News

Wales Audit Office query over Bryn’s £330k

Published

11 years ago

October 29, 2014

Cashing in: Bryn Parry Jones

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL was thrown into chaos on Wednesday (Oct 29) when the controversial settlement agreement with Chief Executive Bryn Parry-Jones was ruled UNLAWFUL by the Wales Audit Office. Focussing on the proposal to compensate Mr Parry-Jones for loss of pay supplements he had previously deemed unlawful, Anthony Barnett from the Wales Audit Office, issued what he described as an “unprecedented” note debarring the Council from proceeding with the payment.

However, in a surprising twist, the Council says it has now reached agreement with the Wales Audit Office and the settlement agreement will proceed as scheduled.

A Council spokesperson told The Pembrokeshire Herald that the Council and its legal advisors have been in discussion with the Wales Audit Office since BEFORE the meeting of Council on 16^th October and have “reached a consensus with the Auditor”.

The spokesperson concluded: “The Council will not be incurring any unlawful expenditure.”

The revelation that the Council was discussing matters with the Wales Audit Office before October’s vote is sure to raise many more questions about the majority group’s commitment to investigating the serious allegations made against Mr Parry-Jones.

Speaking on Wednesday, Labour leader Cllr Paul Miller said: “The Welsh Audit Office has backed up what it has been saying all along and has declared Bryn Parry Jones’ pay-off from Pembrokeshire County Council as “unlawful expenditure.” After speaking with Anthony Barrett (the Appointed Auditor) on the telephone tonight, he informed me that his concerns over unlawful payments focused specifically around the pension contributions that formed part of the settlement. Contrary to reports by the council that a deal had been struck, he also confirmed that it had not and that he still sees the pay-off as unlawful.”

Cllr Miller added: “As I said in my response to Jamie Adams’ comments that he believes the payoff was the right thing to do – the payments were unlawful, nothing has changed and Bryn should finish being investigated for gross misconduct. Bryn’s position is clearly untenable while this sorry saga drags on but we now have a chance to make sure this unjust and “unlawful” pay-off doesn’t go ahead.”

Cllr Miller concluded by saying: “The council have released a statement tonight claiming that they have changed some of the wording in the settlement and the Auditors concerns are now resolved. I have spoken personally to the Deputy Auditor General for Wales, Mr Anthony Barrett, twice this evening and he has confirmed that he has not agreed to remove the stop notice and will not be doing so while the element relating to the Chief Executive’s pension remains in the agreement.”

Cllr Jacob Williams said on his blog: “I have spoken to Mr. Barrett this evening and he confirmed that contrary to the council’s statement, no agreement had been reached but that ‘a number of options’ were available to resolve the impasse, which may require an extraordinary meeting for all councillors to re-ratify a new deal.”

“Mr. Barrett also told me, among other things, that he raised his concerns over the content of the settlement agreement with officers PRIOR to the meeting on the 16th where the golden handshake was approved. Needless to say, councillors were NOT informed about this during the secret debate, despite several questions being asked – I can say this with some certainty as I was one of the councillors who queried this very topic.”

He added: “I have also become aware of other matters this evening, relating to the settlement agreement and the original pension opt-out scheme dating back to February, that I certainly intend to pursue.”

Cllr Bob Kilmister commented on the developments, saying: “The decision of the Appointed Auditor Anthony Barrett to issue an Advisory Notice to Pembrokeshire County Council halting the agreement to terminate the employment of Chief Executive Bryn Parry – Jones because it is in his view “unlawful” looks like yet another avoidable crisis for the Council and especially the Leader Jamie Adams. During the secret debate held on Oct 16, I asked Jamie Adams if this settlement had been cleared by the Welsh Audit Office, as we could not afford any more expensive interventions. His reply as recorded by the minute taker was: The Leader’s response to your query was that the S151 Officer and WAO had discussed the matter. That he was not privy to those discussions, but understood they were accepting of the position. They were mindful that Members have all information and that is why he encouraged the opportunity for the presentation by Eversheds on the strengths and weakness of the DIP. He also stated that the Public Services Minister had had the opportunity to see the settlement.”

Cllr Kilmister added: “Eversheds made no comment at all following my question. Part of the settlement concerned pension payments which had already been deemed “unlawful” by the Welsh Audit Office. It was therefore extremely predictable that the WAO would come to the same conclusion again, which is why I queried the matter. This looks like it could become another avoidable and costly fiasco.”

He concluded: “Many members were persuaded by the argument that voting for the settlement would bring about a swift and speedy end to this issue. This now looks a forlorn hope. I repeat my call for Jamie Adams to resign and for a new broad based administration which can provide the county with the fresh start to be formed.”

