Agenda and minutes

Elin Prysor, Monitoring Officer addressed the Council on the statutory requirement for all Members to make a Declaration of Acceptance and an undertaking to comply with the Code of Conduct, confirming that all Councillors making their statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office have received comprehensive training on the Council’s Code of Conduct on Monday 9^th May 2022.

This is in  order for them to perform their functions with an understanding of the Principles of Public Life, their duties and responsibilities under the Code, and also the consequences for failing to do so.

All Members present verbally accepted their Declaration of Acceptance of Office and the undertaking to comply with the Code of Conduct which had been signed by each and countersigned by the Proper Officer.

Councillor Paul Hinge welcomed all newly elected Councillors, all returning elected Councillors, and paid tribute to all former Members of the Council and wished them the very best for the future.

a)    Councillor Maldwyn Lewis extended his sincerely condolences to the family of Ifan John Jones, Ffostrasol, who had contributed extensively to his community;

b)    Councillor Maldwyn Lewis congratulated the Ffostrasol Football Team on winning the Ceredigion League Easter Monday cup;

c)    Councillor Maldwyn Lewis congratulated the Rhydlewis Bowling Club who will be representing Ceredigion in the league;

d)    Councillor Maldwyn Lewis congratulated Rhydlewis Young Farmers’ Club on celebrating its 80^th year, and for raising over £4,000 towards a Chemotherapy Unit Glangwili, towards the Ukraine appeal and towards the Club;

e)    Councillor Ifan Davies congratulated Sara Pugh, Ffair Rhos on her success in gymnastics, winning the Welsh Tumbling competition;

f)      Councillor Euros Davies congratulated Ysgol Dyffryn Cledlyn on achieving the Welsh Language Charter Gold Award.

Councillors Catrin M S Davies, Steve Davies, Mark Strong and Carl Worrall apologised for their inability to attend the meeting.

There were no declarations of personal or prejudicial interest.

The Proper Officer reported that notification had been received of the constitution of the following political groups formed within the Council in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, as follows:

Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales Group

Councillors Bryan Davies, Catrin M S Davies, Clive Davies, Gareth Davies, Gethin Davies, Rhodri Davies, Steve Davies, Amanda Edwards, Endaf Edwards, Eryl Evans, Keith Henson, Chris James, Ceris Jones, Maldwyn Lewis, Caryl Roberts, Mark Strong, Wyn Thomas, Matthew Vaux, Alun Williams and Carl Worrall (20)

Leader of the Group: Councillor Bryan Davies

Deputy Leader of the Group: Councillor Alun Williams

Independents Group

Councillors Euros Davies, Ifan Davies, Marc Davies, Gwyn Wigley Evans, Keith Evans, Rhodri Evans, Wyn Evans, Hag Harris, Gwyn James and Gareth Lloyd (10)

Leader of the Group: Councillor Gareth Lloyd

Deputy Leader of the Group: Councillor Rhodri Evans

Welsh Liberal Democrats Group

Councillors Meirion Davies, Elaine Evans, Elizabeth Evans, Paul Hinge, Geraint Hughes, Sian Maehrlein and John Roberts (7)

Leader of the Group: Councillor Elizabeth Evans

Deputy Leader of the Group: Councillor Paul Hinge

Ungrouped Member

Councillor Hugh Hughes (1)

It was proposed by Councillor Gareth Davies and seconded by Councillor Keith Henson that Councillor Bryan Davies be elected Leader of the Council.

Following a vote, it was unanimously RESOLVED that Councillor Bryan Davies be elected Leader of the Council.

Councillor Bryan Davies thanked everyone for their support noting the importance of working together across all parties for the benefit of the County.

Councillors Elizabeth Evans and Gareth Lloyd congratulated Councillor Bryan Davies on being elected as Leader and re-iterated the importance of working together to represent Ceredigion in its entirety.

Councillor Rhodri Evans proposed and was seconded by Councillor Keith Evans that Councillor Ifan Davies be elected as the Chairman of the Council for the ensuing municipal year.

It was unanimously RESOLVED that Councillor Ifan Davies be elected Chairman-elect for the Council for 2022/23 to be installed at the Annual Meeting to be held at 2.00pm on Friday, 27^th May 2022.

Councillor Bryan Davies proposed and was seconded by Councillor Alun Williams that Councillor Maldwyn Lewis be elected as the Vice-Chairman of the Council for the ensuing municipal year

It was unanimously RESOLVED that Councillor Maldwyn Lewis be elected Vice-Chairman-elect for the Council for 2022/23 to be installed at the Annual Meeting to be held at 2.00pm on Friday, 27^th May 2022