Chance to keep town running
CARMARTHEN Town Council is looking to appoint a new clerk to succeed Alun Harries, who is retiring after seven years in the role at the end of the summer.
The position of clerk is the most senior officer at a town council and is principally responsible for ensuring that the priorities and decisions of councillors are put into action.
Mr Harries said: “It is an excellent job that carries quite a bit of responsibility, the town council budget is now nearly £1 million and there is a team of 20 staff who carry out all the work on behalf of the council.
“We have responsibility for all the parks in the town and also the town cemetery and manage most of the big events that take place in Carmarthen, including the Christmas parade and lights switch-on.”
Speaking about his seven years as clerk, he added: “I have been lucky to have had a great team of people around me who are particularly proud of what they do on behalf of the people of Carmarthen.
“Whilst I have lived in the Carmarthen area for most of my adult life, I have met and worked with many people who make a huge contribution to the town.”
Alun said he is very proud of the work of the town council, which has attracted many national awards during his time as clerk, and also the significant work undertaken during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said: “Carmarthen was extremely fortunate that the mayor at the time, Cllr Gareth John, was very alive to the economic challenges brought about by the pandemic, and the leadership provided by Cllr John and the other councillors, coupled with the very hard work of staff enabled the town council to contribute greatly with its partners to support vulnerable people and create a coordinated response by all the organisations involved.
“Much of that work went on in the background outside of the public eye, and organisations such as Carmarthenshire Council, the Carmarthen Bid and many individual businesses and voluntary organisations
worked extremely effectively together for the benefit of Carmarthen.”
Mr Harries added: “I can confidently say that the Town Council is seen by its peers as being at the leading edge of town and community council work in Wales. The redevelopment of Carmarthen velodrome for the first time in over a hundred years was a great project, and helping to bring a Winter Wonderland to Carmarthen Park was also very memorable, I hope that it returns again in the future.
“Having spent over 40 years working in both the public and private sector, now is the right time for me to retire. We had the local elections in May, and with six new town councillors, the council will adopt a new fiveyear strategy during the coming autumn, and it makes sense that the new clerk is fully involved in that process from the outset.”
Looking ahead to retirement, he said: “I have other interests to pursue, starting with watching more of Swansea City AFC and travelling to Qatar in November to watch Wales play in a World Cup.
“I have also recently taken up playing the piano and bought my first motorbike last year, so there will be plenty of things for me to do.”
A candidate recruitment pack for the town clerk’s role incorporating an application form, job description and person specification is available from Carmarthen Town Council online at www.carmarthentowncouncil.gov.uk Contact Alun for any further information via email at ajharries@ carmarthentowncouncil.gov.uk.
The closing date for applications is Friday, August 19 at 5pm and interviews are scheduled to take place on Monday, September 5.