Minutes:
The following announcements were made:
Ø Councillor R Lewis paid tribute to Richard Jones, who had recently passed away. He was a well-known local personality in the Cynon Valley, a passionate advocate for the rights of disabled people and championed accessibility. He served as Chair of the Cynon Valley Museum and of Accessible Care & Transport and ran his own accessibility charity. He was a Community Councillor for the Hirwaun & Penderyn Community Council. He was passionate about helping others and was known for his sense of humour. He was supported by his family his entire life and Councillor Lewis concluded by saying that Richard Jones will be missed.
Ø Councillor K Morgan also wished to pay tribute to Richard Jones who was a champion of many other causes, most of those being centred on fair play for all. Councillor Morgan worked alongside Richard in his accessible Wales role and during this work became aware of the frequency with which Richard was met with obstacles in his daily life. Councillor Morgan concluded, let this be his legacy, for us to see the obstacles and remove them in Richard’s name. Councillor Morgan wished to extend her condolences to Richard’s family.
Ø Councillor W Hughes paid tribute to a longstanding Labour party member and Trealaw Councillor Bill Murphy, who sadly passed away on the 2nd November 2023. He was a highly respected member of the Trealaw Community. He was elected as a Councillor for the Trealaw ward in 1983 and served until 1999, during this time he was both Deputy Leader and Leader of the Labour Group, Rhondda Borough Council and first Leader of RCT Council. He also sat on many committees and school governing bodies. Councillor Hughes wished to extend his condolences to Bill’s wife Barbara and his family.
Ø Councillor G Caple paid tribute to the former MP for the Rhondda, Allan Rogers who passed away yesterday at the age of 91. He became MP for the Rhondda in 1983 and served until 2001, his commitment to his communities was second to none including his support for the miners against M. Thatcher, which was unwavering. Councillor Caple recounted his election victories ending in a rousing rendition of the Red Flag. He spent a lifetime in politics, as a councillor, as an MP and as a member of the European Parliament and always encouraged others to support the cause of the Labour Government through politics. He worked as a mining geologist which took him all over the world and Councillor Caple extended his condolences to Allan’s family.
The Presiding Member led the Council in a Minute’s silence in memory of
the three aforementioned residents who had recently passed away.
Ø Councillor J Brencher announced that a cultural visit had recently been undertaken by a group of visitors including the King of Buganda, for them to visit the county borough and thank the residents of RCT for their work through PONT, in tackling poverty and bringing down the mortality rates. Councillor Brencher passed on her thanks to the Mayor of RCT and all those that supported the visit.