New planning chairman elected

Llandinam based Councillor Karl Lewis is the new chairman of Powys County Council's powerful Planning Committee.

He was elected yesterday after current chairman Councillor David Pryce did not stand for re-election.

The vote was taken just hours after it was confirmed that Councillor Pryce was under investigation by the council for possibly flouting caravan site licensing regulations and planning conditions at his farm near Builth Wells. Mr Evans remains as a committee member.

Councillor Lewis, who was elected to represent Llandinam just 12 months ago, was the committee’s vice chairman.

Newtown Councillor Mark Barnes was replaced as chairman of the Employment Committee by Machynlleth’s long servicing member Councillor Mike Williams.

There remains a vacancy for the chairman of one of the council’s three Scrutiny Committees after the Liberal Democrats proposal of Councillor Pete Roberts was rejected by a vote of the full council, prompting strong protests from the party.

Liberal Democrat Leader James Gibson Watt voiced loud objections to the decision after Councillor Roberts had told the council that the reason for his low attendance record was on health grounds. The party refused to put forward another candidate.

New Council Chairman Councillor David Meredith said the Scrutiny Committee members would now vote for their chairman at the first meeting.