Mayor criticised for wearing chains to pub (From Western Telegraph)
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Milford Haven mayor criticised for wearing chains to pub
9:38am Friday 3rd August 2012 in Milford Haven
THE Milford Haven mayor’s decision to wear his mayoral chains during a visit to a pub and nightclub has been publicly criticised by fellow members of the town council who branded it “inappropriate”.
Themayor, Councillor Guy Woodham, wore the chains to visit the Haven Hotel and Circles nightclub last month.
Three times mayor of the town, Cllr Eric Harries, said mayors have previously awaited an invitation before officially attending any event or occasion, adding: “I would respectfully suggest avoiding changing this procedure. I personally believe it is far more appropriate for an invitation to be given to the clerk who then passes it on to you.”
Cllr Woodham admitted that not all the engagements he had attended in July were by official invite but said he would not change his approach.
“I stated in my inauguration speech that I would take every opportunity to wear the mayoral chain to as many different places and locations as possible within the town.
“I made this statement in the belief that the mayor should be visible, accessible and prepared to speak and listen to all members of the community.”
Referring to his visit to the Haven Hotel, Cllr Tony Eden said his main concern was the specific place Cllr Woodham attended.
“Are you aware this premises has previously had its licence revoked and is still being closely monitored by police?” he asked.
Cllr Eden said it was “inappropriate”, stating the mayor’s visit was “certainly not representing me” by visiting this establishment.
Cllr John Cole said Cllr Woodham’s intentions were ‘laudable’ but urged him to take time to reflect, adding: “There are certain places I personally would be reluctant to attend on my own.”
Cllr John Roberts said: “You weren’t there officially; what about the insurance of the chain? What if someone had grabbed the chain?”
Cllr Woodham said he was disappointed to hear the suggestion that there were ‘no go’ areas in the town.
“It is very disappointing to hear some fellow councillors raise publicly the question of the appropriateness of the mayoral chain being worn in ‘no go areas’ of the town.”
“I would like to make it very clear that I do not accept that there are any such areas or venues within Milford.
“By going out to different places in the town, I am able to engage with people who would not necessarily meet the mayor in any other way.
This gives them an opportunity to express their views and concerns which helps me understand their priorities. I am here to serve the whole community of Milford Haven and wish to promote the town and council in a positive way.
I believe you can only achieve this by engaging openly with everyone.”
❏ What do you think? Post your comments below.
Comments(33)
R Butland
says...
1:27pm Fri 3 Aug 12
The Mayors postion should not be seen as a social status but more of a social symbol, by entering places that are percieved as 'not appropriate' is breaking down social bounderies and treating people as equal, regardless of where they choose to socialise.
Its been said on countless occasions that younger generations abstaine from voting, this might have a lot to do with the fact that they feel that they are looked down on by there elders or people in a status such as Mayor/Town Councillors?
By Cllr Woodham standing firm in what he said in his inauguration speech not only builds the trust of the people of the town he represents, but also paves the way for the young/middle aged/elderly people of Milford to have a voice, regardless of gender/race/sexualit
y/employment status or social standing.
Cllr Woodham is approachable and shows an awareness of social diversity that is in Milford Haven, and by entering all places regardless of percieved social status seeks to re-enforce that he is forfilling his elected role to represent Milford as a whole, not just visiting the good places on invitation only, but visiting the whole of Milford for everything that it is, to seek understanding of what the people he represents, aspire to achieve within and from their town.
As for the insurance issues
surrounding the chain, thieves liars cheats etc... are in all elements of society, not just found in place such as the Haven Hotel or Circles nightclub!
The Councellors presenting these disputes publicly may need to remember who the people chose to elect as their mayor, and whilst everyone is entiled and encouraged to have their opinion, they may need to sit back and think about what their social 'status' as well as what they say represents to all the people in Milford Haven, which I believe the Cllr Woodham has already achieved.
I would not hesitate to approach the Cllr Woodham especially after recent events, he shows a grace and acceptance that maybe we all should adopt. Well done Cllr Woodham! Keep up the good work!
hakinboy
says...
