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

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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

 

Crime

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

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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.

 

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News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

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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.

 

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Crime

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

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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.

 

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