Anglesey Council to be led by woman for first time
Anglesey will have its first ever female leader after Plaid Cymru gained the support of enough independents to form a coalition capable of running the county council.
Plaid Cymru Cllr Llinos Medi, who represents the Talybolion ward and was raised on the island, is to head the authority after her name was the only one submitted for consideration by yesterday’s 5pm deadline.
After Plaid won 14 of the 30 seats in Thurday’s election the former council leader, Ieuan Williams, confirmed his group of independents would support the new administration.
It is understood that seven independent councillors will join the coalition, boosting its numbers to 21.
But Cllr Ken Hughes, a portfolio holder until the election, is understood to have refused the offer to join and will sit on the opposition benches as part of another Independent group led by former authority leader, Bryan Owen.
Cllr Hughes’ name had been linked to the council leader post in the event that all independents had joined with Labour and the Liberal Democrat member to form a coalition of their own.
Last night Cllr Medi, who will become one of Wales’ youngest council leaders at the age of 35, said: “Over the last four years we have formed positive working relationships with independent group members, and together we have restored the good reputation of Ynys Mon Council.
“We share similar principles and aims and it makes sense for us to join together to provide strong and stable governance.
“We have already agreed on a joint manifesto in which we set out our priorities for the next five years.”
Cllr Ieuan Williams added: “I’m proud of what we have achieved a over the last term and both the Welsh Government and the Welsh Audit Office have acknowledged the significant progress that has been made.
“Although the Plaid Group were in opposition during this period we recognise the positive contribution that they also made. I am therefore confident that together we can maintain this progress.
“Consequently, I will be seconding Cllr Medi’s nomination to be the leader in the new administration.”
However, the decision of the independent councillors to support Plaid, has not gone down well with all members.
Cllr Peter Rogers, who was not part of the ruling Independent group in the last administration, was critical of Ieuan Williams and his group for not holding formal talks with members of other politicial parties and all newly elected Independents, before announcing they were supporting Plaid.
“That’s what should happen in coalition talks”, he said.
While Cllr Bryan Owen, added: “Despite them having being in coalition for four years, I’m disappointed that Cllr Williams’ independents did not at least talk to Labour and the Liberal Democrats, as well as the unaffiliated members, before jumping into bed with Plaid.”
Cllr Medi’s appointment as council leader is set to be rubber stamped at the next full council meeting on May 23.
