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.”

PEMBROKESHIRE County Council leader of seven years David Simpson, who officially stepped down today, has been praised for leading the county with “skill, dignity and openness.”

Cllr Simpson, leader since May 2017, recently announced he would not seek re-election as Leader of the Council at the Annual General Meeting, held today, May 10.

Following a two-way battle for the top job Cllr Jon Harvey narrowly beat Cllr Di Clements to become the new leader.

Lampeter Velfrey councillor Cllr Simpson became leader in 2017, after leaving the-then ruling IPPG group after losing confidence in the way cabinet was being run by Cllr Jamie Adams, the leader at the time.

Speaking at today’s May 10 annual meeting of the council, Cllr Simpson said: “Being leader of Pembrokeshire County Council has been the honour of a lifetime; over seven years I’ve been lucky to have so many people committed to making Pembrokeshire a better place to work and live.

“I’ve come to accept that being leader means you have to make decisions that are not always popular. I’ve always tried to make decisions that are right for the long term not short-term headlines.”

Cllr Simpson said the Pandemic was “without doubt the biggest challenge faced by this authority and Pembrokeshire”.

“We built a 120-bed hospital in just three weeks and there’s now a permanent memorial [at County Hall] for those who sadly lost their lives to Covid and those who still suffer today, and those who went over and above to keep us safe. I’m so proud this memorial will stand at County Hall for those who did so much.”

He added: “We do not always see eye-to-eye but that is the way of politics; I do believe everyone does the best for the people of Pembrokeshire; I encourage everyone to get around the table and work together. We’re a small county but we punch well above our weight.

“The biggest thank you is to my wife and family, this job takes up such a large part of your life; in this era you’re never really off duty. Now it’s time to go to the back benches, thank you very much for your support.”

Councillor Pat Davies described Cllr Simpson as “hands-on, honourable, loyal and inclusive,” adding: “You led us through the Pandemic, you kept us safe.”

Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller said: “It was a privilege to serve under David.

“We, as an administration, have been able to achieve what we’ve achieved in no small part because of what David Simpson achieved, it’s a testament to David Simpson’s skill that the last seven years have been the success that they have.

“David Simpson has been dedicated to his role, and there’s no greater testament to that than working through the pandemic; he had been in the office 8-8 every single day of that pandemic to ensure the county could run.”

New leader Cllr Jon Harvey said of Cllr Simpson: “The council is a much-changed organisation under David’s outstanding leadership, and for the better I may add.

“I’m sure that when David took on the role of leader he could not have imagined we would have been faced with a global pandemic, war in Ukraine and military conflict in Palestine, let along significant cuts in public funding.

“But throughout he has led the authority with skill, dignity and openness. Thank you for all that you have done and your outstanding service and unwavering dedication to the role.

“Have a rest now David and enjoy some well-earned time with your family; on your narrow boat and fishing in Scotland.”