Councillor Keith Reynolds has been elected the new leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council.
His appointment follows his election as leader of the council’s Labour group earlier this week.
Cllr Reynolds replaces former council leader Harry Andrews who has stepped down to spend more time with his family.
Members of Caerphilly County Borough Council elected Cllr Keith Reynolds as their new council Leader during the Annual General Meeting held on Thursday May 8.
Cllr Reynolds, who represents the Aberbargoed ward, has been involved in local government for 35 years. In recent times he has held the post of deputy leader and has been Cabinet Member for Corporate Services.
He said: “To be elected to lead what I truly believe to be among the best local authorities in Wales, to me, is a true honour.
“This honour, of course, is one tinged with sadness, in that we are losing a great friend and colleague in Cllr Harry Andrews from the council’s Cabinet.
“Harry truly will be a hard act to follow, but rest assured that I have learned from the best – and look upon my new role with great determination and vigour in moving forward.
“Like councils across the length and breadth of Wales, this council continues to face challenges. But I firmly believe, that with our dedicated and talented workforce and the continued commitment of members and officers right across this council, we can meet these challenges that lie ahead head on, and continue to do what we are all ultimately here for: to deliver first class, value for money services to the residents of Caerphilly county borough.”
As a young man Cllr Reynolds worked as a colliery blacksmith for more than 29 years in both Bargoed and Penallta Collieries. He then spent 18 years as a Community Health Council (CHC) Chief Officer, firstly at Merthyr Tydfil and Cynon Valley, and latterly at the newly created Cwm-Taf (CHC), where he took retirement in 2010.
Cllr Reynolds lives on the same street as his childhood home with Sheila, his wife of 45 years. They have two sons, four grandsons and two step grandsons.
Cllr Harry Andrews became leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council in 2012, and was also leader between 2004 and 2008. He will remain as councillor for Gilfach, whom he has represented for more than four decades.
Cllr Andrews said: “The honour of being leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council has been my proudest achievement in over 40 years in politics and I have enjoyed the opportunity to lead what I believe is one of the best local authorities in Wales.
“I am now looking forward to the future and spending more time with my family, but rest assured, I will remain a committed and dedicated member of this council and will always do my utmost to serve the residents of our county borough.”
Cllr Barbara Jones, who represents the St James ward, will take on the role of Deputy Leader of Council along with Cllr Gerald Jones. Cllr Barbara Jones also assumes the role of Cabinet Member for Corporate Services.
I can’t help but feel someone with a degree or two and numerous years in corporate management would be better suited to the job. They would also have a better understand of finance and how to be more efficient. Was Reynolds promoted on merit or on his length of service? Climbing to the top of the greasy pole type of this.
Dean, if you have a degree or two or years management experience come and join us. Even if you don’t then still get involved. Doesn’t matter what party, although naturally Labour is my preference, get involved. The point is politics should be about people from all walks of life.
I completely agree and that is why I am involved. I’m not in corporate management myself but there are many people in their mid-late 40’s who are looking for a career change and have 20 years’ experience. Give the job to them. I think it’s a case of the party selecting the wrong people in various position and not so much the right people not taking part in politics.
To the tax paying electorate the appointment of Cllr Reynolds simply represents more of the same. Cllr Reynolds thinks CCBC is the best, how delusional can you get? Next week 3 execs are on trial at Bristol Crown Court for misuse of public funds (on Harry’s watch) and I expect more collars to be felt. Illegal car payments for the select few, charging for parking at leisure parks while persistently blaming the Tories. One of the worst councils in the UK Mr Reynolds, by far.
REALISTIC UK – if you look at all the performance indicators for all departments in the council you will find that Caerphilly is one of the best. No one can deny the scandal of the Pay rises was in any way acceptable conduct, but, since this, the Labour Cllrs have put strong governance arrangements in to deal with this issue.
Lies, damn lies & statistics. The 3 execs on trial this week for malpractice & the accountable councillors who facilitated the wrongdoing, evidences that, historically, the hierarchy at the authority are tainted with the inability to be trusted. Any publicly funded organisation is only as good as the people entrusted to run it, there’s no longer trust in these people.
there is no doubt the Labour Party, in Caerphilly council, has missed an ideal opportunity to demonstrate that it is prepared to make changes, in the public interest, in the wake of the elledged criminal activity of the three most senior officers it currently employs. and yo whom we still pay thousands of pounds a week to tend their gardens. There are certain senior Labour Councillors who are ` contaminated` by this on going scandal, there are those who are not contaminated in any way.
Until the whole truth and nothing but the truth is revealed in the courts over the next few months the wrong man has been selected to represent me as the Leader of my Council, IT IS A FACT that Councillor Reynolds was the most senior Councillor out of the `secret band of five` who voted and supported for the huge hike in pay to selected officers now being opened up to public scrutiny, if these elected people, who are in charge of the proper lawful governance of Caerphilly council at the highest level, fail to recognise wrongdoing on the scale which has been revealed by the Wales auditor General then there is something seriously amiss.