The WLGA today congratulates three members of the Welsh local government family who have been recognised in the New Year Honours list. Mark James, Chief Executive of Carmarthenshire council has been appointed CBE and Cllr Hugh Evans, Leader of Denbighshire council and Kefin Wakefield, former Head of Economic Development at Pembrokeshire council have both been awarded an OBE for their service to Welsh local government.
Congratulating Cllr Hugh Evans and Kefin Wakefield on their OBE awards, Cllr John Davies (Pembrokeshire), WLGA Leader said:
“On behalf of the Association, I warmly congratulate Hugh and Kefin on their worthy awards. I have had the privilege of working closely with both individuals, with Kefin in my own authority and with Hugh as a fellow council leader, and both have made an invalauble contribution to the work of Welsh local government. Councils in Wales are facing significant belt-tightening in the coming years but have a shared commitment to improving public services and delivering what’s best for the people of Wales. I am delighted that the hard work and dedication of these three individuals has been recognised.”
Congratulating Mark James on his award, Steve Thomas CBE, WLGA Chief Executive said:
“Both professionally and personally, I congratulate Mark on his well-deserved award. Mark has worked tirelessly to improve Carmarthenshire council at a time of significant change for all councils across Wales. His energy and commitment have earnt him great respect both in his own council and among his counterparts across the whole of Wales. In the coming years, as local government face even bigger challenges, Mark will continue to be an excellent ambassador for Carmarthenshire and local government as a whole in Wales.”