The Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council has requested that the Chair of the Governance & Audit Committee instigate a review of the Council’s insurance arrangements to give assurance that they are robust, fit for purpose and provide value for money.

The review follows acceptance of the insurance settlement for Manorbier Church in Wales VC School following the fire in October 2022, which caused extensive damage and destroyed the pitched roof.

A spokesperson for PCC stated: “This move highlights the Authority’s ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability, and the responsible stewardship of public funds.

“The review will also assess whether current insurance arrangements, policies and practices ensure that public assets are appropriately valued, insured, and restored in the event of loss or damage.

“This work is being undertaken proactively to strengthen governance arrangements and ensure that the Authority continues to meet the highest standards in financial management. The review will also identify any opportunities for improvement.”

Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Tessa Hodgson, said: “We have a duty to ensure that all public assets are properly protected and insured. This review will provide assurance to residents and stakeholders that our insurance arrangements are effective and that public money is being safeguarded.”

The final decision to close fire-ravaged Manorbier school was given the go-ahead at a special extraordinary council meeting held on June 15.

It had been hoped the school would be rebuilt, but last year councillors backed a report of the School Modernisation Working Group which, amongst other recommendations, included a statutory consultation on proposals to discontinue Manorbier Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School.

It was recommended, in a report present by deputy leader Cllr Paul Miller, who now also has responsibility for education, for the discontinuation be proceeded with.

At the meeting, county councillor for the ward, Cllr Phil Kidney, who has been a staunch supporter of the keeping the school open, stated: “The way this authority has treated her and the staff is quite frankly amazing; we have all let these good people down.

“We’ve all let these people down, the way this council has handled this situation is appalling; from day one not one of the executives came up to see these children, no-one came out; if that was Haverfordwest or Tenby they’d be all over the place.”

Cllr Aled Thomas, chair of the working group which had presented the proposals in the first place, said: “The whole thing is an omnishambles, a total mess of how it’s been handled, but we are where we are.”

Members, by 30 votes to 23, with four abstentions, supported the final steps to close the school.

After the decision, Gareth David Blain, the Sshool’s chair of Governors shared: “We have been failed on every level by Pembrokeshire County Council.

“We have been misled throughout this entire process.

“I have absolutely no condidence in the Director of Education Mr Stephen Richards Downes. His lack of basic communication skills and empathy is deeply concerning for someone who is in charge of education in our county.”