Council clashes over choice of mayor (From Western Telegraph)

Council clashes over choice of mayor

A Tenby town councillor hoping to be the town's next mayor has hit opposition within the ranks.

Cllr Sue Lane's previous term of office four years ago was soured by controversy within the council over the handling of a staffing disciplinary matter.

Since then, she has been absent from a number of council meetings - a fact commented on by deputy mayor Councillor Christine Brown at last Tuesday night's meeting.

Councillor Lane (pictured) - who currently serves as mayoress - was the only member coming forward to be the next mayor, and was chosen as mayor-elect by a majority vote. However Councillor Brown commented: "A councillor has to put some time and effort into what they do, and I feel that, because of her non-attendance at meetings, Councillor Lane should not be mayor-elect."

She referred to her 'poor record' of only coming to nine meetings out of 31 and said that to show support to her colleague would be 'letting the town down'.

She was joined by Councillor Maureen Ward and Councillor Andrew Rees in not backing Councillor Lane's election.

The mayor-elect retorted that she had not come to the meeting for 'a slanging match', admitting she found it difficult to sit around the table knowing that several councillors were against her.

However, she said she now felt the time was right for her to become mayor again. "I have always been honest and had great integrity, and I have a great passion for the town," she stated.

She called for the council to be united and not split, and this was echoed by Councillor Mickey Folland and the mayor, Councillor Caroline Thomas.

Councillor Sue Lane will take office as the next mayor of Tenby, on June 25th, providing she retains her seat on the town council at the election just over a fortnight before. Tenby Town Council has drawn up a contingency option for an urgent meeting on June 14th, if the need arises to nominate a new mayor.

Before last week's meeting, five councillors signed a notice of motion to rescind a minute agreeing to elect a mayor before the election. They were Councillors Christine Brown, Maureen Ward, Andrew Rees, Phil Crockford and Paul Rapi.