News

Grants paid out ‘without any proper checks’

Published

11 years ago

November 4, 2014

“WHAT a difference a year makes”, Cllr Mike Stoddart told the Herald after reading a report on the Commercial Property Grant Scheme (CPGS) in Pembroke Dock that is due to go before PCC’s audit committee next Monday.

The Hakin councillor has been making allegations about this grant scheme for almost 18 months and in September 2013, after the matter was referred to the audit committee by Cllr Michael Williams (Plaid Cymru), and an investigation carried out by the council’s internal audit service, members were told: “Internal Audit has shared its findings with the Council’s Monitoring Officer who is satisfied that there is no evidence of maladministration or non-compliance with the governance arrangements relevant to the specific schemes or of any lack of competence in officers concerned with the administration of the schemes.”

Now, a year later, the council is singing a different tune and the report before next week’s meeting says that a further internal audit investigation into 29 Dimond Street (Paul Sartori) has found there is “No evidence of regular site visits being undertaken to ensure details agree with the specification and standards” and that “There was insufficient evidence of physical or financial completion of the project to support the authorisation of the grant payment.” Cllr Stoddart told our reporter: “If you cut through the jargon, what this means is that grant money was paid out without anyone carrying out proper checks that the work had actually been done” “So much for last year’s attempt to gloss over the problem with talk of ‘no evidence of maladministration’ or ‘any lack of competence’ by council officers.” “The only conclusion is that the report that went before the audit committee last September was either not properly researched or, more likely, one of the council’s trademark cover-ups.”

The latest report also concludes that: “Management and/or disciplinary action should be considered in respect of non-compliance with the process and procedures contained in the CPGS procedural manual, and the additional issues identified in this review.” But Cllr Stoddart says it’s a bit late for that. “A report was sent to the police in April this year containing allegations of massive overpayments at Paul Sartori for work that was either ineligible for grant aid, or, in many cases, simply not done at all.” “That was when disciplinary action should have been considered “, he told the Herald, “it’s probably too late now because, I understand, the officer who signed off these ‘irregular payments’ went on long-term sick leave just a couple of weeks ago”. Cllr Stoddart says that one of his main concerns was that the tender process was wide open to fraud.

He wrote to the council last September pointing out that not only was the tender opening process entirely in the hands of the developer’s architect, but, as eligible and ineligible works were intermingled in the Bills of Quantities accompanying the tender, it was possible for the rates for the eligible work to be inflated to attract a higher grant, while those for the ineligible work could be reduced to keep the tender competitive. As Cllr Stoddart said: “This is especially so if there is a collusive agreement between the applicant and the builder that the ineligible works will not be required to be done. That being the case the builder can submit whatever rates he likes for the private work without ever having to deliver.

The council’s internal auditors dismissed his concerns by claiming that as the developer didn’t know which items were eligible and which were not and “Consequently they have no ability to carry out the fraud suggested, whether they collude or not.” Mike Stoddart says it is simply not true that applicants don’t know which parts of the work are eligible for grants and which not and this latest audit report recommends that: “Grant funding should be based on the lowest tender for eligible works to ensure that the process cannot be manipulated and that best value for public funds is obtained.” The report also suggests that, in order to ensure the integrity of the process, in future, a council officer should be present when tenders are opened. Cllr Stoddart told the Herald: “This report bears out everything I have said about the flaws in this process.”

“People should wonder what sort of regime we are living under when a member is subject to a barrage of personal attacks by leading members of the ruling IPPG for simply telling the truth.” This is a reference to last December’s meeting of full council, when Cllr David Pugh, cabinet member with responsibility for grants, accused Cllr Stoddart of conducting “a campaign of innuendo and smear tactics” and making “spurious allegations” about the way the council had administered the CPGS; concluding his ten minute tirade: “But, then, getting at the truth is not on his agenda.”

At the same meeting, Pugh’s IPPG colleague Cllr John Allen-Mirehouse accused the Hakin councillor of being “someone who wouldn’t let the facts get in the way of a good story”. But Mike Stoddart is defiant in the face of these attacks. “Sadly for them, they have backed the wrong horse”, he told the Herald, “the truth is all on my side”. As for the attempted character assassination, he was contemptuously dismissive. “I regard being attacked by buffoons like Pugh and Allen- Mirehouse as an honour. If they liked me, I would begin to worry that I had taken a wrong turn. “But what people will find hard to understand,” Mike Stoddart concluded, “is that nine months after launching this personal attack on me, based, as it was, on untruths and outright lies, Cllr Pugh is still trousering his £15,000 a year cabinet SRA.”

News

BBC brings election debate to Pembrokeshire College

Published

21 minutes ago

April 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Jane Dodds, Rhun ap Iorwerth and Darren Millar faced questions from a live audience in Haverfordwest ahead of the Senedd election

BBC WALES brought its election debate programme to Pembrokeshire College in Haverfordwest on Wednesday night (Apr 8), with three party leaders taking questions from a live studio audience ahead of the Senedd election.

The Your Voice Live: Ask the Leader programme featured Jane Dodds of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Rhun ap Iorwerth of Plaid Cymru and Darren Millar of the Welsh Conservatives.

Each leader was given around 30 minutes to answer questions from audience members on issues affecting people across Wales, with the event forming part of the BBC’s coverage of the campaign ahead of polling day on Thursday, May 7.

