Council secures grants to cover project overruns without increasing taxpayer burden

TWO major regeneration projects in Haverfordwest are set to progress without additional cost to the taxpayer, following Pembrokeshire County Council’s successful acquisition of external funding.​

A report scheduled for Cabinet review on Monday (April 28) outlines that the Heart of Pembrokeshire (HoP) and Western Quayside schemes will benefit from new grants, allowing the projects to continue despite unforeseen challenges and increased costs.​

The HoP project, with an approved capital budget of £26.27 million, and the Western Quayside scheme, budgeted at £11.62 million, faced combined overruns nearing £4 million. These overruns were primarily due to the deteriorated condition of the historic Gaol building and archaeological constraints. However, additional support from the Welsh Government and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will cover these costs without increasing the Council’s financial contribution.​

Significant new grants secured

The Council has secured an extra £2.7 million from the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns Fund and £1.26 million via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. These funds will facilitate green infrastructure works at Western Quayside and enhance pedestrian links between Haverfordwest Castle and the town centre.​

To meet grant requirements and streamline project accounting, some elements initially delivered under the HoP scheme—such as public realm work around the Foundry—will be reallocated to the Western Quayside project.​

Further applications are being prepared to secure additional funding from the Transforming Towns programme. If successful, these would support a post-HoP “fit-out” of the castle site, improve town centre wayfinding, and enhance visitor experiences, all without extra cost to the Council.​

Castle and Gaol restoration separated

While the HoP scheme is well underway, the Council plans to separate the later-stage restoration of the Gaol and Governor’s House into a distinct project. This £2 million fit-out scheme has already received £368,525 in National Lottery Heritage funding, with further bids in progress. The Council aims to reduce its match funding requirement significantly.​

Separating the HoP and the Castle Fit-out projects within the capital programme is expected to provide clearer financial transparency.​

Criticism over project management

Despite the financial boost, the Council faces criticism for initiating restoration work on the Gaol without secured funding for its completion. Critics argue that this approach was premature and risky, especially given the building’s deteriorated condition and archaeological complexities. This has raised questions about project management and financial planning.​

The broader context includes significant funding cuts to Pembrokeshire County Council, with a reported reduction of over 40% in Shared Prosperity Scheme funding. Such cuts have intensified scrutiny over the Council’s allocation of resources, particularly in light of other pressing needs across the county.​

Council Leader Jon Harvey, who succeeded David Simpson in May 2024, has pledged to bring “compassion and transparency” to the role and to work collaboratively with other political groups. However, the decision to proceed with the Gaol’s restoration without secured funding for its completion remains a contentious issue, highlighting the need for transparent and comprehensive financial planning in public projects.​

Two options on the table

Cabinet members will consider two options. The preferred route is to accept the new external funding and reallocate budgets accordingly, delivering the full vision of both regeneration schemes while keeping the Council’s capital contribution unchanged.​Pembrokeshire Herald

Alternatively, councillors could reduce their capital spending by using the new grants to offset current commitments. However, this would render the HoP project unviable, potentially forcing the permanent closure of Castle Back and risking clawback of up to £17.7 million from UK Government and National Lottery funders.​

A separate recommendation would grant senior officers the authority to adjust the budget if further external funding becomes available, provided the Council’s own contribution does not increase.​

No legal or HR issues raised

The report confirms there are no legal or human resources concerns linked to the proposed changes. While the Director of Resources supports the plan, they caution that efforts must continue to reduce the Council’s overall borrowing levels.

RESIDENTS in Monkton had the chance to speak directly with their local councillor and police officers this week (Apr 22) during a community engagement event held at Tenby Court.

The “meet the street” event was attended by County Councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, alongside officers from Pembroke and Pembroke Dock Police.

Also present was Danny from Pembrokeshire County Council’s housing team, who offered on-the-spot support to residents dealing with housing-related issues.

Cllr Grimes thanked all those who came out to say hello and take part in the initiative, which aims to bring local services closer to the community.

These “meet the street” events are part of an ongoing effort to improve communication between local authorities and residents, addressing concerns and offering help where needed.

Welsh Affairs Chair demands answers after Herald exclusive reveals shocking officer messages

THE CHAIR of the Welsh Affairs Committee has demanded urgent answers from the leadership of HMP Parc after a Pembrokeshire Herald exclusive revealed prison officers had shared messages joking about violence and mocking prisoners in language described as “offensive and abusive.”

In a strongly worded letter to both Will Styles, Director of HMP Parc, and Gordon Brockington, Managing Director of G4S Care and Rehabilitation Services, Ruth Jones MP said the revelations—first reported by The Pembrokeshire Herald in March—raise serious questions about the culture at the troubled Bridgend prison.

Our investigation, published on March 29, exposed a series of leaked messages exchanged by Parc staff, some of which joked about excessive force, mocked inmates in distress, and included dehumanising language. The messages painted a disturbing picture of contempt and cynicism within the ranks of prison officers—fueling concerns about systemic issues that go beyond poor management or underfunding.

Read the original Herald investigation here

“A sobering reminder”

Jones, who chairs the influential Welsh Affairs Committee, said the messages were “deeply concerning” and highlighted “demeaning and offensive behaviour towards prisoners.”

“Even if many of these messages are historic, they paint an alarming picture,” she said. “That seventeen Parc inmates died last year remains a sobering reminder of the risks if prisoner safety is not made a priority.”

Her committee is now seeking detailed answers from G4S regarding its staff conduct policies, including guidance on social media use and how violations are dealt with. In her letter, Jones also criticised the Ministry of Justice for supplying a quarterly progress report on Parc that was “so lacking in detail we were unable to publish it.”

“This lack of transparency is deeply unhelpful for the confidence Parc needs to rebuild amongst the local community and the families of the men held at HMP Parc,” she added.

From leaked messages to political fallout

The Pembrokeshire Herald was the first news organisation to publish details of the leaked communications, which included jokes about suicide watch, racial slurs, and bragging about rough treatment of inmates. The story prompted widespread concern and has now formed part of the evidence base for the Committee’s intervention.

The messages came to light shortly before the publication of a damning inspection report from HM Inspectorate of Prisons, which detailed how drugs had been found nearly 900 times in 2024, violence was rife, and 17 men had died—many of them after suspected overdoses involving synthetic opioids like nitazenes.

A culture problem, not just a crisis

While new director Will Styles has been praised for halting further deaths since his arrival in mid-2024, the message scandal suggests the rot may go deeper than operational failings.

Jones said her committee would raise these concerns directly with the Ministry of Justice. “Safety at Parc prison remains a top priority,” she said. “I plan to meet with the Ministry to discuss how progress is being monitored and what oversight is in place.”

G4S remains under pressure

A spokesperson for G4S has yet to address the leaked messages specifically but previously told The Herald that the company was “working tirelessly on a comprehensive improvement plan.”

However, with the credibility of that plan now under question, and MPs demanding transparency and accountability, the pressure on G4S and the Ministry of Justice is mounting.

As Ruth Jones warned: “Local communities around Parc, and the families of men held there, must be able to trust that inmates are being treated with dignity.” The Herald will continue to hold those in charge to account—and shine a light on the failures still facing one of Britain’s most troubled prisons.