News

Pembrokeshire Tories’ £370,000 council contract call-in

Published

2 years ago

January 18, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PEMBROKESHIRE’S Tory councillors have been granted a ‘call-in’ on a recently-awarded £370,000 council contract to a company linked to a rents fiasco where the council lost more than £300,000.

That revenue was lost last year after council tenants’ annual rent rise was not correctly publicised in the appropriate time.

Tenants have a statutory two-month period of notice before rent rises, which were due to take place from April 1, can come into effect.

However, statutory rent increase notices were only delivered to tenants in late March, delaying the time of rent increases to July 1.

Pembrokeshire Conservative councillors Danny Young, Steve Yelland, Rhys Jordan, Mark Carter, Jonathan Grimes, Di Clements, David Howlett, David Bryan, Aled Thomas, and Aaron Carey have signed the ‘call-in’.

Earlier this month, Cabinet member for Corporate Finance Cllr Alec Cormack backed a recommendation to award a £370,000 two-year contract to Dsi Billing for the printing and distribution of specialist documentation such as council tax billing, rents and debts.

A report recommending approval said: “There is no in-house capacity or expertise to undertake this service and an external contractor is required. Dsi Billing have undertaken the role for the council since the closure of our internal print unit and are recognised as being the market leader in this field.

“Other local authorities without in-house capacity, including neighbouring Carmarthenshire, use this company and a direct award under this government framework is allowable.”

In the event of no ‘call-in’ the decision would come into force on January 18.

Now, all 10 Conservative county councillors have signed the ‘call-in’ on that decision, addressed to Councillor Michael John, chair of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

“The Welsh Conservative group believe that this decision deserves full and proper scrutiny at committee level – given its sizeable cost estimation at around £370,000. It is of the upmost importance that in these times of unprecedented financial challenges, with a £27.1 million funding gap to be found, and expectations that the administration will ask for a council tax increase between 15-25 per cent in the forthcoming months, that we ratify every pound spent of their money.

“While there are many aspects to consider, particular focus should be around value for money to the taxpayer, competitiveness of the award and whether the awarding of such a contract would negate the council of bearing the cost should letters fail to arrive residents on time.

“The group have also expressed their concern that in a digital era, where email and MyAccount are becoming more popular by the day, what steps can – and are – the council actively taking to shift away from the need for hard copies posted to households.

“I need not remind you that the awarded company, DSI Billing, were the contractor tasked with delivering the 2023 HRA rent increase letters, which ultimately failed to arrive on time and has cost the authority’s HRA account in excess of £300,000.”

The 10 councillors are: Cllr Aled Thomas, Cllr Di Clements, Cllr Mark Carter, Cllr Rhys Jordan, Cllr Aaron Carey, Cllr Steve Yelland, Cllr David Bryan, Cllr Jonathan Grimes, Cllr David Howlett, and Cllr Danny Young.

The report with the recommendation to approve the Dsi Billing contract said: “The council is not aware of any other external print provider being used in Wales for printing and posting of these financial services documents. The council had an issue with the non-delivery of rent letters earlier this year and, while an investigation found that Dsi Billing could not be held liable as the Royal Mail deliver the ‘final mile,’ processes have since been improved to lessen the risk of such an event happening again.”

The next Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting is tomorrow, January 18.

Crime

Teacher assaulted by pupil with weapon at Milford Haven school

Published

22 minutes ago

February 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Teenager arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after lockdown triggered

A TEACHER was assaulted by a pupil brandishing a weapon at Milford Haven School on Tuesday afternoon (Feb 4), triggering an emergency lockdown and a major police response.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police were called to the school at around 3:20pm following reports that a member of staff had been attacked.

A lockdown was immediately implemented, with doors secured and pupils and staff told to remain inside classrooms and offices while the situation was dealt with.

Most pupils had already left at the end of the school day, but some remained on site for after-school activities.

Police confirmed that the injured teacher’s wounds are not believed to be stab injuries and they are currently receiving medical treatment.

Superintendent Chris Neve said: “We can confirm police are at Milford Haven Comprehensive School, following a report of the assault of a teacher by a pupil brandishing a weapon at the school at approx. 3.20pm.

“The teacher’s injury is not a stab injury. A lock down was implemented but has now been lifted. The teacher is receiving medical treatment for their injuries.

