Agenda and minutes

Apologies

a)    Councillors Clive Davies, Euros Davies, Gethin Davies and Marc Davies apologised for their inability to attend the meeting.

b)    Audrey Somerton Edwards, Lowri Edwards, Elen James and Alan Morris apologised for their inability to attend the meeting.

Chair’s Announcements

a)    Congratulations to Mr Youssef Eltwab on receiving a Duke of Edinburgh Award;

b)    Congratulations to Dr Ali Wright of Needle Rock on winning the Small Employer of the Year award, Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2024;

c)    Congratulations to Ysgol Gerdd Ceredigion on reaching the finals at Cystadleuaeth Côr Cymru.

Councillor Maldwyn Lewis addressed the committee, reflecting upon the activities of the past year, which included the Inauguration Service of the Mayor of Aberystwyth, Eisteddfodau, concerts, sports awards, the unveiling of the Cranogwen statue, the Cynnal y Cardi awards, Ras yr Iaith, the opening of Plant yr Eos, welcoming school pupils to the Council Chamber, commencement of the building work at Ysgol Dyffryn Aeron School, the opening of the welfare centre at Lampeter, the Young Farmers’ Rally, Rali Ceredigion and meeting refugees that have been given refuge in Ceredigion to name a few.  He noted the warm welcome received from all.

He thanked staff, volunteers and partner organisations for their tireless work, and acknowledged the kindness of his fellow Members in entrusting him to steer the Council on difficult and challenging subjects.

To be proposed by Councillor Wyn Thomas

Councillor Wyn Thomas paid tribute to the Chairman, Councillor Maldwyn Lewis for his hard work during the past year, and for this dignified and measured approach to Chairing the Council Meetings. He thanked the Chaplain, Rev. Carys Ann for her considered words before each of the Council meetings.

To be proposed by Councillor Gareth Lloyd

To be seconded by Councillor Rhodri Evans

It was proposed by Councillor Gareth Lloyd and seconded by Councillor Rhodri Evans and unanimously RESOLVED that Councillor Keith Evans be elected Chairman of the Council for the ensuing Municipal year, 2024-25.

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

Councillor Keith Evans thanked Councillor Maldwyn Lewis for his kind words, he thanked Councillors Gareth Lloyd and Rhodri Evans for proposing and seconding his appointment, and he thanked his fellow councillors for entrusting him with the role of Chairman for the ensuing municipal year.

To be proposed by Councillor Bryan Davies

To be seconded by Councillor Catrin M S Davies

It was proposed by Councillor Bryan Davies and seconded by Councillor Catrin M S Davies and unanimously RESOLVED that Councillor Ann Bowen Morgan be elected Vice-Chairman of the Council for the ensuing Municipal year, 2024-25.

The newly-elected Vice-Chair was presented with her Insignia of Office and made her declaration of acceptance of office. The Vice-Chair’s Consort, Professor D Densil Morgan was presented with his Insignia of Office.

It was RESOLVED  to note the appointment of Reverend Chris Bolton as the Chairman's Chaplain for the ensuing Municipal Year, 2024-25.

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

He noted that it had been an extremely challenging year, in pursuit of a balanced budget for 2024/25, and he thanked the Cabinet Members for their support, the Scrutiny Committees that have presented proposals which have been adopted by the Cabinet, and Officers.

The Leader addressed the Council on the main developments during the previous year, which included the adopted the Welsh in Education Strategic Action Plan, a proposal to reform the language medium of 5 primary schools and a feasibility study of post 16 education, approving a tender for the Ysgol Dyffryn Aeron, the progress to the work on the Aberaeron Coastal Defence Scheme, opening the Lampeter Wellbeing Centre and transferring the Hafan y Waun Care Home to council ownership and the opening of the Independent Living Centre.  He also noted that he had taken part in a ‘Question Time’ event organised by the Ceredigion Youth Council.

Councillor Bryan Davies congratulated local businesses that had won awards for the highest quality food and drink, following support from the Food Centre at Horeb, and the support provided to these businesses through the Arfor scheme, and various other schemes including. as Cynnal y Cardi and Growing Mid Wales.  He also congratulated Rali Ceredigion which is now an annual event which creates a huge boost to the economy.

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