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Vote to elect Council leader fails

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jacob williamsA NOTICE of Motion from Cllr Jacob Williams to elect the Council leader annually was narrowly defeated by one vote of 29 votes to 28 at Thursday’s meeting. Cllr Williams said: “At the moment we elect the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Planning and Licensing heads and this motion seeks to add the leader to that list. The leader is elected at the AGM and he/ she remains in post till he/ she resigns or is no longer a councillor. Any incumbent, if they were unsuccessful in seeking re-election, would only be because a majority failed to have confidence in him or her. Introducing an annual election will address the weakness and accountability of this council. “Some believe it is best to have someone who has been there for a long time and someone that has confidence of councillors. There is a difference – continuity should be earned by an annual election at the AGM. This isn’t extraordinary – we could also add the leader and cabinet members but this is just to elect the leader.”

Council leader Jamie Adams responded: “I am not convinced of the notice of motion. It will always be the largest group that provides the leader of the council, and the best opportunity for influencing the leader of this council would be to join the Independent group. “The role of leader is something that one person cannot commit to for a short period of time. We complete the budget process in March, and would vote for a leader in May, and that is dangerous. “The leader does have to make unpopular, pragmatic decisions, and that requires a longer term.

I remain convinced that the role of leader does require that commitment. My group has the option to remove me if they wish and that provides the democratic accountability. Cllr Bob Kilmister said: “This notice of motion makes it less likely that we will have votes of no confidence. An annual vote will only take place if someone stands against them. This will only take place if there is a chance of a meaningful vote. “At the moment we don’t have the opportunity, we had it when we first formed and from thereon in we are stuck.

I do not think this is democracy and it is not the right way of doing something about it. “If our leader wins the election he will be able to see he has the backing of the council, without that confidence the leader is frightened of being challenged by people in this council”. Cllr Tessa Hodgson said: “I am quite surprised that the leader doesn’t welcome this motion. It suggests that he is not confident that he has the backing of other councillors”.

Cllr Reg Owens said: “When we passed the earlier item 6 on this agenda this was one more step to more openness for Pembrokeshire County Council. Also the exit of the chief executive is going to ensure more openness and this motion will extend that even more. “If the leader is against this then he lacks confidence. If we are brave enough to pass this today, it will only be good for Pembrokeshire”. Cllr Sue Perkins said: “This is the most ridiculous notice of motion I have ever read. Continuity is the most important thing.

There are a huge amount of things to learn, it’s not going to take 2-3 months. Cllr Tom Tudor said: “I can’t see what the problem is here. We should embrace this notice of motion to show the people of Pembrokeshire that Pembrokeshire County Council is trying to get away from the past and be more transparent. I would strongly urge members to vote in favour of this motion and instil some confidence back in the people. Cllr David Lloyd said: “I would invite the leader to take on this challenge and have the courage to do so.

He has nothing to lose. I would ask him to take this challenge and win our support. Cllr Paul Miller added an amendment to the original notice of motion to add the election of Cabinet members as well as the Leader but that was defeated by 37 votes to 20. Cllr Williams summed up saying: “There was talk of continuity. We are talking about Pembrokeshire County Council here. Let us take time to recall that we had 18 years of continuity under the Chief Executive and look where that has led us”. Cllr Williams motion was defeated by 29 votes to 28 with Cllr Steve Yelland casting the deciding vote.

 

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. ieuan

    December 31, 2014 at 6:27 pm

    Good try Jacob, maybe next time!

  2. tomos

    January 2, 2015 at 6:14 pm

    Jamie STILL trying to get more rats to join the sinking ship HMS IPiG ?

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Crime

Dock driver avoids jail after drug-drive crash in mother’s car

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BMW damaged after Astra taken without consent in Pembroke Dock incident

A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has narrowly avoided an immediate prison sentence after taking his mother’s car without permission and crashing into a wall, causing damage to a parked vehicle.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that Tony Brundrett, 21, took his mother’s Vauxhall Astra from her home in Pembroke Dock on September 27, 2025, without her consent.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court that Brundrett subsequently collided with a wall, which collapsed and struck a parked BMW.

