Sadness over death of deputy

A FORMER leader of Carmarthenshire Council has spoken of his sadness at the death of the authority’s deputy leader.

Cllr Mair Stephens, of Llansaint, led the Independent group of county councillors and died on Sunday, January 9, after a brave fight against illness.

Cllr Kevin Madge, who led the council in a Labour coalition with the Independents between 2012 and 2015, said the death of Cllr Stephens was a huge loss and that he “had a very high respect” for her.

She was elected to Carmarthenshire Council in 2004 as member for the St Ishmaels ward, covering the communities of Llandyfaelog, Ferryside, Llansaint, Cwmffrwd and Bancycapel.

For many years, and until her passing, she served in the council’s cabinet with responsibility for council business and transformation, strategic planning, human resources and training, ICT, audit and performance management.

Flags at the county council’s civic buildings were lowered to half-mast in a sign of respect following her death.

Cllr Madge, who is Labour county councillor for Garnant, said: “When I was leader of the coalition Labour and Independent council I learned a lot from Mair and how she would question things and get things done.

“She treated everyone the same, no matter what party you belonged to, Independent, Labour or Plaid, she was excellent with councillors and the people living in the villages she represented and it is very sad to hear of her passing.

“People like Mair can never be replaced.

“In the council chamber she spoke her mind on issues and fought for what she thought was right, she was an inspiration and she will be remembered well by all who knew her. My thoughts go out to her family at this time.”

Last week, current council leader, Plaid’s Cllr Emlyn Dole paid his own tribute.