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Powys council leader David Jones loses no confidence vote | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The leader of Powys council has been ousted from his post after a vote of no confidence at a special meeting in Llandrindod Wells. | |
David Jones was toppled from his job as council leader by 40 votes to 32 by councillors on Friday. | |
Members have chosen former council chairman Barry Thomas as his successor. | |
The political unrest is set against a background of the authority looking to make £20m savings in its budget for the next financial year. | The political unrest is set against a background of the authority looking to make £20m savings in its budget for the next financial year. |
It is believed to be the first time a Welsh council leader has lost a vote of no confidence in their leadership. | |
Mr Jones, leader for 19 months was ousted after he failed to get the support of a majority of the 73 councillors. | |
A plan to form a new ruling coalition of independents had ended with him axing three cabinet members who opposed it. | |
Traditionally, the majority of Powys council candidates stand as independents and those elected come together after polling day to form groupings and an administration. | Traditionally, the majority of Powys council candidates stand as independents and those elected come together after polling day to form groupings and an administration. |
Friday's extraordinary meeting followed a motion of no confidence put forward by members who had split from the ruling group. | |
Members of the new Independent Group (IG) claimed Mr Jones no longer has a mandate to lead the council. | |
Three candidates were put forward to succeed him: Myfanwy Alexander, Tony Thomas and Barry Thomas. | |
Former cabinet member and council chairman, Barry Thomas, is a member of the Non-political group. | |
Ms Alexander was one of the three cabinet members sacked from his cabinet by Mr Jones in November. | |
She launched the vote of no confidence in the former leader alongside her group's leader Graham Brown. | |
Tony Thomas, who also stood, was David Jones' cabinet deputy leader and leads Powys Independent Alliance. | |
Mr Jones axed Ms Alexander, Mr Brown and Garry Banks from his cabinet on 26 November. | |
He defended the sackings by saying a stronger and united authority to tackle budget pressures was needed. | He defended the sackings by saying a stronger and united authority to tackle budget pressures was needed. |
Service cuts | Service cuts |
The three councillors were from the group he previously led, the Shire Independent Group. They defected with others to form the Independent Group led by Graham Brown. | |
Mr Brown and fellow IG member, Myfanwy Alexander, launched the no confidence motion in the wake of Mr Jones's decision to join the Powys Independent Alliance (PIA) in December, which now holds all 10 cabinet posts. | Mr Brown and fellow IG member, Myfanwy Alexander, launched the no confidence motion in the wake of Mr Jones's decision to join the Powys Independent Alliance (PIA) in December, which now holds all 10 cabinet posts. |
Powys council is facing budget cuts of £40m over three years. | Powys council is facing budget cuts of £40m over three years. |
In December it announced a four-pronged approach to tackle a £20m funding shortfall in the next financial year which could lead to 300 job losses. | In December it announced a four-pronged approach to tackle a £20m funding shortfall in the next financial year which could lead to 300 job losses. |
The plan includes service cuts, a possible hike in council tax, and increasing service charges. | The plan includes service cuts, a possible hike in council tax, and increasing service charges. |
It also aims to replace some staff by providing automated services. | It also aims to replace some staff by providing automated services. |