Imperial Hall director Lee Bridges questions consistency after standards case linked to same Milford Haven planning dispute

THE PUBLIC SERVICES OMBUDSMAN FOR WALES has confirmed that a complaint concerning Cllr Guy Woodham remains under investigation following fresh questions raised by Imperial Hall director Lee Bridges.

The development follows last week’s Standards Committee hearing in which Cllr Alan Dennison was found to have breached the Members’ Code of Conduct and suspended for four months.

Same planning dispute

The Dennison case centred on the long-running planning dispute involving the former Masonic Hall, also known commercially as the Imperial Hall, in Hamilton Terrace, Milford Haven.

The original planning row related to retrospective engineering works for an external dining area at the venue. The works had started in 2021 and later became the subject of a disputed planning process involving officers, councillors, the Planning Delegation Panel, and eventually the Ombudsman.

Cllr Dennison’s involvement arose when Cllr Terry Davies, the local member, sought help completing documentation to ask for the matter to be considered by elected councillors rather than determined by officers.

Cllr Dennison said he signed the referral form “pp” — per procurationem — on behalf of Cllr Davies, with his authority.

The call to send the application to committee was considered by the Planning Delegation Panel on February 25, 2025, but was unsuccessful. Officers later refused the application in June 2025 on heritage and conservation grounds, citing concerns over the historic environment.

The Standards Committee later found that Cllr Dennison had failed to declare personal and prejudicial interests, had no dispensation from the Standards Committee, and had made a written representation in relation to the matter.

Complaint remains live

Mr Bridges has now written to the Ombudsman asking for clarification about consistency and proportionality in the way complaints arising from the same planning dispute are being handled.

In his email, sent on June 3, Mr Bridges said the Dennison case involved a councillor who had assisted another elected member in completing paperwork, and who was not the decision-maker in respect of the planning application itself.

He contrasted that with his complaint concerning Cllr Woodham, which he says involves alleged undeclared interests while chairing and participating in the Planning Delegation Panel meeting connected to the Imperial Hall application.

Mr Bridges wrote: “Unlike the circumstances considered in the Dennison case, this concerns not simply the completion of paperwork but the alleged failure to declare interests whilst actively participating in, and chairing, a meeting directly connected to the matter in question and directly negatively affecting its outcome.”

He said he accepted that every case must be considered on its own facts, but asked whether his complaint was being afforded “the same level of scrutiny and investigative rigour” as the Dennison matter.

He also asked whether allegations involving undeclared interests and participation in decision-making processes were considered serious enough to warrant the same level of resource, legal support and enforcement action.

The Ombudsman’s confirmed that the Woodham complaint remains live and has not been dismissed.

The issue is likely to attract significant local attention because both complaints arise from the same planning dispute, but involve very different alleged conduct.

Dennison vows appeal

Cllr Dennison has strongly rejected the Standards Committee’s decision and says he intends to challenge the four-month suspension.

In a statement to residents of the North Ward, he said: “I wish to reaffirm my role as your County Councillor and to address what I believe to be a misinterpretation by the recent Standards Committee, a decision I plan to challenge vigorously.”

He said he had been approached in December 2024 by Cllr Terry Davies, who asked for help completing documentation due to personal circumstances limiting his availability.

Cllr Dennison said: “The application was correctly completed, received and accepted by the Head of Planning in this format, was placed before the planning delegation committee and ultimately, it was denied thereby concluding the matter.”

He said the complaint against him had been lodged by Cllr Jacob Williams, Cabinet member for Planning, because of Dennison’s prior interactions with Mr Bridges.

He described the complaint as containing “false accusations” and “vexatious comments”, although he said the Monitoring Officer did not agree with his observations.

Cllr Dennison said the Ombudsman was represented at the hearing by a barrister, while he had no legal representation.

He said: “As constituents, you might reasonably perceive a bias from the council, especially considering it was their own Assistant Chief Executive who reported me to the Ombudsman.”

‘PP’ signature defence

Cllr Dennison said his defence was based on the legal meaning of “pp”, arguing that when someone signs with authority on behalf of another person, the named person remains the principal and owner of the document.

He said: “The application was correctly completed, received and accepted by the Head of Planning in this format.”

Cllr Dennison also said part of the evidence against him related to his attendance at the Planning Delegation Panel meeting.

He said he was in the public gallery, responded to a question from Cllr Woodham, and did not otherwise participate.

He added: “I was surprised when the Chair solicited the Ombudsman’s barrister for a recommendation on an appropriate penalty, disregarding my legal arguments based on case law.”

Fresh conflict claims

Cllr Dennison also raised further concerns about possible conflicts elsewhere in the process.

He said: “Ironically, the Assistant Chief Executive who reported me to the Ombudsman has responsibility for Scolton Manor, a PCC-owned wedding venue which could potentially benefit financially should other wedding venues fail.

“Similarly, Cllr Woodham, who chaired the Planning Delegation Committee and exercised his casting vote with full awareness of the potential repercussions for Mr Bridges, served as Treasurer and is married to the Chair of a competing wedding venue located less than a mile from Mr Bridges’ establishment.

“It appears that I am not the only one neglecting to declare a conflict of interest in this situation. It’s a funny old world.”