Crime

Man accused of Milford Haven burglary and GBH remanded to Crown Court

Published

4 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN man has appeared in court charged with burglary and inflicting grievous bodily harm, following an incident at a flat in the town earlier this week.

Charged after alleged attack inside Victoria Road flat

Stephen Collier, aged thirty-eight, of Vaynor Road, Milford Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court today (Friday, Dec 5). Collier is accused of entering a property known as Nos Da Flat, 2 Victoria Road, on December 3 and, while inside, inflicting grievous bodily harm on a man named John Hilton.

The court was told the alleged burglary and assault was carried out jointly with another man, Denis Chmelevski.

The charge is brought under section 9(1)(b) of the Theft Act 1968, which covers burglary where violence is inflicted on a person inside the property.

No plea entered

Collier, represented by defence solicitor Chris White, did not enter a plea during the hearing. Prosecutor Simone Walsh applied for the defendant to be remanded in custody, citing the serious nature of the offence, the risk of further offending, and concerns that he could interfere with witnesses.

Magistrates Mr I Howells, Mr V Brickley and Mrs H Meade agreed, refusing bail and ordering that Collier be kept in custody before trial.

Case sent to Swansea Crown Court

The case was sent to Swansea Crown Court under Section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. Collier will next appear on January 5, 2026 at 9:00am for a Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing.

A custody time limit has been set for June 5, 2026.

Chmelevski is expected to face proceedings separately.

News

Woman dies after collision in Tumble as police renew appeal for witnesses

Published

4 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are appealing for information after a woman died following a collision in Tumble on Tuesday (Dec 2).

Officers were called to Heol y Neuadd at around 5:35pm after a collision involving a maroon Skoda and a pedestrian. The female pedestrian was taken to hospital but sadly died from her injuries.

Dyfed-Powys Police has launched a renewed appeal for witnesses, including anyone who may have dash-cam, CCTV footage, or any information that could help the investigation.

Investigators are urging anyone who was in the area at the time or who may have captured the vehicle or the pedestrian on camera shortly before the collision to get in touch. (Phone: 101 Quote reference: DP-20251202-259.)

News

Greyhound Bill faces fresh scrutiny as second committee raises “serious concerns”

Published

4 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE PROHIBITION of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill has been heavily criticised for a second time in 24 hours after the Senedd’s Legislation, Justice and Constitution (LJC) Committee published a highly critical Stage 1 report yesterday.

The cross-party committee said the Welsh Government’s handling of the legislation had “in several respects, fallen short of the standard of good legislative practice that we would normally expect”.

Key concerns highlighted by the LJC Committee include:

Introducing the Bill before all relevant impact assessments (including a full Regulatory Impact Assessment and Children’s Rights Impact Assessment) had been completed – a step it described as “poor legislative practice, particularly … where the Bill may impact on human rights”.
Failure to publish a statement confirming the Bill’s compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The committee has recommended that Rural Affairs Minister Huw Irranca-Davies issue such a statement before the Stage 1 vote on 16 December.
Inadequate public consultation, with the 2023 animal-licensing consultation deemed “not an appropriate substitute” for targeted engagement on the specific proposal to ban the sport.

The report follows Tuesday’s equally critical findings from the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations Committee, which questioned the robustness of the evidence base and the accelerated legislative timetable.

Industry reaction Mark Bird, chief executive of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), described the two reports as leaving the Bill “in tatters”.

“Two consecutive cross-party Senedd committees have now condemned the Welsh Government’s failures in due diligence, consultation and human rights considerations and evidence gathering,” he said. “The case for a ban has been comprehensively undermined. The responsible path forward is stronger regulation of the single remaining track at Ystrad Mynach, not prohibition.”

Response from supporters of the Bill Luke Fletcher MS (Labour, South Wales West), who introduced the Member-proposed Bill, said he welcomed thorough scrutiny and remained confident the legislation could be improved at later stages.

“I have always said this Bill is about ending an outdated practice that causes unnecessary suffering to thousands of greyhounds every year,” Mr Fletcher said. “The committees have raised legitimate procedural points, and I look forward to working with the Welsh Government and colleagues across the Senedd to address those concerns while keeping the core aim of the Bill intact.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The Minister has noted the committees’ reports and will respond formally in due course. The government supports the principle of the Bill and believes a ban on greyhound racing is justified on animal welfare grounds. Work is ongoing to finalise the outstanding impact assessments and to ensure full compatibility with the ECHR.”

The Bill is scheduled for a Stage 1 debate and vote in plenary on Tuesday 16 December. Even if it passes that hurdle, it would still require significant amendment at Stages 2 and 3 to satisfy the committees’ recommendations.