Minutes:
[Note: Council reconvened in the Chamber at County Hall, Carmarthen at 11:35am]
The Chair welcomed to the Council Chamber Mr David Tom Davies OBE, MM, along with his family and friends.
The Chair referred to the unanimous decision made by Council at its meeting held on 13th June 2018 (minute 11 refers) to confer the Freedom of the County of Carmarthenshire on Mr David Tom Davies OBE MM in recognition of his long and distinguished record of public service in Welsh Local Government.
Mr David Tom Davies, universally known as ‘D.T.’, served as a Councillor for the Llandeilo and surrounding area from 1970 to 2003. Mr Davies was first elected as a County Councillor of the former Carmarthenshire County Council in 1969 which continued beyond the local government reorganisation that took place in 1974 with Dyfed County Council officially coming into existence in 1976.
During his period on Dyfed County Council, Mr Davies served as Chairman of the Council in 1981-82 and as Chair of the Education Committee for many years. His career continued through another period from the reorganisation of local authorities twenty years later becoming the first Chair of the current Carmarthenshire County Council in 1996.
Mr Davies had also been a member of Llangathen Community Council for over 40 years and was a member of the board of governors of Ysgol Tre-gib. He was instrumental in the establishment of the National Botanic Garden in Llanarthne and subsequently Aberglasney Gardens.
The Council was apprised of notable events in Mr Davies’ life story which included a period of time when he was captured as a prisoner of war at the Battle of Crete 1941 and spent three years as a prisoner in Austria, then Hungary. He had also been held prisoner at the barbaric concentration camp of Zemun, near Belgrade.
Councillor Cefin Campbell, who currently served the Llanfihangel Aberbythych ward, was amongst those who nominated Mr Davies for the Honorary Freedom. Cllr Campbell spoke of Mr Davies’s selfless commitment to his community and his respectful ability as a Chairman, as well as his remarkable determination and resilience during his wartime service.
In addition, it was acknowledged that today, Mr Davies was celebrating his 100th birthday.
In order to acknowledge and recognise his huge contribution to public service in Carmarthenshire it was proposed to bestow upon Mr Davies the Freedom of Carmarthenshire.
The Chief Executive referred to the scroll which set out the following citation:-
“County of Carmarthenshire - In recognition of eminent and outstanding public service rendered to the county, at a meeting of Carmarthenshire County Council held on the 13th day of June, 2018 it was resolved that the Freedom of the County be granted to D.T. Davies in witness whereof the common seal of the Council of the County of Carmarthenshire was hereby affixed this 11th day of July in the presence of Councillor J.M. Charles, Chairman of the Council and Mark James, Chief Executive of the Council.”
The Chair thereupon formally bestowed the Freedom of the County of Carmarthenshire upon Mr David Tom Davies OBE, MM.
Members paid tribute to Mr Davies acknowledging his commitment and dedication over a period of 50 years to the Council, to his community and to local government in Wales. He was highly regarded and very well respected by all, his wisdom and experience always valued tremendously. He was congratulated on this unique and outstanding achievement.
Mr Davies thanked everyone for the honour bestowed upon him and for their kind words.