News

Lola report highlights systemic failures by council’s child protection services

Published

2 years ago

August 1, 2024

THE TRAGIC death of two-year-old Lola James has cast a harsh spotlight on the systemic failures of Pembrokeshire County Council’s child protection services.

A damning report released on Thursday (Aug 1) highlights significant lapses and procedural shortcomings that contributed to this devastating outcome. Lola, who suffered catastrophic brain injuries at the hands of her mother’s partner, Kyle Bevan, was failed by a series of critical missteps from the agencies meant to protect her.

Bevan, described as a “monster” in court, moved into the family home in Haverfordwest just four months before the fatal attack.

Despite prior incidents of domestic abuse and signs of escalating violence, the local authorities’ intervention remained insufficient and ineffective.

The report highlights the dire impact of staff shortages and excessive workloads within the child services department.

Lola suffered catastrophic brain injuries at the hands of her mother’s partner, Kyle Bevan (Image: Herald)

Notably, an assessment crucial to Lola’s safety was closed prematurely by an overburdened team manager who was on sick leave without the assigned social worker’s input. This prevented a thorough evaluation of Lola’s circumstances and the necessary protective measures from being implemented.
Communication failures further compounded the issue. Information about domestic incidents and behavioural concerns was not adequately shared among agencies, leading to missed opportunities for timely intervention.

Health visitors and social services did not maintain consistent follow-ups or escalate their concerns, even as Lola exhibited signs of distress and abuse.

The CYSUR report calls for urgent reforms, including better staff training, improved inter-agency communication, and addressing systemic workload issues. These changes are vital to prevent future tragedies and to ensure that vulnerable children in Pembrokeshire receive the protection they desperately need.

**The scene of the incident back in 2020** ***(Pic: Herald)***

In response to the report, Cllr Tessa Hodgson, Cabinet Member for Social Care and Safeguarding, issued a statement on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council: “Pembrokeshire County Council would first like to convey their sincerest condolences to the family of Lola James and to all those who have been affected by her murder over four years ago.

“This review process, which we have fully and openly engaged with along with our multi-agency partners with whom we share safeguarding responsibilities, has been an opportunity for the local authority to reflect on its practice and to learn from the observations contained in the independent report.

“We would like to recognise the significant commitment and input of those who have participated in the review process and who have been involved with the family over the last four years.

“The local authority takes its duties within the safeguarding arena extremely seriously and prioritises the protection and support of society’s most vulnerable. While we strive to demonstrate good practice, there is always room for improvement, and the opportunities this review has presented us with will allow us to improve how we work with vulnerable children and young people in the future.

“Ahead of today’s report’s publication, we developed an action plan to address the issues the review raised for us, and we have already made considerable progress against that plan. In addition, we have established a social care improvement board, which includes locally elected politicians, senior officers, and an external independent expert among its members. This board will oversee the delivery of the actions within that plan, with progress also being reported to local authority scrutiny committees and cabinet meetings.

“We also hope that the report will contribute to wider ongoing learning and improvement in relation to a number of key safeguarding issues across all agencies with safeguarding responsibilities in the West Wales region and beyond.

“It is imperative that we take all opportunities to improve our services and ensure that children and families receive the best quality of support available. Once again, Pembrokeshire County Council would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the family and all of those who knew Lola.”

***Pembrokeshire County Council have issued a statement (Pic: Herald)***

A joint statement from Pembrokeshire County Council, Hywel Dda University Health Board, and Dyfed Powys Police accompanied the publication of the report has been issued.

It reads: “All agencies involved in this report wish to convey their sincerest condolences to the child’s family and to all those who have been affected by the murder of a child in such appalling circumstances.

“This review has been an opportunity to reflect on and share learning amongst all partner organisations and practitioners on a multi-agency basis, and we acknowledge the commitment and contribution of those who have participated in the review process.

“All agencies take very seriously the opportunities presented by this review to consider our practice and improve how we protect vulnerable children.

“We hope that the report will also contribute to wider ongoing learning and improvement in relation to a number of key safeguarding issues across all agencies with safeguarding responsibilities.

“Lola’s case continues to reverberate throughout the community. Pembrokeshire County Council faces intense scrutiny and pressing demands to overhaul its child protection framework.

The failure to safeguard Lola James stands as a stark reminder of the critical importance of effective, sufficiently resourced, and staffed child welfare services.

