News

Jamie Adams remains as Council Leader, for now

Published

11 years ago

August 19, 2014

cllr jamie AT a meeting held at the County Records Office, Prendergast, on Monday evening (Aug 18) members of the IPPG rallied round Jamie Adams, their beleaguered leader, and chose to maintain the status quo at County Hall.

The Herald is able to confirm that the ruling group are concerned about leaks from within County Hall about their activities and conduct in public office. In particular, Deputy Leader Rob Lewis has expressed concern about the amount of information about the group’s activities appearing both online and in The Pembrokeshire Herald.

The Herald’s revelations about Bryn Parry Jones’ private conduct towards Councillors were not news to IPPG members, whose concern is more about hushing up what goes on in County Hall between officers and councillors than in addressing officers’ failures.

While Councillor Adams sought to reassure members that Pembrokeshire was one of the top performing authorities in Wales, he neglected to address the burgeoning scandals that continue to trouble the Council, including the continuing and potentially widening enquiry into the grants scandal in Pembroke Dock. The Herald understands from a source close to those involved that questions are going to arise about the disposal of asbestos from sites associated with extensive works under certain of the projects that received grant funding.

Councillor Adams did nothing to dispel concerns about the continuing proximity of the Council’s ruling group with certain senior officers.

Councillor Jacob Williams revealed (on www.jacobwilliams.com) that Jamie Adams intends to make changes to the composition and structure of his Cabinet. It is possible that those most inclined to voice public dissent have been bought off with the promise of future advancement or were disinclined to be subject to one of Councillor Brian Hall’s intermittent tirades at Monday’s meeting.

Jacob Williams also revealed that the IPPG are preparing for life without Bryn Parry Jones, writing: “Both Cllr. Adams and his deputy Cllr. Rob Lewis stressed that any parting of ways mustn’t give rise to grounds for wrongful dismissal. They even reminded those present how costly and drawn out employment disputes can be, and hinted at the recently revealed large settlement awarded to

Sharon Shoesmith by Haringey Council for her wrongful dismissal in 2008.

“Cllr. Adams dropped his bombshell: a parting of ways would likely involve a ‘package,’ and he wanted his party’s support because a parting package would require full council approval.”

Such a move would certainly cause political upheaval on the opposition benches at County Hall. It is likely that Cllr Adams has calculated that the fragmented nature of the opposition, its weakness in debate and his own troops’ loyalty to their places at the trough of patronage will be enough to keep him and his party in place until the storm subsides.

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7 Comments

Andrew Lye

August 19, 2014 at 12:29 pm

First rule in politics….
When in a hole, stop digging.
But then again …. this is Pembrokeshire…
Western Welsh

August 19, 2014 at 8:14 pm

Bring back Dyfed! Pembrokeshire is a very spoiled brand thanks to the Independent Party that has embarrassed us all for far too long!
sm1968

August 19, 2014 at 9:55 pm

So they still don’t get it do they, its bigger than just BPJ now its the lot of them, and the IPPG rally round the creature that is Jamie all positioning themselves for a promotion for towing the line, sickening, you really are a bunch of idiots. A complete laughing stock. Nothing ever changes does it, all they think about is themselves, not one of them with any shame what so ever.
Tomos

August 20, 2014 at 10:56 am

I’m really really disappointed in some of the IPG members, thought they were decent people – ashamed of some of the many questionable things done in their name – my bug bear is sacking someone who tried to stop a paedophile within the council, the council giving the guy a glowing report.
There are plenty more disgusting and questionable decisions – do they feel no shame OR do those special responsibility allowances help them sleep at night?
Maggie

August 23, 2014 at 8:03 pm

I don’t know why people are surprised at the shenanigans of the Independents. They’re either closet Tories who don’t want to pay the electoral price for being linked with the coalition or blatant narcissists attracted by the illusion of power.
Robin Howells, Chair, Preseli Pembrokeshire Labour Party

August 28, 2014 at 11:23 am

Perhaps Jamie Adams and the IPPG should be more concerned about dealing with the issues within Pembrokeshire County Council rather than the leaks. After all these leaks are factual events rather than gossip and as we have seen over recent weeks, months and years this group’s ability to run the council and provide services seems to be called into question. Whether this is Education, Children’s Services, Day Centres, Libraries, grants or the conduct of Councillor’s and the Chief Executive with the pensions disgrace attracting two police investigations – this Independent group (a bizarre term for those who deem themselves to be independent to the electorate yet belong to a group) should decide where their priorities are – their image or their actions. Perhaps at the next local actions the people of Pembrokeshire have already made their decision. It’s time for a change and quickly.
Power to the People

September 14, 2014 at 12:30 pm

I am still in shock after listening to Cllr George……….is he for real?

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

9 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

10 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

10 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.