News

Bryn could return on Monday, following pay-off shambles

Published

10 years ago

October 31, 2014

In Chaos: County Hall

LAURENCE HARDING, the County Council’s Monitoring Officer, has become embroiled in the row between the Wales Audit Office (WAO) and the Council regarding the £330K settlement agreement with controversial Chief Executive Bryn Parry-Jones.

In a letter sent to all councillors, Mr Harding has claimed that the appointed auditor, Anthony Barnett, has reneged on an agreement to withdraw the Notice served on the Council advising them that WAO regards the terms of the bonanza pay-out to be unlawful.

Mr Harding has told Councillors: “Yesterday, I became involved in the discussions, having been served with a copy of the Notice. I discussed the resolution reached the previous afternoon with Mr Barrett when he also informed me that he would be publishing the Advisory Notice and issuing a press statement. He confirmed that the withdrawal of the notice would be issued on Thursday (30 October). I subsequently formally confirmed the action that the Council would take, which complied with the Advisory Notice, and requested that he withdraw the Notice as he had previously stated. He then advised that, contrary to our previous understanding, he would not now be withdrawing the Notice.”

Shambles over pay-off: Bryn-Parry Jones

In the letter Mr Harding also claims that while the WAO had been informed of the proposed financial settlement before the Council meeting which approved the deal on October 16, Mr Barrett was not personally involved in those discussions until after the meeting took place.

He then goes on to state that, upon becoming involved in the process: “Mr Barrett identified concerns relating to pension elements that had been included in the calculation of the severance payment… The Council’s external legal advisors were of the opinion that Mr Barrett’s concerns were unfounded.”

While Mr Harding states that “negotiations are on-going with the Chief executive (with the WAO being kept informed)”, it appears as though the Council is potentially facing another battle with the auditors over the decision in 2011 to allow Bryn Parry-Jones avoid future tax liabilities on his £1.5m+ publicly-funded pension pot.

Advising Councillors on the way forward, Mr Harding appears to contemplate the Council becoming involved in a court case with the WAO, writing: “If the Council determines to proceed to implement its original decision in full, Mr Barrett has the opportunity to institute Judicial Review proceeding for a court to rule on whether the decision does relate to an unlawful decision.”

The WAO’s stance means that it is possible that Chief Executive Bryn Parry-Jones could return to work at County Hall on Monday.

Yesterday evening, The Herald was informed that in correspondence with Labour Group leader Paul Miller, Laurence Harding stated: “As a consequence of the Advisory Notice and the outcome of discussions with the WAO, an Extraordinary Meeting of Council is being arranged – probably on a day next week.”

This morning, however, a Council spokesperson is reported to have denied such a meeting is being scheduled.

A spokesperson for the WAO said: “The Appointed Auditor believes any new settlement ought to go before the council and has advised the council this.”

News

Man remanded in custody after trespassing with intention to commit sexual act

Published

7 hours ago

October 7, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A FISHGUARD man who has admitted the attempted strangulation of a woman and of trespassing at an unidentified address with the intention of committing a sexual act has appeared before Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

Benjamin Guiver, 34, was listed for sentence this afternoon (Monday, October 7) however his sentencing was adjourned after barristers went into counsel following the request of the defence.

Guiver, of Heol Glyndwr, Fishguard also stands to be sentenced for the grievous bodily harm of a victim described by Dyfed-Powys Police officers as having sustained ‘serious facial injuries’ in ‘a reportedly sustained attack’ and the sexual assault of a woman by penetration. He has pleaded guilty to all four offences.

Guiver’s sentencing will now proceed on October 18 and the defendant was remanded in custody.

News

Communities Taking the Lead to get Better Broadband

Published

8 hours ago

October 7, 2024

Luke Sinclair

Locals in Dale, Pembrokeshire successfully use UK Government’s Project Gigabit voucher scheme to connect the village with high-speed internet

Dale, a small rural community on the coast of Pembrokeshire has long endured poor internet connectivity that has plagued its residents with little to no ability to use the internet for work, communication or entertainment. With the movement of most services and day-to-day tasks to online, having limited internet access was having a detrimental effect on residents who were experiencing firsthand the digital divide.

However, after being told about a UK Government funded project by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Digital Champions, this has now thankfully changed and much of Dale is now connected to gigabit-capable broadband that serves the whole village.

Project Gigabit aims to provide lightning-fast gigabit-capable broadband (1,000 Mbps) to homes and businesses across the UK. With £5 billion UK Government investment, it targets areas that currently have poor internet connectivity, enabling them to have access to the same high-speed internet as urban areas.

With the voucher scheme, residents and businesses in eligible areas have been able to apply for financial help to cover the costs of installing gigabit broadband.

Cllr Paul Miller, Deputy Leader, Cabinet Member for Place, the Region and Climate Change, said: “Connecting our rural communities is a significant step in the digital infrastructure of Pembrokeshire.

“Along with our partners, this extensive programme of work has transformed full fibre connectivity and will futureproof the network in our county.

“The commitment from this authority will ensure our communities won’t be left without connection.

“There is more to do, but thanks to a proactive approach by the County Council, full fibre will be offered to more and more communities all the time.”

The benefits of being better connected rurally are uncontested with the results already being seen in Dale. From helping local businesses to improving access to digital services, having reliable, fast internet access has been the core of the connectivity solution for the Pembrokeshire village.

Going forward, the UK Government ‘Project Gigabit’ is about making sure everyone in the UK, no matter where they live, has access to fast and reliable internet, bridging the digital divide and providing the opportunity for every harder to reach community to stay connected.

Crime

Pembrokeshire chef admits causing taxi driver’s death

Published

12 hours ago

October 7, 2024

Court Reporter

A CHEF from Pembrokeshire has admitted causing the death local taxi driver, Christopher Boyle.

Mateusz Sikorski, 30, formerly of Manorbier and now residing in the Narberth area, appeared at Swansea Crown Court today, Monday, 7 October. Sikorski pleaded guilty to causing the death of 57-year-old Mr Boyle on 2 September 2024 while driving a BMW Series 1 car on the A4139 in Penally.

Sikorski was initially arrested and charged shortly after the incident and first appeared at Llanelli Magistrates Court on 5 September, where he was remanded in custody. However, on 12 September, Sikorski was granted bail with several strict conditions: he must reside in the Narberth area, adhere to an 8 pm-8 am curfew, and report to a police station weekly. He was also issued an interim driving ban.

The fatal crash, which involved Sikorski’s car and Mr Boyle’s silver Volkswagen taxi, occurred on the Penally by-pass near Tenby. Mr Boyle, affectionately known as “Mucker,” was a father-of-five and a well-known figure in the community. Sadly, he died at the scene of the collision.