The leader of Pembrokeshire County Council has paid tribute to Pembrokeshire County Councillor Brian Hall following his resignation last Thursday from the authority's cabinet.
Clr. John Davies expressed his appreciation for all the hard work and dedication that Clr. Hall - cabinet member for environment and transportation - had given, not only to the cabinet, but to the wider community of Pembrokeshire over his many years as a cabinet member.
Clr. Davies said he accepted Clr. Hall's resignation from the cabinet, but added that he wished that more members of the council emulated the commitment of Clr. Hall to his electorate rather than continually channelling their efforts to look for faults in the authority and its members.
He said: "We all get it wrong from time to time and Clr. Hall has admitted what he said was wrong and has shown remorse for his action. All of us need to learn from this episode.'
The leader went on: 'I wish that the minority few within the opposition could be focused on doing something constructive for their electorate rather than cultivate a public perception of negative thinking and destruction of individuals.'
Clr. Davies also went on to thank Clr. Mike Evans who tendered his resignation over 12 months ago for personal reasons, but agreed at that time to stay on as a deputy cabinet member for a further year.
The leader expressed his thanks to Clr. Evans for his much valued contribution to the cabinet during his tenure as a deputy cabinet member.
In announcing changes to the cabinet, Clr. Davies said: "Given that the council is entering the latter part of its current term, the need to further strengthen the cabinet is necessary.
"Therefore, the two remaining deputy cabinet members will be made full members of the cabinet to deal with the ever-increasing challenges that we face, especially in relation to waste and the pending Local Development Plan.
"The need to continue with the deputy cabinet member structure was not necessary as it had, during the early years of this council, proven to be invaluable in providing the stepping stone of opportunity for new members to gain insight into the working of the executive. It also allowed the cabinet to benefit from fresh new thinking from the respective members.
"The new arrangements, which are cost neutral, will allow the cabinet to build on its previous record of providing the residents of Pembrokeshire with quality services at least cost to the Council Tax payer."
The Pembrokeshire County Council cabinet now comprises: Clr. John T Davies - leader: corporate affairs, finance and Making the Connections. Clr. John Allen-Mirehouse - deputy leader: economic development, regeneration and business support. Clr. Islwyn Howells: lifelong learning, children and young people and the Welsh language. Clr. David Wildman: elderly and infirm. Clr Sian James: health and social well-being. Clr. Rob Lewis: sports, leisure tourism and cultural services. Clr. David Simpson: housing and community safety. Clr. Peter Stock: communities and the voluntary sector. Clr. Huw George: environment, planning and regulatory services. Clr. Jamie Adams: highways, transportation and asset improvement.