Leader and Cabinet announced at annual meeting of Council

Newly elected members at Bridgend County Borough Council have agreed who will undertake the Leader and Cabinet roles for the year ahead.

Following the recent local elections, they met for the first time on Wednesday 18 May as a formal body for the annual meeting of Council.

Councillor Martyn Jones was selected to act as Mayor of Bridgend County Borough, while Councillor William Kendall will act as Deputy Mayor.

Councillor Huw David was returned as Leader of the authority and the Cabinet portfolio positions were agreed as follows:

• Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Social Services - Councillor Jane Gebbie
• Cabinet Member for Education - Councillor Jon-Paul Blundell
• Cabinet Member for Communities – Councillor John Spanswick
• Cabinet Member for Regeneration – Councillor Neelo Farr
• Cabinet Member for Future Generations – Councillor Rhys Goode
• Cabinet Member for Resources – Councillor Hywel Williams

Council Leader Huw David said: “I am pleased to have been able to put together a Cabinet which combines experience with change. This will enable us to hit the ground running and start to make those decisions which we will need to make very soon on behalf of the residents of the county borough of Bridgend.

Cllr David added: “My primary aim is to strengthen the role of members in policy development and decision making, for the good of the County Borough of Bridgend.

“The Cabinet roles focus (as before) on social services, housing, communities, future generations and resources.

“My main change to portfolios is bringing even more focus to the huge areas of education and regeneration by creating two portfolios – to reflect the crucial importance of these two areas and our recognition of the workload involved in each. 

“Further regeneration will be a key priority for this new administration, taking advantage of UK Government and Welsh Government funding for the benefit of all of our valleys, the Ogmore, Llynfi, Garw, Bridgend, Maesteg, Porthcawl and Pencoed.

“And education of course is of fundamental importance to wellbeing and future generations and the single largest item in the council budget. This role will focus on our flagship 21^st Century school modernisation programme, a new curriculum and continued free nursery provision for 3 year olds.”