PEMBROKESHIRE council leader Cllr Jon Harvey, who announced he is to step down and not seek re-election, has backed Cabinet member Cllr Tessa Hodgson as his successor.

Pembroke St Mary North member Cllr Harvey became leader in May 2024 after narrowly beating fellow leadership hopeful Conservative group leader Di Clements by 30 votes to 27.

Cllr Harvey replaced Cllr David Simpson as leader.

Following his decision to step down, Cllr Harvey said: “It has been a fantastic two years, a real honour and privilege to lead the council, working with a talented and committed cabinet.

“After much thought and reflection, I feel now is the right time to make way for someone else to lead the council through the next 12 months to the local government elections in May 2027.”

With Cllr Harvey not remaining as leader, three nominations have been received for the all-women leadership battle at the May 15 AGM: Conservative Group Leader Cllr Di Clements, unaffiliated member and current Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Cllr Tessa Hodgson, and Leader of the Independent Group Cllr Anji Tinley.

Cllr Harvey has backed Cllr Hodgson for the top job.

He said: “We are living through turbulent times, and following the Senedd election next week, we will almost certainly have a new government in Cardiff, and we need leadership and a cabinet in Pembrokeshire, that has experience and is able to build on the great work already in progress, and that is why I will be 100 per cent supporting Tessa in her bid to become the next Leader.”

Cllr Hodgson was first elected in 2012 as the member for Lamphey and is currently the cabinet member for adult social care and safeguarding.

Cllr Anji Tinley (Image: Pembrokeshire County Council.)

Cllr Hodgson said: “I was sad to hear that Jon had decided not to seek re-election – he has much to be proud of and it has been great to serve in his cabinet and to work alongside him with such a dedicated team of cabinet colleagues.

“Should I be successful in my bid to be leader, I would look to build on the successes of the last nine years and use my experience, energy and ideas to lead the council through the next 12 months and to work collaboratively with all members in the best interests of Pembrokeshire.”

Fellow hopeful for the leader role, Cllr Clements gave her reasons why she should lead: “My Conservative Group are laser-focussed on making sure the people of Pembrokeshire get value for their money, delivering good statutory services and tackling the failure of leadership on education seen in Pembrokeshire.

Cllr Di Clements. (Image: Pembrokeshire County Council.)

“People I talk to are concerned about making ends meet and are worried that our local economy is stagnating.

“In these particularly challenging times, we need to make sure that our council tax is as low as practicably possible so they have more money in their pockets and prove to them that the council can spend their hard-earned money more wisely on services that really matter to the residents whom we serve.

“Resident’s priorities are our priorities.”

Leader Cllr Jon Harvey. (Image: Pembrokeshire County Council.)

Cllr Tinley has been contacted for a statement.

When Cllr Harvey’s decision became public, former leader of the Independent Group on Pembrokeshire County Council Cllr Huw Murphy, in a statement, claimed Cllr Havery has been removed in a “coup”.

Cllr Harvey has denied any ‘coup’ taking place, saying: “Honestly, I had to laugh at this statement by Cllr Murphy. I’ve enjoyed my time as Leader immensely and I am proud of my record, but I have done a full leadership term.

“The decision to stand down and not seek re-election was mine and mine alone and I’m looking forward to supporting Cllr Tessa Hodgson at the AGM.”

Council leader says Tessa Hodgson has the experience to guide Pembrokeshire through turbulent year

LEADER Cllr Jon Harvey has thrown his support behind Cllr Tessa Hodgson to succeed him, after confirming he will not seek re-election as leader of Pembrokeshire County Council.

Cllr Harvey, who has led the authority for the past two years and represents Pembroke St Mary North, said the decision had come after careful consideration and reflection.

He described his time in office as “a fantastic two years” and “a real honour and privilege”, praising the work of his cabinet and colleagues during what he called a challenging period.

“After much thought and reflection, I feel now is the right time to make way for someone else to lead the council through the next twelve months to the local government elections in May 2027,” he said.

Cllr Harvey pointed to the wider political landscape, with a Senedd election imminent, as a key factor in his decision.

“We are living through turbulent times, and following the Senedd election next week, we will almost certainly have a new government in Cardiff,” he said.

“We need leadership and a cabinet in Pembrokeshire that has experience and is able to build on the great work already in progress, and that is why I will be one hundred per cent supporting Tessa in her bid to become the next leader.”

Cllr Tessa Hodgson, who has represented Lamphey since 2012 and currently serves as cabinet member for adult social care and safeguarding, has confirmed she will stand for the leadership.

Responding to the endorsement, she paid tribute to Cllr Jon Harvey and his time in office.

“I was sad to hear that Jon had decided not to seek re-election – he has much to be proud of and it has been great to serve in his cabinet and to work alongside him with such a dedicated team of cabinet colleagues,” she said.

Setting out her intentions, Cllr Hodgson said she would aim to provide continuity while bringing her own approach to the role.

“Should I be successful in my bid to be leader, I would look to build on the successes of the last nine years and use my experience, energy and ideas to lead the council through the next twelve months and to work collaboratively with all members in the best interests of Pembrokeshire,” she said.

COUNCILLOR Huw Murphy has claimed Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet is “fractured” following Cllr Jon Harvey’s decision not to seek re-election as leader.

Cllr Murphy, a member of the Independent Group, said the decision confirmed what he claimed many councillors already believed — that the Cabinet “no longer retains the confidence of a majority of elected members”.

He alleged that attempts by some Cabinet members to replace Cllr Harvey were aimed at preserving their own Cabinet positions and the additional allowances attached to them.

Cllr Murphy said: “The motto of Pembrokeshire County Council is ‘Ex Unitate Vires’ — in unity, strength. It is abundantly clear there has been no unity or strength in Cabinet for some time.”

He added that removing the leader would not, in itself, resolve what he described as wider Cabinet failure.

Cllr Murphy thanked Cllr Harvey for his service over the past two years and wished him well for the future, but said councillors now had an opportunity to choose “real change” by electing Cllr Anji Tinley as the next leader.