“The wall fell over as a result of the impact, causing damage to a nearby BMW,” she said.

The owner of the BMW, Damian Gorzach, reported bodywork damage and scratching to his vehicle following the incident.

When arrested, Brundrett was found to have 253 micrograms of benzoylecgonine – a cocaine metabolite – in his system. The legal limit is 50 micrograms.

The court heard that while Brundrett’s mother confirmed ownership of the Astra, she did not wish to pursue matters against her son.

Brundrett, of Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, driving without insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, criminal damage, and drug-driving.

Representing him, solicitor Alaw Harries said her client accepted his actions were “foolish and irresponsible” and expressed remorse.

“At the time of the offence, he was experiencing significant personal difficulties,” she said.

“This was the first and last time he had taken drugs, and he was not thinking clearly. He does not seek to excuse his behaviour, but he is now in a much better place.”

Magistrates sentenced Brundrett to 18 weeks’ custody, suspended for 24 months. He was also disqualified from driving for two years.

He must pay £100 in compensation, a £154 surcharge, and £85 in prosecution costs.

 

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Crime

Driver banned after A478 crash and walkaway

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Motorist admits string of offences including driving while disqualified and uninsured

A LLANDISSILIO motorist has been handed an interim driving disqualification after walking away from a crash on the A478.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that Dean Duffy, aged 31, collided with a fence and hedge while driving a Ford Puma at Clunderwen on Tuesday (Mar 4). He then failed to stop at the scene or report the incident to police.

Duffy, of Maesybryn, Llandissilio, pleaded guilty to failing to stop after a road traffic collision, failing to report an accident, driving without third party insurance, and driving while disqualified.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court: “A vehicle collided with a fence and hedge and the bumper came off. The vehicle was abandoned, but correspondence left on the seat identified the defendant as possibly being responsible.”

Magistrates adjourned sentencing until Tuesday (Apr 28) to allow for the preparation of a pre-sentence report by the probation service.

Duffy was disqualified from driving on an interim basis pending the outcome of the case.

 

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Crime

Driver trapped after crash while nearly four times over drink-drive limit

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Milford Haven woman cut free from car on busy A4076 as court hears of alcohol dependency struggle

A MILFORD HAVEN motorist had to be cut free from her car after crashing while almost four times over the legal drink-drive limit, a court has heard.

Police were called to the A4076 between Milford Haven and Johnston on the afternoon of Monday (Mar 10) following reports of a single-vehicle collision involving a Mazda. Officers arrived to find Sarah Childe, 43, trapped inside the vehicle, wearing a dressing gown and pyjamas.

“She was trapped in the car and the ambulance and fire service had to cut her out,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

When spoken to by officers, Childe admitted she had consumed alcohol earlier that day. Breathalyser tests later carried out at the police station showed she had 127 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath—well above the legal limit of 35.

Childe, who is currently homeless but previously lived in Great North Road, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Probation officer Julie Norman told the court the offence was aggravated by the timing of the collision.

“The incident occurred at a busy time of day, when many motorists were on the road travelling home from work and school,” she said.

The court heard that Childe is alcohol dependent and believed she may still have had alcohol in her system from the previous day, in addition to wine consumed earlier on the day of the crash.

Defending, Tom Lloyd said his client urgently needed professional support.

“In the long and the short, this is a lady who desperately needs help,” he said. “She recognises she has a serious problem with alcohol and wants to address it. She is drinking far too much and now wishes to confront this head on.”

Magistrates were told Childe has no previous convictions.

She was disqualified from driving for 32 months and handed an 18-month Community Order. As part of the order, she must complete a 12-month alcohol treatment programme and carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days. She was also ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.

 

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