County chief to retire ... sparking search to fill six-figure role
GWYNEDD Council’s Chief Executive has announced he will retire by the end of the spring, sparking a search to fill the sixfigure role.
Dilwyn Williams, having been the authority’s head of paid service since 2014, has steered the council through dwindling budgets and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Gwynedd Council has confirmed it is now putting arrangements in place to appoint a new Chief Executive, with Mr Williams to remain in post until his replacement takes over sometime in spring.
Born in St Asaph, the father of three attended Ysgol Glan Clwyd before going on to University College of Wales Bangor where he gained a degree in education and later qualified as an accountant.
Beginning his local government career in Gwynedd as a committee clerk for the former County Council in Caernarfon, he later moved on to Cyngor Dosbarth Dwyfor’s treasury department.
In 1996 he was appointed head of accountancy at the newly formed Gwynedd Council before taking up the role of strategic director for resources and later council corporate director. He stepped up to the top role in 2014 following the retirement of Harry Thomas, through a time of ever dwindling block grants and necessary cuts in service to make up shortfalls.
Looking back on his 40 years in public service, Mr Williams said: “After working in local government in the Gwynedd area since 1979, and having the honour of being Gwynedd Council Chief Executive for the past seven years, I have decided that now is the right time to retire and pass on the baton.
“It has been a privilege to lead a dedicated and effective workforce, and I will miss the wonderful company of my colleagues and the real sense of family at Gwynedd Council.”
Paying tribute, council leader Dyfrig Siencyn said: “During his time as Chief Executive, Dilwyn has played a vital part in the Council’s work in what has been the most challenging time in the authority’s history.
“He has led on the work of protecting the key services that residents rely on in the face of severe cuts in financial support from the government.
“This has been achieved by introducing radical changes to working arrangements through the Ffordd Gwynedd vision that Dilwyn has developed. Most recently, he has ensured key Council services have continued to be delivered for Gwynedd’s most vulnerable people during the pandemic.
“Throughout his time with the Council, Dilwyn has been a robust and tireless advocate for the people and communities of Gwynedd in regional and national discussions. I’m sure I speak on behalf of all Gwynedd Councillors in wishing him the very best.
“He leaves big shoes to fill, but thanks to the changes he has implemented, Dilwyn will be departing safe in the knowledge that Gwynedd is well placed to meet the challenges of the months ahead as we hopefully move towards the post-coronavirus period.”