News
Bryn: How did your councillor vote?
COUNCILLORS voted yesterday to take no further action to reclaim money paid to chief executive Bryn Parry-Jones under a pension arrangement declared unlawful by the Wales Audit Office.
Before the vote, Cllr Peter Stock told the Herald: “It should be open and accountable, that’s the most important thing. The general public are so interested in what’s happening in Pembrokeshire at the moment, and I don’t believe anything should be done behind closed doors. I do believe that anything that does happen in County Council must be open, and the general public must be aware of the situation and Pembrokeshire County Council must be at all times open to the public for them to see which way this Authority is really being run. These things are happening, at a regular period, and it has to stop.”
The recorded vote of yesterday’s debate on reclaiming Bryn Parry Jones’ pension was taken in three parts.
The first – and key – vote was whether the discussion should be held in secret with members of the public excluded and the webcast suspended.
Voting in favour of secrecy were councillors:
Jamie Adams, John Allen-Mirehouse, Daphne Bush, David Edwards, Wynne Evans, Lyndon Frayling, Huw George, Brian Hall, Simon Hancock, Paul Harries, Umelda Havard, David James, Michael John, Stephen Joseph, Keith Lewis, Rob Lewis, Pearl Llewellyn, Peter Morgan, Elwyn Morse, David Neale, Myles Pepper, Sue Perkins, David Pugh, David Rees, Tom Richards, Ken Rowlands, David Simpson, Rob Summons, Arwyn Williams, and Steve Yelland (all IPPG)
They were supported by unaffiliated Councillors Owen James, Phil Kidney and Conservative councillor Stan Hudson
Voting to allow the public to witness the debate about public money were councillors:
Phil Baker, Roderick Bowen, Tony Brinsden, David Bryan, Pat Davies, Tessa Hodgson, David Howlett, Lyn Jenkins, Bob Kilmister, Alison Lee, David Lloyd, Paul Miller, Jonathan Nutting, Gwilym Price, Rhys Sinnett, Peter Stock, Mike Stoddart, Viv Stoddart, Tom Tudor, Tony Wilcox, Jacob Williams, Mike Williams, and Guy Woodham
Councillor Reg Owens abstained. Councillors John Davies, Mike Evans and Jonathan Preston were absent from the meeting.
The main motion was proposed by Councillors Roderick Bowen, Paul Miller, Mike Stoddart, Tony Wilcox, and Jacob Williams “That council approve action to investigate the recovery of any monies paid under the scheme for senior officers approved at the senior staff committee on 28th September 2011 under agenda item 6.”
That item was subject to an amendment proposed by Plaid Cymru that proposed taking no further action but instead registering an expression of regret at the situation.
An alternative motion proposed by IPPG leader Jamie Adams proposed that no further action be taken at all.
The vote on the Plaid amendment was as follows:
For the amendment: Phil Baker, Roderick Bowen, Tony Brinsden, David Bryan, Paul Harries, Tessa Hodgson, David Howlett, Stan Hudson, Owen James, Lyn Jenkins, Michael John, Stephen Joseph, Bob Kilmister, David Lloyd, Jonathan Nutting, Reg Owens, Rhys Sinnett, Peter Stock, Mike Stoddart, Vivien Stoddart, Jacob Williams, Mike Williams
Against the amendment: Jamie Adams, John Allen-Mirehouse, Daphne Bush, David Edwards, Wynne Evans, Lyndon Frayling, Huw George, Brian Hall, Umelda Havard, David James, , Keith Lewis, Rob Lewis, Pearl Llewellyn, Peter Morgan, Elwyn Morse, David Neale, Myles Pepper, Sue Perkins, David Pugh, David Rees, Tom Richards, Ken Rowlands, David Simpson, Rob Summons, Arwyn Williams, and Steve Yelland (all IPPG); Pat Davies, Alison Lee, David Lloyd, Paul Miller, Gwilym Price, Tom Tudor, Tony Wilcox, Guy Woodham (all Labour) & Phil Kidney (unaffiliated)
Voting in favour of IPPG Leader’s Jamie Adams’ amendment were:
Jamie Adams, John Allen-Mirehouse, Daphne Bush, David Edwards, Wynne Evans, Lyndon Frayling, Huw George, Brian Hall, Simon Hancock, Paul Harries, Umelda Havard, David James, Lyn Jenkins, Michael John, Keith Lewis, Rob Lewis, Pearl Llewellyn, Peter Morgan, Elwyn Morse, David Neale, Myles Pepper, Sue Perkins, David Pugh, David Rees, Tom Richards, Ken Rowlands, David Simpson, Rob Summons, Arwyn Williams, and Steve Yelland (all IPPG)
They were joined by unaffiliated Councillors Owen James, Phil Kidney and Conservative Councillor Stan Hudson
Voting against the IPPG amendment to do nothing were:
Phil Baker, Roderick Bowen, Pat Davies, Tessa Hodgson, David Howlett, Stephen Joseph, Bob Kilmister, Alison Lee, David Lloyd, Paul Miller, Jonathan Nutting, Gwilym Price, Rhys Sinnett, Peter Stock, Mike Stoddart, Vivien Stoddart, Tom Tudor, Jacob Williams, Mike Williams, Tony Wilcox, Guy Woodham
Councillors Tony Brinsden, David Bryan, David Howlett, Stephen Joseph, and Reg Owens abstained
There were sharp recriminations after the meeting.
