News
Council to examine coroners report on tragic death of Derek Brundrett
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL will examine the detailed findings and conclusions made by the assistant coroner who led the investigation into the tragic death of Derek Brundrett.
Derek sadly passed away in December 2013 after two attempts to refer him to mental health services had failed.
The Assistant Coroner for Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire conluded that he intended to take his own life.
A 35-page report of findings and conclusions were made by the Coroner and the Council have said they will examine them to see what lessons can be learnt.
Cllr Josh Beynon asked at last Thursday’s (Feb 21) Full Council meeting, what steps had and would be taken to avoid another tragedy.
Cabinet member for Social Services, Cllr Tessa Hodgson expressed her sympathies and condolences to Derek’s family and gave details of a number of support services that can be accessed by
young people and school-based staff.
Supporting his question, Cllr Beynon wrote: “On (19/02/2019), the inquest into the tragic death of Derek David Brundrett formally concluded in which the assistant coroner for
Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, Mr Paul Bennett stated his narrative conclusion in the case as the following: “That Derek David Brundrett took his own life and intended to do so in
circumstances where despite efforts to refer him for psychiatric support, there was a failure to do so. There was a failure to refer by a social worker following a CPC on 12th June 2013; there was a failure by a General Practitioner to provide additional information when the referrals of the 2012 and 2013 were declined; there was a failure to provide the relevant information on the appropriate referral for relevant to a Looked After Child when the social worker seconded to SCAHMS spoke to Derek’s social worker. His death was in the context that on
November 25, 2013 he had been returned to foster care and was concerned about a return to the pupil referral unit”
Cllr Beynon asked: “Can Pembrokeshire County Council outline what steps they have and will be taking to ensure that they are doing everything possible to avoid another tragedy like this?”
Cllr Hodgson said: “The death of a child is a profound loss and I’m sure that I speak for everyone in this room and all the professionals involved in this tragedy in expressing my great sympathy to Derek’s family and friends.
“I would like to repeat and re-state our sincere condolences to them at this difficult and sad time.
“Derek’s loss is deeply felt by those individuals who had formed close and caring relationships with him. We have thanked the coroner for his thorough investigation and consideration of the case which has taken just over four years to resolve. The inquest hearing itself lasted approximately 16 months. On Tuesday, the assistant coroner for Pembrokeshire delivered a detailed findings and conclusions of over 35 pages.
“We are now considering the issues arising from the decision and what lessons can be learned from the process and what actions can be taken to ensure the safeguard and well-being of all children and young people served by this council.
“The actions will be considered at the earliest opportunity by our local safeguarding group, the Mid and west Wales Safeguarding board, which are both multi-agency, and also it will be discussed at our whole authority safeguarding group.
“The director of education has also provided me with a summary of the support we currently offer to pupils in our schools and this includes a range of support for pupils with mental health issues including the advice and support of a link education psychologist, one to one counselling as well as access to a range of specialist emotional health nurses and therapists through a dedicated emotional health and well-being team.
“In addition the recently introduced early intervention emotional health and well-being panel offers pupils access to a wide range of services to help build emotional resilience.
“Suicide prevention and self-harm training, co-ordinated by the local authority in partnership with the Health Board and designed and delivered by specialist primary mental health nurses, is also offered to all school-based staff. Schools also access advice around mental health issues from the Health Boards’ Primary mental health nurses.”
Cllr Beynon thanked the chair for allowing the late question and Cllr Hodgson for her response, asking if a report could go to scrutiny when ready.
Cllr Hodgson said she was happy to support that.
Community
Tenby Summer Spectacular cancelled amid council row over harbour access
Organisers say popular charity events cannot safely go ahead without clear powers to control crowds
TENBY ROUND TABLE has announced that this summer’s Tenby Summer Spectacular events have been cancelled until further notice amid a dispute with Pembrokeshire County Council over crowd control at the harbour.
The events, which were due to take place on Sunday, August 16 and Sunday, August 30, have been a major feature of Tenby’s summer calendar for decades, drawing large crowds to the harbour for entertainment, food, drink and fireworks.
In a statement, Tenby Round Table said the decision had been made “with enormous sadness” and claimed it had been forced on organisers because of unresolved issues over the safe management of pedestrian access.
The organisation said it needed the council’s Public Realm department to use statutory powers to temporarily restrict pedestrian access through the event area when capacity is reached.
Organisers said the matter had first been raised with the council in September 2025 and again formally in writing in May 2026.
They said volunteers had attended meetings, commissioned professional health and safety consultants and worked on Event Management Plans, but claimed the council had still not provided a clear answer.
Tenby Round Table said: “PCC’s Public Realm department has had nine months to answer one question on safe and controlled access to the harbour. It has not done so.”
The group also alleged that recent written responses from the council contained factual inaccuracies and misleading statements about the relevant legislation.
It added that the council’s legal advice was understood to be provisional and still under internal review.
