Councillors win banning appeals

Five Powys County Councillors have successfully appealed against decisions banning them from serving as local authority appointed school governors

Four of the governors, Councillors Darren Mayor, Aled Davies, Peter Lewis and Gwynfor Thomas, had been dismissed by the county council’s cabinet as LA governors of any Powys school following Llanfyllin High School’s use of delegated school funding for home to school transport in breach of council policy.

Former cabinet member Councillor Myfanwy Alexander had also been dismissed as a governor of any Powys school at the same time.

Council Leader, Councillor Barry Thomas said; “Following the appeal I can confirm that the original decision to dismiss the councillors as governors has been changed.

“Councillors Darren Mayor, Aled Davies and Peter Lewis will be suspended for four months and they will have to undertake training prior to their return as governors. The training will be provided by the authority.

“Councillor Gwynfor Thomas will be unable to resume duties as an LA governor for one month, he was not a governor at the time that the governing body made the original decision.

“The appeal by Councillor Myfanwy Alexander has been upheld in full and she will not be removed or suspended for acting as an LA governor. But the issue has already been referred to the Local Government Ombudsman to consider her conduct as a cabinet portfolio holder in connection with Llanfyllin High School’s use of their delegated budget for home to school transport..

“The appeal hearing considered there were mitigating circumstances that needed to be taken into consideration and have now been reflected in the changes,” he added.