A NOTICE of motion aimed at improving working relationships at Pembrokeshire County Council could not progress today (Monday) due to a lack of trust between councillors and a further call for the council leader to stand down.

The motion, relating to member to member and member to officer relationships, had originally been submitted by Councillors David Lloyd, Bob Kilmister, Rob Lewis and David Howlett.

It came before the Corporate Governance Committee for consideration this morning.

The motion aimed to ensure the highest standards of probity and integrity in all workings in the authority, to observe the highest standards of respectful behaviour in all personal and public meetings, to establish positive internal working relationships, to enhance the working relationships of the authority with outside bodies, to raise the public reputation of the authority and to focus on addressing the challenges presented by austerity.

The recommendation was for the notice of motion to be approved, but Cllr Bob Kilmster said he and Cllr David Lloyd could not progress with it as they did not have any trust in the leader of the authority, Cllr Jamie Adams, or the motion’s co-signatory Cllr Rob Lewis, who was last week asked to stand down as the deputy leader during a cabinet reshuffle.

Cllr Kilmister said: “At the heart of this notice of motion was a strong desire to seek change and it had trust as a key component.

“I’ve said this to Jamie before, you should resign as leader so the authority can start to re-build trust. I am not trying to be personal, but both myself and Cllr Lloyd feel very strongly about this.”

Cllr Jamie Adams said: “It is with great regret that I feel I have to speak on this matter.

“There is some information which is not available to Cllr Kilmister at present and I would be happy to have a conversation with him.”

Cllr Kilmster welcomed the opportunity.