News
National review urges reform of Welsh Fire and Rescue Authorities

A MAJOR new report has highlighted significant weaknesses in the governance of Wales’ Fire and Rescue Authorities (FRAs), calling for urgent action from the Welsh Government to address long-standing concerns. The Auditor General for Wales has criticised the current governance structures as lacking the necessary expertise and oversight required to manage the vital emergency services these authorities provide.
Fire and Rescue Authorities, which are responsible for fire-fighting, promoting fire safety, and responding to road traffic accidents, play a critical role in protecting Welsh communities. However, the Auditor General’s review warns that the system designed to govern these authorities is not fit for purpose, raising concerns over accountability and effectiveness.

What do councillors know about fire fighting?
One of the key findings of the report is that the current governance model for FRAs, which relies exclusively on councillors nominated by their local authorities, is not aligned with the specialist nature of fire and rescue services. Members of FRAs are drawn from local councils, often with little or no prior experience in fire and rescue, meaning they lack the technical knowledge required to make informed decisions on crucial public safety matters.
“Fire and Rescue Authorities provide vital services, and it’s important that they are governed in a manner reflecting the public and environment they serve,” said Adrian Crompton, the Auditor General for Wales. He urged the Welsh Government and the FRAs themselves to address these governance weaknesses and ensure that the people tasked with overseeing these services are properly equipped for the job.
The report highlights that while elected councillors provide important community representation, this does not guarantee the specific skills needed for governing such specialised services. As a result, there is a significant gap in knowledge and experience that poses a risk to the effective oversight of fire and rescue services across Wales.

Limited training and short-termism of positions
The review also revealed that many FRA members do not receive sufficient training to help bridge this knowledge gap. Of the three FRAs in Wales—North Wales, South Wales, and Mid & West Wales—only the latter provides a structured programme of training and development for its members. Elsewhere, training is sporadic and not consistently aligned with members’ individual needs, leaving many unprepared for the responsibilities they face.
In addition, the high turnover of FRA members, with frequent changes in membership due to local elections, further complicates the situation. The report found that this constant churn of councillors prevents the development of long-term expertise within the FRAs, making it difficult to maintain a knowledgeable and engaged governing body.
“Governance requires stability, expertise, and a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities,” the report states. However, the review found that in practice, many members did not demonstrate a clear understanding of their governance duties, further weakening the effectiveness of decision-making processes.

Lack of scrutiny and accountability
Another significant concern raised in the report is the lack of rigorous scrutiny and challenge within FRA governance structures. The review found that in many committee meetings, there was minimal questioning or discussion on important matters, including strategic risk management and performance oversight. This raises fears that decisions are being made without sufficient scrutiny, potentially putting public safety at risk.
The Auditor General also expressed concerns over the lack of diversity among FRA members, with the majority being male and few representatives from ethnic minority backgrounds. This lack of diversity, the report argues, reduces the ability of FRAs to reflect the communities they serve and engage with a broad range of perspectives on public safety issues.
The report further criticises the absence of regular evaluations of individual FRA members’ contributions, meaning there is no mechanism to assess whether members are fulfilling their roles effectively. This, coupled with the lack of structured training, results in a governance system that is not fully accountable to the public.

Urgent calls for reform
This is not the first time Welsh FRAs have faced calls for reform. In 2018, the Welsh Government’s White Paper on FRA governance recommended reducing the number of elected councillors in favour of appointing non-executive members with specialist expertise in fire and rescue. However, these proposals were never implemented, leaving the current governance structures largely unchanged.
The Auditor General’s report echoes these earlier recommendations, urging the Welsh Government to revisit its governance model. It calls for a membership structure that better reflects the technical and operational demands of fire and rescue services, ensuring that those tasked with overseeing these services have the necessary skills and knowledge.
In particular, the report recommends that the Welsh Government conduct a comprehensive review of FRA governance to introduce clearer accountability mechanisms and improve the training and development available to members. This would include regular assessments of members’ skills and contributions, as well as a more formal approach to succession planning within the FRAs.

