Bridgend Councillor Appeals ‘Harsh’ Punishment, Claims Unfair Characterisation
A Bridgend town and county borough councillor, Steven Bletsoe, has secured a partial success in his appeal against a six-month suspension. The independent councillor was suspended in May 2024 for failing to disclose a personal and prejudicial interest in a matter involving his wife and fellow councillor, Freya Bletsoe. The suspension was imposed by Bridgend County Borough Council’s standards committee following a dispute over meeting minutes that recorded a disagreement between the Clerk of the town council and Cllr Freya Bletsoe during a discussion about unveiling blue plaques in the town.
An appeal tribunal was held in December 2024 with Cllr Bletsoe supported by Cllr Martin Williams and backed by numerous written character references. The Adjudication Panel for Wales acknowledged Cllr Bletsoe’s admission of a breach of the code but contested the severity of the six-month suspension, which he deemed “egregious”. He felt unfairly labelled as “cavalier or a rule-breaker,” asserting his commitment to public service, while the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales did not acknowledge mitigating circumstances.
The Tribunal recognised that although Cllr Bletsoe breached the code, the infringement was not clear-cut or the most serious type typically referred to standards committees in Wales. Consequently, the appeal panel unanimously believed that the six-month suspension was excessive as it was the maximum sanction possible. They highlighted that the breaches were inadvertent due to a misinterpretation of the code rather than intentional misconduct, with the councillor’s main goal being to ensure fairness and balance in meeting minutes.
Given Cllr Bletsoe’s positive track record as a councillor, a recommendation was made to reduce his suspension to 10 weeks. Despite concerns raised by the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales about the councillor’s lack of reflection and repeated attempts to shift blame, the appeal panel emphasised the unintentional nature of the breaches. The matter was referred back to BCBC’s standards committee for reassessment, with the panel concluding that Cllr Bletsoe’s motivations were rooted in upholding fairness in council procedures.
The councillor expressed relief at the outcome of the appeal, highlighting the importance of upholding integrity and fairness in local governance. While acknowledging past missteps, Cllr Bletsoe remains committed to serving the community and abiding by the code of conduct to the best of his ability. The case serves as a reminder of the scrutiny faced by public officials and the importance of maintaining transparency and accountability in local government.
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