News

Officers competence questioned over Council Chief’s pay-off

Published

4 years ago

January 13, 2022

AUDIT WALES published its long-awaited report on the departure of former Council CEO Ian Westley on Thursday (January 13).

Audit Wales released the report in the public interest due to what it identified as serious governance failures at Pembrokeshire County Council.

Under the Settlement Agreement terms, the Chief Executive received a termination payment of £95,000, and his employment ended on November 30 2020.

The report found that the Council failed to properly record why the Chief Executive left and why the Chief Executive received a termination payment.

Auditor-General Adrian Crompton said: “Pembrokeshire Council has work to do to ensure that its governance arrangements are sufficiently robust and to regain public trust.

“However, the steps the Council has since taken to improve its governance and decision-making processes, and the leadership already provided by its new Chief Executive, gives me confidence that the Council will act on the recommendations in my report.T .”

LEADER DID NOT GET RIGHT ADVICE

The report says Cllr Simpson failed to grasp the legal situation because internal advice was of poor quality.

The Head of HR, Ceri Davies, sent Ian Westley legally privileged information that Mr Westley had no right to see regarding the Council’s negotiating strategy and provided him with an insight into confidential legal advice.

Mr Davies, who is seconded to the regional education consortium ERW until April 1, faces a warm reception when – or if – he returns to work at the Council.

The Auditor casts significant doubt on “evidence” provided by Mr Davies, particularly the content of several notes prepared by the Head of HR.

The Auditor repeatedly observes that he doubts how much faith he has in the Head of HR.

Officers either overlooked or ignored procedural red flags that should’ve prompted them to take external advice on their conclusions.

Worse, when former Head of Legal Claire Incledon raised an important issue regarding the tax treatment of Mr Westley’s payment, her concerns went unaddressed.

BULLYING CLAIMS DON’T ADD UP

Crucially, the report finds that Mr Westley’s after the fact interpretation of his pay-off as compensation for bullying does not stack up.

The Auditor finds no evidence that Mr Westley’s payment was anything other than a severance agreement between employer and employee. He notes a planned corporate restructuring exercise was an opportune time for Mr Westley to leave.

The report observes that if Mr Westley wanted to complain of bullying and seek protection due to a whistle-blower, he was more than aware of the procedure to do so.

Mr Westley’s failure to record a formal grievance and the Auditor’s conclusions regarding that issue do not hide occasionally difficult relationships between officers and councillors.

The report expressly rejects Mr Westley’s assertion that the £95,000 payment represented compensation for his being bullied.

That leaves Jamie Adams and Stephen Joseph with very little wriggle room.
Faced with findings of fact, they are not in a position to contradict the Auditor’s conclusions.

LEADER TOO EAGER TO REACH EXIT AGREEMENT

Cllr Simpson does not come out of the report with his reputation unscathed.

His loyalty to his Cabinet shines through the report. It is possible that, so closely was her working with Cabinet members at the time, he allowed them too much leeway dealing with senior staff.

However, there is nothing in the report to support Jamie Adams’s naked attempt to blame the leader and Cabinet for the situation with the former CEO.The report suggests that Cllr Simpson’s wish to avoid a public confrontation led him to set aside his better judgement to seal a deal at all costs.

The report suggests that not only did Cllr Simpson want to avoid a public confrontation but took the decision to structure the agreement in a way he believed would not require further scrutiny of it.

His belief was bolstered by poor quality advice from senior officers upon whom he should’ve been able to rely. David Simpson did a botched job based on botched advice from officers who, putting it generously, got several key calls wrong.

NEXT STEPS

Ceri Davies’s position must surely hang by a thread following the damning conclusions about his conduct and honesty as a witness.

It beggars belief that the Head of HR shared private legal information with Mr Westley related to the former’s own responsibilities to his employer.

The Auditor General’s report, other associated reports and an action plan to address recommendations will be considered by a meeting of the Council on February 1.

Local Government

Milford Haven civic service marks start of mayoral year

Published

2 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Mayor’s charities named as civic leaders gather at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church

THE CIVIC SERVICE of the Mayor of Milford Haven, Cllr Mark Woodward, took place at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (June 20).

The service marked Cllr Woodward’s election as Mayor and First Citizen of Milford Haven.

It was conducted by Rev Dr Adrian Furse and Canon John Cecil, with music from church organist Richard Stephens, Gelliswick Community Choir and Milford Haven Town Band.

Guides and Brownies, Milford Haven Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets were also among those taking part, with councillors Colin Sharp and Yvonne Southwell acting as ushers.

Refreshments followed at Milford Haven Bowling Club.

Local MS Paul Davies was among those attending the service and wished the new mayor all the best for his term in office.

Cllr Woodward’s chosen charities for the year are Patch Charity and Greenacres Rescue.

Photo caption:

Civic guests attended the Mayor of Milford Haven’s service at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (Pic: Supplied)

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

12 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

12 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.