News

Jamie Adams remains as Council Leader, for now

Published

12 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?

News

Tenby lifeboat tows yacht to safety after skipper falls ill near Caldey

Published

8 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A YACHT was towed back to Tenby after its skipper became unwell off Caldey Island.

Tenby’s all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch at 1:40pm on Monday (Jun 15), after the coastguard received a call from the occupants of a yacht reporting that the skipper had become ill around one mile south of Caldey Island.

The volunteer crew quickly made their way to the vessel, which had three people and a dog on board.

Once alongside, the lifeboat crew discovered that the skipper was suffering badly from seasickness and that the other two people on board were unable to sail the yacht themselves.

After a full assessment by the coxswain, it was decided that the safest course of action was to tow the yacht back to Tenby. The vessel was drifting with the tide towards Caldey Island and was also considered a potential navigational hazard to other boats.

Two lifeboat crew members were placed aboard the yacht to help set up the tow and to monitor the unwell skipper during the journey back.

After a tow of around an hour, the yacht was placed on the lifeboat mooring in the calmer waters of North Bay.

The lifeboat then returned to station, arriving back at 3:15pm.

Entertainment

Waverley marks 79th anniversary with Pembrokeshire sailings

Published

8 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WORLD’S last seagoing paddle steamer will return to Pembrokeshire this week as Waverley marks the 79th anniversary of her maiden voyage.

The historic vessel will sail from Milford Haven and Tenby on Tuesday (Jun 16), with trips including a daytime cruise around Skokholm, Skomer, St Brides Bay and Ramsey Island from 11:30am to 4:30pm.

There will also be an evening sailing from Milford Haven at 5:00pm, travelling to St Govan’s Head, Caldey Island and along the Pembrokeshire coast, returning at 9:50pm.

Passengers can also join Waverley at Tenby, with sailings to Milford Haven and an evening cruise around Caldey Island and the coast.

On Wednesday (Jun 17), Waverley will make her only Fishguard visit of 2026, with an evening cruise to St David’s Head, passing Strumble Head Lighthouse, from 6:15pm to 9:15pm.

Tickets are available through Waverley Excursions.

Crime

Mid Wales peace activist arrested outside court after Palestine Action ruling

Published

9 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MID WALES peace activist Angie Zelter was arrested outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London after holding a placard in support of Palestine Action.

The 75-year-old campaigner, from Knucklas, Powys, was detained at around 12:20pm on the steps of the court, according to Radnor Palestine Links.

The group said Ms Zelter was arrested under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 after holding a sign which read: “Saving lives is not terrorism. I support Palestine Action.”

She was taken to Charing Cross Police Station and released around two hours later, the group said.

The arrest came as the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the UK Government over its decision to proscribe Palestine Action under terrorism legislation.

The ruling overturned an earlier High Court decision which had found the ban unlawful. The Court of Appeal held that the Government’s decision was lawful and proportionate.

Palestine Action was banned after the Home Secretary moved to proscribe the group under the Terrorism Act 2000. Supporting or inviting support for a proscribed organisation can be a criminal offence.

Radnor Palestine Links said the protest formed part of an ongoing campaign against the use of counter-terrorism laws against peaceful demonstrators.

Ms Zelter, a long-standing peace and human rights campaigner, has been arrested more than 100 times worldwide during decades of non-violent direct action. She is also known as a founder of Trident Ploughshares.

Speaking after her arrest, Ms Zelter said: “I think it’s a terrible indictment of the criminal justice system that you are charging me with terrorism for holding a peaceful sign.

“We have to uphold the most important international laws. Peaceful, disruptive protest is absolutely essential to protect democracy.”

The Metropolitan Police has been asked to confirm the circumstances of the arrest, whether Ms Zelter was formally charged, and the conditions of her release.

Photo caption: Court protest: Angie Zelter outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London holding a sign in support of Palestine Action (Pic: Radnor Palestine Links).