Agenda and minutes

Apologies

a)    Councillors Euros Davies and Gwyn James apologised for their inability to attend the meeting;

b)    Eifion Evans, Chief Executive apologised for his inability to attend the meeting;

c)    Elen James, Russell Hughes-Pickering, Elin Prysor and Alun Williams, Corporate Lead Officers apologised for their inability to attend the meeting;

d)    Mr Ben Lake, Member of Parliament apologised for his inability to attend the meeting.

Personal Matters

a)    The Chair extended his condolences to Eifion Evans, Chief Executive on his recent bereavement.

b)    The Chair, on behalf of Councillor Euros Davies thanked Meinir Ebbsworth, Corporate Lead Officer for Schools and Culture for her contribution to the service and wished her well in her new role.

Councillor Ifan Davies noted that it was a pleasure to address the meeting for the last time as Chairman of Ceredigion County Council.  He reflected upon the activities of the past year noting that it had been an honour to be a part of it.  He contemplated the sad loss of the late Hag Harris, a friend and fellow councillor whose contribution had been significant, and he thanked Reverend Aled Lewis, Chaplain of the Council for his support and purposeful words.

Councillor Ifan Davies noted that the past year had been very full.  He noted that the highlight of his year was undoubtedly the National Eisteddfod, which showed the ‘Cardis’ at their best, as well as attending Rali Bae Ceredigion.  He noted that it had been an historic year with the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and the Coronation of King Charles III, and it was a privilege to represent Ceredigion in services at Llandaff and at St Davids Cathedral.  He thanked all the friends and acquaintances he had made during the year, and he thanked Councillor Maldwyn Lewis and his consort Reverend Carys Ann for their support and friendship and wished them well for the coming year.  He thanked the Chief Executive, Officers and all staff for their work, the Independent Group for their friendship and support and to all Councillors for their support and co-operation, and to Councillor Bryan Davies and his wife for their company and friendship.

To be proposed by Councillor Rhodri Evans

Councillor Rhodri Evans paid tribute to the Chairman, Councillor Ifan Davies for his hard work during the past year.  He noted that Councillor Ifan Davies has travelled all over Wales and beyond, representing the Council at various events and that he has been an excellent ambassador for Ceredigion.  He noted that he carried out his work with dignity and efficiency, and kept excellent order, ensuring that everyone had the opportunity to speak. He noted that it had been an important year, and the memories will stay with him and his Consort, Iona forever.

To be proposed by Councillor Bryan Davies

To be seconded by Councillor Gareth Davies

It was proposed by Councillor Bryan Davies and seconded by Councillor Gareth Davies and unanimously RESOLVED that Councillor Maldwyn Lewis be elected Chairman of the Council for the ensuing Municipal year, 2023-24.

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

Councillor Maldwyn Lewis thanked Councillor Bryan Davies and Councillor Gareth Davies for their kind words and thanked his fellow councillors for entrusting him with the role of Chairman for the ensuing municipal year. He thanked Councillor Ifan Davies for his work during the previous year, noting that it was an honour to have been his Vice-Chairman.

To be proposed by Councillor Gareth Lloyd

To be seconded by Councillor Ifan Davies

It was proposed by Councillor Gareth Lloyd and seconded by Councillor Ifan Davies and unanimously RESOLVED that Councillor Keith Evans be elected Vice-Chairman of the Council for the ensuing Municipal year, 2023-24.

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

It was RESOLVED to note the appointment of the Reverend Carys Ann as the Chairman’s Chaplain for the ensuing municipal year, 2023-24.

Councillor Bryan Davies congratulated Councillors Maldwyn Lewis and Keith Evans on being elected Chair and Vice-Chair respectively and extended his best wishes to Reverend Carys Ann as Consort and Chaplain to the Chairman.  The Leader also paid tribute to Councillor Ifan Davies on his services during his year as Chairman.

The Leader addressed the Council on the main matters which had impacted the Council during the previous year, reflecting on changes following the new administration in 2022 and their induction programme to assist them in becoming specialists in a wide range of areas.

He noted that it had been an exceptionally busy year, with an exceptionally successful Eisteddfod and Rali Bae Ceredigion which provides Ceredigion with a platform to promote the area and its economy, which is a priority within the Corporate Strategy.  He noted that the Strategy had been agreed by Council in July which is a key document outlining what we aim to achieve during the 5 years of the administration.  He noted that setting the budget for 2023-24 had been challenging, however he was grateful to receive support from across the Council following detailed scrutiny by the relevant committees.

He noted that pupils continued to achieve good results at GCSE and A Level, above the national averages, and the Care Inspectorate Wales report which considered the Through Age Wellbeing model did not identify any areas of non-compliance.  During the past year, Cabinet approved the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2022-2032 and Ceredigion welcomed the Queen’s Baton prior to the Commonwealth Games last Summer.  Free School Meals to all pupils from reception to Year 4 was introduced in advance of Welsh Government timecales, and 3G all-weather pitches have recently been opened at Synod Inn and Cardigan and a further one due to be opened at Lampeter, in addition to the Wellbeing Centre. 

The Leader noted that it had been a privilege to meet businesses throughout the County that have invested or received grant funding providing opportunities for young people in Ceredigion.  The Arfor 2 scheme has also been launched, and the Mid Wales Growth Deal continues to develop.  He noted that a large proportion of his work relates to lobbying Ministers from the Welsh Government and the UK Government, and that the co-operation between Elin Jones, Senedd Member and Ben Lake, Member of Parliament has been an effective tool to resolve some of the issues faced by Ceredigion.

He thanked the Cabinet Members for their support, and all Members of Council for their co-operation.  He thanked Officers for their tireless work supporting the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny function and Committees, and for their effective co-operation with Members.

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