News

Chairman ‘disgraceful’ at AGM

Published

12 years ago

May 23, 2014

THE ANNUAL General Meeting of the Local Authority descended into chaos, when opposition members walked out following a controversial decision by the new Chairman, IPPG stalwart Tom Richards, to ignore the nomination of Tony Brinsden (unaffiliated) to the Licensing Committee by another unaffiliated Councillor Vivian Stoddart, electing instead to close nominations made by fellow IPPG Councillor Daphne Bush.

The decision followed on hot on the heels of the IPPG, including Labour turncoat Sue Perkins, blocking the nomination of Alison Lee (Labour) to the post of Licensing Committee Chair and passing the £9K a year Special Responsibility Allowance to IPPG loyalist Daphne Bush.

Cllr Paul Miller stood up and said that the vote had not been properly counted and therefore Cllr Stoddart’s nomination should stand.

The involvement of Cllr Richards in the process was eclipsed by the intervention of CEO Bryn Parry Jones who claimed a vote had been taken, even when he could not provide a tally of those who had voted for, against, or abstained the retention of the existing Licensing Committee deputies.

Backing the CEO, Cllr Richards again refused to accept Cllr Brinsden’s nomination.

His decision prompted a comment from Cllr Miller that the decision reached was “outrageous” and “disgraceful”. Members of the opposition then left the Chamber,

IPPG leader Jamie Adams then rose to offer an entirely spontaneous and sincere apology to IPPG Cllr Richards for Cllr Miller’s words toward him, which in no way was intended to score the type of sarcastic and insincere political point that has become the Leader’s stock-in-trade. As usual, his deputy, Maenclochog minister Huw George, nodded piously alongside him with a look of tight-lipped mock-indignation.

After the meeting, Cllr Vivian Stoddart told the Herald:

“I walked out of the council’s annual meeting on Friday as I could no longer sit through what was the travesty of democracy.

“The Independent Political Group (IPG sic) and their cronies used every tactic to ensure their place men and women were voted on to positions on the council’s committees, regardless of their ability.

“”This might be acceptable if the IPG acknowledged that: if it votes like a political party, talks like a party, and acts like a party, then the so-called IPG is a political party.

The only problem is that when canvassing support from their electorate, most of the IPG members neglected to tell voters that once they entered the hallowed portal s of County Hall they would join the majority IPPG party-oops group, and act as the majority party.

“The final straw for me was the breath-taking speed with which the final allocation of vice chairmanships was allocated, and Cllr Tom Richards’ graceless refusal as the new chairman, to accept what was a further nomination. “

Crime

Dog owner admits causing suffering to pet with untreated skin disease

Published

5 hours ago

June 11, 2026

Staff Writer

Collie cross German Shepherd left suffering after illness went unaddressed, court told
A CARMARTHEN man has admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a dog after failing to properly address a serious skin condition.

David Allen Murphy, aged 40, of Quay Street, Carmarthen, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 11) after previously pleading guilty to an offence under the Animal Welfare Act.

The court heard that between November 28 and December 28, 2025, Murphy caused unnecessary suffering to a Collie Cross German Shepherd dog named Cora by failing to adequately investigate and address the animal’s skin disease.

Prosecuted by the RSPCA, the charge stated that Murphy either knew, or ought reasonably to have known, that failing to deal with the condition would likely cause suffering to the dog.

Murphy, of Flat 2, 12 Quay Street, entered a guilty plea on May 21.

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared, with magistrates remanding Murphy on unconditional bail.

He is due to return to Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 23, at 10:00am for sentencing.

Business

Welsh Conservatives demand answers over Tata Steel furnace delays

Published

5 hours ago

June 11, 2026

Tom Sinclair

WELSH CONSERVATIVES have called on the Welsh Government to explain who knew what, and when, about reported delays to Tata Steel’s new electric arc furnace at Port Talbot.

Shadow Economy, Energy and Planning Minister Janet Finch-Saunders MS raised the issue in the Senedd during an emergency statement following the recent fire at the steelworks.

While much of the focus has been on the fire, reports have suggested that separate concerns about delays to the electric arc furnace may have been known for several weeks.

It was reported on June 7 that Tata Steel had discussed potential delays linked to National Grid connectivity issues with “investors” during a conference call around a month earlier.

Mrs Finch-Saunders is now seeking clarity on whether those investors included the UK Government, which is investing £500m towards the £1.25bn project.

The previous UK Conservative Government also established an £80m transition fund to support workers at risk of losing their jobs. The Welsh Conservatives say they want clarification on whether any of that funding remains available if delays create further financial pressure for affected workers.

Mrs Finch-Saunders said: “If UK Government Ministers were aware of the issue a month ago, were Welsh Government Ministers informed?

“If Welsh Government Ministers were not informed, why not? If they were informed, why did the Economy Minister tell the Senedd that he only became aware of the delay on Monday?

“We now need a clear timeline setting out exactly when concerns first emerged and who was told.

“Port Talbot workers and their families deserve answers.”