By Anthony Lewis
THE new mayor of Merthyr Tydfil for the next year has been elected.
Councillor Malcolm Colbran, Independent, who represents Bedlinog and Trelewis, was elected as mayor of the county borough at the annual meeting of the council on Wednesday, May 17.
The leader, Councillor Geraint Thomas, nominated Cllr Colbran saying he deserved another chance to serve as mayor as his previous year (2021/2022) was during the pandemic.
The mayor’s duties include chairing full council meetings and representing the council at formal and ceremonial occasions throughout the county borough, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
The mayor also welcomes visitors to the county borough and attends and supports events organised by local people and organisations.
Cllr Colbran said he was proud and honoured to be mayor and extremely grateful to be given the opportunity again due to his first year being impacted by Covid.
He proposed a vote of thanks to the outgoing mayor, Cllr Sammon, and the outgoing mayor’s consort, Councillor Paula Layton, and congratulated the new deputy mayor and the new deputy mayor’s consort
Councillor John Thomas, Independent, was elected as the deputy mayor for the coming year, after being nominated by Councillor Andrew Barry.
Councillor Clive Jones, Labour, nominated Councillor Louise Minett-Vokes but after a split vote of 15 for and 15 against, the mayor used his casting vote to vote against the amendment from Labour.
There was another split vote of 15 for and 15 against the proposal that Cllr John Thomas is elected deputy mayor but once again the mayor used his casting vote to vote in favour.
Outgoing mayor, Councillor Declan Sammon, said he was very proud and extremely honoured to have been mayor and that he was grateful for the support he had received and had tried his best in representing the county borough.
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