Councillor shouts 'hooray' at colleague's removal from committee

A politician was forced to apologise after cheering "hooray" when a fellow councillor told a meeting he had been removed from a council committee.

The awkward exchange happened in a Conwy council scrutiny committee meeting on Monday about a long-running saga in which the floor of a purpose-built lorry depot in Mochdre was been deemed unsuitable for heavy vehicles.

Paul Luckock, a member of the Citizens First Alliance party, was about to ask questions when he mentioned he was no longer a member of the scrutiny committee, describing it as "a disappointment".

Cabinet member Stephen Price of Labour then cheered "hooray", which he repeated before laughing nervously after Luckock said "pardon?"

Chairing the meeting, Cheryl Carlisle asked Price to withdraw his comment and apologise, saying "that's not befitting of a cabinet member" to which he replied: "Apologies, Paul."

The council signed a contract in May 2016 for a purpose-built HGV depot at Mochdre Commerce Park costing £240,000 a year.

Its floor has never been used for its intended purpose as it is unsuitable for heavy vehicles.

The council remains tied to the long-term lease for the site and is involved in litigation over it.

Luckock lost his place on the scrutiny committee due to the size of committees being changed by the authority some weeks ago.

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