The Mayor of Tenby has hit back at claims from one of her own colleagues on the town council that, during the past year, meetings of the authority have been run with a lack of respect for its members.
During Tuesday night's meeting of the council, when it came to choosing a new Mayor for the next term, Clr. Mike Thorne was among those who put his name forward for Mayor-elect.
In doing so, he also read out a statement expressing his dismay at the way meetings had been handled by the chairman, Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane, since he was elected onto the council last May, adding that he could not think of a meaningful achievement reached by the council over the last year.
"When I stood for the town council last year, I did so in the belief that my extensive experience, over nearly 30 years as a planning officer in local government, and my experience of serving on committees and working in voluntary organisations, would stand me in good stead and be of benefit to the community of Tenby," said Clr. Thorne.
"However, I have to say that sitting on this council for the last nine months has been a profoundly disappointing and frustrating experience.
"From right at the beginning of my first full meeting, when the Mayor and Deputy Mayor tried to stop me speaking on all planning matters because of my work as a planning consultant, there has been a sustained attempt to marginalise me and stop me from making the contribution that I am keen to make.
"The meetings have been characterised by conflict and confrontation, and a lack of respect for all its members and even a lack of respect for the town clerk.
"Whilst we all have to accept some responsibility for that state of affairs, the tone has to be set by the chairman of the meeting, and it seems to me that the appropriate positive and constructive tone has not been set over the last year," he continued, calling for a radical new approach with the aim to get everybody working together in an atmosphere of mutual respect, co-operation and consensus-building.
"We need to clarify our objectives and seek to achieve those objectives in a rational and cohesive process, and we should be open and transparent and seek to involve other organisations and individuals in a constructive dialogue about the town's future," added Clr. Thorne, saying that, if elected, he would be honoured and pleased to serve the council as its chairman and represent the council in its external affairs.
Standing for Mayor-elect as well, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown felt the council had "lost its direction" in recent months, while Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas also put her name forward for the role, telling her colleagues that she would like to "create some harmony" in the chamber.
Current Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Lane, told members that she would very much like to don the scarlet robes of office again for the next year.
"I don't agree with Clr. Thorne's comments, I think that the council in general has been quite united on issues over the past year, apart from maybe one or two councillors, mainly one in particular," she remarked.
"I think I've done a good job of chairing what have been difficult meetings at times.
"I care about the town of Tenby and its people deeply, whether it be past, present or future. I've always worked very hard for the town and will continue to do so," she added.
Clr. Mrs. Brown then stood down and instead gave her backing to Clr. Thorne for the Mayoral role, as did Clr. Mrs. Thomas, who seconded the proposal, while Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter proposed Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Lane, for the role again and was seconded by Clr. Mrs. Sandra Williams.
Following a secret ballot amongst members, councillors elected Clr. Mrs. Lane to become Tenby's 620th Mayor. It will be the fifth time she has held office.