The cancellation is currently described as provisional, with organisers giving the council a final deadline of June 25 to provide what they describe as a clear, accurate and legally grounded answer.
Tenby Round Table said that if this is provided, it will do everything possible to reinstate the events.
The group said the Summer Spectacular had raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for local charities, sports teams, community groups and worthy individuals since it began.
It said the cancellation would be a devastating blow to those who benefit from the funds raised.
The statement added that organisers are still working with Dyfed-Powys Police and other relevant authorities ahead of a council licensing committee meeting in July, which is expected to consider whether the event licence should be renewed, amended or withdrawn.
The Herald has asked Pembrokeshire County Council for comment.

Charity
Sea shanties and street food bring crowds to Cardigan RNLI festival
SUNSHINE, sea shanties and street food helped draw hundreds of visitors to Cardigan RNLI Lifeboat Station on Saturday (Jun 20).
The station’s Sea Shanty and Street Food Festival brought together families, supporters and visitors from across the region for a day of maritime music, food and community spirit.
Traditional sea shanty groups performed throughout the event, with songs echoing around the lifeboat station, while street food vendors served a range of refreshments.
The event also gave visitors the chance to learn more about the lifesaving work carried out by the RNLI and its volunteer crews.
Cardigan RNLI thanked the performers, food vendors, volunteers, sponsors and supporters who helped make the day a success.
Bruce Harris, Launch Authority and event organiser, said: “It was wonderful to see so many people come together to support the station, enjoy the entertainment, and celebrate our maritime heritage.
“The atmosphere throughout the day was fantastic, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who attended, performed, volunteered, and contributed to such a memorable event.”
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts.
The charity operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands.
Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved more than 146,700 lives.
News
Who is Andy Burnham, the Prime Minister-in-waiting?
The Greater Manchester mayor has spent years outside Westminster, but Starmer’s resignation has placed him on the brink of Number 10
ANDY BURNHAM has spent years being described as Labour’s future. Today, that future appears to have arrived.
Following Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation announcement, the Mayor of Greater Manchester is now widely regarded as the overwhelming favourite to become Labour leader and Britain’s next Prime Minister.
For many people outside politics, Burnham is best known as the outspoken mayor who challenged Boris Johnson’s government during the COVID-19 pandemic. But his political career stretches back more than twenty years and includes some of the most senior jobs in government.
Born in Merseyside in 1970, Burnham grew up in a working-class family and has always remained closely associated with his northern roots. A lifelong Everton supporter, he has often spoken about the importance of community, public services and opportunity for ordinary families.
After studying English at Cambridge University, he worked briefly in journalism before entering politics. He was elected Labour MP for Leigh in Greater Manchester in 2001 and quickly became one of the party’s rising figures.
Under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, Burnham climbed the ministerial ladder. He served as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Culture Secretary and later Health Secretary, giving him experience across some of the most important departments in government.
His first bid for the Labour leadership came in 2010, after Labour’s general election defeat. He lost to Ed Miliband, but the campaign raised his profile significantly. Five years later, he ran again, only to be defeated by Jeremy Corbyn in the contest that transformed Labour politics.
Rather than remain on the Westminster backbenches, Burnham made a bold move in 2017 by standing for the newly created role of Mayor of Greater Manchester. He won comfortably and went on to become one of the most recognisable regional politicians in Britain.
His national profile grew sharply during the pandemic, when he publicly challenged the UK Government over restrictions and financial support for northern cities. His confrontation with Downing Street won him praise from voters who felt their communities were being ignored by Westminster.
Supporters say Burnham’s appeal lies in his ability to connect with traditional Labour voters while remaining acceptable to the party’s centre ground. They see him as authentic, approachable and more in touch with everyday concerns than many Westminster politicians.
Politically, Burnham has championed greater devolution, arguing that power should be moved away from London to regions and nations across the UK. He has also backed transport reform, stronger public services and economic policies aimed at spreading growth beyond the South East of England.
For Wales, a Burnham premiership would be watched closely. He would inherit a Labour Party still reeling from its collapse in the Senedd election, where Plaid Cymru emerged as the dominant force in Welsh politics.
His emphasis on devolution may be welcomed in Wales, but he would face immediate pressure to show that any new relationship with the nations of the UK is more than rhetoric.
Critics argue that Burnham can be short on detail and long on broad messages. Others point out that he has spent nearly a decade outside Westminster and would need to rebuild relationships quickly in Parliament.
Despite those concerns, few figures in Labour possess his combination of experience, public recognition and electoral success. His victory in the Makerfield by-election returned him to the House of Commons and immediately intensified speculation about Starmer’s future.
Now, with Starmer stepping aside, that speculation appears close to becoming reality.
If Burnham secures the Labour leadership without a serious challenger, as many expect, he will become Britain’s next Prime Minister and inherit a government facing economic pressure, political division and a public increasingly impatient for change.
For a politician who has spent years waiting in the wings, the moment may finally have arrived.
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