PEMBROKESHIRE County Council is on the lookout for a new senior officer with a salary, including allowances, that could top £150,000 a year.

In an advertisement posted on its own social media page, the council is seeking a new Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Place.

It says: “Are you an experienced leader with a passion for place, regeneration and economic growth? Pembrokeshire County Council is seeking a Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Place to help shape the county’s future.

“This influential role will lead on regeneration, economic development, planning, transport, environmental services, climate change and major capital projects, supporting ambitious investment opportunities including the Celtic Freeport.

“Based in Haverfordwest/agile, Pembrokeshire: £132,063 – £145,050 plus £9,576 lease car allowance and relocation package.

“If you have a strong track record of delivering growth and transformation in complex environments, we’d love to hear from you.”

A linked page quotes Chief Executive Will Bramble, which also features a video of him promoting the county as a place to work: “Pembrokeshire is a great place to learn, live and grow. With some of the finest natural assets in the whole of Wales, we are immensely proud of our county and everything it has to offer.

“Since I joined Pembrokeshire as Chief Executive in 2021, I have been hugely impressed by the passion and dedication of our officers and members, and their shared commitment to delivering the best possible outcomes for our residents.

“As part of our journey towards being an even better organisation, we are looking to recruit for this critical post.”

WILDLIFE at Pembroke’s Mill Pond beauty spot may be being killed after being deliberately targeted by what appears to be catapult attacks, the town council has said.

The beauty spot close to the town’s castle has long been a haunt of swans and other wildlife, and concerns have been raised recently that several reported deaths of animals may be related to levels of algae present in the pond.

In a statement issued by Pembroke Town Council it said it has received a number of comments and enquiries from concerned residents regarding deceased wildlife recently found at Pembroke Mill Pond.

“We are aware that there has been speculation on social media suggesting that the deaths may be linked to the water quality or algae currently present in the pond. We would like to reassure residents that this is not the case.

“For the past seven years, Pembroke Town Council has employed Aqua Clear to help manage algae growth and control the spread of reeds within the pond. This ongoing work has been highly successful, with algae levels reducing by approximately 45 per cent since the programme began. The pond’s water quality continues to be monitored and remains in good condition.

“Following reports from residents, council representatives visited the pond and retrieved some of the deceased wildlife.

“On examination, it appears that around five different animals had suffered injuries consistent with being intentionally targeted using a catapult. This is an extremely distressing and cruel act against wildlife.

“The matter has been reported to the Wildlife Crime Officers, who are aware of the incident and will be investigating.

“Pembroke Town Council strongly condemns any form of cruelty towards wildlife and would encourage anyone who witnesses this type of behaviour, or has any information that may assist enquiries, to report it immediately. Information can be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“We would like to thank residents for bringing this matter to our attention and for their continued care and concern for Pembroke Mill Pond and the wildlife that calls it home.”

Pembrokeshire County Council has been contacted for a statement.

Lee Bridges says senior vacancy should prompt a review of management costs as frontline services face financial pressure

A MILFORD HAVEN town councillor has questioned whether Pembrokeshire County Council needs to appoint a new deputy chief executive at a time when local services are under growing financial pressure.

Councillor Lee Bridges spoke out after the authority advertised for a Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Place, with a salary of between £132,063 and £145,050.

The successful candidate would also receive a £9,576 annual lease car allowance and a relocation package, taking the potential overall package above £154,000.

Cllr Bridges stressed that his concerns related to the position itself and were not intended as criticism of the person currently holding, or previously holding, the role.

He said: “At a time when local authorities across Wales are facing significant financial pressures and frontline services are under increasing strain, I do question whether this role is really necessary.

“The council already has a chief executive, directors responsible for each service area, together with multiple layers of senior managers, middle managers and team leaders.

“When opportunities arise through senior vacancies, they should also be seen as opportunities to review and streamline management structures rather than simply replacing like-for-like.”

The senior post carries responsibility for areas including regeneration, economic development, planning, transport, environmental services, climate change and major capital projects.

The successful applicant would also support major investment opportunities linked to the Celtic Freeport.

Cllr Bridges said strong leadership remained important, but argued that the cost of senior management needed to be balanced against the pressure on council services.

He said: “Every pound spent on senior management is a pound that cannot be invested in frontline services that residents rely upon every day.

“Over recent years, we have repeatedly heard that difficult financial decisions have had to be made, with services being reduced or placed under increasing pressure because budgets are stretched.

“If that is genuinely the case, then it seems entirely reasonable that senior management structures should be reviewed with the same level of scrutiny as every other area of council spending.”

He said the vacancy should have prompted the authority to consider whether the responsibilities could be divided among existing senior officers.

Cllr Bridges added: “I would have welcomed a strategic review of whether this post is genuinely essential, or whether its responsibilities could be absorbed within the existing leadership team.

“Any savings could then be redirected towards protecting services for Pembrokeshire residents, whether that is highways, social care, education, environmental services or other frontline functions.”

He said his comments were intended to encourage debate about council priorities rather than criticise individuals.

“This is not about personalities,” he said. “It is about ensuring that, when opportunities arise through natural vacancies, the council asks whether there is a better way of structuring itself for the future.

“At a time when every public pound counts, I think residents would expect those questions to be asked before another senior appointment is made.”