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.

FORMER First Minister Eluned Morgan, who failed to secure a seat in the 2026 Senedd elections in Ceredigion Penfro, has spoken of her “honour” to serve in the role.

In the May 7 battle for six seats in the new Ceredigion Penfro constituency, stretching from north of Aberystwyth to Angle in the southwest and Llanteg in the southeast, Plaid Cymru gained three seats, Reform two and Welsh Conservatives one.

The elections saw seismic political changes in Wales with Plaid in the majority and Labour losing heavily across the country, including Ceredigion Penfro where former First Minister Eluned Morgan or any other Labour candidates failed to secure a seat.

Since her loss, Eluned has said it was “the greatest honour of my life to serve as First Minister of Wales and to represent the people of Mid and West Wales in the Senedd”.

In a statement, she added: “Public service is never about one person. It is about the people and communities who place their trust in you, the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes and the shared belief that Wales can always move forward together.

“I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout this journey – my team, colleagues, campaigners, friends, my family and above all the people of Wales for giving me the privilege to serve.

“To the new Welsh Government, I send my very best wishes. Whatever our political differences, I believe we all want the same thing at heart: a fairer, stronger and more confident Wales.”

Fellow Labour candidate in the Ceredigion Penfro Senedd elections, also a Pembrokeshire county councillor for Narberth, Cllr Marc Tierney described Eluned as “a champion for causes that matter to so many of us — speaking up for those who could not, often without fanfare but with quiet, steady resolve”.

He added: “Both Welsh Labour and UK Labour will now need to take stock. Now is the time to consider, in depth, the significance of the losses suffered, and take genuine and measurable steps to regain the confidence of the public who have placed their trust in us so many times before.

“Eluned has said that she takes responsibility for the defeat. But I believe it is wrong for her to carry that burden alone. Others must examine their role, and the entire movement must work out — in a challenging but respectful way — what must change if we are to offer a real alternative to the politics of division that has featured so prominently of late.

“Welsh Labour and its membership must be brave. Our shared values must underpin the next chapter.”

Eluned Morgan has now been replaced as interim Senedd Labour leader by Ken Skates.