South Wales Evening Post - 24 March 2007
A shock move could be about to hand Swansea's mayoral chains to outspoken councillor, Ioan Richard.
People power looks to have forced a rethink among Swansea councillors.
City leader Chris Holley wants Councillor Richard to be named Swansea Lord Mayor.
Just two weeks ago he lost out on the high-profile civil role after Labour councillors voted against him.
He failed to win enough support to secure the post because of opposition from Labour councillors, Conservative leader Rene Kinzett and a number of abstentions.
The defeat cleared the way for Councillor Susan Waller to secure the nomination. But that could now all be about to change.
Councillor Holley said: "It is a terrible shame that some councillors decided not to support his nomination at the last meeting. But since that time, there has been a public backlash against that decision. Many people cannot understand why some councillors did not vote for Ioan Richard."
Councillor Holley is hoping the independent Mawr councillor can win enough support this time around.
The highly unusual move is understood to have been approved by the council's legal team.
It would overturn the last vote that saw Councillor Richard ousted and Councillor Susan Waller selected as Lord Mayor for 2007/08.
The motion will be tabled at the next meeting of the council on Tuesday, April 2.
Councillor Richard has spent the last year serving as deputy Lord Mayor.
Council protocol would normally see him become Lord Mayor the following year but opposition members voted against his nomination.
Councillor Holley is hoping to overturn that vote.
He said: "I am tabling a motion on behalf of the Swansea administration which will seek to reinstate Ioan Richard as Lord Mayor for the coming year.
"Ioan has been deputy Lord Mayor during the past year and has been an overwhelming success in that role.
"He has been a great ambassador for Swansea and has taken on the role with terrific enthusiasm and a great sense of duty.
"I was disappointed by the actions of some councillors and it was a sad day for Swansea and the office of the Lord Mayor.
"I hope councillors have had time to reflect on that vote and they will now have another opportunity to vote on April 2.
"I would urge councillors to consider Ioan Richard's record as Deputy Lord Mayor and to respect the agreed protocols for electing the Lord Mayor."
