A councillor has been caught driving with his phone balancing in his cupholder while attending a virtual meeting with planning officers.
Dean Lewis was spotted on camera wearing a seatbelt and changing gear while speaking to a planning committee on Microsoft Teams.
The independent councillor for Neath Port Talbot also appeared to be taking a sip from a drink as he spoke about an application to build holiday homes between two villages.
Cllr Lewis, who was previously suspended as a councillor for four months after a drink-driving conviction, described the latest incident as ‘ridiculous’ and ‘blown out of proportion’ but referred himself to the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales after the meeting in January.
But the body decided to take no action against the councillor.
He told the Telegraph: ‘I just think it’s ridiculous. It’s all been blown out of proportion.
‘The reason why it hasn’t gone any further is because when I was driving, I was driving on private land at work.
‘For 90 per cent of the meeting I was sat down in a car park, not driving. Coming towards the end of my shift, I thought, right, OK, I’m going to drive up to the clock-in station.’
Dean Lewis was spotted on camera wearing a seatbelt and changing gear while speaking to a planning committee on Microsoft Teams
The independent councillor for Neath Port Talbot also appeared to be taking a sip from a drink as he spoke about an application to build holiday homes
He later claimed that he was driving on private land during the meeting and left his phone in a cup holder to listen in as ‘background noise’.
He admitted that might have been frowned upon, which is why he referred himself to the Ombudsman.
A council spokesman said: ‘The council is aware of the footage from the planning committee meeting held on 20 January and the matters that have been raised.
‘The Ombudsman has now completed their consideration and has notified the council that they will not be undertaking any further investigation.
‘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.’
The incident took place three years after a councillor admitted raising his hand during a virtual council meeting while driving his car in North Wales.
Cllr Lewis (bottom left) balanced his cupholder while attending a virtual meeting with planning officers
Cllr Andrew Wood was an independent member of Conwy Council when he was branded as ‘completely reckless’ over his actions in July 2023.
He also faced no further action from the Public Services Ombudsman.
Cllr Lewis, who represents Resolven and Tonna at Neath Port Talbot Council, has served as a council member since 2019.
