THE future of Bryn Parry-Jones as chief executive of Pembrokeshire County Council has been thrown into huge doubt today (Friday) after members voted overwhelmingly to endorse a vote of no confidence in him.

Members of the ruling Independent Plus Group – including council leader Cllr Jamie Adams - had previously backed the chief executive fully over a series of scandals which have rocked County Hall.

But, having survived a motion of no confidence himself, the leader said he could not back Mr Parry-Jones again.

Cllr Adams said he had been reflecting on the motion of no confidence for some time and he remained undecided as he spoke.

He added: “There are elements of confidence that I have in the chief executive and there are concerns.

“The main focus is on the ability for the council to function properly. I do not have confidence that any individual, let alone this individual, can effectively operate in the current environment. I have no confidence in the ability of this individual to operate fully.”

Cllr Adams then joined senior cabinet members among the 46 who voted for the motion of no confidence in Mr Parry-Jones. There were three against and three abstentions.

The three councillors who voted against the motion were John Allen-Mirehouse, Brian Hall and Owen James. The three abstentions were Daphne Bush, John Davies and David Pugh.

Cabinet member Cllr Sue Perkins, who has both supported and opposed Bryn Parry-Jones in the past, added: “There comes a time for the sake of the council and our staff, I’m going to have to vote for the vote of no confidence.”

Mr Parry-Jones is currently working from home after a period of absence from County Hall.

That move came about following a series of controversies including the ‘unlawful’ pension payments Mr Parry-Jones received, which are now under a second police investigation.

Then County Council union members and members of the public protested outside County Hall about the way the authority was lurching from crisis to crisis under Mr Parry-Jones’ leadership.

Cllr Viv Stoddart, who has worked in the newspaper business, said: “I’ve been reporting on local government a long period and have seen chef executives come and go. It gives me no pleasure to under the leadership of Bryn Parry-Jones we have lurched from crisis to crisis.

“This council is held in disrepute and I’m afraid the buck stops with the chief executive.”

Things came to head when Mr Parry-Jones angrily confronted two members of the Independent Plus Group – Cllrs Mark Edwards and Peter Morgan – after both failed to support him during a previous vote.

Shortly after Cllr Adams announced that Mr Parry-Jones would take the period of absence.

A spokesman for the Pembrokeshire County branch Unison said: “It is a shame the councillors have taken so long. But at last, our members having taken the lead, they have acted appropriately. Long may this continue. A dark cloud has been lifted from county hall and staff can go into work without threat or fear. I am sure they will also have a small glow in their heart that the decisions of the councillors reflect their wishes.

“Employees have a difficult enough future ahead dealing with the impact of budget cuts and the ongoing campaign for fair pay, but the action today will go a long way to instil their confidence in continuing their fight for justice for local government workers.”

Councillors went into private session to discuss the way forward in terms of potential investigations and disciplinary proceedings against the chief executive.

Councillors voted against the immediate suspension of Bryn Parry-Jones by just four votes.

They then approved an amendment to Cllr Paul Miller's motion regarding disciplinary action put forward by Cllr Adams which called for the setting up of a disciplinary committee made up of 15 members to “review all matters of conduct, trust and confidence in the chief executive”.

The first meeting to be held in the shortest time possible.

Commenting on a vote of no confidence Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Local Government, Janet Finch-Saunders AM, said: “The position of this highly paid chief executive now appears untenable.

“This is a chaotic situation that only adds to the worrying cloud of uncertainty around local government.

“With a new minister, a maze of routes forward and a lack of leadership from Labour’s First Minister – communities across Wales will be justifiably worried about frontline services.

“I sincerely hope the right decisions are now made in Pembrokeshire to help communities put this fiasco behind them – and I urge Labour ministers to get a grip on Welsh local government.”