CARMARTHENSHIRE LEADER TENDERS RESIGNATION

Carmarthenshire County Council Leader Kevin Madge has today resigned as Leader of  Carmarthenshire County Council.

Cllr Madge (Garnant) has been leader of the council since 2012.

His resignation statement is in full as follows:

“Today, with deep regret, I have tendered my resignation as Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council.  It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as Leader for the past three years, and I am proud of the achievements of this administration.

“We have delivered jobs, new schools, extra care schemes, more improvements to council homes, investment in communities and town centres and much, much more. I had many plans for the future to help benefit the people of our county. I have enjoyed representing Carmarthenshire on the board of the Swansea City Region, I have developed good working relationships with the First Minister and his Cabinet, and have tried to ensure we get investment in transport links and the future of local government.

“Unfortunately, I will no longer be able to carry out those plans, however I remain wholly committed to continue serving the people of Garnant who elected me, as I always have. I want to thank them for putting their faith in me for all these years, I intend to seek re-election in 2017 to continue serving the community I love. This week, I will have been in politics for 36 years, and I have the same enthusiasm and commitment today for trying to make a difference, as I did then.

“I have served on the Executive Board for the past 11 years, three as Leader, and I would like to thank those colleagues on the board who have supported me. I would like to thank the Independents Group most sincerely for their support and friendship, and to those people in the Labour group who have supported me throughout the years.

“I would also like to thank the Chief Executive Mark James and his Chief Officers who have done an excellent job in delivering our vision for the county. I would like to show my appreciation for my PA, and for staff in democratic services who have helped me so much. Indeed, I would like to thank all Council staff, Carmarthenshire is fortunate to have so many good and dedicated employees.

“Finally, I would like to thank my wife Catrin and my family who have always given me the most tremendous support.  I intend to spend more time with them and with my darling granddaughter, I am looking forward to watching her growing up.”

It is rumoured that Labour councillors voted to replace Cllr Madge at their AGM last week.  Cllr Madge has been replaced by Cllr Jeff Edmunds of the Bigyn Ward.