Issue - meetings

The Retiring Chair, former Councillor Eirwyn Williams, welcomed distinguished guests, Councillors, staff and friends to the meeting. He thereupon reflected on his year in office and the events and celebrations he had attended with his consort Mrs. Joyce Williams. He thanked the retiring Vice Chair, former Councillor Ken Lloyd, and his consort, Mrs Katherine Lloyd, for their support and invited former Councillor Lloyd to say a few words.

The retiring Vice Chair, former Councillor Ken Lloyd, paid tribute to the retiring Chair, former Councillor J.E. Williams and his consort, Mrs. Joyce Williams, and wished both the Chair-elect and Vice Chair- elect well during their term of office. He expressed his gratitude to all Councillors and staff for their support not only during his term of office as Vice Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council but also over the last 5 years. Finally, he paid tribute to his consort, Mrs. Katherine Lloyd, and thanked her formally for all her support.

The Retiring Chair thanked former Councillor Ken Lloyd for his kind words and wished both he and Mrs Lloyd a happy retirement. He then expressed his gratitude to the Chief Executive for her advice and professional guidance, and to Directors, particularly Chris Moore who had assisted with the Chair’s fundraising, and staff of the authority who had supported the work of the Chair. He thanked his driver Jeff Jones and Eira Evans for her professional and personal support, arranging his events and making sure that everything always ran smoothly. He paid tribute to his consort, Mrs. Joyce Williams, who had been at his side for the last 12 months and thanked her formally for her support. Finally he wished the Chair-elect Councillor Rob Evans and his consort Councillor Nysia Evans well in his year of office.

The Chair referred to the challenges faced by the Authority during his term of office which, due to the Covid pandemic, had started and was ending with a virtual Annual Meeting. He paid tribute to all staff who had ensured that essential services had been able to continue wherever possible adding that his thoughts were with those who had lost loved ones during the year.

He stated that due to the Covid restrictions he had been unable to undertake many visits during his term of office though he had been able to attend a tree planting ceremony in Whitland in July and open the Ferryside Forum Market. He had also laid a wreath at the Remembrance Sunday Service in Llanelli.

He expressed sadness that he had been unable to visit residents in the county who had celebrated their 100^th birthday nor able to visit the Council’s care home in the run up to Christmas. His biggest disappointment, however, was that he had been unable to hold a Civic Service in Llanybydder, which is usually one of the highlights of a Chair’s year in office;

The Chair referred to the fact that whilst the Annual Walrus Dip fundraising event at Cefn Sidan, Pembrey, had been cancelled he had undertaken a sponsored walk around his village and surrounding areas in addition to arranging his own sponsored swim at Pendine over the Easter weekend. He thanked all who had donated towards his chosen charities – Prostrate Cancer and St. Peter’s Church, Llanybydder.

The Chair stated that it had been an honour to serve as the Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council and he thanked Members for their cooperation. He also thanked his consort, Councillor Sue Allen, the Rev. Wyn Maskell for serving as his Chaplain, Wendy Walters and Linda Rees Jones for their support and guidance throughout the year, staff in the Democratic Services section and Members Support Services, I.T. staff and Callum Warwick who had been particularly helpful during his period in office;

Finally he extended his congratulations and best wishes to his Vice Chairman, Councillor Eirwyn Williams and his consort, Mrs. Joyce Williams, and wished them both well in their year of office. He also congratulated Vice Chair elect, Councillor Ken Lloyd and his consort, Mrs. Katherine Lloyd.