Who's Been a Naughty Boy Then?

Councillor Ioan Richard, "The People's Representative" and Champion of the Upland Commons of Swansea, hasn't quite been upfront with the goods.

Last year, during a key planning vote for a Gas Compressor Station in his ward, councillor Richard voted for the application. The Compressor vote took place under highly dubious circumstances.

That's the polite way of putting it.

Voicing his opposition to a small wind turbine in Tesco's Car Park, Councillor Richard declared an interest and withdrew. The People's Rep is well known for his opposition to Wind Farms. He later returned to vote through the massive gas installation is his ward. Hmmmm. So why is Ioan such a big fan of fossil fuels?

A few months later, an interesting little article appears in the South Wales Evening Post. Councillor Richard is quoted parrotting National Grid's promotional speil; "20% of UK gas supplies etc." But tucked away in the piece is a very relevant little bit of info: the Grid awarded money from their fund to the Craigcefnparc Welfare Hall.

A hall which Ioan Richard happens to be a Trustee of, through his membership of Mawr Community Council.

Don't remember Ioan declaring an interest in that one though...