A recent decision on an agreement with the organisers of the annual Long Course Weekend was backed by senior councillors but the decision will see further scrutiny and consultation.
The August 19 extraordinary meeting of Pembrokeshire County Councilâs Cabinet considered a recommendation of the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee in relation to an Individual Cabinet Member Decision (ICM) on a Long Course Weekend Host Agreement 2025-2029 decision, which had been âcalled-inâ on July 25.
The long-distance swim, cycle and running events returned to Tenby this June, with a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile cycle, and a marathon across the weekend.
The July 22 decision by Cabinet member Cllr Rhys Sinnett approved a retrospective agreement to enter a host agreement with Activity Wales to cover 2026 to 2029 events to âensure the event operates in line with the clear requirements of the Host Agreement, as per the recommendation of Cabinet in January 2025â.
The âcall inâ was made by Councillor Huw Murphy with the support of Councillors Alec Cormack, Chris Williams, Viv Stoddart, Tim Evans, Vanessa Thomas and Iwan Ward, considering the decision made by Councillor Sinnett did not fully comply with the budget and policy framework.
The call in was reviewed by Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee on August 8 where it was recommended the Cabinet member decision be referred to Cabinet on three grounds.
âFor Cabinet and the Senior Leadership Team to have the opportunity to jointly review the decision-making processes related to the Long Course Weekend Host Agreement and identify any appropriate actions that might be taken.
âFor Cabinet to determine whether they wish this Individual Cabinet Member decision to be signed immediately or alternatively be considered in advance of the 2026 event, but after member engagement and possible review by Overview and Scrutiny.
âGiven the admission of governance failure both in the papers and verbally today [August 8] by the Head of Law and Governance, the matter be referred to the Governance and Audit Committee for further investigation.â
In a report presented by Leader Cllr Jon Harvey it was recommended members âuphold the decision made by the Cabinet Member surrounding the approval of the ICM for the LCW Host Agreement 2026-2029.
The recommendation also said: âContinue with the review of the Events Strategy by the Events Advisory Board prior to the decision to formally adopt and also undertake consultation with the Events Advisory Board and Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee, along with those local members whose wards are impacted by the event on the contents of the LCW Host Agreement (to include meaningful discussions on whether to implement the break clauses for future years) in advance of the 2026 eventâ.
The recommendation added: âThis will allow any changes to the agreement to be considered by Cabinet and negotiations with events organisers prior to the 2026 event to enable continued support for events from 2027 onwards.â
The recommendation, moved by Cllr Harvey, was seconded by Cllr Alistair Cameron, and approved by Cabinet.
Cllr Harvey said members were âvery mindfulâ of the concerns raised by the ONS committee, with the referral back to that committee âa good way forwardâ.
Chief Executive will Bramble pointed out future events could see different route which could, potentially, affect any of the councillors.
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