Council backs cabinet option (From Western Telegraph)

Council backs cabinet option

Pembrokeshire County Council has endorsed its policy and resources committees recommendation to adopt the leader and cabinet option as its new way of operating from next May.

The vote was taken on Thursday at the full council meeting. Councillors discussed several draft outline proposals put forward by the director of support and cultural services.

The proposals include having ten members in the cabinet, who are appointed by the leader. It is also proposed to have collective decision-making.

Councillor Maurice Hughes, leader of the council, said ten members were necessary for the sheer amount of work involved.

But Councillor Joyce Watson, leader of the Labour Group, said ten members was unwieldy and not necessary.

Is it just jobs for the boys, she asked, adding that six members plus the leader would be more appropriate.

Councillor Watson also argued against collective decision-making, which she said would lead to the buck being passed again. It will be impossible to pin individuals down, she said, arguing for specific roles and responsibilities. Councillor Bill Philpin agreed that there should be six members and that members should have specific portfolios. Cross cutting would be too woolly, he said.

Councillor Watson put forward an amendment that there should be six members and leader. The amendment was defeated.

A further amendment put by Councillor John Cole proposed that the cabinet members should be elected by the full council, instead of the leader. He did not receive a seconder.