Councillor K Watts, the newly elected Mayor, gave his announcement as follows:-

“Mr. Mayor, Councillors, guests and family who, thanks to the wonders of modern technology can all be ‘virtually’ present.

Naturally, I am very proud and honoured to have been elected to the office of Mayor for the County Borough of Bridgend, something I never truly expected to happen. To expand on how much this means to me and its unexpected reality, I need to provide some background as to how I, an Englishman, has come to this.

But, before I proceed further, I have to say how even more honoured and proud I am by a certain person agreeing to be my consort especially when one considers the news she received only this time last year and the subsequent impact this has had on her. I can only admire her strength and determination given the circumstances surrounding her decision confirming what a special lady she is.

So, it is with great pride and pleasure when I say to you that Councillor. Julia Williams has agreed to be my consort.

So back to what this honour means to me.

I first came to South Wales in 1964 as an 18 year old courting a young Welsh girl from the Garw Valley who was later to become my wife.

At that time the coal tips were still very evident and the dead river ran black. My future mother in law, although not a councillor was very vocal on the issue of cleaning up the mess left by the coal industry in which her husband, my future father in law, had worked all his life. Coming from England both the situation and the devastation wreaked by the industry made a lasting impression on me. But, of even greater impact over the years since then has been the subsequent clean up carried out by the then Ogwr Borough Council and now by the Bridgend County Borough Council. To me this is even more impressive considering the point from which the recovery of the Garw Valley had to start.

If someone had said to me then back in the 60’s I would become the Mayor of Bridgend County (then Ogwr Borough Council) I would have thought them deluded! As would my in laws!  I didn’t have a political bone in my body.

Sadly, none of those I have mentioned are here to see this day other than, I’m pleased to say, my children and grandchildren.

But having subsequently moved to South Wales in 1976 I was later to become involved in local matters in Porthcawl. Having seen what could be done in the Garw Valley, then why not elsewhere, so here I am today.

As we know things are at last beginning to move in Porthcawl.

My year in office, in fact one of only 8 months, will be shorter than normal and clearly required to be conducted in a totally different way to that previously experienced by my predecessors. Given the circumstances, of which we are all only too well aware, I shall endeavour to fulfil and promote the role and office of Mayor to the best of my ability by supporting community events wherever and whenever possible whilst at all times keeping in mind the need for us all to stay safe during this dreadful pandemic.

With regard to the Pandemic I believe it incumbent upon us all to set an example to our constituents not only by abiding by the rules and following advice but more importantly, by working together to provide the many services this Authority is bound to do. It is going to be vital we do so to protect the residents of the County probably for many months to come.

We are all aware of the forthcoming Senedd elections next May and I sincerely hope we can leave any political differences to be aired at the right time and the right place during this difficult period but still provide robust challenge and scrutiny where necessary.

It is also a very difficult time for charities, especially in the raising of funds, and this will be challenging to say the least. So, I ask all members to consider making a donation to my chosen charities which are, Parkinson’s UK and Epilepsy Society, via the Mayor’s Just Giving account. I know you are asked this each year but this year I believe it even more vital for donations to be made as they will no doubt form the greater part of any funds raised.

Lastly, I wish to say well done to the outgoing Mayor Councillor Stuart Baldwin. It’s been a unique and difficult time for local authorities everywhere and he has carried the mantel of Mayor with pride and passion throughout these last 17 months. So many congratulations on a successful period in office which has made you, I suspect, the longest serving Mayor of BCBC. It’s been a privilege to have been your deputy and to have worked with both yourself and your consort Councillor. Nicole Burnett.”