The new Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council says he is ‘passionate about Pembrokeshire’ and looking forward to his year ahead as Chair of the Authority.
Cllr Wynne Evans, County Councillor for Narberth (Urban) for 14 years took over the reins from Cllr Tom Richards, the outgoing Chairman at the Council’s Annual General Meeting today (Friday).
“I will try my very best to be a good Chairman,” he told members. “I’m really proud of this county and every community in the county. It’s a special place.”
His consort will be Mrs Gwyneth Johns, also of Narberth, who is married with two sons and is a close friend of Cllr Evans.
The new Chairman is a well-known former Narberth businessman who opened Wales’ first retail shop selling videos – Vidwyn’s – in the 1980s.
Before that, he spent many happy years working at the James Williams Brewery, known amongst employees as ‘The Firm’.
Educated locally and a Narberth town councillor for 16 years, Cllr Wynne Evans also has a keen interest in fire authority matters.
He is a longstanding member of Mid and West Wales Fire Authority and in June, he will take over as its chairman – becoming the first person to be a serving chair of both a local authority and fire authority.
Cllr Evans, who is 55, also has strong links with the Welsh Ambulance Trust and has been a member of the Community Health Council for many years.
He said one of his aims for the forthcoming year is to visit every electoral ward in Pembrokeshire. He also hopes to visit the County’s islands with other members.
A vote of thanks to the outgoing Chairman, Cllr Tom Richards, was proposed by the Leader of the Authority, Cllr Jamie Adams, who said they had benefited from his ‘wit, wisdom and patience’ over the past year.
The Council’s new Vice Chairman is Councillor Tony Brinsden, who represents the electoral division of Amroth.
The ceremony in County Hall, Haverfordwest was attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed, The Hon. Robin Lewis OBE.
Image Caption:
The new Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor Wynne Evans of Narberth, is pictured seated (centre) with his consort, Mrs Gwyneth Johns, following Friday’s annual meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council.
They are flanked (from the left) by: Ian Westley (Acting Head of Paid Service); Councillor Tony Brinsden of Amroth (new Vice Chairman) and the Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed, The Hon. Robin Lewis OBE.
Standing (left to right) are: Councillor Tom Richards (Past Chairman); Mrs Melanie Richards, Mrs Judith Lewis and Councillor Jamie Adams (Council Leader).
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