“All pupils at the location are safe, and most have gone home. Officers remain at the school.

“A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempt murder and is in police custody.”

Parents told The Herald they were alerted to the lockdown shortly after 3:00pm via messages and social media, with some describing staff and pupils being kept inside rooms for safety as a precaution.

The lockdown has since been lifted, but officers remain at the scene while enquiries continue.

There have been no reports of any injuries to pupils.

The Herald has also contacted Pembrokeshire County Council for further comment.

Photo caption: Police vehicles outside Ysgol Aberdaugleddau Milford Haven School following Tuesday afternoon’s incident (Pics: Herald).

Crime

Lockdown at Milford Haven School after emergency services called

Published

42 minutes ago

February 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A LOCKDOWN was put in place at Milford Haven School shortly after the end of the school day on today (Feb 5), with police and other emergency services attending the site and the situation ongoing as of late afternoon.

Staff used the tannoy system just after 3:00pm to announce that the school was entering lockdown.

While most pupils had already gone home, a number remained on site for after-school clubs and activities. As part of the procedure, doors were locked and those inside were instructed to stay in classrooms or offices.

One member of non-teaching staff wrote on social media that they had been “locked in a room” for protection.

Several marked vehicles from Dyfed-Powys Police were seen outside the school gates, with officers remaining at the scene.

The exact nature of the incident has not yet been confirmed.

The Herald has contacted both Pembrokeshire County Council and police for clarification, but no official statement had been issued at the time of publication.

Lockdown procedures are standard in schools and are designed to keep pupils and staff safe by restricting movement and securing buildings while a potential risk is assessed.

Parents told The Herald they were informed that children were safe but that movement around the campus had been temporarily restricted.

There have been no confirmed reports of injuries.

It is not yet clear when the lockdown will be lifted.

This is a developing story and will be updated as soon as further information becomes available.

Photo caption: Police vehicles outside Milford Haven School during Tuesday afternoon’s lockdown (Pics: Herald).

Crime

Sex offender who vanished after release jailed after walking into police station

Published

53 minutes ago

February 5, 2026

Staff Writer

Man subject to Crimewatch appeal admitted breaching lifetime notification rules after months living ‘off grid’

A REGISTERED sex offender who sparked a nationwide police hunt after disappearing on release from prison has been jailed after walking into a Pembrokeshire police station and handing himself in.

Christopher Spelman, aged 66 and of no fixed address, had been missing since July last year after refusing to comply with strict legal requirements to register his whereabouts with police.

Instead, officers were told he intended to buy a tent and live “off grid”.

The disappearance triggered an extensive search led by Lancashire Police, supported by forces across the UK. Public appeals were issued and the case was highlighted on Crimewatch in a bid to trace him.

Police believed Spelman was moving between campsites and travelling by public transport, with links to several parts of England and Wales including Merseyside, Manchester, Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire.

The search ended unexpectedly on January 3 when Spelman walked into Haverfordwest Police Station and surrendered himself. He was arrested at the front desk. It is not known how long he had been in Pembrokeshire before handing himself in.

Lifetime registration

Swansea Crown Court heard that Spelman had previously been jailed for seven years in 2014 for sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 14.

That conviction placed him on the sex offenders register for life, requiring him to notify police of his address and report any changes within three days.

Prosecutor Brian Simpson told the court that after his most recent release from a Dorset prison on July 4, 2025, Spelman made it clear he would not provide an address, immediately putting himself in breach of the law.

When he failed to contact officers, a formal manhunt began.

The court also heard this was not the first time he had vanished. Following an earlier release in 2016, he similarly failed to register and remained at large for around five years before being located.

‘Unusual case’

Defence barrister Andrew Evans described the matter as “unusual”, telling the court that Spelman disputes his original conviction and has long expressed a desire to live outside society.

However, he said the defendant had now accepted that, regardless of his personal views, he remained bound by a court order and must comply with it.

Evans added that Spelman had asked the court to impose a custodial sentence to allow time for proper accommodation and supervision to be arranged for his eventual release.

Sentencing, Judge Geraint Walters said there were signs Spelman wished to change but warned that any future breaches would lead to longer prison terms.

Spelman, who has 11 previous convictions covering 29 offences, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the notification requirements.

With credit for his guilty plea, he was jailed for ten months. He will serve up to half that time in custody before being released on licence.