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Morgan Jones ward councillor Jamie Pritchard has been chosen as the new deputy leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council following the resignation of Cllr Sean Morgan last month.

Labour councillors chose Cllr Pritchard ahead of New Tredegar councillor Eluned Stenner, who is the Cabinet Member for Customer, Performance and Property Services.

Cllr Pritchard said: “I want to get to work straight away to fight the large number of inequalities in our society that have been with us for too long.

“I’m looking forward to working with the cabinet, and all councillors to proactively try to make a difference for all residents of the borough.”

Cllr Pritchard will also become cabinet member with responsibility for infrastructure, towns and property. This portfolio includes a range of key services including: highways, transportation, car parks and parking enforcement, town centre management and investment, facility management, and property.

The appointment of the new deputy leader has been welcomed by the Caerphilly branch of the union Unison.

Lianne Dallimore, branch secretary, said: “Caerphilly Unison would like to offer our congratulations to Cllr Pritchard on his appointment as deputy leader.  We look forward to the continuation of a productive working relationship with social partnership placed front and centre.”

Cllr Pritchard recently won praise from colleagues for going public and opening up about his struggles with mental health.

Cllr Morgan’s resignation

Cllr Morgan’s resignation from his role as Deputy Leader, as well as Cabinet Member for Economy, Enterprise and Infrastructure, was confirmed to councillors on June 9.

No reason was given at the time, but it later emerged Cllr Morgan had resigned after travelling to Spain – an amber list country under current coronavirus restrictions.