New Chairman of Ceredigion County Council, Llandysul councillor Keith Evans has said he looks forward to working with the county’s residents "in a terribly uncertain time".

He replaces fellow Llandysul councillor Maldwyn Lewis, chairman for 2023-2024, after being elected at Ceredigion county Council's Annual General Meeting today, May 17.

Cllr Evans was elected to Ceredigion District Council in 1987 and then in the period of Local Government reorganisation, was elected to Llandysul South Ward, Ceredigion County Council, in 1996.

Over a period of nearly 40 years involved in public life, he has gained the experience of working at local, regional and national level.

During the period, he has managed and chaired a number of committees, been a cabinet member on various portfolios and a leader of the council. He is also a member of Llandysul Community Council.

Cllr Evans said: “It is a privilege and an honour to be elected chairman of the county council and I look forward to working with my colleagues and the county’s residents in a terribly uncertain time.

"The Cardi's pride will once again be evident as we are the feature county of this year's Royal Welsh Show; the last time we were the feature county, I was the Leader."

Councillor Ann Bowen Morgan was elected Vice-Chairman.

Councillor Bryan Davies, leader of Ceredigion County Council, said: “I would like to congratulate Councillor Keith Evans on being elected as council chairman, Councillor Ann Bowen Morgan on being elected as vice-chairman, and sincerely thank Councillor Maldwyn Lewis for his tireless work as the pervious chairman.”

Cllr Lewis, of Llandysul North and Troedyraur ward, said: “It was the greatest privilege and honour of my life, to be Chair of Ceredigion County Council from May 2023 to May 2024. My hope was to work to the best of my ability to carry out all my duties as chairman.

"It is good to acknowledge that it was only possible to achieve that with gratitude and unwavering support. I’d like to say a special thanks to Sonia Davies, Lowri Edwards, my wife Carys Ann, and many others. I feel that I have achieved a lot during the year.

“I received a warm welcome throughout the county. It was great to meet new faces along with the familiar ones. I learned a lot through different activities, organisations, voluntary organisations. I learned and saw all the good work that is going on across the county. I have often had the privilege of being accompanied by Ukrainian Refugees and their families; refugees who have taken refuge within our county.”

He finished: “I wish Councillor Keith Evans and his Consort Mrs Eirlys Evans well for the next year. I wish them every success for the year ahead.”