Financial pressures not helping
The need for reform is made all the more urgent by the financial pressures facing the public sector. The combined budget of the three Welsh FRAs for 2024-25 is approximately £200 million, equating to £64 per head of the population. With such significant sums of money at stake, ensuring these funds are managed effectively is crucial, particularly in the current economic climate.
The report warns that the lack of robust governance could undermine the ability of FRAs to deliver value for money, with public safety potentially being compromised as a result. It emphasises that strong governance is essential for effective decision-making and the delivery of high-quality services, particularly in times of financial austerity.

A long road ahead
The findings of the Auditor General’s review have put the Welsh Government under pressure to act swiftly. The issues identified are not new, but the report makes clear that the need for change is more pressing than ever. As public sector budgets tighten, and the complexity of fire and rescue services increases, the risks posed by inadequate governance structures could have serious consequences for communities across Wales.
Whether the Welsh Government will heed the Auditor General’s call for reform remains to be seen. However, the message from the report is clear: without action, the governance of Wales’ Fire and Rescue Authorities will continue to fall short of what is required to keep the public safe and ensure effective management of these essential services.
In the meantime, the public will be watching closely to see if the necessary reforms are put in place to address the serious issues raised in the report and ensure that Wales’ Fire and Rescue Authorities are governed with the expertise and accountability they deserve.
Responding, Joel James MS, Shadow Minister for Social Partnership, said: “It’s vital that those who form FRAs have the necessary skills and knowledge to maintain a high standard of service management.
“We’d encourage the Welsh Government to be led by this report and ensure that expertise can be retained in fire service governance.”
Crime
Former police superintendent dismissed for gross misconduct

Misogynistic behaviour spanned three years, hearing told
A FORMER senior officer has been dismissed from Dyfed-Powys Police following a gross misconduct hearing which found he had engaged in inappropriate and misogynistic behaviour towards female colleagues.
Gary Davies, who held the rank of Superintendent, had been suspended since July 2022 while an investigation was carried out into a series of allegations relating to his conduct between 2017 and 2020.
A Gross Misconduct Hearing was held at Dyfed-Powys Police Headquarters between 24 March and 4 April 2025. The hearing was chaired by Legally Qualified Chair, Mr Oliver Thorne.
The panel found that Davies had breached multiple standards of professional behaviour, including Authority, Respect and Courtesy, Discreditable Conduct, and Equality and Diversity. As a result, he has been dismissed from the force and placed on the College of Policing Barred List, which prevents him from returning to the police service.
Deputy Chief Constable Ifan Charles, who serves as the Appropriate Authority for complaints and misconduct within Dyfed-Powys Police, issued a formal statement following the outcome.
He said:
“Dyfed-Powys Police expects the highest standards of professional behaviour from its officers and staff, both on and off duty – and especially from those in senior leadership roles.
“I apologise to the former and current officers and staff who were subjected to inappropriate behaviour by former Superintendent Gary Davies, and I thank them for their courage in coming forward.
“Over the past two weeks, we have heard accounts from a number of colleagues, the majority of whom are women, who experienced unacceptable misogynistic conduct during the course of their duties.
“They are role models, and I commend the integrity and bravery they have shown throughout this process.
“This case is deeply concerning and will understandably cause unease within the organisation. I want to reassure all staff and the wider public that immediate action was taken when allegations were made, and the matter has been treated with the utmost seriousness.
“The outcome of today’s hearing reflects our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of conduct in policing. We will continue to use all available measures to ensure those unfit to hold the office of constable are removed swiftly and efficiently.”
Davies’s name was officially added to the Barred List on Friday (Apr 4), the day the hearing concluded.
Community
Inspiring a love of reading with local authors

