BY just one vote, Plaid Cymru’s leader, Cllr Elwyn Vaughan was elected as chairman of Powys County Council’s (PCC) democratic services scrutiny committee.

At Thursday’s (May 16)  annual meeting, councillors were choosing who would chair the main scrutiny meetings and all others.

The position on the democratic services committee became vacant as Cllr Mathew Dorrance, (Labour – Brecon St John) has moved to take over the helm at the economy, residents, communities and governance scrutiny committee.

This follows a shake up earlier this year which saw an new scrutiny committee added to the two main ones to beef up the process.

At the annual meeting, Cllr Vaughan faced an election against Cllr Sarah Williams, (Labour – Aber-craf) for the position.

Cllr Vaughan received 34 votes and Cllr Williams 33.

PCC chair, Cllr Beverley Baynham when announcing the results added that there was one spoiled vote with a question mark on it.

Cllr Gary Price (Non-Aligned – Llandrindod North), said: “The guidance is very clear that the nomination of the chair of democratic services cannot be a member of the executive group.

“I know Cllr Elwyn is not a member of the executive, but the nomination for his position has been given by the Conservative Group which belongs to the Executive.

“Therefore in my opinion, Cllr Elwyn should not have been put forward.”

Cllr Price asked for PCC’s monitoring officer, Clive Pinney for guidance on the matter.

Mr Pinney, said: “You are quite right Cllr Gary, the chair cannot be a member of the executive group.

“But that does not mean that the person cannot be nominated by that group.

“In these circumstances it was appropriate.”

Earlier a unanimous vote confirmed:

  • Cllr Gwilym William (Conservative – Trecoed and Disserth) as chair of the health and care scrutiny committee.
  • Cllr Peter Roberts (Liberal Democrat – Llandrindod South) as chair of the learning and skills scrutiny committee.
  • Cllr Mathew Dorrance (Labour – Brecon St John)  as chair the  economy, residents, communities and governance scrutiny committee.

Following the annual meeting in the afternoon:

  • At a meeting of the audit committee Cllr John Morris (Liberal Democrat – Crickhowell) was re-elected as chair of the audit committee.
  • Cllr Karl Lewis (Conservative – Llandinam) was also re-elected chairman of the planning, taxi licensing and rights of way committee.