Welsh Labour declines to comment on councillor’s move to England
Ted Peskett, local democracy reporter
The Welsh Labour party has refused to explain why a Cardiff Council ward member now appears to be representing residents from a town in England.
Labour Cllr Chris Lay, who is a ward member for Trowbridge, created a social media post on Saturday, July 26, suggesting that he had moved house to Telford.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands that Cllr Lay has notified Cardiff Council about a change of address.
Cllr Lay posted on Facebook that he was at a location in Telford and Werkin with family members.
The post read: “The move is complete, lovely evening sunshine with a cheeky drink.
“Massive thank you to mom and dad… and my cousin Jude. Me and jess are very grateful for the help and support moving us in.”
Change of address
We tried to contact Cllr Lay on a mobile number published on Cardiff Council’s website and via Facebook.
The LDRS also asked Cllr Lay via email if he would like to respond to questions about his change of address.
The Labour group at Cardiff Council and Welsh Labour was also asked to clarify Cllr Lay’s move and how he hoped to represent residents in Trowbridge and address the issues in their area from a town that’s more than 120km away.
Welsh Labour said it would not be commenting at this time.
Changing address to a location outside your ward is not a breach of the members code of conduct – a code of standards councillors across the country have to adhere to.
In the members code of conduct document on Cardiff Council’s website, it states that councillors must register a change of interest within 28 days of becoming aware of it.
St Mellons
Under Cllr Lay’s profile on Cardiff Council’s website, it states under his register of interest that he is the owner of a property in St Mellons.
Two of the other ward members for Trowbridge live at addresses outside of their ward.
Under Labour Cllr Michael Michael’s register of interests, it states that he is the owner of a property in Fairwater.
The other Labour councillor for the area, Cllr Bernie Bowen-Thomson, owns a property in Heath according to her register of interest.
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Da iawn. One less unionist yng Nghymru lân.
So now, none of the Labour councillors for the Trowbridge ward in Cardiff live in the area.
This is just plain ridiculous. Just remove him as a councillor. Either he’s committed to representing his ward in Cardiff , or in my wise and witty opinion, should be committed.
“mom”. Can’t spell mam or mum can he?
I hate that term.
I firmly believe the best person to represent a ward is someone who lives in it and has day to day knowledge of the problems that arise.
Cardiff Labour needs to sort this out urgently.
The Lleidi ward in Llanelli has been lumbered with a Reform councillor who lives in Kidwelly 8 miles away.
Safe seat for labour. Parachute in whoever to this area. No idea what is going on and barely any contact with residents.
To be a member of Senedd you have to live in Wales so it’s about time that to represent a council you should live in that County.
You find it with public sector workers that can’t be a councillor in their own work area but are councillors in other counties, needs to stop.