His call for the docking of absent chairman’s pay was not approved but a councillor has highlighted an issue of “discipline and values” for group leaders.

At Tuesday’s (February 5) corporate governance committee there was a long discussion on Clr. Mike Stodart’s proposal that if a committee chairman is absent their allowance should be given to the replacement.

However, this was not said to be within the regulations covering councillor salaries, a report to committee states, although Clr. Stoddart did not agree.

He said the wording in the query sent to the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) was wrong, and it was not a chairman substitute but a replacement.

“I’m still not happy that we are being told what is in the report is correct,” added Clr. Stoddart, who said the IRPW was not a legal body but “former public sector pen pushers.”

The matter arose following the abandonment of a scrutiny committee last October because it was not quorate, with one of the missing members being chairman Clr. David Bryan, who was on holiday.

Whether a group replacement was suitable to chair a meeting was highlighted by other councillors, with the vice-chairman said to be much better informed to take over.

Clr. Bob Kilmister said: “What this clearly shows is it’s up to the group leaders to take action and to take responsibility.”

“They should select someone they know is committed to the job,” added Clr. Reg Owen.

It was decided that the notice of motion not be adopted but that a rolling calendar is updated every six months for the following six month, giving a full view of the coming year.