Politics

Councillors forced to spend £1.1m on electric vehicles

Published

2 years ago

August 2, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

SENIOR Pembrokeshire councillors have been left to “clean up the mess” after they were asked to sign off the purchase of more than £1.1m of electric vehicles, despite the vehicles having already been bought.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, meeting on August 1, was asked to back the retrospective purchase of 21 small vans and 11 large vans, totalling £1,104,751.55, under the Welsh Government Electric Vehicle (EV) Collaborative Procurement Framework.

Two options were presented to Cabinet: to agree and approve the purchase, or not agree to approve the purchase, but instead require the council to negotiate with FleetEV for the return of the vehicles, noting that there is no contractual right to return them, and some of the vehicles have been adapted since being delivered.

A report for members said: “The council entered into the Welsh Government Electric Vehicle Collaborative Framework in July 2023. This is a single supplier framework used to procure EV vehicles collaboratively with other Local Authorities in Wales in order to obtain savings on purchase costs.

“In March 2024, 10 small EV vans were purchased to replace vehicles which had come to the end of their operational life.

“A further batch of 21 small vans and 11 large vans was ordered through the Welsh Government Electric Vehicle Collaborative Framework on 11 June 2024, at a total cost of £1,104,751.55 (pre VAT), and all deliveries have now been made.

“An ICM (Individual Cabinet Member decision report) was issued to the Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services [Cllr Rhys Sinnett], but this was subsequently rescinded on the basis that the report did not contain all relevant information, and should have sought retrospective approval.”

The report for members included a lengthy and comprehensive timescale leading up to the retrospective purchases with a council ‘commitment’ to purchase vehicles, the term subject to debate whether it was an interest in replacement vehicles or an outright commitment to purchase as part of the collaborative scheme.

This chronology ended up with “considerable misunderstanding around how the parties respectively had got to very different views of their positions,” the council initially considering an order of 10 Renault Kangoo electric vans, before a later order for the 32 vans, based on an understanding the procurement framework had been signed up to, with no further approval needed.

However, as this was above the limit for an officer decision, an ICM decision was needed, a report drafted on June 12, the vans shipped on June 17, before the ICM report – which had no specific reference about the purchase order having already been placed or that the vans had already been dispatched/supplied – was signed off by Cllr Sinnett.

After the June 27 sign-off was made, the decision was called-in on July 3, leading to the discovery of the omission, that sign-off rescinded on July 9.

“As a result of the circumstances described above, the Chief Executive [Will Bramble] has commissioned an audit into the governance arrangements associated with the procurement of these vehicles and the level of adherence to the authority’s Financial Procedure Rules and Contract Procedure Rules. This audit will be undertaken by the council’s Internal Audit Service,” the report said.

It added: “The Chief Executive has also initiated a management investigation into the circumstances leading to the presentation of an ICM report without the full information, and its associated recommendation for an ICM decision, which failed to include information relating to the prior purchase and receipt of the vehicles.”

While the pros and cons of electric vehicles replacing fossil fuels ones were debated at the August meeting, the main issue raised was the nature of the purchase and the inaccurate report presented for Cabinet member sign-off.

Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller said he was “quite happy” to back the purchase of the vehicles, the alternative option leaving the council “completely shafted” on costs, but said he was “deeply disappointed” about the background detailed.

Member for Planning & Regulatory Services Cllr Jacob Williams said: “It’s very disappointing we’re in this position; the reason we’re here today is to clear up quite a big mess. The [discussion on the] virtue of electric vehicles is a total waste of time; the ability to discuss the virtues was taken away from us by the situation we’re in.

“A mistake was made, an order was placed for vehicles when officers felt it was an ‘expression of interest,’ an attempt was made to get that decision to regularise that.”

He added: “I can’t remember a situation like this in my time as a councillor; we have no option but to approve the purchase of these vehicles retrospectively.”

He said the details only came to light after a ‘call-in’ on that decision was made by council ‘backbenchers’ over the whole virtue or otherwise of the electric vehicle purchases.

“I’m being asked, like other councillors here today, to clean up this mess; I think the vehicles being ordered is the key fact, we have no other option; what’s the alternative? Return them and get a token amount back? If they even want to purchase them.”

Members backed the three recommendations of the report: the retrospective approval of the vehicle purchases, a Chief Executive-commissioned audit into the governance arrangements associated with the procurement of these vehicles and the level of adherence to the authority’s Financial Procedure Rules and Contract Procedure Rules, along with a “management investigation into the circumstances leading to the presentation of an ICM report without the full information and its associated recommendation for an ICM decision, which failed to include information relating to the prior purchase and receipt of the vehicles”.

Community

Work on new 26-home Pembrokeshire development gets underway

Published

2 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

CONSTRUCTION work has started on a Haverfordwest scheme to provide sheltered housing apartments for the over-55s.

The Tŷ Haverfordia affordable housing and reablement development of 26 sheltered housing apartments for the over-55s alongside a dedicated 12-bed reablement centre to support residents returning home from hospital at the former Haverfordia House site, delivered by Wynne Construction, forms part of Pembrokeshire County Council’s “continued commitment to increasing high‑quality, accessible housing and deliver effective modern health and social care support across Pembrokeshire”.