Conservative group leader David Howlett told the Herald:
“With David Bryan, I voted for a public debate which was lost and so we went into private session. We supported a Plaid amendment that it would be foolish to pursue court action due to costs but expressed regret that the money was not being returned.
“Some IPPG members supported this and had Labour members also supported it, we would have won. Because Labour did not support the Plaid amendment, we had another vote to take no further action, from which I abstained.
“Labour’s stance meant the end result was no further action would be taken. I have to ask whether (Labour leader) Paul Miller sees this as a result, because that is what he and his group made sure happened.”
Labour leader Paul Miller responded:
Labour leader Paul Miller told us:
“On principle, the Labour group decided not to accept anything less than the Chief Executive being forced to pay back the money unlawfully paid to him.
“The vote today is not the end of the matter and I still firmly believe that the Council must take action to get the money back.”
Commenting on the debate, Cllr David Howlett, Leader of the Conservative Group on Pembrokeshire County Council said “I believe in transparency and openness so I voted for the debate to be held in public. Unfortunately that vote was lost so the debate was held in private.”
“During the debate that was held in private, many opposition Councillors voiced concern that given any legal action was not guaranteed to succeed, pursuing this would not be sensible given the costs that would be incurred could be substantial. This was a view I shared, and I voted in favour of an amendment supported by the majority of opposition parties that while a line should be drawn under this matter it was with regret that the monies had not been repaid by the two senior officers. This vote was lost by 34 votes to 23 due to the fact that the Cllr Paul Miller and his Labour group voted against this. This lost vote meant that we then voted on a proposal from the Leader, Cllr Jamie Adams that simply no further action would be taken, without any additional comment or regret at what had happened. I could not support this bland proposal.”
“Again the Labour group voted against this. I find the voting strategy of the Labour group under the Leadership of Cllr Paul Miller bizarre and naive. Had Cllr Miller come up with a proposal I would have considered the merit of it. However to come up with nothing, vote against everything and complain about the turn of events shows inexperience. Had the Labour group voted for the amendment that was supported by the vast majority of opposition Councillors, we would have emerged with a far stronger statement. They didn’t and the actions of the Labour Group have resulted in an unsatisfactory outcome in my view.”
Business
£21.2m investment in Port Talbot regeneration to create hundreds of jobs

Three major projects announced as part of Tata Steel transition support
A NEW £21.2 million package of regeneration funding will support more than 270 jobs in Port Talbot, with additional employment generated through construction and local business growth.
The investment—pending endorsement by the Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board today (22 May)—will fund three regeneration projects expected to generate £119 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) for the local economy.
This announcement brings total investment from the Transition Board to over £70 million in just nine months, as part of efforts to support the area during Tata Steel’s transition to electric arc furnace steelmaking.
Projects supported by the funding:
- Advanced Manufacturing Production Facility and Net Zero Skills Centre – Harbourside, Port Talbot
Investment: £12.5 million
Total project value: £35 million (with additional funding from the Swansea Bay City Deal)
Impact: Supports 170 jobs, engages 150 businesses, and generates £89.1 million in GVA
The centre will deliver low-carbon and net zero skills training and manufacture specialist equipment, helping to anchor an Innovation District in the Harbourside alongside the SWITCH project and Innovation Park.
