Emergency action after no councillors stand for Mid Wales community council

Temporary members are having to be appointed to sit on Trefeglwys Community Council after no candidates came forward to stand for local election.

The council has all 10 seats left vacant following the council elections on May 4.

Community councillors from neighbouring councils of Blaen Hafren, Caersws, Llanidloes and Llandinam have agreed to sit on the council temporarily until the election is held.

This week Powys County Council will undertake emergency measures and will appoint members until another election is held in late June.

A report going to this week's county council's annual meeting – the first sitting of the new county council membership – said: "Following the ordinary elections held on May 4, 2017, no candidates came forward to stand for election. Therefore at the close of nominations, all 10 seats remain vacant on the community council and the council is no longer able to function without a quorum.

"The quorum is four, being one third of the total number of members of the council, but with the qualification that it in no event must the quorum be less than three.

"Under the Local Government Act 1972 Section 91, where there are so many vacancies in the office of community councillor that the community council is unable to act, Powys County Council as the Principal Council may by order appoint persons to fill all or any of the vacancies until other councillors are elected and take up office."

All of the community councillors refused to stand for re-election, following a three-year dispute initially sparked by plans to build pylons in the area.

Councillors said the conflict was having "a detrimental effect" on their ability to "serve the community effectively".

An election will be held on June 29 in the village when it is hoped candidates will put themselves forward for election.

The annual meeting of the local authority will take place on Thursday at County Hall in Llandrindod Wells.