CLLR SHOULD GIVE BACK HALF HIS ALLOWENCE

BEING unable to cooperate with other councillors is one thing, but now that Peter Rogers is the only Ynys Mon County Councillor who has rows with officials brings into question his suitablility for public office ( Mail December 17). If he refuses to attend all County Council committees or even the full Council, he cannot possibly represent the interests of his constituents or engage with serious policy issues (such as schools under threat, the level of rates to be paid and the future of care homes).

On this basis, he should return at least half of his allowance of over £13,000 to the County Council or he should resign his position.

G.Roberts Rhosmeirch YOUR main story recently referred to the Isle of Anglesey County Council’s record of excluding the public from meetings

Your readers will be aware that we in Plaid Cymru have been concerned about this.

John Rowlands, Plaid Cymru’s Candidate in the General Election brought the matter to your attention and in the Mail on 3 December you stated - “Member’s of Anglesey Council’s main opposition party have blasted the authority’s ruling group over their excessive secrecy on a £1m plan to modernise the Llangefni headquarters.”

The Plaid Cymru Councillors had called for an Extraordinary Council Meeting regarding the “Smarter Working” proposals and the secrecy of their discussions. That took place on the 4th December and you reported in your next edition.

The vote to hold the meeting in public was won even if the vote regarding the substantive issue was lost, but the public had been made aware of the issues.

This follows on from a decision of the Council’s Corporate Scrutiny Committee on 4th November during a call-in of the Executive’s decision on the “Smarter Working” matter to hold the meeting in public. That decision was made by Plaid Cymru and other Councillors. Because of Council rules regarding adjourning the meeting the second meeting did not take place.

Plaid Cymru Councillors felt so strongly about the two matters, spending money on the Council Offices etc and the secrecy aspect, that all 12 members signed a Notice requesting an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council.

As responsible Councillors, we in Plaid Cymru acknowledge that we need to act reasonably regarding the secrecy rules but we would wish your readers to know that we are vigilant in this respect. We must also remember that the most important aspect every time is what we are discussing not how we are discussing it.

Meirion Jones Chairman of the Plaid Cymru

Group and Chairman of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee