Leader and deputy leader of Wrexham Council re-elected however fresh meeting needed to decide committees

The leader and deputy leader of Wrexham Council were re-elected yesterday, however behind the scenes political disagreements meant a new meeting in June has to take place.

Both Independent councillor Mark Pritchard and Conservative councillor Hugh Jones were once again the only nominations put forward to take on the roles.

It is the third term for Cllr Jones in the role of deputy leader – Cllr Pritchard serving as leader of the council since 2014.

Cllr Pritchard was nominated to continue in the role by Cllr Jones at yesterday’s AGM.

All but three councillors from the Plaid Cymru voted in favour of his election.

Cllr Pritchard then nominated Cllr Hugh Jones as the deputy leader and was seconded by Cllr Beverley Parry-Jones, rather than the usual backing from Cllr David A Bithell.

15 councillors abstained from the vote, with the majority choosing to re-elect Cllr Jones to the role.

It had been locally rumoured that Cllr Bithell was expected to have stepped up to the deputy leader role, however that did not occur.

In an odd twist a fresh meeting in early June is also now required to sort out who will be chairing what committee and similar decisions.

Cllr Marc Jones asks about the cost of another big meeting as the political groups could not sort out the appointments of Chairs. Legal Officer says it was only *today* the issue was brought to her attention and thus the mess.

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) May 22, 2019

Wrexham.com had been told to ‘expect fireworks’ at yesterday’s meeting however with the decision being kicked down the road, any such tensions now have a couple of extra weeks to be smoothed over.

It is understood that two political groups, Conservatives and Wrexham Independents, are finding it tricky to agree on a Chair position that is being allocated.

In an email sent to councillors just before 3pm, ahead of the 4pm meeting start, the Council’s legal officer explained “I have been asked to prepare alternative recommendations for the above agenda item and attach for your information”. The last minute note contained ‘revised resolutions with associated explanatory notes’.

The resolutions were passed, knocking the final decisions over the Chairs, Vice-Chairs and membership of committees to an EGM on June 5th.

Chair positions on committees are a bit of political horse trading, with paid roles at stake too. (We are sure all such work is entirely altruistic and appointed purely on a meritocratic basis on capability to the role!)

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) May 22, 2019

Councillors get a basic salary of £13,400 , but that rises to £22,100 for Committee Chairpersons.

The meeting was also notable as it was the first to be chaired by the new Mayor of Wrexham, Cllr Rob Walsh

Cllr Rob Walsh is in the chair for the first time as Mayor to run a meeting. (Picture from webcast, that we are allowed to use, but we cant take a picture in this chamber as that would be against the rules 👀) pic.twitter.com/iLmSqnLiwx

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) May 22, 2019