- Metal Box redevelopment, Briton Ferry
Investment: £6.9 million
Conversion and expansion of the former Metal Box site into modern business units.
- Sandfields Business Centre upgrade, Port Talbot
Investment: £1.8 million
Expansion and modernisation of premises to support growing and start-up businesses.
Together, the Metal Box and Sandfields projects will support 101 jobs and deliver £29.9 million in GVA by 2035.
Cross-party and local support
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens, who chairs the Transition Board, said: “We promised to stand by the steelworkers, their families and the businesses of Port Talbot. This £21.2 million investment is a further step in delivering on that promise. The town’s future—through the Celtic Freeport, offshore wind and green steel—is full of potential.”
Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, added:
“This investment complements the Swansea Bay City Deal and opens up high-value jobs, especially in renewable energy and manufacturing.”
Neath Port Talbot Council Leader, Cllr Steve Hunt, welcomed the funding:
“It is vital we help local people and businesses seize the opportunities decarbonisation brings. These projects support that goal while driving growth and future skills.”
Further funding and support expected
This is the sixth major announcement from the Transition Board, funded through £80 million from the UK Government. Additional funding is expected in the coming months.
Previous allocations include:
£30 million for supply chain support and worker retraining
£13 million business start-up and resilience fund
£8.2 million for a growth project generating £87 million in economic benefit
£3.27 million for mental health support in Neath Port Talbot
The UK Government has also committed £500 million towards Tata Steel’s new electric arc furnace in Port Talbot, alongside a broader £2.5 billion pledge to rebuild the UK steel industry.
More than 50 major employers, including Fintech Wales, The Royal Mint, and RWE Energy, have also pledged to support displaced Tata workers with guaranteed interviews, training, and coaching.
For full details or to apply for funding, visit the Tata Steel Transition Information Hub.
News
Two-vehicle crash closes A4076 for over two hours

Vehicles recovered after collision between Haverfordwest and Johnston
THE A4076 was closed for more than two hours following a crash between Haverfordwest and Johnston on Tuesday afternoon (May 20).
Emergency services were called to the scene at around 1:35pm following reports of a two-vehicle collision.
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that the road was shut to allow for vehicle recovery, with the closure lasting until approximately 3:45pm.
A spokesperson for the force said: “Dyfed-Powys Police attended a report of a two-vehicle road traffic collision on the A4076 between Haverfordwest and Johnston at around 1:35pm on Tuesday, 20 May. The road was closed for vehicle recovery and was reopened at around 3:45pm. No injuries were reported.”
Traffic returned to normal following the reopening of the road.
News
Winter fuel rethink ‘not enough’ as charities and Welsh Tories slam lack of clarity

Starmer’s partial U-turn on support payments met with calls for full reinstatement amid fears older people could face another cold winter
PRIME MINISTER Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed a partial U-turn on the government’s controversial changes to Winter Fuel Payments—but the announcement has been criticised by campaigners and the Welsh Conservatives as insufficient and lacking in detail.
During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday (May 21), Sir Keir hinted at a policy reversal, saying more pensioners could once again become eligible for the benefit this winter. His comments follow months of criticism after last year’s decision to restrict access to the Winter Fuel Payment, which removed automatic eligibility for millions of older people.
The benefit, long intended to help pensioners cover the cost of heating during the coldest months, is seen as vital in rural and colder areas of Wales, where fuel poverty is a growing concern. But campaigners and politicians say the Prime Minister’s remarks leave too many questions unanswered.
Age Cymru Chief Executive Victoria Lloyd welcomed the indication of a policy shift but warned that clarity and urgency are essential.
“We welcome the Prime Minister’s comments and commitment to change,” she said. “However, the detail is needed so we can be confident that any policy change is going to support those older people that we know are struggling without this vital payment.”
Ms Lloyd said Age Cymru had seen the real-world consequences of last year’s changes: pensioners too afraid to heat their homes, resulting in misery and serious health risks.
“Means-testing Winter Fuel Payments in the way the UK Government announced last summer resulted in many pensioners on low incomes missing out on money they simply couldn’t afford to lose,” she added.
The charity is particularly concerned about older people who are not claiming Pension Credit despite being eligible, those whose incomes place them just above the threshold, and individuals with health conditions that make cold homes especially dangerous.
“We will judge the success of any new policy proposals by the extent to which they help vulnerable older people and those on low and modest incomes to heat their homes adequately next winter,” Ms Lloyd said. “Winter is only six months away—there is no time to waste.”
