A COUNCILLOR from a Wrexham village has been suspended for four months over a breach of the councillor code of conduct.

Cefn Community Council confirmed that Cllr David Metcalfe will be suspended until June 9.

Cllr Metcalfe, who has been a community councillor since 2017, bought the Ebenezer Chapel in Cefn Mawr in 2021.

It had remained unused for eight years until he and the Plas Kynaston Canal (PKC) Group took over with the aim of finding a new use for it within the community.

The breach of the code of conduct mainly relates to Cllr Metcalfe failing to declare an interest in a matter relating to the chapel in May 2021.

That report from the Standards Committee meeting held on January 16, 2024 has been published on the Wrexham Council website.

It states that, on July 29 2021, the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales received a complaint that Cllr Metcalfe had failed to observe the Code of Conduct for Members of Cefn Community Council.

At that time, it was alleged the councillor had failed to declare a personal and prejudicial interest in a full council meeting held on May 4, 2021.

It was also alleged that complaints had been received about his conduct during the meeting and that he had made comments on social media that were in breach of the Code of Conduct.

The Ombudsman investigated the complaints. In the full council meeting of May 4, 2021 the council gave a presentation on the actions it had taken in considering whether to take on the lease for the Ebenezer.

This item was an official agenda item and formed part of the council’s meeting. The Ombudsman concluded that the evidence suggested that Cllr Metcalfe had a personal and prejudicial interest in this item.

However, he did not declare his personal or prejudicial interest in the Ebenezer building at that meeting in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Conduct.

TOP STORIES

The Ombudsman also concluded that on the balance of probabilities, it was more likely than not that Councillor Metcalfe shouted and acted in an aggressive manner during the council meeting on May 4.

This, together with the breaches of failing to declare the personal and prejudicial interests are of a 'serious nature' they said and such conduct could reasonably be regarded as 'bringing his office into disrepute'.

On April 27, 2023 the Standards Committee considered the report of the Ombudsman and concluded that Councillor Metcalfe should be given the opportunity to make representations in respect of the findings of the investigation and any allegations.

At the Standards Committee meeting on January 16, 2024, the councillor was invited to make representations to support his version of the facts. 

He claimed he had 'raised his voice' during the meeting on May 4, 2021 as 'others present were attempting to stop him replying'.

He added that he had 'arrived late' to the meeting and, as such, wasn't 'given the opportunity' to declare an interest.

The committee retired to deliberate the findings of fact and concluded that, on the balance of probabilities, Cllr Metcalfe did act in an aggressive manner on May 4, 2021.  

They also concluded, on the balance of probabilities, that he was given an opportunity to declare an interest at the meeting on May 4, 2021.

The Ombudsman’s representative was invited to make representations as to whether, based on the facts, Cllr Metcalfe had failed to comply with the Code of Conduct. 

Cllr Metcalfe was found to have conducted himself in a manner which could be regarded as 'bringing his office or authority into disrepute'.

As a result of the findings, Cllr Metcalfe has been suspended for a period of four months (until June 9) and must also attend further Member Code of Conduct training.

A statement from Cefn Community Council read: "Councillor David Metcalfe has been suspended until the 9th of June 2024 due to a breach of the councillor code of conduct.

"Residents are asked to contact another councillor during this period, alternatively you can contact the clerk if you require any help."

Mr Metcalfe has been approached for comment.