“I shall be standing down as Mayor, and I can’t wait”

Welshpool will be looking for a new Mayor next month after Cllr Nick Howells made a stunning announcement at a Welshpool Town Council meeting last night.

Cllr Howells was elected Mayor last year, but said last night that “I shall be standing down as Mayor and I can’t wait” during a chaotic Strategy, Policy, and Development Committee meeting in the Town Hall.

Joining the meeting via Zoom, Cllr Howells became increasingly frustrated by the poor audio quality broadcasted by the meeting which, at times, descended into councillors trading verbal blows during discussions over projects and policies that were on the agenda.

As the meeting headed towards its closure, Cllr Howells said: “I have had enough of all this nonsense. I shall be standing down as Mayor, and I can’t wait.

“The behaviour of councillors during discussions in the council chamber over the last two months has been disgraceful.”

Welshpool elects its Mayor every May, when town councillors vote for their choice. It has become common practice though for Mayors to be elected for a second term, but Cllr Howells looks set to break the tradition next month.

He has been a popular voice for the town since his election, and has been praised for his work in spearheading the Welshpool Community Hub that is open for all twice a week at the Town Hall.

Cllr Howells did not indicate at the meeting whether he would be standing down as a councillor as well.