The possibility of introducing a ‘presiding member’ to oversee full council in Pembrokeshire will be investigated further but there’ll be “no rush” to make a decision.

The Corporate Governance committee discussed a notice of motion tabled by Clr. Mike Stoddart that proposed enacting Local Government Act powers that allowed for adding a presiding and deputy presiding member to the constitution.

The role has a potential senior salary of £22,000 and would involve chairing full council meetings, a role currently carried out by the council chairman, who is also the civic figurehead of the authority.

In support of his notice of motion, Clr. Stoddart states: “In addition it will enable council to appoint a presiding officer who will have the time to master the complex constitutional issues that frequently arise at meetings of full council (amendments and points of order being leading examples).”

He adds that the presiding officer would also “take over those duties of a quasi-legal nature such as consulting with the head of legal services of the validity of questions from both the public and elected members and of member’s notice of motion.”

At the committee meeting on Monday Clr. Stoddart referred to occasions in the past the council meetings had got into “nasty tangles” with the chief executive “essentially chairing the meeting”.

Backing Clr. Stoddart was Clr. Rob Summons who asked if the new position could be in place this year.

However, it was agreed that the full scope of the role and further details needed to be investigated before a recommendation could be made that a presiding member would be a suitable addition to Pembrokeshire County Council.

One criticism of the proposal was that it could make full council meetings “quite sterile” said Clr. Jamie Adams although this may be interpreted as “more professional rather than sterile”, argued Clr. Vic Dennis.

Other concerns included the remuneration level, if it is decided it will be a paid role, would restrict the council leader from adding to his cabinet if he so wished.

Cabinet member for finance Clr. Bob Kilmister added his support to the proposal and said: “I think the roles are very, very different.”

Questions were raised about the member’s ability to vote or chair other meetings, the length of time the member would remain in post and what if no councillor wants to take up the position?

Members unanimously agreed an amendment to Clr. Stoddart’s notice of motion by Clr. John Davies that the committee recommend to council that the matter be considered further with details and implications to be examined.

It would be brought back to Corporate Governance with a further recommendation on how to proceed in due course.