Responding to the news that a child practice review highlighted ‘missed opportunities’ to intervene before a toddler was murdered by her mum’s boyfriend, Dr Altaf Hussain MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Social Care said: “This is a truly tragic case, that should not have been allowed to happen.

“Improving the safeguarding of children must be our top priority, but Labour in Wales are the only government in the UK to have not yet enacted a children’s services review.

“The Welsh Conservatives renew our calls for a Wales-wide children’s services review, involving every council, to improve outcomes and to avoid tragic cases such as Lola James’.”

Carl Harris, Assistant Director at NSPCC Cymru, said: “Lola deserved a happy and healthy future, but that was cruelly taken away by the horrendous actions of Kyle Bevan and the failure of her mother, Sinead James, to intervene.

“The findings in this report highlight yet again the need for greater investment in children’s services in Wales to provide comprehensive support to any child at risk of harm and to be better equipped to prevent a tragedy such as this happening again.

“It is time to make child protection a national priority. The Welsh Government has committed to transforming children’s social care, but we need to see more details on timescales, activity and progress.

“We need systemic changes that ensure children like Lola are better protected.

“We can all look out for children’s welfare, and anyone concerned about a child can call the NSPCC free helpline on 0808 800 5000, or email [email protected] . If a child is in immediate danger, please call 999.”

This report was filed by Tom Sinclair, with additional reporting by Jon Coles

Crime

Police appeal after alleged sexual assault in Carmarthen

Published

20 minutes ago

July 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

OFFICERS investigating an alleged sexual assault in Carmarthen are appealing for the public’s help to identify a person who may have information.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the incident happened in front of F.Hinds jewellers on Lammas Street at around 4pm on Tuesday, May 12.

Investigating officers have carried out a number of enquiries and are now asking for assistance in identifying the person pictured.

Police stressed that the person may have information that could help the investigation.

Anyone who is the person pictured, or who knows who they are, is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online at https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.

Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

Quote reference: 26000377639

Entertainment

A buzzing time at the Torch Theatre this July

Published

22 minutes ago

July 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FAMILIES are being invited to the Torch Theatre this July for a lively bilingual production that uses music, storytelling and interactive performance to explore the importance of bees and other pollinators.

We Need Bees, an original production from Theatr na nÓg, has been created by award-winning Welsh playwright Katherine Chandler and introduces important environmental themes to young audiences in an engaging and accessible way.

The show will visit the Torch Theatre in Milford Haven on Saturday, July 11, with performances in both Welsh and English, thanks to support from the ScottishPower Foundation’s Art for Climate Fund.

Fun, energetic and thought-provoking, We Need Bees explores biodiversity loss, climate displacement and environmental responsibility through the fascinating world of insects. By focusing on the lives of bees and other pollinators, the production encourages children to think about empathy, resilience and the real-world impact of climate change.

Featuring striking oversized bee costumes and original songs, the show promises a memorable experience for school and community audiences alike.

Director Phylip Harries said: “It’s a privilege to be part of a production that shares such important messages with young audiences. Theatre is a brilliant way to entertain children while encouraging them to think about the world around them, and We Need Bees does exactly that.

“At Theatr na nÓg, we create productions that leave audiences smiling but also talking and thinking afterwards. Morgan, Catrin and Aled are fantastic storytellers who bring so much energy to the show. We’re delighted that the school tour has sold out, and I’d encourage families to come along to one of the public performances and enjoy it together.”

The production features original music by Barnaby Southgate and will be performed in both English and Welsh at selected venues.

We Need Bees first toured schools in 2012 before later being adapted as an online podcast during the Covid pandemic. It returned as an outdoor theatre production at Theatr Brycheiniog in 2021 as part of a Welsh Government pilot scheme encouraging audiences back to theatres.

Thanks to ScottishPower’s Art for Climate Fund, the show will tour schools across Wales, reaching more than 1,200 children, ahead of the arrival of its brand-new companion production, Bug Hotel, in 2027.

Melanie Hill, Executive Officer and Trustee of the ScottishPower Foundation, said: “The climate crisis is the defining challenge of our time, and we know the arts have a unique power to make complex ideas accessible, emotional and impossible to ignore.

“Through our new Art for Climate Fund, we’re backing bold, imaginative projects that give young people hope, confidence and a real sense of agency. Theatr na nÓg, a worthy beneficiary of this new fund, shows how creativity can spark climate action in classrooms and communities across the UK, and we’re incredibly proud to support them as one of the first recipients of this new fund.”

