Agenda item

a)             Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn congratulated ‘Ynyshir Hall’ on being awarded two Michelin stars;

b)             Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn congratulated ‘SY23’ on being awarded its first Michelin star;

c)             Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn congratulated ‘Y Talbot’ on being included in the Michelin Guide;

d)             Cllr Ellen ap Gwynn congratulated Robat and Enid Griffiths, the founders and owners of ‘Y Lolfa’ press, who have been selected to lead the St David’s Day Parade in Aberystwyth this year;

e)             Cllr Ellen ap Gwynn congratulated the Women’s Institute who are celebrating their centenary this year;

f)               Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn noted that the Minister for Education has announced funding of £5.7m for the creation of a Welsh Language Immersion Centre and a block of new Classrooms at Ysgol Gymraeg, Aberystwyth;

g)             Councillor Gareth Lloyd, Panel Member and Trustee on the Dyfed Pension Board noted that the investments with Russia is less than 1%, however it has been agreed to disinvest as soon as possible;

h)             Councillor Ellen a Gwynn thanked everyone for their support noting that she would be retiring at the end of this term, thanking fellow Councillors and Officers for their support over her 10 years as Leader of the Council., She paid tribute to those Councillors that would be standing down, including Councillor Alun Lloyd Jones, Councillor John Adams Lewis, Councillor Odwyn Davies, Councillor Lyndon Lloyd MBE, Councillor Lynford Thomas, Councillor Peter Davies MBE, Councillor Ivor Williams and Councillor Matthew Woolfall Jones. The comments were acknowledge by the respective Members;

i)               Councillor Ceredig Davies paid tribute to Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn and wished her well on her retirement;

j)               Councillor Ray Quant MBE, reflected on Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn’s leadership and paid tribute to all the Members standing down and thanked them all for their contributions;

k)             Councillor Dafydd Edwards paid tribute to Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn, and expresses his best wishes to all Members standing down;

l)               Eifion Evans, Chief Executive echoed everything said by Members, noting that the retirement of experienced Councillors would have a significant impact in terms of loss of expertise and knowledge. He noted that their contributions have been significant in terms of achieving the £110m Mid Wales Growth Deal, Levelling Up funds, funding for 21^st Century Schools etc.  He wished them all well in their retirement;

m)           Councillor Bryan Davies, who will be stepping into the role of the Leader of Plaid Cymru Group thanked Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn and expressed his best wishes to all the Members that would be standing down;

n)             Councillor Bryan Davies noted that following the Notice of Motion at the Council Meeting on 9 December 2021, Members have met with the Ambulance Service and received reassurances that there will not be a reduction to the Ambulance Service that covers Ceredigion;

o)             Councillor Bryan Davies noted that Llanarth will be taking part in an experimental road surfacing project made from recycled nappies which is funded by Welsh Government and expected to have twice the life of normal tarmac;

p)             Councillor Maldwyn Lewis noted that a drama is in production about the life of Carwyn James who has close connection with the Rhydlewis area;

q)             Councillor Maldwyn Lewis congratulated Gareth Thomas who has won 5 caps with the Wales Rugby team;

r)              Councillor Maldwyn Lewis congratulated Steffan Thomas who has been selected to play for the Scarlets Rugby Team;

s)             Councillor Maldwyn Lewis congratulated the team who have published a book called ‘Ffrwyth y Coed’ which gives a comprehensive history of Coed-y-Bryn School;

t)               Councillor Gareth Lloyd congratulated Pontsian Young Farmers on winning  the Young Farmers Public Speaking competition for Ceredigion, and gave his best wishes to all those that would be representing the County at National level;

u)             Councillor Gareth Davies expressed his best wishes to all the Members that would be standing down, and thanked Councillors Bryan Davies and Matthew Woolfall Jones for bringing the notice of motion regarding the Ambulance Service on his behalf;

v)             Councillor Gareth Davies extended condolences to the family of Tegwen Jones, who was the Clerk to Llanbadarn Fawr Community Council;

w)            Councillor Odwyn Davies congratulated Rev. Goronwy Evans on being awarded an MBE;

x)             Councillor Dafydd Edwards noted that today is a National Book Day and various events have been organised in the County’s Libraries to include the launch of a book ‘Lledrith y Llyfrgell’ which celebrates 25 years of National Book Day;

y)             Councillor Paul Hinge congratulated Josh Hathaway who has been selected to the Wales Under 20 rugby squad;

z)             Councillor Paul Hinge congratulated Joshua Tarling, Gruff Lewis and Finlay Tarling who are achieving great success in cycling;

aa)          Councillor Lyndon Lloyd MBE congratulated Doris James who is celebrating her 100^th birthday;

bb)          Councillor Dai Mason thanked all those that will be standing down at the next election, wishing them well on their retirement.

Ukraine

cc)          Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn referred to the dire situation in Ukraine, noting that the First Minister has stated that Wales is a nation of sanctuary. She stated that Ceredigion is a County of sanctuary and asked Members for their support in welcoming refugees from Ukraine in the future, and to give authority to Officers to make suitable arrangements at the appropriate time.  Members agreed unanimously through a show of hands. She also noted that she has asked the Chief Executive to review whether the Council has  any contracts or work linked to Russian companies.