Bridgend Council’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held earlier this week. It’s the meeting at which councillors are appointed to various roles for the next year.
Mayor’s “pleasure and honour” at her year in post
The outgoing Mayor, Cllr. Heather Griffiths (Lab, Garw Valley), said it was a “real pleasure and honour” to serve as Mayor, thanking all of those who had helped her over the year.
As is tradition, her Deputy – and former Council Leader – Cllr. Huw David (Lab, Pyle, Kenfig Hill & Cefn Cribwr) was appointed Mayor for 2025-26.
Cllr. Norah Clarke (Ind, Nottage) and Heidi Bennett (Lab, Pen-y-fai) were nominated as Deputy Mayor for 2025-26. Cllr. Bennett was elected by 28 votes to 17.
John Spanswick re-elected Council Leader; no changes to Cabinet
Cllr. John Spanswick (Lab, Brackla West Central) was re-elected as Council Leader. The opposition put forward Cllr. Ross Penhale-Thomas (Ind, Maesteg West) as their alternative candidate.
There were audio issues, so I couldn’t make out all the votes. From those I could hear properly, it was a clear result.
Cllr. Spanswick said that while things “get a little bit personal”, he was willing to work with everyone in the chamber.
He announced there would be no changes to the sitting Cabinet members or their portfolios.
New Committee names decided
As covered recently, following a review of scrutiny arrangements, the subject scrutiny committee would change from being numbered (1,2,3) to having clear names reflecting what policy areas they scrutinise.
- Subject Overview & Scrutiny Committee 1 changes to Education & Youth Services.
- Subject Overview & Scrutiny Committee 2 changes to Social Care, Health & Wellbeing.
- Subject Overview & Scrutiny Committee 3 changes to Communities, Housing & Environment.
