Calls for lifesaving kit and better mental health support in west Wales after search ends

FAMILY and friends of a Cardigan man missing in the River Teifi have called for more lifesaving equipment to be installed along the riverbank — and for greater investment in mental health support across west Wales.

Kurtis Brook, 30, is believed to have entered the fast-flowing Teifi in Cardigan in the early hours of Sunday (Jan 4). His family say police were called following what they describe as an apparent mental health crisis, and that officers at the scene witnessed him go under the water and not resurface.

A major multi-agency search was launched, involving Dyfed-Powys Police, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Cardigan RNLI and HM Coastguard. Specialist resources were also deployed, including drones, search dogs and the force’s marine unit, while local volunteers joined organised land searches in and around the town.

Kurtis is well known locally, having grown up in Cardigan. He has been involved with Cardigan Amateur Boxing Club and, more recently, Maesglas Football Club, where he was described by those close to the team as a respected and much-loved figure.

On Monday (Jan 12), Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed the formal river search had been concluded after more than a week, saying all lines of enquiry had been exhausted. Officers said they would act on any new information that could help locate Kurtis, and asked anyone who can assist to contact police quoting reference 52 of Sunday (Jan 4).

In a statement, the family said they hoped lessons could be learned from what has happened — both in terms of crisis intervention and public safety. They urged the installation of life rings and other safety measures along dangerous stretches of the Teifi, and called for greater resources to be directed towards community mental health teams in west Wales.

They also thanked everyone who has helped with the search and offered support, as efforts continue to bring Kurtis home.

Survey shows SMEs still cautious on hiring and investment, despite a modest lift in new orders

UK SMALL firms are still feeling gloomy about the economy, with confidence stuck near historic lows as weak growth and rising costs continue to bite, according to a quarterly survey by ACCA and the Institute of Management Accountants.

The UK edition of the Global Economic Conditions Survey (GECS) found confidence among small and medium-sized businesses dipped slightly in the final quarter of 2025, after a sharper fall in the previous quarter. The findings suggest many SMEs are still struggling to shake off the depressed mood that set in at the end of 2024.

Measures tracking investment and staffing also point to caution. Only a small number of respondents said their businesses – or their clients – had increased spending on capital projects over the past three months, while a higher-than-normal proportion reported cutting back.

On employment, the survey recorded a notable share of businesses reducing headcount or pausing recruitment, with relatively few saying they were hiring or restarting recruitment.

There was, however, a small sign of improvement in future demand. The survey’s forward-looking New Orders Index rose in Q4. While still weak by long-term standards, it was reported to be well above the low point seen during the COVID-19 pandemic – suggesting the underlying picture may not be as bleak as other indicators imply, and that some firms may be positioning themselves for better trading conditions.

Lloyd Powell, head of ACCA Cymru/Wales, said confidence remains “fragile,” arguing that businesses have seen little recovery since a sharp drop following the 2024 Budget. He added that the decline after the 2025 Budget was smaller, but said the impact on SMEs and the wider economy remained significant.

Powell said the modest improvement in new orders could indicate some firms are starting to consider investment again as they spot opportunities emerging.

Cost pressures, meanwhile, remain a major concern. More than four in five respondents reported higher operating costs during Q4, and early warning signs of corporate stress – including late payment issues and worries about customers or suppliers going out of business – stayed high compared with historic levels.

Jonathan Ashworth, ACCA’s chief economist, said the Q4 indicators continue to paint a “very downbeat” picture for UK SMEs, with confidence still struggling to recover from the lows seen at the end of 2024. He warned that 2026 is likely to remain difficult, citing sluggish UK growth and global uncertainty.

The survey notes that further interest rate cuts could ease some pressure on businesses, though ongoing domestic cost inflation suggests the Bank of England may have to approach any reductions carefully.

Ombudsman-led proceedings heard at Haverfordwest County Court

A HEARING to determine whether a Neyland town councillor breached the code of conduct opened in dramatic fashion at Haverfordwest County Court on Thursday (Jan 15), with the town clerk called as the first witness.

The special proceedings, which began at 10:00am, relate to an Ombudsman investigation into complaints made about Cllr David Devauden, including complaints from Mayor Peter Hay and the clerk herself.

The courtroom was busy, with members of the public and councillors from Neyland, with the judge sitting alongside two magistrates.

Former councillor sought anonymity

At the outset, the judge dealt with preliminary matters, including an email from former councillor asking that his name not be mentioned during the proceedings.

The court heard that the councillor had resigned from the council and cited stress and mental health pressures. However, the judge said he had been a serving councillor during the relevant period and therefore a public figure in that context. The judge noted that no Article 8 application had been received and said the email did not amount to a request to keep his name out of the press. However, The Herald, has decided to do so.