Those remain allegations made by Cllr Dennison.

Bridges criticises process

Mr Bridges has also strongly criticised the handling of the planning matter and the standards process.

In his statement, he said the matter “stems entirely” from his request for Cllr Terry Davies to submit an appeal as the elected member for the ward in which his business is located.

He said Cllr Davies was unable to complete paperwork within the deadline due to family circumstances and sought help from Cllr Dennison.

Mr Bridges said: “Councillor Dennison simply assisted in completing the paperwork and signed it on behalf of Councillor Davis with his authority.

“At no stage did Councillor Dennison have any involvement whatsoever in the decision-making process relating to the outcome of the matter in question. Consequently, there was no declarable interest requiring disclosure.”

Mr Bridges said it was “deeply concerning” that the issue appeared to be “being used as part of what can only be perceived as a personal campaign against Councillor Dennison”.

He also criticised what he described as “excessive bureaucracy, inconsistency” and “serious concerns about transparency and fairness within County Hall.”

When previously asked Cllr Guy Woodham, who recently stepped down from the Cabinet due to ill health, said he was unable to comment whilst the matter was under investigation.

COMMUNITIES gathered in Milford Haven on Saturday (Jun 6) to mark the 82nd anniversary of D-Day.

The service, held at The Rath, brought together veterans, standard bearers, councillors, local church representatives, members of the Royal British Legion Milford Haven Branch, and residents for a solemn act of remembrance overlooking the waterway.

Wreaths were laid at the town’s war memorials, including the Cenotaph on Hamilton Terrace, as tribute was paid to the thousands of Allied servicemen who crossed the Channel on June 6, 1944.

D-Day marked the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation and remains one of the most significant military operations in history.

Milford Haven’s own wartime role gave the commemoration added meaning. During the Second World War, the Haven was home to a major US Navy Advanced Amphibious Base, where landing craft were prepared, maintained and repaired ahead of Allied operations.

The town’s harbour and maritime workforce formed part of the huge logistical effort that made the Normandy landings possible.

One of the most striking moments of Saturday’s commemoration came from the waterway itself, where Port of Milford Haven tugs staged a moving water salute.

As the service took place, the tugs sent great arcs of water into the air, creating a powerful visual tribute linking the town’s seafaring identity with its wartime service.

Those attending stood in quiet reflection as the community remembered not only those who landed on the beaches of Normandy, but also the men and women at home whose work supported the invasion.

With the number of surviving D-Day veterans now sadly dwindling, events such as Milford Haven’s commemoration carry growing importance.

They ensure that younger generations understand the courage, sacrifice and shared effort behind the events of June 1944.

In Milford Haven, the service at The Rath, the laying of wreaths, and the dramatic tug salute combined to create a fitting tribute from a town with a proud place in the story of D-Day.

The message of the day was simple and enduring: lest we forget.

£600 RAISED FOR MEGAN’S STARR FOUNDATION AS COMMUNITY SPIRIT SHINES THROUGH

A CHARITY football match at the Ogi Bridge Meadow brought together players, businesses, volunteers and supporters from across Pembrokeshire on Friday night, raising more than £600 for a local charity supporting young people and families.

The match saw a Pembrokeshire Select XI take on a Valero Pembroke Refinery XI under the lights at Haverfordwest County AFC’s home ground, with the Select side comfortably winning on the pitch — but organisers said the real victory was the community effort behind the event.

By the end of the evening, an impressive £605.28 had been raised for Megan’s Starr Foundation, a Pembrokeshire charity which supports young people and families facing difficult circumstances.

For Nicola Harteveld and the Megan’s Starr team, the evening was about far more than football.

Speaking after the match, Nicola said: “As the final whistle blew, the score almost became irrelevant.

“Last night was about community, kindness, generosity and what can happen when people come together to support local young people and families.”

She added: “Last night showed the very best of our county. We are incredibly grateful, incredibly proud and above all proud to be Pembrokeshire.”

The charity thanked Valero Pembroke Refinery for nominating Megan’s Starr as the supported cause and fielding a team led by Steve Parks, while also recognising the refinery’s volunteers who helped behind the scenes.

Credit was also paid to Chris “Sully” O’Sullivan and everyone involved with the Pembrokeshire Select XI for organising the county side, along with players from clubs across Pembrokeshire who gave up their time during the close season to take part.

Haverfordwest County AFC opened the Ogi Bridge Meadow for the match, while Pure West Radio helped create the atmosphere and promote the event across the county.

Darth Marty Media captured the evening’s action, while officials from the Pembrokeshire Referees Association volunteered their time to ensure the match was played in the right spirit.

On the field, spectators were treated to an entertaining encounter featuring quality football from both sides despite the summer break.

Jimmy Wilkes proved the star of the show, scoring a hat-trick to earn Man of the Match honours for the Pembrokeshire Select XI.

However, organisers stressed that the event highlighted something far bigger than football — the willingness of Pembrokeshire people to rally together when it matters.

Megan’s Starr Foundation said it receives no core funding and relies heavily on the generosity of local people, businesses and volunteers to continue its work.

Photos: Darth Marty Media / Megan’s Starr Foundation