Agenda and minutes

Apologies

Councillors Lloyd Edwards, Maldwyn Lewis and Dan Potter apologised for their inability to attend the meeting. 

Claire Parmenter, Temporary Chief Constable, Dyfed-Powys Police; Professor Elizabeth Treasure, Vice-Chancellor Aberystwyth University; Professor Medwin Hughes, Vice-Chancellor St. David’s University; Councillor Gwynfor Thomas, Chairman of Powys County Council; Chris Davies, Chief Fire Officer; Mr Steve Moore, Hywel Dda University Health Board; and Maria Battle, Chairman of the Hywel Dda University Health Board also apologised for their inability to attend the meeting.

Personal matters

a.    Councillor Gareth Davies, Chairman of the Council congratulated Elin Jones on being re-elected to the Senedd and to her role as Presiding Officer;

b.    Councillor Gareth Davies, Chairman of the Council congratulated Dafydd Llywelyn on being re-elected as the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Dyfed-Powys Police area;

c.    Councillor Ray Quant, on behalf of the Independent Group congratulated Elin Jones on being re-elected to the Senedd and to her role as Presiding Officer, Dafydd Llywelyn on being re-elected as the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Dyfed-Powys Police area; Regional representatives; and Mark Drakeford returning as First Minister;

d.    Councillor Ceredig Davies on behalf of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Group congratulated Elin Jones on being re-elected to the Senedd and to her role as Presiding Officer, Dafydd Llywelyn on being re-appointed as the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Dyfed-Powys Police area; and paid tribute to all the Regional Representatives.

Councillor Gareth Davies noted the past year had been both unusual and extremely challenging.  He noted that Ceredigion County Council and the Hywel Dda University Health Board had worked together extremely well throughout the pandemic to ensure the safety of our residents, which is reflected in the relatively low number of people affected here in Ceredigion.  However, the County did not completely escape this pandemic, and he paid tribute to those that have lost loved ones from COVID-19.

The Chairman paid tribute to all the Council staff for their hard work and their dedication, with many working  long hours and going the extra mile to ensure the smooth running of the Council and to ensure the safety of the residents of Ceredigion

He noted that due to the circumstances, he may well be remembered as the Chairman that never sat in his chair at the Council Chamber; that only wore his chain on two occasions, and never had an opportunity to represent the Council at any formal functions.  He noted his disappointment that he had been unable to represent the Council at the Eisteddfod in Tregaron in 2020.

Councillor Gareth Davies said that it was an honour to have been the Chairman of Ceredigion County Council, and he thanked all the Members for their cooperation.  He thanked Reverend Andrew Loat and Council Officers, and he wished the new Chairman, the Vice-Chair and their Consorts well for the coming year.

To be proposed by Councillor Matthew Woolfall Jones

Councillor Matthew Woolfall-Jones paid tribute to the Chairman, Councillor Gareth Davies, for providing an excellent service during a particularly challenging time, whilst ensuring fairness and an opportunity for everyone to speak, setting solid foundations for the next Chairman.

To be proposed by Councillor Ceredig Davies

To be seconded by Councillor Rowland Rees-Evans

It was proposed by Councillor Ceredig Davies and seconded by Councillor Rowland Rees-Evans and unanimously RESOLVED that Councillor Paul Hinge be elected Chairman of the Council for the ensuing Municipal year, 2021/22.

The newly-elected Chairman was presented with his Chain of Office and made his declaration of acceptance of office. The Chairman’s Consort, Mrs. Angharad Lewis was presented with her Insignia of Office.

Councillor Paul Hinge thanked Councillor Ceredig Davies and Councillor Rowland Rees-Evans for their support and kind words, and he thanked his fellow councillors for entrusting him with the role of Chairman for the ensuing municipal year.  He thanked Councillor Gareth Davies for his unstinting work as Chairman during a difficult past year, noting that it was an honour to have been his Vice-Chairman.

He thanked the Tirymynach Community Councillors for their dedication, advice, knowledge and community spirit, which had made his role as County Councillor much easier and personally rewarding.  He thanked his daughter Angharad for stepping up to be his Consort, Rev Richard Lewis for graciously agreeing to be his Chaplin.

The Chairman also noted the work of those that have and continue to support armed forces personnel, their families and veterans are the support they are provided to ensure they are able to access services when they need them through the Armed Forces Covenant Specific reference was also made to the charity Woody’s Lodge that provides a respite centre for those suffering from PTSD as a consequence of their service in Penlan Farm, Penrhiwpal

To be proposed by Councillor Ray Quant MBE

To be seconded by Councillor Keith Evans

It was proposed by Councillor Ray Quant MBE and seconded by Councillor Keith Evans and unanimously RESOLVED that Councillor Ifan Davies be elected Vice-Chairman of the Council for the ensuing Municipal year, 2021/22.

The newly elected Vice-Chairman was presented with his Insignia of office and made his declaration of acceptance of office. The Vice-Chairman’s Consorts, Mrs. Iona Davies was presented with her Insignia of Office.

It was RESOLVED to note the appointment of the Reverend Richard Lewis as the Chairman’s Chaplain for the ensuing municipal year, 2021/22.

Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn re-iterated the congratulations to Elin Jones AS, and also thanked her and Ben Lake, MP for their support and co-operation during the recent challenging times.

Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn congratulated Councillors Paul Hinge and Ifan Davies on being elected Chair and Vice Chair respectively. The Leader also paid tribute to Councillor Gareth Davies on his service during his year as Chairman.

The Leader addressed the Council on the main matters which had impacted the Council during the previous year and reflecting on a year during COVID-19. Gold Command was established under the leadership of the Chief Executive, Eifion Evans to address matters relating to COVID-19; regular meetings were held with the Minister for Local Government, the Minister for Health and Social Care, the Minister for Education and many others. 

She thanked the Council’s Information Technology team for their support in ensuring that staff were able to work from home and that virtual Council meetings could be held., Particular recognition was extended to staff from Social Services, our care homes, private care homes and domestic care teams who recognised the risk of COVID-19 early and established safety guidelines to safeguard our most vulnerable residents.  She thanked the Schools Services for providing clear guidelines and up-skilling school staff to teach online, and the Early Intervention and Prevention teams who ensured that food boxes containing products by local suppliers were provided to individuals that were self-isolating.  The Leader noted that the Waste Collection Services had continued throughout the whole period, and was greatly appreciated, and she thanked the Finance Services who worked tirelessly distributing £50 million in grants to local businesses.

The Leader noted that one of the highlights of the period was the recognition given to Barry Rees and Carwen Evans for establishing the first track and trace programme in Wales, for which Barry Rees was recognised with an MBE. Appreciation was extended to all Council staff across a range of services, led by Eifion Evans who have work tirelessly to support the County’s efforts to protect the residents of Ceredigion from the effects of COVID-19

The Leader noted that despite the pandemic, the day to day work of the Council continued, noting that it had an exceptional year for partnership working especially with the Hywel Dda University Health Board, CAVO and Aberystwyth University.  During the year the Council adopted its Economic Strategy for 2021 – 2035; agreed to purchase land and assets in order to build a new school in the Aeron Valley; approved a Tackling Poverty Strategy; and well as a programme for dealing with Ash Die-back.  The Heads of Terms for the Growing Mid Wales partnership was signed with the UK Government and Welsh Government, with a promise of an investment of £110million investment in the region over 10 years.

In conclusion, Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn thanked Eifion Evans and staff for their loyalty and conscientious work, she thanked her Cabinet colleagues for their work and their support, and to Council Members and partners for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

It was RESOLVED to confirm the Membership of the Council’s Committees as presented at the meeting.