The announcement has also drawn criticism from the Welsh Conservatives, who described the Prime Minister’s statement as “too little, too late.”
Samuel Kurtz MS, Senedd Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire (Pictured), said: “Supporting our pensioners through the coldest months of the year should never have been in question. While today’s words from the PM are a step in the right direction, it simply doesn’t go far enough—we need a full U-turn to restore confidence and ensure no pensioner is left behind.”
Mr Kurtz reiterated the Welsh Conservatives’ pledge to introduce a dedicated Welsh Winter Fuel Payment if elected to government in Cardiff Bay. He said a devolved approach could deliver more targeted support for communities in Wales, where rural areas often face higher heating costs due to poor insulation and off-grid fuel reliance.
“Despite today’s announcement, the job is not done. We’ll keep up the pressure until a fair and comprehensive system is in place,” he added.
The Herald understands that further clarification on the scope and delivery of the Prime Minister’s revised Winter Fuel Payment policy is expected in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Age Cymru has called for the introduction of a social energy tariff as a longer-term solution—but warned that immediate financial support is needed to prevent another crisis for older people this winter.
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john
July 18, 2014 at 2:23 pm
Where does this leave the Council with regard to its contract of employment with the CEO?
It determined not to pay a salary including an equivalent employer’s S&P Contribution. No such contribution is now being made by the Council.
Are these equivalent payments actually being made as salary payments, but cannot appear in the Accounts as they are contrary to law as the Council has accepted?
Archie
July 18, 2014 at 2:46 pm
Pembrokeshire Council and in particular the CEO and the IPG are a law unto themselves. The losers are the people of Pembrokeshire.
Reg
July 18, 2014 at 2:57 pm
I’m sorry but the Tory leader wanted to pass a motion that “expressed regret?” That is utter nonsense. This is now a matter that requires leadership and the only person I can see providing it is Cllr Miller. If we let this go then the hierarchy at the council will simply continue to do whatever they want and take us all for fools.
PJ
July 18, 2014 at 10:40 pm
Sorry ‘Reg’ what ‘leadership’ is that you say is coming from Cllr Paul Miller? Where does it say in here that Cllr Miller proposed a vote during the meeting that the chief exec should be sued by the council to get the money back off him?
Unless you were at the meeting (there is a councillor called Reg, is it you?) and you know for a fact that Cllr Miller tried to get a vote on court action, then it doesn’t look like he did do that from this report.
You lot grumbling about cllrs letting these officers off the hook is ridiculous…the ONLY way of getting the money back is through the court and to go to court the legal costs would be many many multiples of the actual sum being recovered. AND there is probably worse odds than 50/50 that a court would agree. You need to see the bigger picture. Bryns screwed us all, he always does, but this time it was regrettably the only thing that could be done.
Interesting that Cllr Miller told the herald “this is not the end of the matter”…I wonder what he’s got up his sleeve. He would HAVE to show some strong leadership if hes to get Bryn to repay the money without a court order. If he does achieve it then I take it all back – he should lead the UK!
Alan Jowett
July 18, 2014 at 11:03 pm
Oh dear.
I hear the sound of councillors I know quietly losing their seats.
Dysgwr_Cymraeg
July 21, 2014 at 2:11 pm
Well folks, take a look at how they voted, you\’ll get your chance come the next election.A true Whithall Farce.
Paul Hill
July 21, 2014 at 3:49 pm
Shame onyou IPPG, hope you can live with that and look the good people of Pembrokeshire in the eye…
michael williams
July 22, 2014 at 7:39 pm
I note the recent correspondence regarding the CEOs pension arrangements. It was indeed dissapionting that the Labour group voted against the Plaid amendment. It was the only alternative put forward to the motion of the IPG which wouldnt have even expressed a consern or indeed disgust. Where was Cllr Miller, why didnt he put forward his own ammendment?The reason for my amendment was the potential cost to our taxpayers, as the only way to finally clarify the different legal opinions of the Wales Audit Office and the CEOs lawyer would be to test it in the High Court at a cost of many tens of thousands. To support it would have been the fist time that we members outside the controlling group had ever laid a glove in the CEO, and I believe hastened his departure. Once again we were let down by the Labour group. Its time Cllr Miller put the taxpayers of Pembrokeshire before his own political ambitions.