On Wednesday (6th March), Cllr. Huw David (Lab, Pyle, Kenfig Hill & Cefn Cribwr) announced that he will be standing down as Bridgend Council’s Leader in May after 8 years in the role.
Having served in multiple Cabinet positions since 2008, he succeeded the previous Council Leader, Mel Nott, in 2016.
“Serving the communities that I love as Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council has been the honour of my life. I remain hugely passionate about the important part that local councils play in our everyday lives, but I have given this position everything I have, and the time is now right for me to stand aside and let someone else bring a different energy and perspective to the role.
“I have decided to announce my decision to step down as Leader now so that colleagues can plan ahead, and consider who they want in place to help lead the authority through whatever new challenges the future may hold. Whoever is elected Leader will, of course, have my full support.”
“….I want to pay tribute to the skills, knowledge and resilience of my Cabinet colleagues and fellow members, and to the full support of the council’s experienced senior management team. I also want to acknowledge the huge contribution from all of the staff who form the core of the authority, and who have ensured that each time a fresh challenge has presented itself, we have been able to meet it head-on together.
“As Leader, it has been an honour to represent and advocate for the best interests of all the communities of the Bridgend County Borough, a place I am very proud to call home. I can assure local residents that I will continue to represent them, and will champion the interests of all our communities.”
– Cllr. Huw David
In his resignation speech, he goes on to mention the difficulties Bridgend Council has faced providing “more than 800 different services” despite year-on-year budget cuts due to austerity.
He also said that the Covid-19 pandemic was “the most difficult part” of his leadership, while other significant negative events include the fallout from Brexit, the closure of the Ford engine plant and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
While Labour will have to shortlist and select a nominee themselves, the council as a whole appoints the Leader for a one-year term at their Annual General Meeting – set to be held on May 15th 2024.
Some of the names likely to be in the mix for the leadership are the current Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Social Services, Cllr. Jane Gebbie (Lab, Pyle, Kenfig Hill & Cefn Cribwr), and former Mayor of BCBC, Cllr. Martyn Jones (Lab, Garw Valley). Both have been linked to the leadership in the past.
Other potential candidates from within the current Cabinet with the pre-requisite experience needed to lead the council include the likes of Cllr. John Spanswick (Lab, Brackla West Central) and Cllr. Hywel Williams (Lab, Blackmill).
