Reported by us here on this site 10 days ago, the papers can be slow at times! AN OLD Colwyn councillor made an official complaint against the former leader of Conwy County Council, raising the issue of a “conflict of interests” – only to be told by the council the correct procedure had been followed.
Independent councillor David Carr made the complaint against Labour councillor Emily Owen who had taken up a as a specialist consultant with Camlas, a Cardiff-based public affairs company, in early September.
As a councillor representing the Conwy ward, Cllr Owen was also serving as deputy leader up until October 8 when new leader Cllr Julie Fallon took over from Cllr Charlie McCoubrey, before a new cabinet is selected.
Camlas’ website says it had “significant experience in Welsh public affairs” and could “devise a political engagement strategy that works for you”.
A council spokeswoman said no rules had been broken.
“Cllr Emily Owen sought advice from the Monitoring Officer in respect of this matter prior to taking the role and has registered the role on her register of interests, as required by the Members’ Code of Conduct,” she said.
“An interest can only arise where a decision to be taken by Conwy County Borough Council is related to the role, or where the work carried out by Camlas Public Affairs is likely to be impacted by a decision to be made by the council.”
She added: “There are provisions under the Members’ Code of Conduct, and processes in place at the Council, to be followed should that situation ever arise.”
Cllr Owen said she had no comment to make.
In an email sent to Conwy’s chief executive Rhun ap Gareth, legal officer Matthew Georgiou, and former leader Cllr Charlie McCoubrey, Cllr Carr said: “Having looked at the members register of interests, I am concerned that the current deputy leader of Conwy Council, Councillor Emily Owen, has been employed since the 3rd of September 2025 by Camlas Public Affairs as a Specialist Consultant.
“According to their webpages the services they provide are specialist advice, knowledge, and intelligence to clients on all aspects of political life in Wales within a comprehensive range of services.”
He added: “I find this disturbing as this current employment has been undertaken at the same time as Councillor Owen is the deputy leader of Conwy Council. My concern is there may be a conflict of interest.” From...https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/25532313.conflict-interest-complaint-made-ex-leader/
All very odd indeed, still hopefully creepy McCoubrey will now be out of our lives forever.
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