The programme placed Pembrokeshire at the centre of the national political debate, with Haverfordwest chosen as the venue for the first of two special election editions.

A second programme, featuring Welsh Labour, Reform UK and the Wales Green Party, was announced during the broadcast. It is due to air from Llandudno at 8:00pm on Wednesday, April 15.

The Haverfordwest event gave local people the chance to put questions directly to party leaders as the battle for votes intensifies across Wales.

We will publish a fuller report on the main exchanges and what was said on issues affecting Pembrokeshire and west Wales shortly.

The programme is available to view on Iplayer.

News

West Wales haulage firm warns poor roads are hurting growth

Published

42 minutes ago

April 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Politicians visiting Frenni say rising fuel costs, weak transport links and a lack of investment are placing increasing pressure on businesses across the region

CONSERVATIVE politicians have warned that poor transport links and rising operating costs are putting increasing pressure on the haulage sector in west Wales, following a visit to leading local road haulier Frenni.

During the visit, Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar joined Ceredigion Penfro candidates Paul Davies and Samuel Kurtz to meet staff at the company and discuss the challenges facing the industry.

Among the main concerns raised were weak road infrastructure, rising fuel prices, growing business costs and the impact these pressures are having on firms that rely on efficient journey times to stay competitive.

Frenni told the politicians that poor connectivity is making it harder to move goods efficiently, reach key markets and compete with businesses elsewhere in the UK — a problem that is especially acute for haulage operators, whose profitability depends heavily on reliable journey times.

According to the Road Haulage Association, the sector moves around 89 per cent of all goods in the UK, underlining its importance to the wider economy. However, it also faces mounting pressures from fuel costs, wages, insurance, maintenance and regulatory compliance.

The visit also came amid renewed concern over fuel prices. The politicians said businesses in west Wales were already struggling with increased costs and warned that any further rise in fuel duty would place additional strain on hauliers and rural communities.

Darren Millar said: “It was incredibly valuable to hear directly from Frenni about the challenges they face day to day. Time and again, we hear the same message — our road networks are holding businesses back.

“Whether it is delays, poor road conditions or rising fuel costs, the current environment is making it harder than ever to operate. We support the road haulage sector in its calls for action on fuel duty.”

Paul Davies said haulage firms such as Frenni were vital to the economy and deserved stronger backing.

He said: “Hauliers like Frenni are absolutely essential to our economy. They keep goods moving across the country every single day, but they are being squeezed from all sides — from fuel costs to rising wages and wider business pressures. Without action, we risk placing that vital network under real strain.”

A key issue raised during the meeting was the long-standing call to dual the A40, which the politicians described as a crucial freight route linking west Wales with the rest of the country.

Samuel Kurtz said: “For a haulage firm, time is money. The A40 and M4 are a lifeline for us, and without proper investment, companies here are at a clear disadvantage. We need to see real progress and real investment.”

Road safety concerns were also discussed, particularly on the A477, where calls have previously been made for major improvements.

Mr Kurtz added: “Improving the A477 is not just about convenience, it is about safety. Hauliers are on these roads every day, and we need to ensure these routes are safe, resilient and fit for purpose.”

The politicians also said more needed to be done to improve driver welfare, with concerns raised over a shortage of secure parking, rest areas and basic facilities for HGV drivers in west Wales.

Paul Davies said: “Driver welfare is too often overlooked. If we want to support the haulage sector and tackle driver shortages, we need proper facilities, including safe parking, rest areas and access to basic amenities.”

Wider transport concerns were also discussed, including calls for progress on major infrastructure schemes such as the M4 relief road, which supporters say is needed to ease congestion and improve freight movement across south Wales.

The default 20mph speed limit was another issue raised during the visit, with criticism from the politicians that it is increasing journey times and adding to delivery costs.

Samuel Kurtz said: “Hauliers understand the importance of road safety, but a blanket 20mph approach is not working for logistics. It is slowing journeys, increasing costs and making it harder for businesses to operate efficiently.”

Setting out the party’s position, Paul Davies said the Welsh Conservatives would prioritise investment in roads and transport infrastructure.

He said: “We would get Wales moving again by delivering A40 dualling, upgrading the A477 for safety, progressing the M4 relief road, improving facilities for drivers and scrapping the blanket 20mph policy. At the same time, we must recognise the cost pressures facing the sector and back the businesses that keep our economy moving.”

He added: “Frenni is a great example of a hardworking west Wales haulage business playing a vital role in the wider UK economy. These are the businesses that ensure goods reach our shops, homes and industries. With the right support, they can continue to grow, create jobs and keep Wales moving.”

If you want this turned into a more balanced newspaper piece with Labour/Plaid reaction added, I can do that too.

Community

PCSO clocks in after villagers raise speeding fears

Published

2 hours ago

April 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HERBRANDSTON residents flagged fast-moving traffic as a key concern, prompting police to carry out speed checks in the village.

Concern over speeding in Herbrandston has prompted a local police response, with PCSO Adam out in the village carrying out speed checks after residents raised the issue through DPP Connect.

Milford Haven and Neyland Police said the concerns emerged after officers signed local people up to the messaging service, which allows residents to share feedback and receive updates from police.

Many of those who responded said speeding through the village was one of their main worries.

In response, PCSO Adam was deployed to monitor traffic and check vehicle speeds.

The move is likely to be welcomed by residents who have grown tired of motorists treating the village like a racetrack.