News

Police admit ‘regrettable’ and ‘unfortunate’ delays in investigating grants scheme

Published

5 years ago

August 28, 2019

DYFED POWYS-POLICE has rejected Pembrokeshire County Council’s appeal against the delayed outcome of the investigation into the Pembroke Dock Commercial Property Grant Scheme, but the police have admitted that there were delays, and have apologised.

In June this year, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it would not be prosecuting anybody about the scheme.

Its announcement came – entirely coincidentally – after Baron of the Bedsits Cathal McCosker made a large final payment to the Council in respect of overpaid grant monies.

The Council has called on the CPS to reconsider their decision and had also submitted a complaint to the police about the delay in the investigation.

The investigation commenced in 2014 but several councillors have become unhappy about the time taken and how it has been handled. Repeated attempts to hold the Police to account were given the brush off by a succession of senior Police officers claiming arrests, charges, and prosecutions were imminent.

Their assertions were all drivel.

The Police have finally apologised for the fact that the Council were dissatisfied while it was also accepted that there were ‘regrettable’ and ‘unfortunate’ delays in investigating the matter.

That non-apology apology (i.e. ‘we’re sorry you’re disappointed’) is contained in a letter to John Haswell, dated August 22.

Its author, Detective Superintendent Davies, states that although the appeal was upheld due to three inaccuracies in the police’s outcome letter, they were not so significant to change the outcome.

He goes on to formally apologise for those inaccuracies.

The letter also states that although the appeal is ‘significantly’ out of time, it was allowed in the interests of partnership working with the Council

The reason why it was ‘significantly out of time’ caused considerable anger among councillors.

At a meeting of the Audit Committee in October 2018, former Audit Chair Tony Baron raised his concerns at the failure of internal communications to notify members of their right to appeal the complaint’s refusal.

Councillors’ dissatisfaction was put into sharper focus when it emerged that a letter formally appealing their complaint’s rejection had not been sent in time; no internal email trail existed to show which officers had prepared it; the letter was ‘placed’ in the briefcase of then-Council Chair Paul Harries by an unnamed officer, with no indication of its urgency; the

Police’s rejection of the complaint was hopelessly complacent, claiming correspondence to an earlier complaint by the Audit Committee was a full and final response to an entirely separate letter.

In a stormy meeting of the Audit Committee this January, the Council’s Chief Executive Ian Westley apologised for the five-week delay in the appeal letter being sent adding there had been an ‘oversight’ and that it was not an attempt to keep members ‘in the dark’.

Several members expressed their strong reservations about the Council’s lack of transparency and the casual fashion in which a serious issue had been dealt with by officers.

The Police letter concludes that there is no further right of appeal and that any further dissatisfaction should be communicated by way of a judicial review.
Pembrokeshire County Council has been asked for its response to the letter.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.