THE PEMBROKESHIRE LIBRARY SERVICE recently took part in the Books Council of Wales ‘Stars of the Shelves’ Initiative – to bring school children into libraries to meet local authors.
Grant funded by Welsh Government, the initiative aims to engage primary school pupils with literature and reading through author-led sessions in local libraries.
Pembroke Dock, Narberth, Milford Haven and Fishguard Libraries all took part and welcomed around 200 children at various sessions during March.
Welsh authors Kerry Curson and Rebecca F John were commissioned to deliver the workshops which were a fantastic chance for learners to interact with professional writers, explore storytelling and foster a love for reading and writing.
Pembroke Dock Community School and Narberth CP School enjoyed “fun”, “interesting” and “inspirational” workshops with Kerry where the pupils created their own stories, learned new vocabulary and felt more confident about their writing afterwards.
St Francis Catholic School, Ysgol Glannau Gwaun and Ysgol Wdig enjoyed hearing about Rebecca’s books and inspiration as well as taking part in the creative writing process and character development exercises and several found themselves wanting to read more.
Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett said: “Our libraries are more than just places to borrow books and this Books Council of Wales initiative is just one example of the importance of libraries in the community.
“There was overwhelmingly positive feedback from the pupils who took part, and it is fantastic to see our young people fostering enthusiasm for reading and writing.”
Tracey Johnson, Site Coordinator for Fishguard, Newport and St Davids libraries, liaised with the Books Council of Wales and the authors, to organise the timetable of visits.
She added: “It was great to see so many primary age children in our libraries, enjoying themselves and learning in a fun way.
“It’s really important that we help develop the ‘library habit’ of visiting regularly, to help encourage a love of reading from an early age. Libraries are free to join, and library staff are here to help children and parents who visit.”
News
Neyland councillor threatens legal action under Equalities Act

NEYLAND TOWN COUNCIL is once again under scrutiny following a strongly worded letter from Councillor David Devauden, who has accused the Town Clerk of discrimination and threatened multiple legal actions.

In an email sent to fellow councillors and members of the public on Tuesday (Apr 1), Cllr Devauden alleges breaches of the Equalities Act 2010, as well as libel and harassment, in connection with ongoing disputes within the council.
Claims of discrimination and legal threats
The email alleges that the Town Clerk, Libby Matthews, has engaged in what Cllr Devauden describes as “the illegal practice of discrimination” against himself and fellow councillors Brian Rothero and Steve Thomas. He claims the Clerk has refused to respond to correspondence and has shown bias in favour of certain councillors.
“This is called OPENNESS, something we, as a Council, were proud to proclaim but failed to act on,” he wrote.
Drawing on his past experience as a part-time paralegal, Cllr Devauden stated he specialised in libel and discrimination law and accused the Clerk of misandry and malicious communications. He claims the complaints against him lacked evidence and were nothing more than “a misandristic rant.”
Ultimatum to Clerk
Cllr Devauden issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Libby Matthews, demanding her resignation “with no compensation and no benefits.” He warned that if she did not comply, he would pursue a case under the Equalities Act 2010 and other legislation.
“If you resign immediately then I will cease taking legal action against the Council,” he stated, though he added he could not guarantee the same for civil proceedings relating to social media posts alleging sexual harassment and excessive email communications.
He also warned of intended complaints to police under the Malicious Communications Act 1988 and the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, and stated his intention to pursue a libel case under the Human Rights Act 1998 if the allegations made against him are not substantiated with evidence.
Tensions continue to mount
The letter follows weeks of controversy surrounding the council, including the co-option of the Clerk’s mother to the council, accusations of secrecy, and increasing public dissatisfaction with council leadership.
As of now, the Town Clerk has not publicly responded to the letter.
Upcoming tribunal
The Pembrokeshire Herald has found that Cllr David Devauden is due to face a tribunal under reference APW/005/2024-025/CT, brought by the Adjudication Panel for Wales.
The hearing relates to alleged breaches of paragraphs 4(b), 4(c), 6(1)(a), 6(1)(d), and 6(2) of the Code of Conduct, which outline the following responsibilities:
- 4(b): Councillors must show respect and consideration for others.
- 4(c): Councillors must not use bullying behaviour or harass any person.
- 6(1)(a): Councillors must not conduct themselves in a manner likely to bring their office or authority into disrepute.
- 6(1)(d): Councillors must not disclose confidential information contrary to legal or policy obligations.
- 6(2): Councillors must not make vexatious, malicious or frivolous complaints against others.
The relevant authority is Neyland Town Council. Further details about the hearing are expected to be released in due course.
More referrals expected
A source close to the council has indicated that further referrals to the Adjudication Panel for Wales may be forthcoming, although this has not yet appeared on the public tribunal list.
Former councillor Andrew Lye also stated he has made a police complaint regarding what he describes as bullying by Cllr Devauden. He has expressed frustration over a lack of response from Dyfed-Powys Police and is considering referring the force to the Ombudsman over their handling of the complaint.
The Pembrokeshire Herald will continue to monitor developments and report on the outcome of any legal action or council response.
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