Torfaen Plaid defend support for Labour (From South Wales Argus)

Torfaen Plaid defend support for Labour

2:01pm Tuesday 27th May 2008 in News By Darren Evans

TORFAEN'S Plaid Cymru councillors promised to act for the people of the county despite their controversial support for Labour.

There was widespread anger after the three newly elected Plaid councillors - Jeff Rees (Fairwater), Maria Graham (Llantarnam) and Fiona Cross (Coed Eva) - supported the minority Labour group, which along with the support of two independents allowed Labour to retain control of the council.

But Plaid's Torfaen leader, Jeff Rees, pledged to act in the interests of the people of the county.

He said the agreement with Labour is not a formal coalition and none of the councillors had taken cabinet posts.

He said: "Plaid Cymru in Torfaen has brokered the best possible deal for the people of this county at this time.

"The people of Torfaen need at the very least a stable administration to run essential public services.

"We will continue to hold the Torfaen administration to account for all their actions."

The council is being opposed by Torfaen People's Coalition, made up of independent, Conservative, People's Voice and Liberal Democrat councillors.

Councillor Rees said the Plaid councillors attended all the meetings about forming a coalition, but ultimately decided against joining.

He said: "It became clear at a very late date that individuals in that group and other parties had differing agendas, making any administration they would form unsustainable, possibly damaging the delivery of essential public services in Torfaen."

In return for their support the three Plaid councillors were offered chairmanships of scrutiny committees.

Jeff Rees was given children and young people and Fiona Cross was given regeneration, both of which come with a total salary of £20,823.

Maria Graham was given the audit committee chairmanship, bringing her total salary to £18,120.

These figures include their annual £12,700 councillor's salary.

Pontypool councillor Fred Wildgust is taking legal advice on whether the opposition can launch a bid to change Torfaen's constitution and introduce proportional representation.