Oswestry Town Council ‘in a state of disrepute’ over controversial mayor choice

Councillor Mike Coppock seconded the call for an extraordinary council meeting last week where councillors voted against revoking the motion passed to appoint a new deputy mayor, rather than abide by the traditional method of appointing the longest-serving councillor.

The change means that Green Party councillor Duncan Kerr could be denied the post.

Councillor Coppock, who represents Carreg Llwyd Ward, has again seconded councillor Kerr's request for another extraordinary meeting, expected to take place next week.

"This issue has caused an enormous amount of public condemnation of the council," he said.

"This is what concerns me most about this – it could be argued that it has brought the council into disrepute.

"I've not come across a single comment from a member of the public who supports the council's actions.

"My concern here isn't for councillor Kerr. He's quite capable of speaking for himself and standing up for himself when given the opportunity.

"The question for me is purely about ethics, integrity, honesty and transparency on the council."

'Hot topic'

The motion to nominate Tory councillor Mark Jones was passed at a meeting in January, when councillor Kerr was in Uganda as a social worker.

"For anyone who thinks the public really don't care, then you are absolutely wrong," added councillor Coppock.

"Since the motion was passed in January, I've been confronted by many people about this, many of whom I hardly know or don't know at all.

"I've been told it's even been the hot topic of discussion at Residents Associations and groups in the town.

"We aren't here to represent ourselves or political parties. We represent those who elected us, and what we do on the council not only reflects on us, but on them.

"This council, in most cases, gets on well and works well together, achieving many very positive things of which we should all be proud of – but this issue has been extremely divisive."

A second extraordinary meeting has been requested by councillor Kerr and councillor Coppock, and is expected to take place next week.