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Park discipline "too little, too late"
1:30pm Tuesday 19th February 2008
Comments (26)A National Park officer has been disciplined following a damning report into a sale of a former MoD building.
Gary Meopham has been issued a final written warning after an investigation into the purchase of the Qinetiq building, East Blockhouse, Angle, by Mr Meopham and members of his family.
An extraordinary meeting was held yesterday to discuss the issue, but Angle resident Michael Bullock says the action is "too little too late."
He said: "It's a sad day. The situation was just crying out for some sort of action, this is no more than a slap on the wrist."
Members have now set up a special Investigation and Reputation committee to examine all aspects of the case.
Speaking after the meeting, Chairman Cllr Simon Hancock said: "The Authority is naturally disappointed and saddened that the issue has arisen and that perception of the organisation's good governance has been affected.
"We are determined to learn the lessons from this episode, and to ensure that such a situation does not occur again."
See Wednesday's Western Telegraph for the full story.
What do you think? Add your comments below.
Your Say YourWestern Telegraph
Stevo, Angle says...
3:40pm Tue 19 Feb 08
dennis, says...
4:51pm Tue 19 Feb 08
How many more instances of malpractice do the people of pembrokeshire have to endure
stackpole dave, stackpole says...
5:45pm Tue 19 Feb 08
But, as the majority of the members are County Council placepeople what more do you expect?
Reg on the Rath, Milford Haven says...
6:41pm Tue 19 Feb 08
Andrew Lye, Johnston says...
10:13pm Tue 19 Feb 08
Bill, P/Dock says...
10:35pm Tue 19 Feb 08
What a disgusting state of affairs!
Tony Wales, Manorbier says...
11:39pm Tue 19 Feb 08
disgusted of pembroke, Pembrokeshire says...
12:50am Wed 20 Feb 08
John Doe, Pennar says...
9:03am Wed 20 Feb 08
I doubt that would have happened anyway, and even if it HAD happened, it would have been a much cheaper option than having to pay HEADSHED lawyers to offer advice on the situation in the first place.
Will Mr Meopham be worrying? I doubt it very much, he'll be too busy wringing his hands with glee at the prospect at the money he's going to make out of it all anyway and **** what the people of this county think.
He'll be lunching with Cllr Allen-Mirehouse no doubt as part of the select Angle commercial property & land owners club.
John Doe, Pennar says...
9:07am Wed 20 Feb 08
For someone in such a position to actually reach the stage of being on a FINAL WARNING is scandalous.
But as another reader said, with the likes of certain county councillors frequenting the authority what do we really expect.
The question must be asked, is it just another boys club at the end of the day?
billy bob, says...
12:48pm Wed 20 Feb 08
Glynis, Pembroke Dock says...
1:35pm Wed 20 Feb 08
Ian Campbell, says...
6:13pm Wed 20 Feb 08
How can local interested parties find out about a referral to the Wales Assembly so that their views can be taken into account. Heads must roll
Pleas contact me to add to two other cases of the same
Peter Pluk, says...
9:23pm Wed 20 Feb 08
John Doe, Pennar says...
2:27pm Thu 21 Feb 08
billy bob wrote:I stand corrected if I am wrong but my understanding of employment law is that a final warning is a THIRD and final warning and if the offence is serious enough (gross misconduct) then that is usually grounds for instant dismissal!!!!!
John Doe...just because he has had a final wriiten warning doesnt mean he has had ywo previous ones. Depending on the severity of the wrong doing a final written warning can be given straight away
John Doe, Pennar says...
2:35pm Thu 21 Feb 08
Ian Campbell wrote:How do we contact you Ian?????
Meopham. Defies belief then for the Wales Assembly to grant Planning Permission mindboggling. How can local interested parties find out about a referral to the Wales Assembly so that their views can be taken into account. Heads must roll Pleas contact me to add to two other cases of the same
Funny handshakes going on somewhere between Haverfordwest, Angle & Cardiff!
Den Wales, Wales says...
7:36am Fri 22 Feb 08
Has anyone thought of involving the police?
I understand it's a criminal offence for a person in any public position to use his or her knowledge for financial gain. In the city its viewed as insider dealing. Would have thought this is a similar kind od situation.
John, Pembrokeshire says...
2:05pm Fri 22 Feb 08
The Kitchen Store, Pembroke Dock says...
2:50pm Fri 22 Feb 08
John Doe wrote:"...He'll be lunching with Cllr Allen-Mirehouse no doubt as part of the select Angle commercial property & land owners club...."
Why so scared of dimissing the guy? In case he won an industrial tribunal appeal? I doubt that would have happened anyway, and even if it HAD happened, it would have been a much cheaper option than having to pay HEADSHED lawyers to offer advice on the situation in the first place. Will Mr Meopham be worrying? I doubt it very much, he'll be too busy wringing his hands with glee at the prospect at the money he's going to make out of it all anyway and **** what the people of this county think. He'll be lunching with Cllr Allen-Mirehouse no doubt as part of the select Angle commercial property & land owners club.
J.D., LOL ;-)
SYDNEY BRACKEN, MILFORD HAVEN says...
9:35am Sat 23 Feb 08
What explanation has the Telegraph to offer for a serious failure to cover all important events such as this one?
Reg on the Rath, Milford Haven says...
4:30pm Sat 23 Feb 08
Peter, Manorbier says...
11:40pm Sun 24 Feb 08
Alex, Castlemartin says...
11:52pm Sun 24 Feb 08
Ange, pembs says...
1:45pm Mon 25 Feb 08
quote
quoteFirst point is there going to be an independent enquiry? What a disgrace,I thought the Ill scratch your back if you scratch mine ideas of local government were going out of fashion ,and the need for a local/community voice was now in favour. Final written warning what a joke!!!!!!!!!!!. I think the Park need to look at their website and maybe change the wording of helps the public to enjoy and understand, and works with local communities towards a sustainable future. Work with local people, I dont think so. Another private property keep out .
Reg on the Rath, Milford Haven says...
2:35pm Mon 25 Feb 08
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John Doe, Pennar says...
3:35pm Tue 19 Feb 08
What's interesting is that a FINAL written warning is usually a THIRD written warning and the next disciplinary offence that he commits will result in dismissal.
I would be extremely interested to know what the other two offences were for!!!!!
I bet we'll never know though.