An independent councillor has been caught on camera driving while attending a virtual planning meeting, with his mobile phone balanced in a car cupholder. Dean Lewis, who represents Neath Port Talbot, was spotted wearing a seatbelt and changing gear as he participated in a Microsoft Teams call with planning officers in January.
Footage Reveals Councillor's Actions During Meeting
The footage shows Cllr Lewis speaking about an application to build holiday homes between two villages while apparently taking a sip from a drink. This incident occurred three years after another councillor in North Wales admitted to raising his hand during a virtual council meeting while driving, highlighting ongoing concerns about remote participation protocols.
Councillor's Defence and Ombudsman Decision
Cllr Lewis, who was previously suspended for four months following a drink-driving conviction, described the latest situation as 'ridiculous' and 'blown out of proportion'. He claimed that for 90 percent of the meeting, he was parked in a car park, only driving briefly towards the end of his shift to a clock-in station on private land at work.
He later explained that he left his phone in the cupholder to listen to the meeting as background noise, acknowledging this might be frowned upon. Consequently, he referred himself to the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales, but the body decided to take no further action against him.
Council's Response and Procedural Rules
A council spokesman stated that they are aware of the footage from the January 20 meeting and the raised matters. The Ombudsman has completed their consideration and notified the council that no further investigation will be undertaken.
The spokesman added, 'Council meetings are conducted in accordance with the council's constitution and relevant procedural rules. The council's arrangements allow for remote participation by members, and the procedures do not include specific provisions relating to the location from which a member may join a meeting. Participation in meetings remains subject to compliance with applicable legal and safety requirements.'
Previous Similar Incident Involving Another Councillor
This is not an isolated case. In July 2023, Cllr Andrew Wood, an independent member of Conwy Council at the time, was branded as 'completely reckless' for raising his hand during a virtual council meeting while driving his car. He also faced no further action from the Public Services Ombudsman, indicating a pattern in how such incidents are handled.
Background of Councillor Dean Lewis
Cllr Lewis, who represents Resolven and Tonna at Neath Port Talbot Council, has served as a council member since 2019. His history includes a prior suspension related to a drink-driving conviction, adding context to the current scrutiny over his conduct during the virtual meeting.
The incident raises questions about the adequacy of remote meeting guidelines and the enforcement of safety standards for elected officials participating in digital governance sessions.
