No action against Swansea councillor found guilty of breaching rules
South Killay councillor Mary Jones appeared before a tribunal yesterday after she failed to declare an interest when her husband's nomination to be a school governor was discussed.
She had been told by the council's head of legal services that she did not need to declare and actually left the room. But the tribunal has ruled that Councillor Jones was in breach of the councillors' code of conduct.
The tribunal decided no action should be taken against Councillor Jones. No figure has been put on the cost of the hearing that was held at Swansea's Marriott Hotel and involved external lawyers.
Lis Davies, who made the complaint and was dubbed a "serial complainer", said she felt vindicated by the outcome.
The hearing centred upon Councillor Jones's role at a meeting considering the nomination of her husband Jeff Jones, also a Swansea councillor, as a governor at Dunvant Primary School.
Councillor Jeff Jones was subsequently appointed ahead of Dunvant resident Mrs Davies.
Councillor Mary Jones was told by the council's monitoring officer David Daycock that she did not have to declare an interest. However, she decided to leave the meeting while the matter was discussed.
Nevertheless, the tribunal, triggered by a complaint by Mrs Davies, ruled that although Councillor Jones followed legal advice, she had breached the code.
Tribunal chairwoman Helen Cole said: "We considered that her involvement here was improper."
In mitigation, the tribunal heard from Councillor Jones's solicitor, Peter Keith-Lucas, who said the case did not warrant disqualification or suspension.
Speaking after the hearing, Councillor Jones said: "I'd like to thank everyone for supporting me. The stress has been quite intolerable."
Mrs Davies, who was criticised during the hearing, said: "It was quite hard for me to sit there and listen to some of the things said about me.
"I am supposed to be a serial complainer — I am not. I am an avid questioner."
When asked about the original advice given by Mr Daycock to Councillor Jones, a council spokesman said: "The council needs to consider, in full, the views of the panel before making further comment."
