A South Pembrokeshire community councillor has criticised his local authority over a matter that could end up costing residents financially.
Clr. Martin Davies, a member of Manorbier Community Council, believes that the authority went against legal advice and ended up spending £18,000 in legal fees in unsuccessfully defending a court case against a local marketing company.
Manorbier Community Council was sued by Haverfordwest-based ICT Marketing for failure to pay a bill of £4,600 for works completed by the company in conducting a report on a survey of how residents wanted the community improved.
The case came before Haverfordwest County Court back in October and last week the judge found in favour of the marketing company.
"The council took legal advice and their solicitors advised the council to enter negotiations with the company to settle the dispute," said Clr. Davies.
"The council, by a majority, voted in favour of defending the claim, going against the legal advice it had been given, and has wasted approximately £18,000 trying to defend a claim it was advised to settle.
"This means that the residents of this small rural community will now have to pay an equivalent of somewhere in the region of £40 to £50 per household to cover the legal bill.
"It will be interesting to see what the auditor makes of this financial disaster, considering that Manorbier Community Council has spent more than its annual precept on one legal case," remarked Clr. Davies.
Councillors met on Tuesday evening to discuss the matter, with residents of the Manorbier parish also present at the public meeting. Chairman Clr. Tony Wales allowed questions from the public on the issue.
"It was good to see local people taking an interest in what has been done in their name, as obviously they are concerned," remarked Clr. Davies, who was also in attendance.
"A member of the public asked for resignations, but the chairman stood by the decision to defend the case and said he would not be offering his resignation.
"The residents of Manorbier have the right to know that their Community Council acted against the advice of their solicitors and as a direct result have spent now closer to £20,000 on legal fees," added Clr. Davies, stating that the saga had a long way to run.