As we get ever nearer to polling day in the 2022 Welsh council elections, it’s easy to focus on who the new councillors could be after May 5. But it’s also worth taking the time to think about some of the current councillors who we won’t be seeing back in the chamber or dialling in virtually at council meetings any more.
At the final Rhondda Cynon Taf full council meeting before the election, the group leaders paid their tributes to councillors who would be stepping down. Councillor Andrew Morgan, leader of the council and the Labour group, confirmed the Labour members who would not be standing again.
These include former cabinet members councillors Mike Forey of Aberdare East, Joy Rosser of Trealaw and Graham Thomas of Rhigos. He said: “I just want to put on record thanks to them. They’ve played a significant role as part of the administration over the years in terms of cabinet.”
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Cllr Morgan mentioned two councillors who had been chair of the overview and scrutiny committee and are standing down - Roger Turner of Brynna and Mark Adams of Tylorstown. He put on record his thanks to them saying “scrutiny does play an important role in challenge.”
Other long-standing members who will be standing down include councillors Margaret Griffiths of Pontyclun, Linda De Vet of Aberaman North, and Margaret Tegg who has already stepped down. Labour councillors who are stepping down who have served since 2017 include councillors Elaine George of Abercynon, Jack Harries of Maerdy, Stephen Powell of Talbot Green, Martin Fidler Jones of Hawthorn and Alex Davies-Jones MP of Tonyrefail West.
Councillors Anita Calvert of Aberaman South and Sue Pickering of Ynysybwl who have served multiple terms are also standing down. He said: “I just want to put on record my thanks to all those councillors who are stepping down and I hope that those who do wish to stand are re-elected and I think the good work we’ve done in Rhondda Cynon Taf over the five years, I hope that will continue.”
Councillor Pauline Jarman, leader of the Plaid Cymru group on the council, paid tribute to the members of her group who will not be standing again. She said that “all individuals, irrespective of their political persuasions", have stayed the course and served their constituents during their term as best they were able.
“So well done all and I wish you a very happy future wherever and whatever you may choose to do post May of 2022.” She said a number of Plaid Cymru candidates will not be seeking re-election but prospective candidates have been selected and their expectations are high.
Cllr Jarman said the retiring Plaid members’ service covers 2008-2019 with Councillor Geraint Davies, the first Assembly Member for the Rhondda, being the longest-serving of the Plaid Cymru councillors who are stepping down. Cllr Jarman said: “He has a distinguished career in public life and we wish him well.
She recalled how his wife Merril was the first person in England and Wales to have the bailiffs sent to her by the local council in relation to the Poll Tax and Cllr Jarman said it’s a wonder Cllr Davies didn’t call it a day then. Cllr Jarman said Rhondda ward councillor Eleri Griffiths has decided to concentrate her time in pursuit of her very successful career and spend more time with her family but that she will remain politically active through her work.
Pentre councillor Maureen Weaver is standing down and Cllr Jarman said she’d served two successful terms on the council. Cllr Jarman said: “Her caring and sharing style was synonymous with her life-long career as a nurse in the Royal Glamorgan.”
She mentioned those elected in 2017 who have decided to step down including councillors John Cullwick of Penygraig, Heledd Fychan MS of Pontypridd Town, Elyn Stephens of Ystrad and Gelli and Alison Chapman of Treorchy. She said Cllr Cullwick has been a “very popular, hard-working councillor” in Penygraig but has suffered with indifferent health for a few years and needs time for his health and his faith.
Cllr Jarman said Heledd Fychan will continue her career as a “hard-working, dedicated Plaid Cymru Senedd member” and Elyn Stephens will be remembered for “breaking the mould as a young member and leading on the successful RCT period poverty campaign which has since been replicated across Wales.” She is going to continue in public service working alongside Heledd Fychan MS.
Cllr Jarman said Alison Chapman will continue with her Covid recovery plan for her shop Wonder Stuff in Treorchy. She thanked all of the Plaid Cymru group for their “diligence and sense of duty” during this term and wished them all happy and successful futures.
Councillor Lewis Hooper, leader of the Conservative group on the council, gave his best wishes to councillors from all the political groups not standing for re-election. He confirmed Conservative councillor Joel James MS of Llantwit Fardre is one of those .
Cllr Hooper said: “Cllr James has served the Llantwit Fardre ward now since 2008 and was of course the first Conservative councillor elected to RCT Council. Not only has Joel done a great deal for the Llantwit Fardre ward he’s represented over these last 14 years, he’s also done an enormous amount for the Conservative group growing it from just himself to multiple councillors after the last election.
“And he has also done a great deal for me personally both in terms of the support he’s extended and the mentoring. Councillor Mike Powell, leader of the RCT Independent group, confirmed none of his group are standing down at the election. He offered his thanks to all those councillors who are standing down. To get the latest email updates from WalesOnline subscribe to our Pontypridd, Rhondda and Cynon Valley newsletters here.
