A ROW over procedures has seen two councillors voted in as mayor of a Swansea town council.
The situation, branded farcical by some councillors, comes after David Lewis was elected as mayor at a meeting of Gorseinon Town Council at the beginning of the month.
But that vote took place at a meeting which had been closed by outgoing mayor Victor Bruno before the agenda could be conducted, because he claimed the correct procedures were not followed.
Mr Bruno claimed the remainder of the meeting was illegal.
Instead, an annual meeting of the council was called for Wednesday evening, which some councillors also claimed was incorrectly convened, as the clerk was away on holiday.
Just eight of the council's 16 councillors attended the meeting, at which councillor Beverly Howard was elected mayor.
Mrs Howard declined to comment on the development.
But councillor Malcolm Curtice, who didn't attend the latest meeting, said: "The situation is just farcical. I believe last night's (Wednesday) meeting was not legal because the clerk had not been involved and it had no authority." Councillor Howard Payne added: "Councillors need to get together and sort this out once and for all. We need to be progressing things for Gorseinon. It could be both meetings were illegal, but we do not want to become another Dunvant."
Dunvant Town Council was disbanded in 2006, after a vote by residents tired of in- fighting.
In addition to the election of Mrs Howard this week, Mr Bruno was also voted to take on the role of responsible finance officer — duties which some councillors say usually rest with the town clerk. Clerk John Millard is expected back from holiday this week, but was unavailable for comment.
The Evening Post contacted Mr Bruno for comment, but he was unavailable at the time of going to press.
Mr Lewis said: "We are waiting for guidance from One Voice Wales. We want to go forward and work for the good of Gorseinon."
nino.williams@swwmedia.co.uk
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