investigate.

‘lewisrob’ is shown as the author or last person to save the files, all of which were created between March and May of 2012. The first 16 files included election posters and documents encouraging voters to support Independent Group councillors Clive Collins, David Simpson, Elwyn Morse, Ken Rowlands, Lyndon Frayling, Pearl Llewellyn, Peter Stock and himself and former councillors Jim Codd and John George.

Cllr Lewis, who is also the Cabinet spokesperson for Highways, Planning, Transportation and Major Events, accepted that he had used the council’s computer system inappropriately in those 16 circumstances, but had disputed that the context of a further five instances were improper use. Cllr Lewis disputed the other five because he believed that they “relate to the management of the political structure of the council and are directly connected to the running of the council, and is therefore not a breach of the Code of Conduct”.

At the hearing, Cllr Lewis said: “I was asked by members to prepare a speculative view of how the authority would look after the elections.

“Maybe in hindsight I should have picked up my laptop, instead I used the machine which I had sat in front of for six or seven years.

“The five files are split into two sections: Pre election files and actual files. The pre-election ones could be deemed inappropriate, but the post-election ones are to do with the formation of the council.

“The files before you were stored in the council system, taken without my permission, and used against me.”

However, after deliberating the issue for over an hour, the committee considered that the documents that were disputed did not relate to council business. The council’s Monitoring Officer Laurence Harding said: “They were not appropriate uses of the council’s resources”.

Committee leader, Mr Ian Williams said: “Cllr Lewis will be suspended for two weeks. Cllr Lewis has been very forthright in his responses, but he is a senior member of the council and should have ensured that he fully understood the rules.

“The whole subject of the use of the council’s IT resources needs to be completely reviewed in light of the issues raised in this hearing and members must be provided with clear rules governing the use of IT resources and facilities”.

Community

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

Published

2 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance

FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.

Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.

On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.

Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)

Community

Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation

Published

2 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.

Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.

In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.

Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.

Community

Candlelit carol service brings community together in Milford Haven

Published

3 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.

The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.

Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.

The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.