Press Statement: Leader’s Response To Resignation Of Cabinet Member

It is with great regret that today, 17th November, 2016, I have accepted the resignation of one of my Cabinet Members, Councillor David Jones. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Jones, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services and Public Protection, has stepped down from his position while an investigation is currently taking place as a result of an error on his part where he has fallen foul of legislation. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

It is a true mark of the strength of character of Councillor Jones that he has taken this step voluntarily and until any investigations are concluded he felt it was appropriate that he should step down from his Cabinet position. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

I would like to thank Councillor Jones for his tremendous hard work as Cabinet Member over the past 4 years. Councillor Jones has been a fully committed and dedicated member of my Cabinet and I am very sorry to lose him in these circumstances. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Jones will however remain in his position as Ward Councillor for the Town Ward serving the residents not just in his ward, but all residents in the County Borough. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

I am clear that we, as leading politicians in Merthyr Tydfil, have to be beyond reproach in our private and business lives and must conduct ourselves to the highest standards that the voting public expect and demand. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

I will be considering how best to move forward with the responsibilities of the Cabinet portfolios and will communicate any decisions in due course. . ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​