Powys Council Gossip.

Today's Royal British Legion Remembrance Service was stuffed full of civic dignitaries. There were councillors and chains all over the place. There was also a scattering of Lords and Ladies. I was sitting in the same row as my MP, Lembit Opik. I suspect that persons organising seating plans at this sort of occasion are doing this for the amusement of others. Today we had the redoubtable Deputy Mayor of Newtown, Mrs Joy Jones seated between us.

Seems that the plan to create a 'governing coalition' between the Powys Independent Alliance and the Liberal Democrats fell flat on its face on Friday. No idea why. They've got the numbers - with plenty to spare. They only needed 37 backers but managed to scrape only a measly 31. I was told that the Lib Dems didn't turn up! Well there's a surprise. Don't blame me if that's not true. Was talking to a 'leading light' of the newly named 'Shires Independent Group' (used to be called the Montgomeryshire Independents). Told me that the new name would appeal to Independents in Breconshire and Radnorshire. Well yes it might. But my advice was to develop a 'love bombing' strategy and show a real commitment to the 'shires' of Breconshire and Radnorshire. That's a lot more likely to work. One thing that does bother me is the genuine hostility that I'm told now exists between councillors of different groups. Didn't exist in my day. We used to scrap like ****** (politically incorrect) but remained friends. Today, I walked from the Church to the 'feast' with Lady Hooson. We used to scrap like terriers all the time when we were councillors - and we probably still would. But I look on her and Emlyn as really good friends. This hostility, if it exists, is a real shame - and rather childish if truth be told.

The 'interim' Chief Executive of Powys Council, Jeremy Patterson was there, on crutches. I wondered whether he'd hurt himself breaking up a fight between these warring councillors - but no. The poor fellow's undergone an operation on his knee, and won't be 100% recovered for best part of a year. First time I've had a chat with him. Tried him for a bit of inside gossip for my blog, but he was being very careful. Not sure if he was certain that I was joking. I suppose its always best to be cautious when operating in a war zone. Anyway, I told him to let me know if he ever thinks I publish something 'out of order'. I do hope his knee makes good progress. Powys Chief Executives need to be able to run.