4:38pm Fri 3 Aug 12
alicat1922
says...
5:50pm Fri 3 Aug 12
welshpapapump
says...
6:57pm Fri 3 Aug 12
ladyavalon
says...
10:51pm Fri 3 Aug 12
Suzanne Radford-Smith
Mayor of Narberth
jonnyboyo
says...
11:57pm Fri 3 Aug 12
What I find far more troubling is Cllr Woodham's quite evident lack of regard for a Town Council process - he should only wear the chain to official engagements he is invited to and logged with the Clerk. Secondly, he seems to have decided that this chain is his - wrong, it belongs to the town and when he wears it he represents us! I certainly don't want him representing me in Circles or the Haven!
Cllr Woodham needs to stop worrying about his political career which he seems to be carving out whilst using Milford as a way of getting to higher places (Ask him how much he gets paid as a County Cllr including SRA's?, it's a lot for someone who acts so humble and inexperienced.) as we are getting so sick of seeing his face, name and opinion in the mercury every time we open it! He may be approachable and dedicated but he's shrewd and knows what he wants and will step on anyone to get there.
jonnyboyo
says...
11:59pm Fri 3 Aug 12
jonnyboyo
says...
12:06am Sat 4 Aug 12
Tina2
says...
8:11am Sat 4 Aug 12
Fordman.
says...
9:17am Sat 4 Aug 12
I too have seen Mr Woodham and his consort in the paper nearly every week however I have not seen many others from the council in there. So my question would be as some of these events were town run, festivities week for one, where were the other councilors. Surely if all they do is attend meetings in the town hall and do not turn up to town functions they are only doing for their benefit.
I am lead to believe that town councilors are all volunteers so taking his pay from county council has nothing to do with him being Mayor. I also believe he is the General Manager of the Torch. So should he not be applauded for holding done a full time job, being involved in many other organisation in the town, being a county coucillor and a town councillor and our Mayor.
I will finish by asking where in the article does it state Cllr Cole using the words " no go areas" or are you telling us it was him that stated that?
Fordman.
says...
9:25am Sat 4 Aug 12
jonnyboyo
says...
12:58pm Sat 4 Aug 12
warby1954
says...
8:10pm Sat 4 Aug 12
Latitude Milford Marina
says...
10:22pm Sat 4 Aug 12
You represent the people of Milford Haven and you do so admirably.
Ask many young people what they believe the role of Mayor is and I am sure that not many would be able to tell you.
But by being invol
ved with the community, in all walks of life, as you do, shows that the position has a purpose, rather than just a meal ticket to Civic ‘bun fights’.
Rather than avoiding so called ‘no go areas’ but actually going there, meeting people and making people aware of who you are and what your role is, builds a community rather than divides it.
Thumbs up from us!
kevfromle
says...
12:18pm Sun 5 Aug 12
danieljamesblyth
says...
2:52pm Sun 5 Aug 12
I think the point here is that the older members of the town council have spent too long - and have become too comfortable - hidden within the town hall. They do things the way they want to, not the way the town wants to.
I think that this article proves that these older councillors are afraid that their townsfolk will finally realise how useless and counterproductive the 'old council' has become.
Cllr Woodham's break with tradition is just what the town council needed. He seems genuinely interested in the town and it's needs, unlike the members who have so graciously commented in the above article.
Maybe it is time for the people of Milford Haven to realise that their Town Council is in dire need of a facelift!
Tttoommy
says...
5:07pm Sun 5 Aug 12
Andrew Lye
says...
8:51am Mon 6 Aug 12
I was paranoid, I guess, as everyone knows you have the chain of office, so I feared my house could be burgled and the embarrasment if it happened.
That said, every Mayor does the role DIFFERENTLY and he has not brought the role into disrepute as he is making himself approachable within his own town. I cannot remember being given any advice on the insurance policy for the chain, ie, the do's and don'ts. Though when I went on a twinning trip to our German twin town, I made sure I carried a letter of authority from the Town Clerk as to why I was carrying the chain. This was in case I was stopped at the borders and asked to explain why I was carrying a chain worth a few thousand quid.
