News

BRYN VOTE LOST: IPPG Still backing embattled chief executive

Published

12 years ago

March 14, 2014

Tom Sinclair

listen to the people

COUNCIL IN CRISIS

PEMBROKESHIRE held its breath yesterday as councillors decided on the future of their chief executive.

Fourteen councillors had laid notices of motion for a vote of no confidence in Bryn Parry-Jones. Many members gave passionate speeches saying that it was the day for change.

At the end of a very long meeting, lasting all day, a recorded vote was taken where twenty-three councillors voted no confidence in the chief executive.

Five councillors abstained; but it was not enough to see off the embattled CEO, the highest paid in Wales.

Thirty councillors voted against the motion meaning that Mr Parry-Jones can stay in his post.

‘Listen to the people’

IN A devastating attack on beleaguered CEO Bryn Parry Jones, leader of the Pembrokeshire Alliance Bob Kilmister highlighted repeated failures in Pembrokeshire County Council’s administration over the last four years and laid the blame for those failings clearly at the door of Bryn Parry Jones.

Hammering home the point, Cllr Kilmister quoted the reports made by Estyn, CSSIW and the Welsh Government into the running of Pembrokeshire County Council and the cosy and complacent culture among senior officers and Cabinet members.

Cllrs Pat Davies and Gwilym Price continued the attack, citing a moral failure of leadership at the top of the Council. Cllr Phil Baker, cited declining staff morale, as the lowest paid had their pay cut while their employer offered tax breaks and the highest pay in Wales to senior officers while the Council lurched from iceberg to iceberg, like the RMS Titanic.

Cllr Tony Wilcox anticipated the line followed by other speakers, as he pointed out to Councillors that the buck had to stop with the CEO when things went wrong.

Cllr Mike Stoddart told a sombre and hushed chamber that there was contempt in the Council for the rule of law: can we get away it is the only question these people ask?

Cllr Jacob Williams told members that the CEO had presided scandal after scandal, and pointed out there had been a complete lack of accountability in dealing with the CEO and that Councillors had the opportunity to represent their constituent’s views.

Cllr Vivian Stoddart, pointed out that the reputation of the Council was in tatters, the reputation of the Council has been on a downward spiral and that downward spiral has been throughout the tenure of the CEO. She pointed out that in excess of £400,000 had been wasted on defending Judicial Review proceedings in the High Court and pointed out the headline “Council put reputation before children”. She quoted Bryn Parry Jones’ own words that “leadership meant taking responsibility” and that it was time for him to face up to that and accept for responsibility for the problems that have engulfed Pembrokeshire County Council under him.

More press clippings

ANGRY councillors who were prevented from voting at the last meeting of full council made an attempt to turn the tables on the leader of the council, Cllr Jamie Adams yesterday. Cllr Phil Baker stood up waving a envelope saying to the chairman: “I have a brown envelope here filled with clippings from the Western Telegraph”

Next, Cllr Jacob Williams said to the Chairman: “Mr Harding had his arm outstretched to receive the envelope. Should he not be allowed to receive it?”

The chairman barked: “Cllr Williams: We do not have time for this – we have a lot on the agenda to get through; and if you continue these comments I will have to deal with you!”

Opposition councillors booed and jeered. Cllr Jamie Adams then addressed the meeting: “The interview in the Western Telegraph is an accurate reflection of what I said, but I did not write the headline. I have not predetermined the issues in-front of me today.”

Stoddart amends minutes

A ROW broke out at yesterday’s full council meeting at County Hall about the accuracy of the minutes. At last months farcical meeting, opposition councilors were prevented from participating in a vote over suspending the Chief Executive. This was because the Council’s barrister said they had ‘pre-determined’ their views by talking to The Pembrokeshire Herald and the Western Telegraph.

At the start of yesterday’s meeting Councillor Mike Stoddard said that he was unhappy with what was on the record because it had failed to mention that Cllr Keith Lewis had withdrawn from the meeting twice. Cllr Stoddart said: “There are code of conduct issues with what happened after his return to the meeting, and I would like that recorded.”

