News

Council pay female employees nearly 25% less, data reveals

Published

8 years ago

April 11, 2018

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL have been found to pay their female employees on average almost a quarter less than their male colleagues.

Businesses in Wales with over 250 employees were ordered to submit data on mean and median gender pay gaps by the Government Equalities Office last week. Only 5 of the 22 local authorities in Wales that employ over 250 workers have submitted the data as things stand, and it is Pembrokeshire that currently has the largest pay gap between men and women, at an average of 23.4% higher wages for male employees.

28% of the 5,250 people employed by Pembrokeshire County Council are women, yet nearly a third of them are in the bottom quarter of hourly pay, in comparison to the mere 8% of men in the same bracket. Nearly two thirds of men working at the council are in the top half of earnings, whilst only 45% of women can say the same.

Out of all the councils to have released figures, only Newport reported that female employees get a higher hourly median rate compared to their male equivalents, with the difference 3% in favour of women.

Janet Wyer, the UNISON Secretary for the Pembrokeshire branch said: “Pembrokeshire County Council’s workforce has always been bottom-weighted with low paid women in the lower grades. The imposed pay and grading structure of 2013 has done nothing to change that.”

A Pembrokeshire County Council spokesperson responded to the findings, saying that: “It should be noted that a number of part-time jobs traditionally associated with women, such as cleaning, catering, care and clerical work, are the backbone of local government and are provided in-house by the council and not out-sourced (as in some other local authorities).”

This is not the first time the issue of gender pay equality has been levelled against Pembrokeshire County Council, as in 2016 a legal settlement was reached after 100 former female employees found they were not paid the full amount due to them under equal pay legislation, whilst working for the council in a variety of roles.

The total pay-out was believed to approach £200,000. This came after a £3.5m settlement by the Council to settle historic equal pay claims in 2012.

News

Wirral man fined after illegal cockle fishing and estuary vehicle offence

Published

5 minutes ago

February 10, 2026

Tamsin Mathias

Court hears offences took place at Three Rivers Estuary

A WIRRAL man has been fined thousands of pounds after admitting offences involving illegal cockle fishing and the use of a vehicle on a protected estuary.

Callum Stephen Williams, 27, of Harvest Lane, Moreton, Wirral, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Feb 5) charged with fishing for or taking cockles from a closed cockle bed at the Three Rivers Cockle Fishery.

The court heard that the offence took place on May 21, 2025, while restrictions were in force under the Cockle Fishing Management and Permitting (Specified Area) (Wales) Order 2024. Mr Williams pleaded guilty to the charge.

Magistrates fined him £2,000 and ordered him to pay an £800 victim services surcharge and £1,000 in prosecution costs. A collection order was made, with deductions to be taken from benefits if necessary. His guilty plea was taken into account when sentence was imposed.

The court also dealt with a further offence arising from the same date, in which Mr Williams admitted causing or permitting a mechanically propelled vehicle to be driven on the Three Rivers Estuary without prior written authority. No separate penalty was imposed for that offence.

News

Three men prosecuted over illegal cockle fishing at Three Rivers fishery

Published

9 minutes ago

February 10, 2026

Tamsin Mathias

Multiple offences committed while cockle bed was closed to protect stocks

THREE men have appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Feb 5) after illegally fishing for cockles from a closed cockle bed at the Three Rivers Cockle Fishery.

The court heard that Richard William Edwards, 44, of Fernhill Road, Gorseinon, Swansea, admitted fishing for or taking cockles from a closed bed on May 21, 2025. The prohibition was in force under the Cockle Fishing Management and Permitting (Specified Area) (Wales) Order 2024.

Magistrates fined Mr Edwards £1,000 and ordered him to pay a £400 victim services surcharge and £400 in prosecution costs. A collection order was made, with payment due by March 5. His guilty plea was taken into account when sentence was imposed.

Brogan Morgan Phillips, 19, of Harddfan, Bryn, Llanelli, also pleaded guilty to fishing for cockles from the same closed bed on May 21, 2025. For that offence, he was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay a £1,200 victim services surcharge and £1,000 in prosecution costs.

The court also heard that Mr Phillips admitted a further offence at the same location on June 5, 2025. For that offence, magistrates imposed an additional fine of £1,000. A collection order was made, with a total outstanding balance of £5,200 to be paid by instalments.

Ethan Jay Thomas, 19, of Station Road, Bynea, Llanelli, pleaded guilty to fishing for cockles from the closed bed on May 21, 2025. Sentencing for that offence was adjourned.

Mr Thomas denied a second charge relating to an alleged offence on June 5, 2025. That matter was adjourned until March 19, when the case will return to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for trial. Sentencing in relation to the offence already admitted will also be considered at that hearing.

Crime

Neyland pensioner fined after failing to comply with community protection notice

Published

23 minutes ago

February 10, 2026

Tamsin Mathias

Magistrates hear persistent loud music caused nuisance to neighbours

A NEYLAND resident has been fined thousands of pounds after repeatedly failing to comply with a community protection notice, Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard.

Beryl John, 75, of Gothic Road, Neyland, Milford Haven, was convicted in his absence on Thursday (Feb 5) of breaching a community protection notice on multiple occasions.

The court heard that on November 8, 10, 13, 23 and 29, 2025, John failed to ensure that persistent and continuous music played at an excessive volume from his property did not create a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those living nearby.

The offences were committed despite a community protection notice having previously been issued. Magistrates found the breaches proved in absence.

For the first offence, John was fined £1,000. John was also ordered to pay a £400 victim services surcharge and £1,000 in prosecution costs. No separate penalties were imposed for the remaining offences.

A collection order was made, with the total balance of £2,400 to be paid by March 5.