DEMOCRACY in Caerphilly must be guarded, a councillor said today after the council chief executive cancelled meetings during the Senedd byelection.

Independent councillor group leader Nigel Dix on Caerphilly County Borough Council has challenged the decision of chief executive Ed Edmunds not to hold public council meetings before the Senedd by-election on October 23.

Mr Dix told the Star that he received a phone call from Mr Edmunds explaining the decision while he was walking his dog.

But Mr Dix has since written to all councillors and Mr Edmunds, saying he believes the decision is unlawful.

“Councillors must jealously guard our democracy, and if we do not have democracy, what have we got?” Mr Dix asked.

The council told the Star that one of the candidates for the Senedd seat is a serving councillor, and the decision is to ensure a level playing field.

“The reasoning for the pre-election restrictions is not to prevent the council carrying out its normal business, but to prevent any council business during the period being used to secure electoral advantage,” a council spokesman said.

But Cllr Lindsay Whittle, who is Plaid Cymru’s candidate for the by-election, also stood in last year’s general election, and the council did not cancel meetings then.

A Plaid Cymru spokesperson said: “It is essential that the council’s decisions and actions remain subject to proper scrutiny,” but did not explain how this could happen if council meetings are suspended.

Mr Dix has also raised his fears that the council action is illegal with the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales, but it did not respond to the Star.