Issue - meetings

·                The Chair extended his sincere condolences to the family of the late Councillor Paul James, Ceredigion, a prominent member of the Mid & West Wales Fire Authority, who had died following an accident in April;

·                The Chair extended his congratulations to the following:-

·         to Dewi Griffiths, Llanfynydd, on being chosen to run for Team GB in the World Championships following his success in the London Marathon;

·         Helen Gibbon (musician), Jonathan Davies and Ken Owens (rugby players), Aled Samuel (broadcaster) and Nesta Williams (charitable work) who would be received into the Gorsedd at the National Eisteddfod of Wales;

·         Newcastle Emlyn Hockey Team – recent winners of the Welsh Hockey Cup in Sophia Gardens, Cardiff;

·         Islwyn Evans, an employee of the Council and leader of Côr Ceredigion, who had recently won Côr Cymru.

The Retiring Chair, Councillor Mansel Charles, welcomed distinguished guests, Councillors, staff and friends to the meeting.

Councillor Charles reflected on his year in office and expressed his gratitude to the Chief Executive for his advice and professional guidance, and to Directors and staff of the authority who had supported the work of the Chair, including the Democratic Services Unit, his driver Jeff Jones, and in particular Eira Evans for her professional and personal support, arranging his events and making sure that everything always ran smoothly.

He thanked his Vice Chairman, Councillor Kevin Madge, and Councillor Madge’s Consort, Mrs. Catrin Madge, for their support and company during his term of office and wished Councillor Madge well in his year of office. He also thanked his Chaplain Dr. Caroline Jones for her spiritual support and guidance throughout the year.

Councillor Charles expressed his sincere gratitude for all the support he and his consort had received throughout what he personally considered to be a very successful year in which he had travelled the length and breadth of Carmarthenshire meeting many people.

Finally he paid tribute to his consort, Mrs. Bethan Charles-Davies, who had been at his side and guided him for the last 12 months and thanked her formally for her support. He considered that it had been an honour and a privilege to serve as the Council’s Chair and thanked all for giving him the opportunity. 

The Retiring Chair, Councillor Irfon Jones, welcomed distinguished guests, Councillors, staff and friends to the meeting.

Councillor Jones reflected on his year in office and expressed his gratitude to the Chief Executive for his advice and professional guidance, and to Directors and staff of the authority who had supported the work of the Chair, including the Democratic Services Unit, his driver Jeff Jones, and in particular Eira Evans for her professional and personal support, arranging his events and making sure that everything always ran smoothly.

He thanked his Vice Chairman, Councillor Mansel Charles, and Councillor Charles’s Consort, Mrs. Bethan Charles-Davies, for their support and company during his term of office and wished Councillor Charles well in his year of office. He also thanked his Chaplain Rev Canon Aled Williams for his spiritual support and guidance throughout the year.

Councillor Jones expressed his sincere gratitude for all the support he and his consort had received throughout what he personally considered to be a very successful year in which he had travelled the length and breadth of Carmarthenshire meeting centenarians, teenagers, award winners, musicians, artists and royalty.

Finally he paid tribute to his wife and consort Jean, who had been at his side and guided him for the last 12 months and thanked her formally for her continued love and support.  He considered that it had been an honour and a privilege to serve as the Council’s Chair and thanked all for giving him the opportunity.