A CABINET member who represented Powys County Council, (PCC) on the Welsh Local Government Association’s (WLGA) council for the last couple of years, has lost his seat.

PCC had a vote at its annual meeting to decide who would represent the authority at the body that represents all 22 county councils in Wales.

Cllr Stephen Hayes, portfolio holder for adults services (Independent – Montgomery) has been representing PCC at the WLGA Council for the last couple of years.

His place will now be taken by Labour group leader, Cllr Matthew Dorrance (Brecon St John).

Councillors were told to re-nominate the current trio, Cllr Rosemarie Harris, Aled Davies and Stephen Hayes.

This was queried by Liberal Democrat leader,  Cllr James Gibson-Watt (Glasbury) .

Earlier, councillors had been told to make their own nominations.

And following a vote in favour of nominations from the floor by 33 votes to 22, members went back to picking their three nominations

In total a dozen members were nominated.

But before a vote took place, four councillors, James Gibson-Watt, Mark Barnes (Conservative – Newtown Llanllwchaiarn West), Elwyn Vaughan (Plaid Cymru – Glantwymyn) and John Morris (Liberal Democrat – Crickhowell)  all withdrew from the contest.

This left Cllrs Harris, Davies and Hayes facing fellow cabinet member, James Evans (Conservative – Gwernyfed) and Cllrs Matthew Dorrance, Roger Williams  (Liberal Democrat – Felinfach) Jackie Charlton (Liberal Democrat – Llangattock)  and Karen Laurie-Parry (Independent – Bronllys).

The votes were counted and the result was announced:

  • Cllr Aled Davies, received 39 votes
  • Cllr Rosemarie Harris, 38 votes
  • Cllr Matthew Dorrance, 27 votes

Cllr Harris was also voted to continue as PCC’s representative on the WLGA executive board.

Cllr Harris, said: “Thank you for re-electing me and Cllr Aled, and I look forward to working with Cllr Matthew.

“I would like to thank Cllr Stephen for representing us over the last two years.

“It’s very important that we’re a strong voice in the WLGA.

“We’re the most rural authority and we always put the case for the cost of providing services in rural areas.

“It’s important that we do that as others from other areas put the case for deprivation, so it’s important we have our voice there.”