A councillor who was widely expected to be a Cardiff Council Cabinet member this term has mysteriously been omitted from the final list of portfolio holders confirmed yesterday. Cllr Keith Jones, ward member for Llanrumney, had been named in a shared portfolio as Cabinet Member for Transport in Leader Huw Thomas' proposed cabinet - a list of 13 councillors.
However, it was revealed at the authority's first meeting back after the local elections that there are now 12 cabinet members on Cardiff Council. Cllr De'Ath, who was originally listed as the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning in the Leader's cabinet proposals is now the Cabinet Member for Transport and Strategic Planning.
You can read more about the provisional cabinet list, which was announced two weeks ago, here.
Cllr Joel Williams asked during the full council Annual General Meeting (AGM) on May 26: "Lord Mayor, can I raise a point of order, please? It is just seeking clarification . A press release was released a week ago advising that there were 13 cabinet member appointments.
"On the amendment sheet it shows 12 names, with Cllr Keith Jones notably absent. Can I ask the Leader of the Council to confirm the arrangements and the changes and the job share arrangements in place, because Cllr Keith Jones was indicated as the Cabinet Member for Transport, whilst on the amendment sheet it shows that this is being filled by Cllr De'Ath. We are all entitled to know the present arrangements."
The newly elected Lord Mayor, Cllr Graham Hinchey, said: "Thank you councillor. The latest amendment sheet is the latest position. It is not a discussion point for today."
Cllr Keith Jones was suspended for nearly 21 months in 2013 while the Labour party investigated complaints against him. He was formally suspended by the party for two years in 2015 after the investigation revealed that he had sent inappropriate communications via social media to women party members. You can read more about that here.
The Leader and amended cabinet roles confirmed at the meeting are as follows:
- Leader: Councillor Huw Thomas
- Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education: Councillor Sarah Merry.
- Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation & Performance: Councillor Chris Weaver
- Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities: Councillor Lynda Thorne
- Cabinet Member for Climate Change: Councillor Caro Wild
- Cabinet Member for Investment & Development: Councillor Russell Goodway
- Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events: Councillor Jennifer Burke-Davies
- Cabinet Member for Children’s Services: Councillor Ashley Lister
- Cabinet Member for Adult Services: Councillor Norma Mackie
- Cabinet Member for Transport and Strategic Planning: Councillor Daniel De'Ath
- Cabinet Member for Public Health and Equalities: Councillor Julie Sangani
- Cabinet Member for Tackling Poverty and Supporting Young People: Councillor Peter Bradbury
When asked for an explanation as to why Cllr Jones was not in the confirmed list of cabinet members, a Cardiff Labour Group spokesperson said: "Cllr Keith Jones is currently not in a position to take up the appointment. Cllr Dan De'ath will hold Cabinet responsibility for Transport matters for the time being."
Cllr Hinchey, ward member for Heath, succeeded Rod McKerlich as the Lord Mayor. He will be the 117th Lord Mayor of Cardiff. He announced at the meeting on Thursday that his nominated charity for this year will be Guide Dogs Cymru.
Cllr Hinchey's deputy will be Cllr Abdul Sattar. At the end of the Council's AGM, a climate protestor representing Cardiff Climate Justice Coalition stood up in the public gallery to address the council members with a list of demands.
The group, which was protesting outside City Hall before and during the Council meeting, presented councillors with a list of 11 demands, including making bus fares in Cardiff free for everyone and introducing air quality monitors outside schools.
Speaking on the public outburst following the meeting, Leader Huw Thomas said: "To those calling for urgent action on climate change I say, I hear you and I am with you. But these are more than empty commitments, there is real action and there are tangible results behind Cardiff Council’s declared climate emergency and biodiversity emergency, and through the work we are doing for our One Planet Cardiff strategy.
“I see the future of Cardiff as being a city which is stronger, fairer, greener, but we cannot achieve this in isolation. It needs us all to come together and change our behaviours, to cut carbon and to tackle climate change.” Want the latest news from Cardiff straight to your inbox? Sign up for free here.
