The final annual general meeting (AGM) of this Bridgend Council term took place yesterday – which you can watch here. The AGM is where the councillors are nominated and appointed to key offices.
“A year like no other”
The outgoing Mayor of Bridgend County, Cllr. Ken Watts (Ind, Newton), said 2020-21 “had been a year like no other” and a true Annus Horribilis, having tested the resolve and commitment of everyone.
He expressed gratitude to care workers, the NHS and BCBC officers and staff who kept services going during “a unique and demanding time”. The way we live, work and play has changed and many lives and livelihoods have been lost.
There were tributes from councillors across the (virtual) chamber, who praised how the outgoing mayor chaired virtual meetings and undertook his duties in difficult circumstances.
As is tradition, the incoming Mayor for 2021-22 was last year’s deputy – Cllr. John Spanswick (Lab, Brackla) – who was appointed unanimously.
After 39 years working in local government and 30 years as either a community councillor or borough councillor, he thought it was time to take on the role even though he never expected to. He said he would champion open spaces and green spaces over the coming year – particularly planting trees and protecting open spaces for future generations.
A Bridgend College-led project has a target of planting 60,000 trees by 2025 but the incoming Mayor hoped to increase this to 145,000 – one tree for every person living in Bridgend county. This will also play a part in initiatives to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 (“Queen’s Green Canopy”).
His nominated charities are the Brackla-based men’s mental health support group “Lads and Dads” and Bridgend Carer’s Centre.
Cllr. Martyn Jones (Lab, Bettws) was the sole nominee for Deputy Mayor and was subsequently appointed unanimously. Instead of nominating a consort, he will invite councillors from across the chamber to accompany him to events when called upon.
Council Leader: Pandemic outlook brighter, but it hasn’t gone away
As well as appointing the Mayor, the Leader of Bridgend Council is also appointed at the AGM. To nobody’s surprise that was the current Leader, Cllr. Huw David (Lab, Cefn Cribwr) – who was re-appointed unanimously.
He congratulated two sitting councillors – Cllr. Tom Giffard (Con, Brackla) and Cllr. Altaf Hussain (Con, Penyfai) – for their recent election to the Senedd as members for South Wales West.
The Leader went on to say that normally this would have been an opportunity to talk about the highlights of the council’s work over the last year and to look forward. However, the last year has been anything but normal. When the stakes were high, people came together to respond to the crisis and the council’s workforce adapted and persevered under the most difficult of circumstances.
The outlook is far brighter with Covid-19 infections falling, vaccine rollout accelerating and lockdown restrictions easing – but he reminded everyone that it hasn’t gone away.
New Cabinet appointment for Communities
There was one change to Bridgend Council’s Cabinet.
Cllr. Stuart Baldwin (Lab, Morfa) replaces Cllr. Richard Young (Lab, Pendre) as Cabinet Member for Communities.
Paying tribute, Cllr. David said Cllr. Young – the only sitting member of Bridgend Council who was also a member of the former Mid Glamorgan County Council – has represented his community for 30 years which was an exceptional achievement.
His championing of green energy and the armed forces has led to a legacy Cllr. Young could be proud of. Cllr. Young – a navy veteran – will continue as the council’s Armed Forces Champion.
Cllr. Young was touched by the tributes but didn’t want to go into any detail as to why he was standing down, noting that he faces some challenges in his personal life over the coming year. He “thoroughly enjoyed” working with cabinet colleagues and thanked officers who made his job “a lot easier”.
