A LEADING Gwent councillor is facing possible censure by his authority's standards committee.

Monmouthshire Councillor Graham Powell will face the standards committee on Monday concerning allegations over his treatment of a social worker.

The allegation arises out of a meeting between two elderly Caldicot residents and social services staff from the council, which Councillor Powell attended. The meeting took place last August at the sheltered accommodation where the couple live, and afterwards a complaint was made against Councillor Powell.

The matter was then investigated by the Ombudsman, after a complaint from Colin Berg, the council's director of social services.

The Ombudsman interviewed everyone involved and has submitted his report to the council.

This report was considered by the council's standards committee on June 9 this year when members concluded there was some evidence of a failure by Councillor Powell to comply with the council's own Code of Conduct.

But it was agreed by the committee, which consists of five independent members and three county councillors, that Councillor Powell should be given the opportunity to make representations in respect of the Ombudsman's findings.

He will get his chance on Monday when the committee again considers the allegation.

If the committee decides there is evidence of a failure to comply with the code they have a range of options: to take no action; to censure Councillor Powell or to suspend or partially suspend him from being a member of the authority for up to six months.

Councillor Powell said yesterday that it would be unwise to comment before the hearing.

Councillor Powell, 77, is the council member for the Severn ward of Caldicot and has been involved in local government for more than 55 years.

A former railway guard, he is the former leader of the present council and former chairman and leader of the old Gwent county council, and formerly a prominent member of the Gwent police authority.