THE leader of Pembrokeshire County Council survived a vote of no confidence on the same day the chief executive was not so lucky.

Eighteen councillors had signed a notice of motion which stated this council has no confidence in the leader, councillor Jamie Adams.

One of the signatories, Cllr Jacob Williams, told members at an extraordinary meeting on Friday (September 12) there were a number of reasons he did not have confidence as Cllr Adams as leader, including the four years of backdated expense claims submitted after re-election unopposed.

Cllr Williams also cited the leader’s, and his party’s, defence until the last moment of pension payments to chief executive Bryn Parry-Jones declared unlawful by the audit office, adding Cllr Adams must have been “the last man in Pembrokeshire who didn’t realises it was a disgraceful scheme”.

Incidents involving Cllr Rob Lewis, who was suspended for two weeks for a breach of the code of conduct, and Cllr David Pugh, who launched an ‘unprecedented attack’ on Cllr Mike Stoddart during a council meeting after he had uncovered discrepancies in the delivery of a grant scheme in Pembroke Dock – both were allowed to keep their cabinet portfolios – were highlighted.

Reference was also made to the side-ways move of Cllr Huw George within the cabinet despite a number of education failings while under his remit.

Cllr Stoddart went further and said Cllr Adams and Cllr Pugh “conspired to lie”.

“Lying in order to cover this council’s ineptitude in running this grant scheme,” he added.

Cllr Williams also accused Cllr Adams of repeating the account of a meeting involving John Evans, who resigned as chairman of the audit committee, despite being in possession of Mr Evans’ account of events.

This was echoed by Cllr Tessa Hodgeson who added that Cllr Adams had taken a “unilateral decision” to put the chief executive on ‘gardening leave’ when he had no authority to do so.

Cllr Gwilliam Price added that he was “very disappointed” in the leader and his continued support for Mr Parry-Jones.

In defence of Cllr Adams, newly appointed cabinet member Cllr Keith Lewis said he had been impressed by his “drive and enthusiasm” as well as the alleged swiftness of making improvements following the introduction of a ministerial board and scathing Estyn reports.

“Now is not the time to change the leader, I think stability is critical,” he added.

Deputy leader Cllr George cited Cllr Adams childhood in the county as a reason for having confidence in him, “he’s Pembrokeshire through and through”.

“Everything he does is to promote and protect this county. Because of the way he works all that’s important to him is high quality services and value for money.

“Jamie believes in democracy – he doesn’t want a headline he wants high quality services for Pembrokeshire,” added Cllr George.

Twenty-nine councillors voted in support of Cllr Adams and 20 against, meaning the motion failed. Cllr Mike Evans abstained from the vote.