Dispute over “undisputed facts” bundle

Cllr Devauden, who was representing himself, raised a preliminary point over the wording of what was described as an agreed bundle of “undisputed facts,” arguing some entries were inaccurate and potentially misleading.

He told the court that the bundle suggested he had accused the clerk of “committing illegal acts against the council,” but said his position was that he had alleged tampering with a government document, which he described as fraud.

The judge agreed to make minor amendments to the bundle in Cllr Devauden’s favour.

Clerk called to the stand

The first witness was the clerk, who confirmed her full name as Elizabeth Anne Matthews and confirmed that she had made a complaint to the Ombudsman.

Cllr Devauden asked when they had first met. The clerk replied: “It was when you joined the council.”

“But that’s a lie isn’t it,” Cllr Devauden told the court, claiming he had met her in 2008 when she worked at the post office and that he had seen her regularly.

The clerk disputed this and said she did not start working at the post office until 2015, adding that she served a large number of customers and did not remember him from that time.

The judge asked Cllr Devauden whether he wished to challenge any disputed evidence, noting it would be his opportunity to do so.

Minutes and recordings

The hearing then moved to issues around council minutes and access to meeting recordings.

Cllr Devauden told the court he had asked the clerk for minutes but said they were not provided. The clerk replied that he had asked for “nine years of minutes,” and that this was not something that could be done immediately while she was busy.

Cllr Devauden disputed the timeframe and argued that minutes should be provided “on demand,” referring to what he said was the position under the Local Government Act.

The clerk told the court that while minutes had to be provided, it was “within a reasonable time,” rather than instantly.

The clerk was also questioned about why meeting recordings requested by Cllr Devauden had not been provided. She told the court she was concerned about protecting the council and said she believed he had been leaking information to the press.

She said press coverage of the council had “always been negative,” and claimed it was Cllr Devauden who was leaking information to newspapers.

Cllr Devauden denied leaking information and told the court that on the occasions he had spoken to the press, his name had been included and nothing had been “secret.”

Allegation of intimidation

The court heard an allegation that Cllr Devauden had shouted at the clerk when she refused to provide minutes.

Cllr Devauden denied shouting, telling the court it was “your word against mine,” and said he had walked out thinking the situation was “toxic.”

He also said the clerk had told him he could obtain minutes from the county records office, but claimed that when he attended he found nothing had been filed since 2000.

The clerk told the court she had believed they had been filed, describing it as a mistake.

The clerk also alleged that after requesting minutes, Cllr Devauden remained in the office and threatened to report her to the police, standing in the doorway and making her feel she could not leave.

Cllr Devauden denied threatening her with the police. The clerk told the court the matter was “in the emails.”

When challenged, she told the court: “What is written in my statement is true according to my absolute belief.”

Mayor called

Mayor Peter Hay was the next witness to give evidence. He confirmed he had also made a complaint regarding Cllr Devauden.

The court heard evidence relating to the Remembrance Sunday arrangements, including why Cllr Devauden was not selected as parade marshal and why he did not read the “order of wreaths.”

Cllr Devauden told the court he had carried out the role for “ten or 15 years,” while the mayor said he believed it had been done once before.

The judge questioned the relevance of the evidence as it was being explored, asking Cllr Devauden where it was leading. Cllr Devauden said he wished to show the mayor was a “pathological liar.”

Cllr Devauden referred to an allegation that the mayor had told councillors they had to choose between him or “the band” as the reason he was overlooked.

The mayor told the court he did not mean the Milford Haven Town Band and said he did not know which organisation had complained, suggesting it could have been “the Cubs, the Brownies or the Scouts.”

He said: “I do not engage in tittle-tattle. I just knew a complaint had been made.”

With no further questions considered relevant by the court at that stage, the judge directed that the mayor could step down from the witness box and take a seat. Proceedings then adjourned briefly.

Witness statement and ‘Sarah’s Law’ references raised

After the break, the hearing moved to evidence relating to requests for council documents and allegations surrounding access to information.

During the morning session, the court heard reference to a witness statement dated Friday, April 19, 2024, which included mention of ‘Sarah’s Law’. In questioning, one witness told the court she had not been well at the relevant time.

Cllr Devauden challenged parts of the evidence, including uncertainty over dates, and told the court that without a clear date he could not properly respond, asking how he could “admit or argue” evidence where timings were disputed.

There were also references in court to whether Cllr Devauden had asked for information about individuals, which he disputed, and further discussion about requests for historic minutes and access to recordings, including what could reasonably be provided and when.

The hearing also heard exchanges about whether individuals felt intimidated during interactions at the council offices, which Cllr Devauden denied.

The case continues.

Additional reporting by Seren Baker and Tom Sinclair