ON TUESDAY, April 18, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Independent Group – the largest opposition group – confirmed it had submitted a notice of no confidence in the local authority’s leader Cllr David Simpson.

The no-confidence motion arrived on the first anniversary of last May’s local elections.

Cllr Simpson has led the Council since 2017.

AUTHORITY’S FINANCES IN DISARRAY, SAYS JAMIE ADAMS

Cllr Jamie Adams, leader of the Independent Group and previous leader of the Council, said: “The people of Pembrokeshire deserve a change from the downward trajectory which Cllr Simpson has overseen for many years.

“Within the last few months, there has been a spate of issues with the administration running the authorities’ finances into disarray.

“There’s been a damming Audit Office Public Interest Report; overspends into the millions on the Haverfordwest Transport Interchange, Haverfordwest Quayside Haverfordwest Castle, and Pembroke’s South Quay; and the simple, yet costly, mistake of not ensuring rent increase letters are delivered on time.”

“All of this happened while the administration hiked residents’ Council Tax higher than necessary and now threatens to close much-needed public toilets, adding a disadvantage to our most vulnerable residents and harming our vital tourism economy,” Jamie Adams said.

FORMER LEADERS RULE THEMSELVES OUT

Cllr Adams said he would not be a candidate to replace Cllr Simpson if the no-confidence motion succeeded.

“The public voted many new councillors onto the Council in May 2022, signalling they want a change.

“I won’t seek re-election as leader of the Council, but I feel it is only right that the people of Pembrokeshire should not be burdened financially by this current Leadership’s failures.”

Cllr John Davies, a previous council leader and Independent Group member, added: “I will not seek re-election to lead the Council. However, I strongly feel that under Cllr Simpson’s leadership, much of Pembrokeshire has been left out in favour of large, unaffordable projects.

“Due to the significant challenges the authority now faces, the Council requires a strong, effective, and visible Leader at the helm”.

County Councillors must submit nominations for a new leader by May 2. If the no-confidence motion succeeds, a new leader will be selected in the May 12 council annual general meeting.

We will be updating this breaking story throughout the day.

For more reaction and analysis, see this Friday’s edition of Pembrokeshire Herald.

David Simpson responded strongly to the Independent Group’s statement.

He said: “I have been proud to lead an ambitious administration that has brought the Freeport bit to Pembrokeshire. 

“Over the administration term, I am also proud of the Marine Energy projects that we have actively encouraged and that will grow the County’s economy. “I am also proud that we have increased Budget engagement on an unparalleled scale and moved away from being dictated to on the day without scrutiny. A lot of what Cllr Adams says are failings are public due to more and better scrutiny, which this administration has encouraged. You certainly wouldn’t have seen that level of engagement when the “Independent Group” led the Council.

“We have brought democracy back into the Chamber and away from shabby deals done behind closed doors or from senior officers leading members by the nose, backed by the old and unaccountable IPG bloc vote.

“This administration can be proud that we have worked hard to sort out the finances left in a mess by the IPG. We’re rebuilding the services, creating the infrastructure, and regenerating Pembrokeshire’s economy; all of which the Independent Group neglected for twenty years and which they would jeopardise in the future.”

Calls for resignation: Cllr David Simpson