News

Money for the boys: The mega salaries of our top council officers revealed

Published

8 years ago

November 12, 2017

THERE are nine council workers earning over £1,000,000 in wages between them at Pembrokeshire County Council, according to new figures released by the TaxPayers’ Alliance.

Each of them on over £100,000 a year.

But in Carmarthenshire County Council there are even more high earners, with 23 of its employees on a six-figure pay deal – that’s more than any other local authority in Wales.

While cuts are being made to local services, there are still plenty of officers with eye watering salaries it seems.

A shocked Jonathan Isaby, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Local authorities that are providing more for less and delivering council tax cuts clearly have talented people at the helm, but taxpayers living in poorly performing areas will be furious at the scale of some of these massive pay awards.
“After more than a decade of reckless spending and council tax hikes, local politicians now have to make necessary savings and the pay and perks for the town hall elite have to come under the spotlight.
“We all deserve to know how our money is being spent, and taxpayers should have the right to decide if they are getting value for their money from public servants.”

The figures released cover the period 2013-14.

On the list is Pembrokeshire’s own Bryn Parry Jones, the former Chief Executive and Retuning Officer of our Local Authority who had a whopping pay package of £204, 795.

In the same period this was topped by only one other council employee in wales – the former Chief Executive of Gwynedd, Harry Thomas, who was on a staggering £306,813.
In the same year, Carmarthenshire County Council’s top officer – Chief Excecutive Mark James had earned £184, 473 – more than the prime minister.

A Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) spokesperson said they recognise that at a time when councils are making deep cuts to services it’s right that top pay should come under scrutiny.
A WLGA spokesman told The Herald: “Local government senior pay is not disproportionately high or ‘out of control’ and the TaxPayers’ Alliance’s figures show Wales is near the bottom of the league table on senior council pay.
“While we recognise that a salary of over £100,000 per annum is considerably more than many people earn, these are some of the most demanding public service jobs in Wales and council chief executives are responsible for managing incredibly complex, multi-million pound businesses in the most challenging period for public services in recent times.”

Bryn Parry Jones had a salary of £204, 795 when he quit his post

News

Baby in critical condition after Fishguard emergency

Published

25 minutes ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Teenagers arrested as police investigate circumstances

A BABY remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition after being taken from Fishguard by air ambulance following a medical emergency at a property.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers received information that the baby had been taken to hospital in the early evening of Saturday (May 2).

Police were formally informed of the incident at around 10:10pm the same evening.

An investigation into the circumstances is underway.

A man and a woman, both aged eighteen, were arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

They have since been released on conditional bail while enquiries continue.

No further details have been released at this stage.

Entertainment

Hubberston Girls exhibition launches new space at Waterfront Gallery

Published

1 hour ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW exhibition exploring memories of growing up on a council estate has opened at the Waterfront Gallery in Milford Haven.

Artist Lynn Stuart is launching the gallery’s new exhibition space with her solo show, Hubberston Girls, which runs until Saturday, May 30.

The exhibition features a deeply personal series of works drawn and painted on brown paper. The material was chosen for its connection to everyday memories, including lunch bags and magazines wrapped in paper.

Once oiled, the paper becomes semi-transparent, allowing paint to be applied to the reverse and creating layered, intimate images.

The Waterfront Gallery is extending its opening hours for the exhibition and will be open Monday to Saturday, from 10:30am to 4:00pm.

A private view will be held on Thursday, May 14, from 3:00pm to 6:00pm, and all are welcome.

The gallery is based in the Old Sail Loft on Discovery Quay, Milford Waterfront, Milford Haven. It is one of south west Wales’s leading art galleries, a registered charity, and home to the Wales Contemporary annual competition.

The gallery is run by artist volunteers who exhibit there regularly.

Community

Vintage tractor tour sets off from Pembroke Dock for Ireland

Published

2 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FIFTY-three vintage tractors left Pembroke Dock Ferry Port on Saturday (May 2) as part of a long-running tractor tour to Ireland.

The group boarded the ferry for the latest stage of an exchange which has been running since 2011, when the National Vintage Tractor Run was held in Pembrokeshire.

Organiser Alun Mason said: “The Tour of Ireland has been ongoing since 2011, when the National Vintage Tractor Run was held in Pembrokeshire.

“A large contingent travelled from Ireland and continue to do so every other year, with our visit this weekend and the Irish tractors due to visit in 2027.”

Some of the tractors taking part travelled from as far as Burry Port, Bridgend, Llandrindod Wells, Llandovery and Ceredigion before gathering at the ferry port.