Conduct complaints: Jamie Adams

THE CONDUCT of Council Leader Jamie Adams during debates has again been the subject of complaints by members of the public.

In its report of the meeting held on January 29, The Herald reported how one outraged parent in the public gallery said: “If a pupil behaved like that it would be seen as disruptive behaviour. What sort of message does head-shaking, smirking and sighing theatrically when someone says something you disagree with, give kids about the appropriate way to behave?”

It seems as though Cllr Adams remains incapable of controlling himself when views contrary to his own are expressed. In a letter to Council Chair Tom Richards, Millie Thomas, Deputy Head Girl of Tasker-Milward School relates how she, too, witnessed Jamie Adams’ shenanigans during the debate held on Tuesday April 14, where the council debated Cllr Paul Miller’s motion to cease the ongoing controversial consultation on post 16 education.

The letter states that: “As a member of the Sixth Form in Tasker-Milward I was very disappointed to see the behaviour of several members in the meeting.”

Drawing attention to the conduct of Cllr Sue Perkins, Millie addresses Cllr Perkins’ claim made in the Chamber that she ‘listened to all of the other councillors when they spoke’.

The letter goes on to say, “Cllr Perkins did listen to all of the councillors: unfortunately manners truly are not Cllr Perkin’s strong point. Throughout everybody speaking in favour of the motion Cllr Perkins sat there whilst shaking her head continuously. Now, as a 17 year old student, if I know that is disrespectful I believe she should understand that too. Cllr Perkins is obviously heavily involved in the changes in education and I find it very disrespectful in the way she presented herself that day.”

Highlighting the conduct of both Cllr Perkins and Jamie Adams, as people spoke about their feelings on the motion, Millie states: “(They) were fairly far away from one another in the chamber, leaning back far in their chairs to pull faces at one another about what other Councillors were saying. I’m not completely sure what they were shouting at each other because I was far away, but obviously it was negative and again disrespectful.”

Noting that some councillors appeared more equal than others, the Deputy Head Girl’s letter goes on to note that the cut off time for five minutes was disregarded for some councillors but not for others. Addressing Cllr Richards directly, she writes: “As Chair of the council I believe it is up to you to not seem biased towards some more than others. Cllr Jamie Adams and Cllr Susan Perkins spoke a lot more than others and this is not fair. I think their behaviour needs to be addressed, manners cost nothing and they need to be respectful like everyone listening to their opinions. They acted very immaturely and disrespectfully and I hope that in the future this is addressed in the chamber, in County Hall.”

Millie concludes by saying: “I do hope their behaviour is acted on or addressed.”

The Herald invited Cllrs Richards, Perkins and Adams to respond to Millie Thomas’ letter.

A council spokesperson told us: “Council Chairman Cllr Tom Richards has been away. He will be responding by letter to Millie as soon as his schedule allows.”

Cllr Jamie Adams responded to Millie, saying: “Thank you for copying me in to your email to Cllr Richards.

“I am disappointed by your comments and will review the webcast to reflect upon my demeanour at the meeting. As for timing, again I will review the matter in the same way and form a view on the time allocated to myself and others. I would just add that the Council Chamber is a dynamic environment as you’ve witnessed where strength of opinion and emotion can often be reflected in many ways. The viewing gallery does not give you a panoramic view of the expressions and gestures of all members. Thank you again for expressing your views.”

Cllr Sue Perkins told us: “I haven’t had any direct contact from Millie, but I’m more than happy to respond personally to her on any of the points she has raised if she’d like to get in touch with me directly. I’m very glad that she and so many other young people in Pembrokeshire are participating in the consultation and look forward to receiving as many views as possible before the process ends on May 5.”