News

Neyland Councillor storms out of town council meeting amidst vote of no confidence

Published

2 years ago

July 5, 2023

IN A STUNNING turn of events, a Neyland councillor has dramatically stormed out of the monthly town council meeting following a contentious vote of no confidence, which he believes is completely at odds with the prevailing sentiment of his town’s inhabitants.

Councillor Peter Hay, a respected figure who has dutifully served on the town council for the past seven years, found himself at the center of a storm during the June meeting. A vote of no confidence was unexpectedly passed against him and three other councillors after allegations surfaced regarding secretive gatherings.

Expressing his dismay, Councillor Hay voiced his concerns to the local media stating, “That decision was utterly incongruous with the prevailing sentiment of the Neyland community, as per my interactions with its members. My name has been unjustly tarnished as a result of these accusations, and the electorate is now questioning my integrity. It’s truly disheartening.”

Clearly frustrated, Councillor Hay continued, “It appears that certain councillors are exploiting their positions within the town council to further their personal political agendas, and this is wholly unacceptable. It was due to these circumstances that I felt compelled to withdraw from Monday’s meeting.”

Councillor Hay remains uncertain about his future attendance at upcoming meetings, stating, “Naturally, I would like to see the vote of no confidence revoked, but more importantly, I long for the resolution of all these issues. The people of Neyland are growing weary of incessant squabbles month after month. I became a councillor to contribute to my town, as it is truly deserving of my dedication.”

Having diligently served on the town council for the past seven years, Councillor Hay has gone above and beyond his obligations, immersing himself in practical tasks and engaging in vigorous debates within the council chamber.

Councillor Hay reflected on his additional endeavors, noting, “Engaging in practical work is not an obligatory duty of a councillor. However, being a retired engineer, I possess the necessary skills, and moreover, I genuinely want to make a difference.”

This week’s town council meeting unraveled with members embroiled in a heated 90-minute dispute over the accuracy of the minutes from the previous month’s gathering. The proceedings took place on Zoom, with members of the public in attendance. One such attendee, identifying themselves as ‘a Neyland resident,’ expressed their exasperation in the chat, remarking, “Sarcasm, personal attacks… what a load of rubbish.”

The future of the Neyland town council hangs in the balance as divisions within its ranks persist, leaving its constituents longing for a return to harmony and a cessation of relentless turmoil.

Crime

Dyfed-Powys Police pays out hundreds of thousands in compensation claims

Published

17 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Tom Sinclair

NEW figures reveal Dyfed-Powys Police has paid out £324,000 in compensation over the past five years, following nearly 200 claims made by members of the public.

A Freedom of Information requests show a whopping 186 claims were lodged against the force between 2019 and 2024, with compensation payments peaking in 2021/2022 at £138,111. Claims included allegations of unlawful arrest, financial losses, personal injury, and failure in duty of care.

In 2019/2020, 36 claims were made, with nine settled. The following year, 22 claims were lodged, with nine again resulting in payouts. Numbers rose to 38 claims in 2021/2022, with 11 settlements, before dropping slightly in 2022/2023 to 36 claims and eight payouts. However, the most recent figures for 2023/2024 show a significant rise, with 54 claims and seven settlements.

Lucy Parker, a solicitor from JF Law, said: “Claims against police forces highlight the importance of accountability. Issues such as wrongful arrest, assault, and negligence must be addressed seriously.”

Nationally, UK police forces have paid out millions in compensation, with property damage from botched raids cited as a frequent reason.

Dyfed-Powys Police has been approached for comment.

News

Rail passengers in west Wales ‘let down’ by hundreds of train cancellations

Published

17 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Tom Sinclair

RAIL passengers in west Wales are being “let down” following the cancellation of more than 650 Transport for Wales (TfW) trains on routes to Swansea and beyond in just 12 months.

Between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024, a total of 654 services were cancelled, impacting key routes to Llanelli, Carmarthen, Pembroke Dock, Fishguard, and Milford Haven. The cancellations have sparked frustration among passengers and raised concerns over the reliability of rail services in the region.

Transport for Wales, which took over day-to-day rail operations from Arriva nearly seven years ago, has faced ongoing criticism for service quality. A Rail User Survey in 2023 revealed that only 72% of passengers were satisfied with TfW services, making it the worst-rated operator in the UK at the time. By comparison, Southern Railway scored 80%.

Recent surveys show some improvements. Between February and September 2024, overall satisfaction rose to 85%, with punctuality increasing to 73% and frequency to 66%. However, these numbers remain below national averages, and the situation in west Wales continues to lag behind other regions.

Passengers in west Wales have long expressed frustration over frequent delays and cancellations. One traveller recounted a 60-mile journey from Cardiff Central to Carmarthen that resulted in an overnight stay in Cardiff due to multiple delays and cancellations. Replacement buses offered little reprieve, with onward journeys stretching well into the early hours.

Peredur Owen Griffiths MS, Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson for Transport, criticised the situation, saying: “These statistics show that Welsh passengers are being let down. Historical underinvestment in our rail network and infrastructure has led us to this position. In order to create a Welsh rail network that works for the people of Wales, it’s vital that decisions regarding Welsh rail are made in Wales.”

Mr Griffiths added: “Only Plaid Cymru fights for the devolution of rail infrastructure to ensure we can secure consistent investment in our network and deliver reliable services.”

Despite some recent improvements in customer satisfaction, the sheer scale of cancellations highlights ongoing issues with rail services in Wales, particularly in west Wales where consistent, reliable transport remains a challenge for many commuters and travellers.

Charity

Tributes paid to former Tenby RNLI crew member Stuart Fecci

Published

18 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Tom Sinclair

TENBY RNLI is mourning the loss of former Shore Crew member Stuart Fecci, who passed away recently. Stuart served aboard the Henry Comber Brown lifeboat until a tragic accident in 1988 resulted in the loss of his hand.

Despite the injury, Stuart remained a dedicated supporter of Tenby RNLI. The Fecci family has deep roots with the station, including Stuart’s son Samuel, who raised over £300 by completing the RNLI’s Mayday Mile walk in 2021.

Deputy Coxswain Jon Lewis, Stuart’s cousin who carries the Fecci name through his mother, paid tribute: “The last time I spoke to him, he greeted me in a packed Tudor Square as the larger-than-life character he was and shouted, ‘Coxswain Lewis!’ before continuing to congratulate me.”

Stuart will be deeply missed by the entire community. The thoughts of everyone at the station are with his wife Sally and his family during this difficult time.