The Leader announced that as colleagues were aware, he was stepping down as Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council, and therefore, this would be the last time that he addressed them in this role.

Having led the Council for over eight years, he believed that he had reached the point where he had achieved all that he could.

The Leader stated that he started work as a fifteen year old teenager, and that he was already almost ten years past the official retirement age now. So with his 74th birthday up and coming, he felt that it was now time to enjoy whatever retirement he may have left.

He had been touched by the sheer number of messages that he had received from colleagues, well-wishers, Welsh Government ministers, fellow Leaders at other authorities and from the many partner organisations that we worked with.

He stated that he had been truly honoured to have led this authority during one of the most difficult periods in local government history.

When the Government’s austerity measures were announced and the full extent of the local government funding shortfalls started to make themselves known, in many ways BCBC was already well prepared.

Other authorities were suddenly faced with having to close down libraries and leisure centres, but thanks to some prudent and forward-thinking by management, the Authority were able to attract fresh investment to transform its sports and swimming centres because we had already formed partnerships with the likes of Halo, etc.

The Leader advised that this approach of effective partnership and collaboration would be increasingly central to how the Council operated in future, especially if the proposals outlined by Local Government Secretary Mark Drakeford came into fruition.

None of this is to say that BCBC did not face having to make difficult decisions of course, but Bridgend had certainly been progressive in its adoption of a lot of practices which are now becoming more commonly accepted elsewhere.

This attitude was going to become increasingly important as greater emphasis is placed on collaboration with other authorities and organisations. As an Authority, we had to show how we can work together, and the Leader believed that initiatives such as the established Regulatory Services Partnership or the ongoing City Deal demonstrate how this can be achieved as much as our work in setting something up like the Awen Cultural Trust did.

When he considered what else the Council has achieved over the years, there are any number of things that he was proud of, such as the introduction of Extra Care into the area, the striking work that has given a fresh lease of life to Porthcawl Marina or Maesteg’s outdoor market, our recognition of the local armed forces community and much, much more he added.

Notwithstanding the above, the Leader confirmed that perhaps he was most proud of BCBC’s incredibly successful school modernisation programme, the highlight of which was seeing the old school that he himself attended become a new, multi-million pound modern facility. 

When he was a pupil there, it was heated by open fires, and until its relaunch the children were being taught in the very same classrooms that he himself had once sat in.

When someone considered the age of the buildings that we had been replacing and modernising, we were giving local children the best possible environments for them to have a fighting chance at a prosperous and successful life. He felt that the school modernisation programme forms the backbone on which the future fortunes of the County Borough will be built.

Whatever the future holds for local government, the Leader had every confidence that the Council will meet the challenge head-on with trademark fortitude and determination.

The Leader added that he would not be standing as a ward member in May next year, as he wanted to focus on his family commitments and repay them for the understanding that they had shown him, whether it had been during his role as Leader or as a Councillor, Magistrate, member of the South Wales Police Authority, board member of ABMU, presiding officer of the WLGA or the WLGA’s spokesman on Social Services.

He had reason to be grateful for the continued patience and understanding of his family and friends on many occasions, but there were also a number of colleagues whose support could not be undervalued.

During his time as Leader, he had been ably backed and advised by his Cabinet members past and present, with previous members including Mike Gregory, Lyn Morgan and John Spanswick, as well as fellow Councillors and Council officers, and he wished to acknowledge their dedication and expertise.

Councillor David and Councillor Sage had both fulfilled the role of Deputy Leader during his time in office, and he wanted to thank them for their advice, support and loyalty.

The Leader also thanked opposition Leaders Green and Tildesley for the robust way in which they had conducted their roles. Whilst they may not share all of the same political ideals, they were united in that we want to do, ie what is best for the people of Bridgend County Borough.

The Leader also thanked the Chief Executive and other colleagues that formed the Corporate Management Board, for their unwavering guidance and professionalism. He also made a special mention to Gary Jones, Head of Democratic Services, and Ruth Ronan, Mark Galvin, Andrew Rees and everyone in the Democratic Services team, including Karen Williams, and formerly Sarah Coward and Brenda Stone who made sure that he turned up for meetings and appointments on time. Finally, he tanked Liam Ronan and Bob Phillips in the Communications team for all their hard work.

Working in any capacity within local government was never easy advised the Leader, but he believed that Councils continue to form an essential part of society, and it is perhaps a sign of how integral they are that the full extent of the contribution they make towards the lives of people throughout the community often goes unnoticed.

Serving as Leader had been a tremendous experience, and he could not have done it without a great deal of support for which he was truly thankful.

He concluded his submission by saying that it had truly been an honour to represent and fight for the best interests of the area in which he had lived all his life, including as a local authority Leader and a Ward Member for Sarn.

The Leader stated that he would always be grateful for this.

The Mayor responded by stating that he would like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to Councillor Mel Nott.  As those present were aware, this would be Councillor Nott’s last meeting as Leader of the Council, and he was sure that Members would agree, that he had done an exemplary job in leading the authority for the past eight years. Councillor Nott had through his hard work and dedication, steered the authority through some difficult financial times, and he was sure that on both a professional and personal level this had not always been easy. He had also during his tenure as Leader been a fantastic advocate and ambassador for Bridgend, and had worked tirelessly to ensure that BCBC was an authority that is respected throughout Wales for its constant innovation and improvement. On behalf of Council therefore, he thanked Councillor Nott for all his years of leadership and wished him all the best for the future.

The Chief Executive added that he just wanted to say a few comments on behalf of the Officers here today and throughout the Council.  The Senior Management team had recently met together privately as a Corporate Management Board to more personally convey their best wishes to Councillor Nott due to him standing down as Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council.

He wished to personally reiterate however, that the Leader had commanded the respect of both himself, the Management team, staff throughout the organisation, BCBC’s partners within the County, and further afield.

To instil and maintain that respect for such an extended period of time was truly a testament not so much to the title of Leader, but to him as a person, the way that he had fulfilled his role as Leader, and the tone that he had set for this organisation.  On behalf of the Officers the Chief Executive wished both Councillor Nott and his wife Yvonne, their sincere best wishes.

Further expressions of gratitude were given in respect of Councillor Nott, due to the excellent role he had provided as Leader of the Authority, from in turn, the Deputy Leader; Cabinet Members; Leader of the Independent Anibynwr Group; Leader of the Independent Alliance Group; Chairperson of the Labour Group; and the Chief Whip (of the Labour Group).