Huw to lead council for another year
HUW David has been reelected as the leader of Bridgend County Borough Council.
Councillor David, who is also the ward member for Cefn Cribwr, was returned unopposed as the leader at the annual meeting of council.
Councillor John McCarthy was selected to act as mayor of Bridgend County Borough, succeeding Councillor Pam Davies, while Councillor Stuart Baldwin will act as deputy mayor.
The cabinet portfolio positions were also agreed for the year ahead. They are:
Deputy leader – Councillor Hywel Williams.
Cabinet member for social services and early help – Councillor Phil White.
Cabinet member for education and regeneration – Councillor Charles Smith.
Cabinet member for wellbeing and future generations – Councillor Dhanisha Patel.
Cabinet member for communities – Councillor Richard Young.
Groups and group leaders were confirmed as follows:
Labour (26) – Councillor Huw David.
Independence Alliance (11) – Councillor Norah Clarke.
Conservative (8) Councillor Tom Giffard.
Plaid Cymru (3) – Councillor Malcolm James.
Llynfi Independents (3) – Councillor Ross Penhale-Thomas.
Three councillors – Ken Watts, Jeff Tildesley and Julia Williams – opted not to join any groups.
Addressing the meeting, Cllr David said: “Serving in any capacity as an elected member is not an easy role, and as we all know, the last few years have been among – the most difficult if not the most difficult that the council has ever had to face.
“But whatever challenges have arisen, we have faced each and every one of them, and we continue to do so with resolve and a united purpose across the chamber, to support our local communities to the very best of our ability.
“Never ending national austerity marches on, and we will continue to work with our superb staff to strive to deliver essential services against a backdrop of ever diminishing resources.
“With over £30m to save over the next four years, many of the decisions that we have to make will be unpopular, but they will be made with a firm focus upon the reality of our changing environment, and on protecting our most essential services and our most vulnerable citizens.”