CLLR DELME HARRIES has been elected chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council for the coming municipal year.

Cllr Harries, who was elected in 2022 to represent the Bro Gwaun ward, is a member of the Independent Group.

He has worked for the NFU for many years and has extensive experience in agriculture, governance and community leadership.

Within the council, he has held several key roles, including chairman of the Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee. He is also the council’s Members’ Champion for the Welsh Language and for Children and Young People.

Cllr Harries is deeply involved in education and youth development. He serves as a local authority governor at Ysgol Ger y Llan and Ysgol Casmael a Llychllwydog, and is club leader of Llysyfran Young Farmers Club.

He also chairs the POINT Youth Project in Fishguard, where he is a trustee.

Young Farmers background

Cllr Harries has held numerous senior leadership roles within the Young Farmers’ movement at county, national and international level.

These include chair of the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs from 2019 to 2024, chair of Wales Young Farmers Clubs, chair of European Young Farmers, and chair of Pembrokeshire YFC.

In recognition of his contribution, he has been awarded honorary life memberships and vice-presidencies within Young Farmers organisations at county, national and UK level.

He is also a director and trustee of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society.

Upon taking the chains, Cllr Harries thanked outgoing chairman Cllr Maureen Bowen.

He said: “I am truly humbled and honoured to have your support in appointing me as Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council for the coming year.

“When I was elected to represent the Bro Gwaun ward in 2022, this role was certainly not on my list of expectations. To now stand before you as your Chair is something I feel deeply privileged to do, and I am extremely grateful for the confidence you have placed in me to serve as the civic leader of this authority.

“I am particularly proud to serve as Chair in a year when Pembrokeshire will welcome the National Eisteddfod. This is a moment of huge significance for our county, and I hope we will all embrace this wonderful event, which promises to be one of the very best.

“I look forward to seeing many of you in Llantood this August as we celebrate our language, culture and heritage together.”

Cllr Nick Neumann was elected vice-chairman for the coming year. He was nominated by Cllr Di Clements and seconded by Cllr Mark Carter.

Caption:

New chairman: Cllr Delme Harries with new vice-chairman Cllr Nick Neumann, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed Meurig Raymond, High Sheriff of Dyfed Andrew Phillips, Presiding Member Cllr Simon Hancock and outgoing chairman Cllr Maureen Bowen.

TESSA HODGSON has been elected as the new leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, becoming the first woman to hold the role.

Cllr Hodgson, who represents Lamphey, was chosen at the council’s annual general meeting on Friday (May 15). She succeeds Cllr Jon Harvey, who did not seek re-election as leader.

Following her election, Cllr Hodgson said: “It is a great honour to have been elected leader of Pembrokeshire County Council.

“I thank Cllrs Tinley and Clements for also putting themselves forward and Cllrs Alderman and Williams for proposing and seconding me.

“It is an important moment for the council to elect the first woman to this position, but now the hard work begins.

“I am prepared to work with everyone across the chamber for the benefit of every resident and community of Pembrokeshire, and I look forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

Cllr Hodgson was first elected in 2012 and is not affiliated to any group on the council.

She previously served as Cabinet Member for Social Services and Safeguarding from 2017, and most recently held the adult social care and safeguarding portfolio.

Before entering local government, Cllr Hodgson worked in marketing and business and ran several hospitality and tourism enterprises.

She is expected to announce her Cabinet shortly.

HORSE owners, keepers and veterinary professionals are being urged to take precautions following a marked rise in equine influenza activity across Wales and the wider UK.

The Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance team has confirmed that, as of Thursday (May 14), there have been 52 outbreaks of equine influenza across 32 counties in England, Scotland and Wales since April 1.

Equine flu is highly contagious and can spread rapidly among horses. It can be passed on through close contact, contaminated equipment and, in some conditions, through the air over longer distances.

Officials say many recent cases are linked to the movement of horses between premises. However, yards with no recent horse movements may still be at risk, particularly where local activity has already been identified.

Horse owners, yard managers and vets are being advised to take a risk-based approach when considering horse movements and day-to-day management.

Preventative measures include ensuring vaccinations are up to date, monitoring horses for early clinical signs such as coughing, nasal discharge, fever and lethargy, implementing strict biosecurity measures, and isolating new arrivals or suspected cases promptly.

The rise in equine influenza activity represents a significant ongoing risk to horse health and equestrian activities across the UK.

Vaccination, vigilance and robust biosecurity remain essential to limiting further spread.

Anyone concerned about an animal is advised to contact their veterinarian.

Further information is available from the Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance service at www.equinesurveillance.org.