Cllr Keith Lewis said: “The reason that I returned to the meeting was to make my point absolutely clear.”

However, Cllr Nutting interrupted saying: “Yes, but after returning you spoke again!”

Councillors eventually voted to amend the minutes, so that Cllr Stoddard’s concerns were dealt with.

However, Councillor Jacob Williams was prevented from raising further issues. He wanted to ask questions as to which officer of the council may have shown bias by requesting that two councilors return to the meeting.

Council reveals cost of advice over unlawful payments

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has spent over £27,000 on advice in a desperate attempt to justify the making of unlawful pay supplements to its Chief Executive Officer.

The sum spent was revealed by IPPG leader Jamie Adams, and follows the revelation that the unlawful pay supplement was worth in excess of £45,000 over two years it was made.

The IPPG administration has previously indicated that it intends to revisit the pay policy in an attempt to make the pay supplement lawful. With significant further cost, including further external expert reports (which the Council failed to commission before making the unlawful decision and payments), it seems as though the cost neutrality of the scheme, acclaimed by the IPPG administration – and Cllr Adams in particular – lies in tatters.

The costs included £14,480 for Tim Kerr QC, and £12,562 for Mr. Watson who had prepared an experts report for the Council following the Welsh Audit Office’s report in the public interest.

Community

Young people shine at Pembrokeshire Spotlight Awards

Published

6 minutes ago

February 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

YOUNG people from across the county were recognised for their courage, talent and community spirit at this year’s Pembrokeshire Spotlight Awards.

The fourth annual celebration, organised by Pembrokeshire Youth, the Children and Young People’s Rights Office and Pembrokeshire County Council Children’s Services, honours children and young people who achieve exceptional things and make a real difference in their communities.

Originally planned for November, the event was postponed due to severe weather but successfully went ahead on Thursday (Feb 6) at the Merlin Theatre, Pembrokeshire College, thanks to support from sponsors BAM Nuttall, Milford Haven Port Authority, Pure West Radio and Ascona Group.

Councillor Marc Tierney, Cabinet Member for Young People, Communities and the Wellbeing of Future Generations, praised those taking part.

He said: “It was a privilege to hear how our young people have triumphed within their own lives and within their communities. Huge thanks go to the organisers and sponsors who made this celebration possible.”

Chair of council Cllr Maureen Bowen added: “The evening was a joy to attend. It highlighted the incredible talent of Pembrokeshire’s young people and gave real hope for the future of the county.”

The ceremony opened with a video message from First Minister Eluned Morgan, who offered her congratulations despite being unable to attend in person.

Award winners

Among those recognised on the night were:

Welsh Language – Emma Nicholas
Fundraising – Ben Stanton (winner); Jack Gray and Milford Haven Youth Council (runners up)
EcoChampion – Tomos Roberts
Achieving Positive Change – Alfie Harper (winner); Amber Allerton and Thomas John
Arts – Dawn Clark (winner); LillieMai Radcliffe and Kali Flux
Education – Yuliia Bedyk and Andrii Volkov (joint winners); Courtney Waugh and Leo Credland
Making a Difference in the Community – Off The Streets Youth Forum (winner); Megan Mathias, Kyra Mottram, Lexi Jenkins and Pembrokeshire Youth Assembly
Most Inspiring Story – Kai Williams (winner); Carly Sharif, Caitlin Griffith and Berat Sahin
Music – Dylan Harwood (winner); Toby Draper and the cast of Bugsy Malone 2025 – Ysgol Harri Tudur
Sports – Samantha Barton (winner); Mary Falconer, Alannah Field and Destiny John
Voice – Young Voices for Choices Youth Forum
Young Leader/Peer Mentor – Caiden Meacham (winner); Amélie Houghton and Brooke Jenkins-McNamara

Overall Spotlight Award

The top honour went to the We Know Our Journey Youth Project, a collaboration between the You Should Know Girls Project and His Path His Journey Boys Project.