The Mayor's job is to get out and about and his critics are coming across as rather stuffy and maybe they are the ones out of touch as not all appointments are "booked" through the Town Clerk as some organisations phone you up directly to invite you to an event.
Does Milford Haven actually have a job description for the Mayor, listing the do's and dont's and what is expected? If not, I guess the benefit of the doubt must go with Mayor Woodham. At least he was out and about in his own town.
I do remember the Mayoral Chain for Warminster (Wiltshire) was stolen about 20 years ago, though it was thankfully recovered a few weeks later, so being a Mayor isn't as easy as some might think.
OldeGrumpee
says...
2:17pm Mon 6 Aug 12
I have been to several events in recent months where Guy Woodham was also a guest, along with his "consort". As far as I am aware, only on one occasion was he actually there in his capacity as Milford Mayor. That did not stop him from being at the other events wearing his chain and swanning around like he's some sort of Milford Haven saviour.
The bottom line is, Town Councillors have no power to change the town at all, all they do is make representation to the County Council and part of the reason that Milford and the surrounding wards have become so run down is that their county council representatives have been steadfast in their refusal to join John Davies/Jonny Allen-Mirehouse & Jamie Adams in their IPG.
As a Labour representative Guy Woodham has zero chance of making any improvement to the quality of life in Milford Haven and I believe he is the type of character who just basks in what he perceives as some sort of glory role in being the Mayor.
The messages of support are not random, he has asked his friends on Facebook to rally round and post these comments. The vast majority of people I have spoken to find him a most peculiar sort and turning up in his Mayoral fancy dress with his consort in tow at events where he has not been invited in his capacity as Mayor has left a lot of people quite bemused and likened to some sort of circus show by one elderly Milford gentleman.
At the end of the day, he can get out and about and meet people as much as he likes, he doesn't need to be wearing his chain in order to listen to the people of the town, it's a massive show of EGOMANIA.
Also, just to comment on the comment from Andrew Lye "so being a Mayor isn't as easy as some might thin"......
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
Tttoommy
says...
4:43pm Mon 6 Aug 12
jonnyboyo
says...
6:09pm Mon 6 Aug 12
guywoodham
says...
9:02pm Mon 6 Aug 12
Cllr Guy Woodham
Fordman.
says...
11:14pm Mon 6 Aug 12
e. Most of the current councillors were not voted on by Milford People (fact). They are there to represent the people in their ward (fact). Out of the 18 councillors I personally would only recognise seven in a line up ( fact). Where are the "old guard" at the official function then that have been approved and supported by the council? Looking up on the balcony at the carnival I did not see all 18 councillors. I did not see Cllr Cole or Cllr Roberts or perhaps that's another one of "the no go areas"
Can you also tell me as you state in your words if they have no power and they are there only as representation and I quote " the reason why Milford and surrounding wards have become so run down" why do we have a council?
It's clear that the old guard have not been doing a good job so far to let Milford get this bad ( your indication).
I can honestly say if the Mayor was not wearing his/her chain I would not know him/her in a crowd or if they were walking down a street.
jonnyboyo
says...
11:41pm Mon 6 Aug 12
Fordman.
says...
7:45am Tue 7 Aug 12
Fordman.
says...
7:45am Tue 7 Aug 12
jonnyboyo
says...
7:46pm Tue 7 Aug 12
guywoodham
says...
7:50pm Tue 7 Aug 12
As a County Councillor on the Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Authority I believe I may also receive an annual allowance of approximately £1,129 per annum before tax from them.
While generous amounts these fall far short of the £24,000 you estimate. All Councillors allowances and expenses are published shortly after the end of each financial year and are therefore rightly available for public scrutiny.
guywoodham
says...
7:58pm Tue 7 Aug 12
jonnyboyo
says...
9:32pm Tue 7 Aug 12
danieljamesblyth
says...
5:51pm Wed 8 Aug 12
danieljamesblyth
says...
5:52pm Wed 8 Aug 12
martinhadley says...
12:39pm Fri 3 Aug 12