The cast includes Morgan Llewelyn-Jones, whose theatre credits include The Trial of Elgan Jones for Theatr na nÓg and The Snow Queen at Sherman Theatre; recent musical theatre graduate Catrin Lewis; and Aled Herbert, who returns for his twelfth production with Theatr na nÓg. On screen, Aled was most recently seen in the popular television series Rownd a Rownd.

We Need Bees is suitable for families and children aged four and over.

The show can be seen at the Torch Theatre on Saturday, July 11, at 11:00am in Welsh and 2:00pm in English. Tickets are £10 and can be booked at torchtheatre.co.uk or through the Box Office on 01646 695267.

News

Saundersfoot Harbour regeneration project wins top planning award

Published

44 minutes ago

July 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

National Park Authority celebrates RTPI Cymru success for major coastal redevelopment

PEMBROKESHIRE COAST NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY is celebrating after the Saundersfoot Harbour Redevelopment Project was named Best Project at the RTPI Cymru Awards for Planning Excellence 2026.

The award recognises Phase 2 of the harbour regeneration scheme, which has helped transform Saundersfoot Harbour into a resilient, year-round destination with new commercial, community and visitor facilities.

Delivered by Saundersfoot Harbour with planning input from the National Park Authority, the project supports local businesses, public access, events and wider regeneration in the village.

Judges described the scheme as “an exemplar for coastal economic resilience in smaller settlements” and “a very good example of planning enabling place-based regeneration.”

They highlighted the project’s economic and community benefits, including investment, job creation, new business space, major events, year-round activity, improved public access and the reuse of brownfield and heritage assets.

The judges also praised the role of planners in dealing with design changes, conservation area issues, flood risk, accessibility and the coordination of several linked schemes within a working harbour.

Sara Morris, Director of Place and Engagement at Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, said: “We are delighted that Phase 2 of the Saundersfoot Harbour Redevelopment Project has been recognised by RTPI Cymru.

“This award is a real testament to the value of good planning in helping places adapt, thrive and deliver lasting benefits for their communities.

“Saundersfoot Harbour is a hugely important location, both locally and strategically, and this project shows how careful planning can support regeneration while respecting the character, heritage and environmental challenges of a coastal setting.

“I would particularly like to thank Andrew Richards and Nicola Gandy, who both led on the planning aspects of the project for the Authority.

“The judges’ comments underline the strength of the partnership approach behind the project, and we are very pleased to see the work of our planning team recognised alongside Saundersfoot Harbour’s ambition and commitment.

“The final delivered scheme is a result of significant work from the Harbour, local businesses and the community, who have transformed Saundersfoot’s offer.”

Ted Sangster, Chairman of Saundersfoot Harbour Commission, said the award reflected the strength of the partnership behind the redevelopment.

He said: “Saundersfoot Harbour congratulates Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority on this award.

“As a trust port we operate very much as a commercial business but with no shareholders, and therefore no dividends to pay. Our strategy is to provide real, long-term benefit for our community and all users of the harbour.

“The successful Phase 2 of the harbour development now provides both an active fishing and recreational sailing harbour and an all-year-round visitor attraction, serving an increasingly diverse range of users.

“It has created around 100 new jobs so far. Our work with local businesses and stakeholders has been greatly assisted and supported by the open and consultative partnership with the Park Authority, which is based on the shared aim of sustainable economic delivery and social benefit to our community.”

As winner of the Best Project category in Wales, the Saundersfoot Harbour scheme will now be automatically entered as a finalist in the UK National Awards for Planning Excellence.

The national finalists are due to be formally announced by the RTPI on October 7, ahead of the UK finals on December 3.

The Authority also welcomed further success after the Dark Skies Guidance for Wales, developed by a working group from across Wales including Principal Planning Officer Gayle Lister, won the Chair’s Award at the RTPI Cymru Awards for Planning Excellence 2026.

Sara Morris added: “It is particularly pleasing to see the Dark Skies Guidance for Wales recognised alongside the Saundersfoot Harbour project.

“Protecting dark skies is an important part of caring for the special qualities of Wales’ landscapes, and this guidance reflects the value of collaboration across planning, conservation and environmental disciplines.”

The RTPI Cymru Awards for Planning Excellence celebrate outstanding plans, projects and people that demonstrate the power of planning to make a positive difference to places and communities.

Caption: Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and Saundersfoot Harbour Commission are celebrating a major planning award for the Saundersfoot Harbour redevelopment project.