By just a single vote, a new chairman has been appointed to steer a powerful Powys County Council committee for the next year.

At the council’s Planning Taxi Licensing and Rights of Way committee’s annual meeting on Thursday, May 30, incumbent Cllr Karl Lewis, who had been in the chair for six years, faced opposition for the coveted role from Cllr Gareth D Jones.

Cllr Jones has been the committee’s vice-chairman for the past two years.

Due to both councillors receiving nominations the committee went to a vote.

Cllr Jones, who represents Llanfair Caereinion and is part of the newly formed Powys Independents group, received nine votes and Cllr Lewis who represents Llandinam with Dolfor, received eight votes.

Cllr Jones was then announced as the winner and new commttee chairman.

After taking over the hot seat, Cllr Jones said: “Thank you all for appointing me to be chairman of planning - and can I take this opportunity to thank Karl for the past two years?”

The committee then turned its attention to finding a successor to Cllr Jones in the role of vice-chairman.

There were two nominees for this role, Liberal Democrat Cllr Corinna Kenyon-Wade who represents Knighton with Beguildy, and Conservative Cllr Adrian Jones who represents Berriew with Castle Caereinion.

Again, there was just one vote between the pair - Cllr (Adrian) Jones received nine votes to Cllr Kenyon-Wade’s eight.

Due to the responsibility, the role of Planning committee chairman comes with a senior salary.

This year the chairman will receive £9,333, paid on top of the basic salary of £18,666.

Cllr Karl Lewis had been in the role since May 2018 and hopes to make a swift return next year.

Cllr Lewis said: “I wish Cllrs Gareth Jones and Adrian Jones all the best for their year in office.

“I am not going far, and I will still be contributing towards positive and proactive debate in meetings, and as always putting the interests of the taxpayer first.

“I am sure if I have the Conservative group and the wider members of the councils support, I will be putting my name forward for chairman of the committee next year.”