News

Police admit ‘regrettable’ and ‘unfortunate’ delays in investigating grants scheme

Published

7 years ago

August 28, 2019

DYFED POWYS-POLICE has rejected Pembrokeshire County Council’s appeal against the delayed outcome of the investigation into the Pembroke Dock Commercial Property Grant Scheme, but the police have admitted that there were delays, and have apologised.

In June this year, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it would not be prosecuting anybody about the scheme.

Its announcement came – entirely coincidentally – after Baron of the Bedsits Cathal McCosker made a large final payment to the Council in respect of overpaid grant monies.

The Council has called on the CPS to reconsider their decision and had also submitted a complaint to the police about the delay in the investigation.

The investigation commenced in 2014 but several councillors have become unhappy about the time taken and how it has been handled. Repeated attempts to hold the Police to account were given the brush off by a succession of senior Police officers claiming arrests, charges, and prosecutions were imminent.

Their assertions were all drivel.

The Police have finally apologised for the fact that the Council were dissatisfied while it was also accepted that there were ‘regrettable’ and ‘unfortunate’ delays in investigating the matter.

That non-apology apology (i.e. ‘we’re sorry you’re disappointed’) is contained in a letter to John Haswell, dated August 22.

Its author, Detective Superintendent Davies, states that although the appeal was upheld due to three inaccuracies in the police’s outcome letter, they were not so significant to change the outcome.

He goes on to formally apologise for those inaccuracies.

The letter also states that although the appeal is ‘significantly’ out of time, it was allowed in the interests of partnership working with the Council

The reason why it was ‘significantly out of time’ caused considerable anger among councillors.

At a meeting of the Audit Committee in October 2018, former Audit Chair Tony Baron raised his concerns at the failure of internal communications to notify members of their right to appeal the complaint’s refusal.

Councillors’ dissatisfaction was put into sharper focus when it emerged that a letter formally appealing their complaint’s rejection had not been sent in time; no internal email trail existed to show which officers had prepared it; the letter was ‘placed’ in the briefcase of then-Council Chair Paul Harries by an unnamed officer, with no indication of its urgency; the

Police’s rejection of the complaint was hopelessly complacent, claiming correspondence to an earlier complaint by the Audit Committee was a full and final response to an entirely separate letter.

In a stormy meeting of the Audit Committee this January, the Council’s Chief Executive Ian Westley apologised for the five-week delay in the appeal letter being sent adding there had been an ‘oversight’ and that it was not an attempt to keep members ‘in the dark’.

Several members expressed their strong reservations about the Council’s lack of transparency and the casual fashion in which a serious issue had been dealt with by officers.

The Police letter concludes that there is no further right of appeal and that any further dissatisfaction should be communicated by way of a judicial review.
Pembrokeshire County Council has been asked for its response to the letter.

Crime

Man charged with attempted murder after A44 collision near Aberystwyth

Published

52 minutes ago

July 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A 24-YEAR-OLD man has been charged following a single-vehicle collision on the A44 near Capel Bangor, Aberystwyth.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the incident happened on Tuesday, June 30.

Owen Rhys-Jones, of Dol-y-Bont, Aberystwyth, has been charged with attempted murder, dangerous driving, and controlling and coercive behaviour.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear before court.

Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses and are asking anyone who was in the Capel Bangor area at around 8.50pm on Tuesday, June 30, to come forward.

Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who witnessed a disturbance in or around Capel Bangor, or who may have phone, video or dashcam footage of the incident.

Anyone with information can contact Dyfed-Powys Police through the force’s dedicated online portal.

The force said: “We would like to thank the local community for their support while officers have carried out extensive enquiries, and to those who have supported our investigation so far.”

News

A40 closed near Llandeilo following collision

Published

1 hour ago

July 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A SECTION of the A40 in Carmarthenshire has been closed in both directions following a collision.

The road is currently shut between Llandeilo and Nantgaredig, with traffic queuing in the area and emergency services attending.

Drivers are being urged to avoid the route where possible, allow extra time for their journeys and follow the diversions in place.

The closure is affecting traffic on the A40 between Carmarthen and Llandeilo, including the area around Pentrefelin and the Castle Dryslwyn turn-off.

This is a developing incident and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Local Government

Award-winning Saundersfoot sauna faces refusal over location concerns

Published

1 hour ago

July 3, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS to allow an award-winning outdoor sauna to remain permanently at Saundersfoot Harbour have been recommended for refusal by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners.

Hwyl Outdoor Sauna, run by Kerry Evans, was granted temporary two-year permission in June 2024 for a mobile wood-fired sauna at the harbour.

The business has since become a popular feature with residents, visitors and cold-water swimmers, and was named Sauna of the Year 2026/27 at the Wales Prestige Awards earlier this year.

***Saundersfoot’s cold-water swimmers are sauna regulars. (Image: Hwyl Outdoor Sauna)***

***Hwyl Outdoor Sauna (Image: Hwyl Outdoor Sauna)***

Ms Evans has now applied to make the siting permanent, but officers are recommending refusal when the application goes before the National Park Authority’s development management committee on Tuesday, July 15.

A supporting statement submitted with the application said the sauna had “become a popular and valued amenity for both residents and visitors, offering a space focused on health, wellbeing and community connection”.

It added: “The overall sentiment within the village has been strongly supportive, with many residents recognising the sauna as a valuable asset that enhances the amenities in Saundersfoot.

“Hwyl Outdoor Sauna has received positive attention in regional and national press, helping to promote Saundersfoot as a destination for coastal wellbeing and outdoor experiences.

“Media coverage has highlighted the sauna as an example of the increasing popularity of sea swimming and sauna culture around the UK coastline.”

Saundersfoot Community Council has raised no objection to the application, and most of the 19 letters submitted by members of the public support the proposal.

Supporters have described the sauna as “a major asset to the village,” “a wellness landmark for Saundersfoot,” and “a unique offering that attracts visitors to the beach and harbour”.

However, some objectors have said that while they support permanent consent in principle, they do not believe the sauna should remain in its current position because it “obstructs the view of the beach from the promenade”.

In their report to committee members, National Park officers say the proposal, in its current form and location, would harm the setting of the Saundersfoot Conservation Area.

The report states: “The application, in its current form and with the proposed location of the sauna, is considered to result in a landscape impact that harms the setting of the Saundersfoot Conservation Area.

“The sauna is also located in a position which reduces public access along the existing promenade route, which is considered to prevent appropriate access from being achieved.

“In addition, since the temporary permission was granted, planning advice has been updated and there is now a requirement for a Flood Consequences Assessment in this location. The lack of a suitable Flood Consequences Assessment results in insufficient information to support the current application.”

Officers also note that the latest application includes additional development, including a booking office which has already been installed, meaning the overall scale of the proposal is greater than the scheme approved on a temporary basis in 2024.

The report adds: “Following consideration of the implementation of the temporary permission and given the greater extent of the current proposal, it is considered that the visual impact of the sauna and related booking office has now increased and could be reduced by locating the sauna further back in the car park.

“This would also have the benefit of the sauna not requiring relocation during severe weather and increased flood risk.”

The application is recommended for refusal on the grounds of visual impact, impact on the conservation area, reduced public access along the promenade, and the absence of a suitable Flood Consequences Assessment.

Committee members will make the final decision at the July 15 meeting.