WE CAN BE PROUD
● Dyfrig Siencyn steps-up from deputy to become the new leader of Gwynedd Council
NEW LEADER SETS OUT VISION:
COUNCILLOR Dyfrig Siencyn has been elected as the new Leader of Gwynedd Council.
He was elected last week at the first full council meeting following the local elections.
Cllr Siencyn, a Gwynedd councillor for the North Dolgellau ward and 65-year-old father of four, has been deputy leader since 2014, and leads the Plaid Cymru group on the council.
On his election, Cllr Siencyn said that local government at county council was the “most important level” because of responsibilities including caring for the elderly and vulnerable, education and recycling.
He said: “We can make a direct difference to the lives of our constituents.”
Cllr Siencyn said that, despite the challenges of Brexit, the new council will soon be setting out its vision, ambition and objectives to deliver in “a clear and robust way.”
He said that Gwynedd should take pride in what it has achieved and in the way it was leading the nation with its use of the Welsh language.
After thinking about slogans, Cllr Siencyn said he had come up with “a prosperous, confident, Welsh, positive and a happy Gwynedd.”
Cllr Siencyn said: “I am proud to accept the role of leading Gwynedd Council, and I look forward to working side by side with my fellow members and council officers.
“Despite the pressures we face from several directions, we have a vision and ambition to deliver on behalf of the residents of Gwynedd.
“As a council, we can take pride in what we have achieved over the years, and we will continue to provide firm leadership nationally in our work to promote the use of the Welsh language.”
He chose Cllr Mair Rowlands, Plaid Cymru, Bangor-Menai as deputy leader.
Before becoming a council cabinet member, Cllr Siencyn was chief executive of Farmers Marts Dolgellau, an agricultural co-operative company. He is a registered rural valuer.
Cllr Dyfrig Siencyn succeeds Dyfed Edwards as council leader, who stood down as a councillor at the recent election, having served as leader for nine years.