News

Council Chairman refuses ‘pointless and expensive’ meeting

Published

11 years ago

October 7, 2013

COUNTY Councillor Arwyn Williams, Chairman of Council, has today refused a request made by Labour Leader, Councillor Paul Miller for an extraordinary meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council

However, a vote over the immediate suspension of the Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire County Council is still certain to take place.

In a letter last week, he and five other Councillors requested the special meeting – for a vote to be taken by all Councillors- to immediately suspend Chief Executive Bryn Parry Jones.

The Chief Executive Officer is under pressure over the ongoing pensions tax-dodge scandal which has first reported in The Herald on September 27.

Speaking tonight (October 7) Cllr Williams explained to The Herald the reasons for refusing the meeting:
“What’s the point of having an Extraordinary General Meeting when the matter of the pensions is already with the lawyers? Let’s allow the lawyers to work it out amongst themselves” he said.
“Do you realise the expense of calling sixty members to a meeting of full council?”

“We have a full council meeting on October 17 and Cllr. Miller can put forward a notice of motion to that meeting of full council in ten days time if he so wishes” he added.
Councillor Miller however has the option, under the Council’s own constitution, to press for the meeting to go ahead any way, my making a request to the Councils legal department.
Last week Cllr. Miller said “I do not doubt that the IPPG will try to delay matters until after the next full Council meeting, but this issue will not go away no matter how hard they try to sweep it under the carpet.”
“This is a meeting that must and will take place” he added.
“We will contact the Council’s chief legal officer Huw Miller, and he has to fix the date for such a meeting” he said.

The Chairman of the Council confirmed to The Herald tonight that this was an option open to Cllr. Paul Miller.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

12 hours 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

19 hours 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

20 hours 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.