Councillor Allan Pritchard is the ruling Plaid Cymru group’s nomination for leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council to succeed Lindsay Whittle.
Councillor Pritchard, who has served as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Human Resources and Constitutional Affairs, was chosen by the Plaid group of councillors on Monday following Councillor Lindsay Whittle’s decision to step down from the role after his election to the National Assembly earlier this month.
Councillor Pritchard was first elected as a councillor in the Penmaen ward in 1979.
Councillor Pritchard said: “I’m delighted at the confidence shown in me by fellow members of the Plaid group. It would be a real honour to follow Lindsay who has a tremendous leader of Caerphilly County Borough. I’m really looking forward to following in his footsteps and serving the people of the county borough.
“The Plaid group will have an excellent record to put before the people at next year’s council elections. Caerphilly is the only local authority in Wales not to increase council tax bills this year. Frontline services have been maintained despite the difficult economic times and we have made efficiency savings without cutting the salaries of council workers, unlike some neighbouring Labour-run authorities.”
At tomorrow’s special council meeting Councillor Pritchard’s name will be put forward by the Plaid group to succeed Lindsay Whittle as council leader.
The Plaid led administration has run Caerphilly council since 2008.
