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Council’s next permanent leader set to be announced

News | Saul Cooke-Black - Local Democracy Reporting Service | Published: 15:37, Thursday November 14th, 2019.
Last updated: 16:24, Thursday November 14th, 2019
From top left clockwise: Cllr Barbara Jones, Cllr Gez Kirby, Cllr Sean Morgan and Cllr Philippa Marsden

Candidates in the running to be the next leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council have been revealed.

A new leader is to be elected after Cllr Dave Poole resigned and referred himself to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.

The council’s Labour group will meet on Monday, November 18 to choose a new leader, before being formally appointed at a full council meeting the next day.

Four candidates are in the running to be the new Labour group leader.

They are the current interim leader of the council, Cllr Barbara Jones.

Pontllanfraith councillor Gez Kirby, who is also the current chair of the Labour group.

Councillor Philippa Marsden, the cabinet member for education and achievement.

And Cllr Sean Morgan, the deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for economy, infrastructure, sustainability and Wellbeing of Future Generations Champion.

Former leader, Cllr Poole, is not on the list, as an investigation being carried out by the Ombudsman continues.

Cllr Dave Poole, ex-leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council

In an email to Labour councillors, Cllr Poole previously said: “I honestly believe that I will be found to be innocent of any of the accusations that have been made against me.”

He asked councillors to “consider my decision to withdraw from the position of leader as a temporary one” in view of the “short time that this investigation is likely to take.”

A council spokesman said the matter is with the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.

LDRS
CCBC

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