A CALL to prevent a return to “the dark days” of Pembrokeshire’s previous administration drew the ire of one of its members, with talk of the “dark days” of Tony Blair and the Iraq war raised in County Hall.

In a submitted question before Pembrokeshire County Council at its May meeting, Councillor Maureen Bowen had asked: “Under the previous Independent Political Group Administration the Pembroke Dock Commercial Property Grant Scheme was defrauded in a way the report to last council described as ‘extremely unsophisticated and simplistic’ not only did the Independent Political Group Administration defend the scheme, they actually took to their feet in the council chamber to attack those highlighting shortcomings in the scheme.

“Later in the report the author also states: ‘the evidence is staggering and shows utter incompetence bordering on complicity’.

“Does the Leader agree with me that it’s every members’ duty to prevent any return to the dark days of Independent Political Group control of Pembrokeshire Council?”

Cllr Bowen’s quest drew the anger of Independent group member Cllr Alan Dennison, who called -through a point order – for the question to be struck out, describing it as “another pointless point-scoring exercise”.

“It was subject of extensive inquiries to include a police investigation which concluded with CPS advice of no further action, my understanding is there was no loss to the public purse.

“Cllr Bowen, like myself, and most members of the chamber were not elected county councillors when this matter occurred, and to suggest that I, and other councillors elected since, are culpable for the pat is akin to me accusing Kier Starmer as being as equally culpable as Tony Blair for taking Britain to war against Saddam Hussain for weapons of mass destruction, and voting Labour at the next general election will return us to the dark Labour days.

“I hope the presiding member will agree that questions such as this are frivolous and vexatious and distract us from getting down to the business we are elected for.”

Presiding member Cllr Simon Hancock said: “We have refused questions in the past, this didn’t come to the bar.”

Answering the question, the-then leader Cllr David Simpson, who had previously announced he was to step down, said: “The point that she [Cllr Bowen] makes has been made in tabling the question.

“The issues relating to the grant scheme reflected extremely poorly on the council, there can be no doubt about that. In this administration we have been open to the truth and learning the lesson to be sure it never happens again.”

More than a decade ago Hakin county councillor Cllr Mike Stoddart uncovered irregularities in a council-administered Commercial Property Grant Scheme (CPGS) in Pembroke and Pembroke Dock, funded by the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO).

Irregular payments of around £60,000 were found to have been made to a developer – in respect of properties on Dimond Street and Meyrick Street – who offered to pay back a total of £180,000 having received payments for other projects.

The council had to repay £309,000 to WEFO and take steps to rewrite the CPGS procedure manual to close loopholes in order to minimise the opportunities for fraud stated Cllr Stoddart.

After much fighting – and facing false accusations from fellow councillors of lying – Cllr Stoddart’s evidence was reported to police following a formal review in 2014.

In 2019 the Crown Prosecution Service said there would be no charges following the five-year investigation.

Pembrokeshire’s presiding member has been re-elected to the role, saying it is “a huge honour that means more to me than I can express.”

Pembrokeshire County Council meetings have been chaired by a presiding member since 2020, first Cllr Pat Davies and currently Cllr Simon Hancock.

The position replaces a role previously occupied by chair of the council, the role of council chairman now taking on more of a civic function, occupied by Cllr Tom Tudor until today, May 10, with Cllr Steve Alderman now taking the role.

Speaking at the May 10 annual meeting of the council, Cllr Hancock said: “Can I thank all of the members most sincerely for your faith in me; I’ve been chairing these meetings for the best part of five years, a huge honour that means more to me than I can express.

“I will do my very best to ensure our business is conducted in a fair way, and do the very best I can.”

Cllr Hancock had been proposed by deputy leader Cllr Paul Miller, seconded by Cllr Pat Davies.

Last year, full council saw heated debate on the subject of a presiding member, with claims there was an “opportunistic political move” to remove the post.

At that meeting, members were asked to consider options for a financial allowance for the presiding member, but a sticking point emerged, giving the option to remove the role, the council chairman taking the position back; which sparked much debate on the legitimacy of including it.

An amendment, to the recommendation to support remuneration of the role, was put forward by Councillor Jamie Adams – leader of the previous council administration – to delete the role of presiding member from the next election, reverting to the previous chairman role.

However, Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller said the proposal by Cllr Adams was “an entirely opportunistic political move” to oust Cllr Hancock.

During a heated meeting, which attracted the ire of Councillor Alan Dennison and Councillor Aled Thomas – Cllr Miller said some previous elected chairs were ‘patsies’ elected by the-then ruling independent political group, under the leadership of Cllr Adams.

Following that meeting, the matter was discussed at the council’s Constitutional Review Committee of October 31, stating it had “absolute opposition” to abolishing the post.

A later council meeting voted against any remuneration for the post.

PEMBROKESHIRE’S new council leader Jon Harvey has promised to bring “compassion and transparency” and a willingness to work with other political groups after a narrow election victory in County Hall today, May 10.

Pembroke St Mary North member Cllr Harvey beat fellow leadership hopeful Conservative group leader Di Clements by 30 votes to 27, at today’s annual council meeting, following former leader David Simpson announcing he was to step down after seven years in the top job.

Cllr Clements had been nominated by Cllr Rhys Jordan, who said the member for Martletwy and chair of Pembrokeshire Cost National Park would serve as “a beacon of fairness in the chamber,” adding: “Her approach is not only about being fair but being accessible”.

He added: “Di’s vision for our future is clear, a council that works effectively for all of our residents.

“Since the inception of this council leadership has been predominantly male; as Margaret Thatcher once said: ‘If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman. The time has come for a change, leadership that not only listens but works, a new era for Pembrokeshire under the capable and dynamic leadership of Di.”

Proposing who has served as Cabinet Member for Planning & Housing Delivery Cllr Harvey, former leader Cllr David Simpson said: “Jon has been a man that has proved himself since being elected in 2019; in Cabinet he’s proven to be a man of honesty and integrity, he understands the working of local government, he’s been in it the best part of all his working life [serving as a town planner].”

He said Cllr Harvey, who once managed an Indie rock band, “had proved himself an excellent team worker” during his five years in Cabinet, adding: “I really believe he’d also be an excellent team leader.”

After a secret ballot which saw 30 votes for Cllr Harvey to 27 for Cllr Clements, with two abstentions, Cllr Harvey signed his oath of acceptance as the new leader, paying tribute to his fellow leadership hopeful Cllr Clements, saying “having more than one candidate is good for democracy.”

He also paid tribute to Cllr Simpson’s leadership of the last seven years, saying: “The council is a much-changed organisation, and for the better I might add,” describing Cllr Simpson’s leadership as being run with “skill, dignity and openness”.

He finished: “I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running.”

Cllr Clements said: “Whilst the outcome was not what we hoped for the democratic process is the cornerstone of everything we do. Jon, I wish you and the Cabinet that you chose the very best in your roles.”

Cllr Harvey has said he would announce his new Cabinet next week, adding the role of deputy leader, would remain Cllr Paul Miller.

He said the responsibility of taking the role of leader was “not one I take lightly,” saying he would bring “compassion, transparency, and integrity.”

He said there was a need for the political groups to work together for the good of Pembrokeshire.

“If we work together for a common purpose and common goals, we can make a real difference for the residents we serve.

“Let’s work together; neither I nor the Cabinet have a monopoly on good ideas, speak to us. To this end I look forward to meeting with all the political groups on a regular basis.”