Initial works began on January 26 and include securing the site, setting up a small compound and contractor parking area, installing controlled access for site personnel, and positioning temporary office and welfare units.

To maintain safe access to nearby facilities, including the GP surgery and Haverfordwest Leisure Centre, pedestrian routes through the area will remain open.

In addition, a minimum number of public parking spaces, including disabled bays, have been kept with Pay & Display machines relocated to reduce inconvenience.

In keeping the minimum number of parking spaces as well as needing to accommodate essential contractor welfare facilities, a small section of Rifleman Field has had to be used during the duration of the development of the site.

This space will be securely fenced off, and the footprint minimised. Any areas of Rifleman Field affected by the works will be fully reinstated on completion and restored to a condition that is equal to or better than at present.

To ensure residents and stakeholders are kept informed and have the opportunity to engage with the development, Pembrokeshire Housing Services will be hosting a Community Engagement Drop-in Event on Thursday, February 19, 5-7pm, at The Green Room, Haverfordwest Leisure Centre.

Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Michelle Bateman, said: “I am pleased that we have finally reached the stage of commencing on site and look forward to seeing the development progressing.

“We have been able to progress with the development after receiving much-needed Welsh Government grant assistance for both the reablement and housing parts of the development.”

Last year, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, members approved awarding a fixed contract of £13,560,454.21 to C Wynne & Son for the Haverfordia House works.

In 2019, Cabinet backed the acquisition of the freehold of Haverfordia House, with the overall intention to deliver a new housing and wellbeing facility following its demolition.

A report for members at last year’s June meeting said: “As well as providing long-term residents with a sense of place and community, it will provide short-term reablement users with the facilities and in-house support which they need to relearn the skills required to keep them safe and independent when they return home.”

It said there was a need for one-bed properties, and a review of sheltered over 55 accommodation was undertaken in 2018-19 which identified that existing sheltered housing stock is “no longer fit for purpose”.

Politics

Porthgain holiday let scheme approved by national park

Published

12 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to regularise the use of an annexe as a holiday let at the Pembrokeshire seaside village of Porthgain has been given the go-ahead.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Ryan Davies sought permission for a change of use of a previously occupied annexe at Gallery Cottage, Harbour Lights Gallery, Porthgain for use as a short-term holiday let.

An officer report recommending approval said: “This application seeks consent for a change of use from the existing C3 use of the annexe known as Gallery Cottage to allow both family and guest short stays. The annexe had originally been given consent for use purely incidental to the enjoyment of the main dwelling. However, the annexe is currently in use as a short-term holiday let.

“An application under Section 73 has previously been submitted to allow the subdivision of the property as a whole in order that the use of the annexe as a short-term holiday let could be regularised.

“However, given that this would have involved a fundamental change to the development previously granted, it was considered that a full application would be required.

“It is not considered that the change of use of the annexe to a short-term holiday let would result in harm being caused to the residential amenity of nearby properties, nor the special qualities of the National Park.

“Neither is it deemed that the residential amenities of the dwelling known as ‘Harbour Lights’ or the closest dwelling to the rear would be adversely affected since the unit is separated from the main dwelling by a frame shop, gallery space and an office/store room and on a different level to the nearest other dwelling.”

It added: “This application also seeks to regularise some external changes to the building and boundary treatments since the granting of [a 2021 application for the erection of extension and alterations to provide additional habitable accommodation to existing dwelling following demolition of gallery workshop / shed].

“It is deemed that since the overall form of the annexe remains largely the same, there would be no harm caused to the general character of the area, nor to the special qualities of the Park.”

The application was conditionally approved by park planners.

News

Political leaders and unions react to Milford Haven school assault

Published

13 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

First Minister, MP, MS and teaching unions call for safety and support for staff

POLITICAL leaders and teaching unions across Wales have spoken out following Thursday’s assault on a teacher at Milford Haven School, which led to a lockdown, a major police response and the arrest of a 15-year-old boy on suspicion of attempted murder.

The First Minister Eluned Morgan said she was “deeply concerned” by the incident and stressed that violence had no place in Welsh schools.

***Police at Milford Haven School on May 5 (Pic: Herald)***

Her comments come just days after she visited the Milford Haven campus following the school being placed into special measures by Estyn, where she met leaders to discuss improvement plans and support arrangements.

She said her thoughts were with the injured teacher, their family and the wider school community, and praised the swift response of staff and emergency services.

Local MP Henry Tufnell, who represents Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, described the incident as deeply upsetting for what he called a close-knit community.

He said he was thinking of the teacher and pupils affected and thanked Dyfed-Powys Police and ambulance crews for their professionalism.

Meanwhile Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz said: “Deeply concerning news across the water in Milford Haven.

“Sadly, violence in our schools is becoming all too common, and thanks must go to the emergency services for their timely response. Thoughts are with the injured teacher, their family and the wider school community.”

Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies said teachers must feel safe at work and called for continued support for school staff.

Teaching unions also responded.

NASUWT said teachers “deserve to feel safe in their workplace” and that any violence against staff must be taken seriously, while National Education Union said schools must remain safe spaces for both pupils and staff and urged continued focus on safeguarding and behaviour support.

All said support would be offered to the Milford Haven school community in the days ahead as police investigations continue.