A mayor cleared of drug driving had the casting vote of confidence in himself during a heated meeting of a council ‘in crisis’ last night.

A special meeting of Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council was held on Tuesday night to discuss the resignation of Cllr Richard Grosvenor.

Mr Grosvenor announced his decision to step down in the wake of the arrest of mayor Mike Mayberry on suspicion of drug driving.

No charges were made and investigations against Cllr Mayberry were later dropped by the police.

Cllr Alex Allison said the council had no choice but to accept Mr Grosvenor’s resignation, adding that it stemmed from the cannabis allegation.

He said: “They said you were not over the limit, but that does not mean to say that you had not used it, and that’s a point of concern that I, and the community, and a number of councillors have.

“I also propose that we as a council no longer have faith in you as mayor and no confidence in you as mayor of Fishguard and Goodwick.”

Cllr Paul Stonhold pointed out that no charges were brought against the mayor.

He said: “He was not found guilty whatsoever, anything else is speculation.

“I have spoken to people in the town and they share my view on this.”

Cllr Janet Wyer said: “It’s been a very difficult time for everybody.

“My main concern is that we are all losing sight of what the town council should be doing. “At the moment I feel that the public has lost all respect for us.”

County councillor Pat Davies told the meeting that local residents were asking what was happening regarding the town council.

She said: “You have a responsibility to carry out your civil duties that you were appointed here to do. I’m afraid to say this is not happening.”

County councillor Gwilym Price said; “I am very, very reluctant and sad that I have to speak like this now. Everywhere in the county where I go it’s a joke what’s happening.

“I’m afraid it all comes back to you Mike. You are a good bunch of people, but I’m afraid it’s a joke.”

Cllr Paul Mason took issue with Cllr Price’s comments.

He said: “I live in Goodwick and no one has said this council is a joke.

“That’s the most insulting thing I have heard from your mouth.”

However, Cllr Dani O’Connor, who resigned later that evening, told the meeting she was ‘embarrassed’ to be part of the current council.

“I’m sorry, but I’ve had people coming to me saying the same. They do think we are a joke.

“The people of Fishguard and Goodwick are not happy with this council.”

Mayor Mike Mayberry stated he had been honest throughout.

He said: “I have been honest right from the start, from when those blue lights flashed in my wing mirror when I was stopped.”

He added that Cllr Grosvenor stated he was resigning because the mayor had ‘brought the council into disrepute’, but no investigation had been launched.

Cllr Mayberry told the meeting he had carried on with his mayoral duties and had received a lot of support from the community during this difficult time.

Cllr Wyer said: “The whole equilibrium of this council has been decimated. It’s in crisis and something has to be done about it.”

A vote of no confidence in the mayor was tied, with three for, three against and three abstentions.

Mayor Mayberry had the casting vote against the proposal, which then failed.

He said: “I do apologise to you if you had a negative response from he public, but it was a personal matter, I was not wearing the mayor’s chains at the time.”

He added: “I will finish by saying - I’m only human.”

Mayor Mayberry paid tribute to former mayor Richard Grosvenor’s eight years on the council, and councillors agreed to send a letter of thanks.

He said: “I want to thank him for his hard work and wish him all the best for the future.”

Town clerk Cath Banister, who has also stepped down from her post, was also praised for her work.