The group was recognised for promoting inclusion, challenging harmful attitudes and encouraging open conversations around violence against women and girls, domestic abuse and men’s mental health.

Members organised the countywide “Men Make It Safe” event and raised £1,600 for local mental health and domestic abuse charities through a sea swim and a 10k run involving 24 young participants.

Judges said the project demonstrated the powerful role young people can play in creating positive change.

Thanks and support

Organisers thanked presenters, nominators, performers and supporters, along with staff at Pembrokeshire College and event leads Nadine Farmer, Bethany Roberts, Nicky Edwards and Angie Moore. Businesses including National Grid, Princes Gate, Tan y Castell, Greggs and The Vine also backed the evening.

More information is available via the Children and Young People’s Rights Office social media pages.

Crime

Shotgun licence revoked over mental health safety concerns

Published

37 minutes ago

February 13, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Appeal withdrawn at Swansea Crown Court after judge hears medical evidence

A MAN has withdrawn his appeal against the revocation of his shotgun licence after a judge heard medical evidence raising concerns about public safety.

The case was heard at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Feb 13) before His Honour Judge Huw Rees, Recorder of the Crown Court, where Luke Randall-Smith challenged the decision to revoke his shotgun certificate, which covered five firearms.

However, following discussions during the hearing, the appeal was formally withdrawn, leaving the revocation in place.

The court heard that police concerns were first raised after a mental health incident in May 2024.

Firearms licensing officers later contacted his GP for updated medical information.

***Withdrew appeal: Farmworker Luke Randall-Smith***

Reports indicated that Randall-Smith had experienced obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a serious farm accident in which he discovered a colleague who had fallen from a height.

Symptoms were said to include intrusive thoughts, anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation. Historical records also referred to a previous episode in 2008 when his OCD allegedly contributed to what was described as “significant violence” during an unprovoked incident at licensed premises. He also held a police caution for affray.

Firearms Licensing Manager Mr Phillips told the court he decided to revoke the certificate after concluding Randall-Smith was no longer fit to possess weapons.

The revocation notice stated that allowing him access to shotguns could present a risk to both himself and others.

Representing himself, Randall-Smith accepted he suffered from mental health conditions but disputed aspects of the assessment and the timeline of events.

At one stage he told the court: “I’m a really nice guy… I’m a good father.”

Judge Rees replied: “Yes, but you’ve been ill.”

He said intrusive thoughts he had described were fears rather than intentions and were symptoms of illness rather than actions.

The judge made clear the decision rested on medical evidence and public safety rather than character alone.

Randall-Smith said the firearms were of sentimental value and hoped to transfer them to another certificate holder.

After being advised the court could proceed to a full hearing or allow the appeal to be withdrawn, he chose to withdraw. The application was granted.

The revocation of the shotgun certificate therefore remains in force.

Crime

Armed police arrest man after major operation in Pembroke Dock

Published

2 hours ago

February 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Firearms officers, dog units and roadblocks deployed on Gordon Street as Dyfed-Powys Police investigate

ARMED officers sealed off part of Pembroke Dock this afternoon (Friday, Feb 13) after a large-scale police operation in Gordon Street.

Heavily equipped firearms officers from Dyfed-Powys Police were seen wearing helmets and body armour and carrying carbines and ballistic shields as they surrounded a terraced property.

Multiple marked vehicles blocked both ends of the road while specialist teams moved in on foot. Two police dog units were also deployed to search the area.

Photographs from the scene show officers establishing a cordon with police tape across the street and positioning themselves at the doorway of a flat.

The Herald understands that at least one man was detained and led away in handcuffs. Witnesses reported several people being stopped during the operation.

One nearby resident said the response was swift and highly visible. “They blocked the street straight away. There were armed officers everywhere and dogs searching around,” they said.

Police have not yet confirmed the nature of the incident or how many arrests have been made.

Dyfed-Powys Police has been approached for further information.

More to follow as we receive it.