Tory leader facing suspension

A Powys County Councillor and Leader of the council's Conservative Group, faces suspension from all council duties for breaching the Members Code of Conduct.

Councillor Aled Davies, who represents the Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant/Llansilin ward, was suspended from all county council business for two weeks following a hearing of the Standards Committee on Monday. He has 21 days to appeal against the decision.

The hearing, which was held before five independent people and two county councillors, ruled that Councillor Davies, had breached paragraphs 6 (1) (a) of the Code of Conduct for Members - bringing his office or the council/authority into disrepute as a result.

The breach relates to the prosecution of Councillor Davies under the Cattle Identification and Animal By-Products Regulations in 2015.

If Councillor Davies does not appeal against the ruling, the two week suspension will start 21 days from the formal notification of the adjudication.

Members under full suspension are not able take part in any form of business of the authority. In addition if they have been appointed by the council to an outside body, including appointment as a local authority school governor, they cannot act on that body during their suspension.

During a period of suspension neighbouring councillors will be asked to provide cover on behalf of ward residents.

He is the second Conservative councillor to be suspended this months following the suspension of Llandrindod Councillor Gary Price last week.