A Powys county councillor faces suspension from all council duties for breaching the Members Code of Conduct.

Councillor Gwynfor Thomas, who represents the Llansanffraid ward, was suspended from all county council business for four weeks following a hearing of the Standards Committee on Wednesday. Councillor Thomas, who is a member of the council’s Conservative group, has 21 days to appeal against the decision.

The hearing, which was held before five independent people and two county councillors, ruled that Councillor Thomas, had breached paragraphs 6 (1) (a) of the Code of Conduct for Members - bringing his office or the council/authority into disrepute as a result of the breach. The breach relates to the prosecution of Councillor Thomas under the Cattle Identification and Animal By-Products Regulations in 2015.

If Councillor Thomas does not appeal against the ruling, the suspension will start 21 days from the formal notification of the adjudication.

Members under full suspension are not able take part in any form of business of the authority. In addition if they have been appointed by the council to an outside body, including appointment as a local authority school governor, they cannot act on that body during their suspension.

During a period of suspension neighbouring councillors will be asked to provide cover on behalf of ward residents.