a) To elect the Deputy Presiding Officer(s) of the Council (subject to the outcome of the report at Agenda item 3)
b) To receive an address from the Mayor of the Council 2021-2022.
c) To elect a Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2022-2023.
(For the Mayor to announce their consort for the Municipal Year 2022-2023)
d)To appoint a Deputy Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2022 – 2023.
(For the Deputy Mayor to announce their consort for the Municipal Year 2022 – 2023.)
e)To appoint a Leader of the Council.
f)To confirm the appointment of the Leader of the largest opposition party, as the Leader of the Opposition.
Minutes:
To elect Two Deputy Presiding Members of the Council
RESOLVED – that County Borough Councillor Sheryl Evans be elected as the first Deputy Presiding Member for the 2022/23 Municipal Year.
RESOLVED – that County Borough Councillor Barry Stephens be elected as the second Deputy Presiding Member for the 2022/23 Municipal Year.
To receive an address from the retiring Mayors of the Council 2021-2022.
County Borough Councillor J Bonetto took the opportunity to reflect on her term of office as Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf for the first part of the 2021/22 Municipal Year before she joined the Council Cabinet as Member for Education and Inclusion Services.She thanked everyone who had helped her raise a significant amount, over £30,000 for her Charities, Help for Heroes, AP Cymru and 2 Wish who conduct excellent work within the community.
The retiring Mayor County Borough Councillor W Treeby thanked her predecessor, Councillor Jill Bonetto and congratulated her on raising money during a difficult period. Councillor Treeby commented that the last few months as Mayor had been a privilege for her. She thanked the residents, communities and officers who had supported her and her charities.
In response Members paid tribute to the retiring Mayors for their efforts and hard work during their respective terms of office.
To elect a Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2022-2023.
RESOLVED – to elect County Borough Councillor W Treeby as Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2022-2023.
The Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2022-2023 commented on the huge honour to serve as Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf during a historic year as the County Borough celebrates the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and also welcomes the Queen’s Baton Relay back to Rhondda Cynon Taf ahead of the Commonwealth Games. She referenced the Freedom of the County Borough which will be granted to Welsh rugby legend Neil Jenkins MBE and also to all key workers, to acknowledge their commitment throughout the global pandemic.
During her term of office as Mayor for RCT, Councillor Treeby announced her charities as the Wales Air Ambulance, Stroke Association and Green Meadow Riding for the Disabled, as well as supporting the Armed Forces.
Members wished the incoming Mayor well for her forthcoming year.
To appoint a Deputy Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2022 – 2023.
RESOLVED – to elect County Borough Councillor W Lewis as Deputy Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2022-2023.
The Deputy Mayor congratulated the new incoming Madam Mayor and for affording her the honour of being re-elected as Deputy Mayor for 2022-23.
To appoint a Leader of the Council.
RESOLVED – that County Borough Councillor A Morgan be appointed Leader of the Council for the 2022/2023 Municipal Year.
County Borough Councillor A Morgan extended his thanks to the Labour Group for their support during the last year which had been a difficult time through covid-19 and the impact of the flooding on the communities of RCT. He commented on the success of the Labour Group at the recent Elections achieving the second largest majority of 59 seats.
The Leader confirmed that the twenty core commitments had been honoured and fulfilled and he advised that he would be lobbying Welsh Government for further support throughout the coming winter months in response to the cost-of-living crisis.
The Leader welcomed a soon to be announced new Opposition Leader and Deputy Leader.
To confirm the appointment of the Leader of the largest opposition party, as the Leader of the Opposition.
RESOLVED to confirm the appointment of County Borough Councillor K Morgan as Leader of the Opposition.
The Leader of the Opposition paid tribute to her predecessor, the former Councillor P Jarman for her 46 years of service to the Plaid Cymru Party and commented that she and her colleagues looked forward to working together with the Leader of the Council in a constructive way, for the residents of RCT.
The Group Leaders congratulated both the Leader of the Council and the leader of the Opposition.