News

Catholic schools federation consultation call backed by cabinet

Published

3 years ago

April 27, 2023

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CONSULTATION on the potential federation of Pembrokeshire’s four Catholic schools was backed by senior councillors earlier this week.

Members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, meeting on April 24, backed a recommendation that authority be delegated to the Director of Education to start a statutory consultation on federations for Haverfordwest’s Mary Immaculate Catholic School and Tenby’s St Teilo’s Catholic School, and Fishguard’s Holy Name Catholic School and Milford Haven’s St Francis Catholic School.

A report for Cabinet members stated: “Due to various headteacher vacancies and a growing inability to recruit, the current status and headship arrangements at the schools are outlined in the following table. Currently, there are informal arrangements in three of the above schools, with a recruitment process being necessary in the fourth.

“It is necessary to ‘formalise’ these arrangements, and the relevant governing bodies and the Diocese of Menevia have expressed a wish to consider establishing federations.”

The report said St Francis has been without a permanent headteacher since September 2022. Since then, St Francis and Holy Name have been in an informal collaboration, with the headteacher of Holy Name acting as an executive headteacher across the two schools, following several unsuccessful recruitment rounds for St Francis.

Members also heard Mary Immaculate School will need to recruit a headteacher for September and St Teilo’s has been without a permanent headteacher since January.

The report added: “Since then, St Teilo’s Catholic School and Tavernspite/Templeton Federation have been in an informal collaboration, with the headteacher of the Tavernspite/Templeton Federation acting as executive headteacher across the schools.

“Following several recruitment rounds, the arrangement was established as the governing body at St Teilo’s was unable to appoint a headteacher for the school.

“The governing body of St Teilo’s, supported by the Diocese of Menevia, would like to consider a formal federation with another Catholic school.”

Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language Guy Woodham stressed the potential federation was “not an amalgamation, a takeover, or a route to school closure,” adding the schools would remain as separate establishments.

He moved the recommendation, seconded by Councillor Alec Cormack.

Council Leader David Simpson recalled the success of the federation of the Tavernspite and Templeton schools in his own ward.

“I cannot emphasise how good the transition was and how good the schools are now; an excellent way forward.”

Crime

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

Published

15 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

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.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

16 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

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.

Crime

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

Published

17 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

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.