A COMMUNITY council in rural Montgomeryshire is being propped up by four county councillors amid a row which has seen none of its members willing to take up their seats.

Trefeglwys community council was disbanded on 4 May after its members decided en masse to not stand at the local elections in an ongoing row with a former clerk that has led to several investigations.

The issues have led to an ongoing police investigation, solicitor involvement, a One Voice Wales investigation, and two Information Commissioner investigations.

Former members of the council are continuing talks with legal advisors, the Information Commissioner and the Police and Crime Commissioner in a bid to solve the problems.

The issues, which have not been revealed by the council as official investigations continue, has led to the resignation of two clerks who were left to deal with the fallout.

Powys Council drafted in the county councillors of Blaen Hafren, Caersws, Llanidloes and Llandinam – Phyl Davies, Les George, Gareth Morgan, and Robert Lewis – to keep the council going, and the quartet held their first meeting last week.

It remains unclear, with issues remaining unresolved, whether previous councillors will put their names forward for the proposed new election date of 29 June.

It is likely that Trefeglwys will continue to be run by a shadow council made up of the four county councillors for the forseeable future.

Powys council said it appointed the quartet on 18 May on a “temporary basis” until a sufficient number of elected community councillors have taken up office”.

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