News

Andrew RT Davies: Senior officer pay in Welsh county councils ‘out of control’

Published

1 year ago

February 5, 2025

ANDREW RT DAVIES has criticised senior council officer pay in Wales as “out of control” amid what he describes as a “council tax crisis.”

Writing in the Glamorgan Star, Davies said: “In some councils, there are salaries that even outstrip the Prime Minister’s pay packet. That’s indefensible.

“In 2024, the TaxPayers’ Alliance found that 140 council employees in Wales were receiving more than £100,000 in total remuneration in the previous financial year.”

Speaking this morning, Andrew RT Davies MS, Senedd Member for South Wales Central and former Welsh Conservative leader, said:

“There is a council tax crisis in Wales, with many town halls bringing forward inflation-busting rises in their draft budgets.

“Of course, Welsh Government funding to councils isn’t up to scratch, but senior council officer pay is completely out of control.

“We need to see these massive pay packets cut back before any more pressure is put on hardworking taxpayers.”

Council tax increases across Wales

Several Welsh councils have proposed significant council tax hikes for the 2025-26 financial year. One authority has proposed an 8.9 percent increase, alongside £12.3 million in savings as part of its draft budget.

Understanding senior officer remuneration

Council pay policies are guided by frameworks such as the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales, which sets the range and level of payments for various council roles.

For the 2024-25 period, the Panel outlined specific salaries for basic, senior, civic, and presiding members of principal councils. Individual councils also publish their pay policy statements, detailing remuneration for senior positions.

For example, Caerphilly County Borough Council’s 2024-25 pay policy indicates that corporate directors earn between £125,025 and £138,695 per year, while heads of service (Band A) receive between £95,900 and £106,334.

Senior officer pay in Pembrokeshire

Senior council officers in Pembrokeshire County Council, who are non-elected officials, receive salaries distinct from those of elected members.

Figures indicate that:

The average chief officer salary in Pembrokeshire County Council is £107,262.
The median chief officer salary is £104,686.
The pay multiple between the average chief officer salary and the lowest full-time equivalent (FTE) salary is 4.8.
The lowest FTE salary in the council is £27,366.
The average salary for all full-time equivalent employees in the council is £27,301.
The median salary for all full-time equivalent employees is £23,893.

For other officer roles, indicative figures show:

A commissioning officer earns an average yearly salary of approximately £27,041, around 21 percent below the national average for this role.
Salaries in Pembrokeshire County Council range from £17,842 per year for a catering assistant to £60,894 per year for a high school teacher.

These figures may not reflect the most current salaries, but they provide insight into the pay structure for Pembrokeshire County Council officers.

Balancing fair compensation and fiscal responsibility

While concerns about high salaries are valid, it is essential to recognise the responsibilities shouldered by senior council officers. Managing substantial budgets, overseeing essential public services, and ensuring effective governance require skilled professionals.

Competitive salaries are often necessary to attract and retain individuals with the expertise needed for these demanding roles. However, in the context of proposed council tax increases and economic challenges, councils must balance fair compensation with fiscal responsibility.

Transparent pay policies and regular reviews can help ensure remuneration reflects the demands of these positions while addressing public concerns over excessive salaries. As discussions continue, stakeholders must weigh the complexities of public sector pay, seeking solutions that uphold both the integrity of local government and the trust of taxpayers.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

11 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

11 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

12 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.