A Powys Council cabinet member has apologised after dropping "the f-bomb" in the midst of a council meeting.

Finance portfolio holder, deputy leader and Conservative group leader Cllr Aled Davies was heard to mutter "oh, **** sake" during a debate on council borrowing on Friday, March 19.

The Llanrhaedr and Llansilin councillor was in a meeting of the full council, during a debate on changes to policy which are intended to alleviate the cost of borrowing by the council by extending it over a longer period of time.

But when Llandrindod South Liberal Democrat Peter Roberts proposed an amendment to the plans – which have already been agreed by the council's cabinet – councillors were left with no doubt about Cllr Davies' views on the matter.

Cllr Roberts proposed an amendment that annual reviews of capital projects are brought before the full council within a year, the meeting then heard somebody mutter the four-letter language – and Cllr Davies was quickly identified as the culprit – and was then forced into an apology.

Cllr Roberts replied: “Aled I take offence at that, I wish for an apology immediately, it’s inappropriate.”

Cllr Davies then said: “Apologies Peter.”

Cllr Gwynfor Thomas (Llansantffraid – Conservative) then asked him to apologise again.

Cllr Davies, added: “I sincerely apologise, I’m very sorry for my comments.”

Cllr Roberts accepted the apology.

The issue of borrowing heard from the independent chairman of the finance panel, who described how borrowing, when extended over a 50-year period, could lessen in value because of inflation.

He told councillors that he had worked out that under this method: £1 million borrowed now, would mean a repayment over 10 years time at three per cent inflation, would be worth £744,000 in 2021 terms.

And that over 50 years, it dropped to £228,000.

Mr Brautigam pointed out that provision would still need to be made in the budget to allow for the debt repayment, and advised that “thorough appraisal of projects” must be carried out.

Cllr Davies assured councillors that thorough business cases are needed to justify every building project.

Cllr Davies said: “I’ve made a commitment to keep the capital programme under constant review, we need to makes sure it’s affordable.

“On my watch I will not allow anything unaffordable go through and put the council’s finances at risk.”

Questions were also raised whether the changes would help push more money towards front line services?

The changes were approved with 52 councillors voting for and 14 against.