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Alleged Code of Conduct breaches reported to Local Government Ombudsman

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AN ALLEGED breach of the Code of Conduct by a member of Haverfordwest Town Council is to be considered by a county council committee next month.

A report on the alleged breach by an unnamed councillor was recently made to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.

Following that report, the Ombudsman stated: “The Ombudsman received a complaint that a member (‘the member’) of Haverfordwest Town Council (‘the council’) had breached the Code of Conduct for members of the council.

“The report on the investigation was referred to the Monitoring Officer of Pembrokeshire County Council for consideration by its Standards Committee.”

A Pembrokeshire County Council spokesman said: “The report in question was referred to the Monitoring Officer of Pembrokeshire County Council for consideration by its Standards Committee.

“The Standards Committee is due to consider this report on May 3.”

Another allegation of a breach of the Code of Conduct by a Pembrokeshire councillor – in this case a Saundersfoot Community Council member – was also recently reported to the Ombudsman.

That incident is alleged to have been in connection with a parking matter.

Relating to that unrelated case, the Ombudsman said: “It was alleged that the member approached the complainant and behaved aggressively towards him over a parking matter. 

The complainant alleged the member had behaved in a bullying and intimidating manner and used his position to belittle and humiliate him.

“The complainant said that the member behaved in a way that was bullying and intimidating. The member acknowledged there was an encounter but said that he did not behave poorly in the interaction. There is no other witness or CCTV evidence available.

“Having considered the evidence submitted from both of the parties involved, none of the information or evidence available suggested that one account should be preferred over the other. Therefore, in the absence of any independent evidence of the incident, the Ombudsman was unable to say whether the behaviour of the member was suggestive of a breach of the Code of Conduct.

“Further investigation of this matter was unlikely to yield any information which would alter the balance of evidence available and therefore it was not proportionate or in the public interest to continue the investigation.”

The allegation relating to the unnamed Saundersfoot councillor was discontinued.

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Image Caption: Michelle Morris – The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales

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News

Three Bank Holiday shouts for Angle RNLI volunteers

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THE Angle All-Weather Lifeboat sprang into action once again, answering its third call over the Bank Holiday weekend. The urgent summons came at 10:34 am on Sunday morning, triggered by a distressing 999 call from a dive vessel. The vessel reported an injured diver on board, who had taken a fall while entering the water, resulting in suspected broken ribs.

Responding promptly, the lifeboat set sail, swiftly navigating to the distressed vessel stationed near the Dakotian buoy in Dale, a popular diving locale. Concurrently, the Milford Haven Harbour Patrol vessel and another dive boat mobilised to aid the operation. Fortunately, before the lifeboat’s arrival, reports confirmed that the injured diver had been safely recovered by another dive vessel.

Upon arrival, two skilled crew members with expertise in casualty care were deployed onto the dive vessel to assess and administer aid to the injured diver. Following a thorough assessment, the casualty was provided with oxygen and wrapped in blankets to stave off the chill.

Once stabilised, the casualty was carefully transferred onto the lifeboat and transported to the Port Authority jetty, where the Dale Coastguard Rescue Team and a paramedic awaited their arrival, poised to continue the medical assessment. Subsequently, upon deeming the casualty fit for transfer, the paramedic assumed responsibility and conveyed the individual to the hospital for further treatment.

With the successful completion of the rescue mission, the lifeboat and its crew were stood down and returned to base.

However, as the lifeboat was nearing its station, the crew intercepted a distress call, a Mayday, emanating from a vessel in need. Responding swiftly, the lifeboat diverted its course to assist once more.

Upon reaching the designated area near the outer pontoon at Dale, it was confirmed that a local dive vessel had already rendered assistance, preventing the yacht from drifting into peril. Investigation revealed that the yacht had encountered mechanical issues, including an overheating engine and a malfunctioning electric windlass, prompting the distress call to the coastguard.

Efficiently, a tow was arranged, and the troubled yacht was safely escorted to Milford Marina, where it found refuge alongside the lock pits pontoon approximately an hour later. With the situation resolved, the lifeboat and its crew were stood down and returned to station, ready to respond to any subsequent emergencies.

Early this morning, at 12:24 am, the crew received a direct page from the Coastguard, summoning their assistance for a person in distress in the waters off Haverfordwest. Both the Dale and Broad Haven Coastguard Rescue Teams were also mobilised to aid in the operation.

However, just as the crew was preparing to launch, the mission was called off as the person in distress was successfully rescued from the water.

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Business

Expansion for Ashmole & Co with acquisition of Jones Ward Accountants

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CHARTERED, Certified Accountants, Ashmole & Co, are delighted to announce their expansion following the acquisition of JonesWard accountancy firm in Carmarthen.

Ashmole & Co Carmarthen has today taken over JonesWard who have closed their office in Lammas Street, Carmarthen. All JonesWard staff, including Ian Jones and James Ward, have transferred over to Ashmole & Co and will be based in the Old School, the Quay, Carmarthen.

JonesWard informed their clients that the administrative burden of running a practice had increased significantly over recent years due to the constant changing money laundering and tax regulations, software requirements and so on. Over the past 12 months it had become more challenging to maintain the level of service they had been used to providing.

Ian Jones said, “We feel Ashmole & Co share the same values as us and have the necessary expertise and resources to ensure we can continue to provide the personal touch and level of service clients have been accustomed to. Myself and James are not retiring but we will be supported by Ashmole & Co’s partners and staff from now on in their Carmarthen office.”

Ashmole & Co partners Sharon George, Carwyn Morgan and Vinal Patel will strive to ensure JonesWard clients will continue to receive the high quality of service they are used to.

Vinal Patel, Partner with Ashmole & Co said, “It is our priority to make the transition as smooth as possible with all employees of JonesWard having already transferred to Ashmole & Co and are now based in our office on the Quay in Carmarthen. We look forward to meeting our new clients and working closely with them to meet their needs in the future.”

Ashmole & Co Chartered and Certified Accountants have been established since 1897 and are one of the largest accountancies and auditing practices in south Wales, now operating from thirteen offices throughout south and west Wales including Swansea, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest and Ammanford.   

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Charity

Fundraiser to take on epic 87k steps challenge to raise funds for Withybush

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SAM Faulkner is challenging himself to walk 87,000 steps in one day to raise funds for the Cardiac Care Unit at Withybush Hospital in memory of his father.

Sam will be walking along the Brecon and Monmouth Canal from Brecon to Rogerstone in Newport.

Sam said: “Since losing my Dad last year, I made a personal commitment to do something to raise money every year for the Cardiac Care Unit at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest who looked after my Dad so well in his final days.

“I will be challenging myself to complete 87,000 steps in a day on July 20th 2024 – 1,000 steps for every year of my Dad’s life. I’ll be walking around 40 miles in about 10 hours.

“Canal walks were always a firm favourite of mine and my Dad’s, with many days spent walking along the Grand Union in Northamptonshire when I was growing up.

“My family and I, and the unit at the hospital, would be beyond grateful for anything supporters could give. Thank you ever so much in advance.”

Katie Hancock, Pembrokeshire Fundraising Officer, said: “We’d like to say a huge good luck to Sam with his challenge. Thank you so much for dedicating your time to raise more funds for the Cardiac Care Unit.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

You can donate to Sam’s fundraiser here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/sam-faulkner-1712508280259?newPage=true&fbclid=IwAR2tyVVQVea0DLQelSsrp7Ie2CKjX0jXGnwndR_tBKL-Av2kv8f5nchEolw

For more details about the charity and how you can help support local NHS patients and staff, go to www.hywelddahealthcharities.org.uk

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