Agenda and minutes

You are welcome to use Welsh at the meeting, a minimum notice period of 3 working days is required should you wish to do so.  A simultaneous translation will be provided if requested.

It was noted that no requests had been received for the simultaneous translation service.

To receive.

Apologies for absence were received from:

Councillors K. Chaplin, John C Morgan, D. Wilkshire, Chief Executive, Corporate Director of Regeneration & Community Services, Corporate Director of Education, Interim Corporate Director of Social Services and Alun Davies, MS.

To consider any declarations of interest and dispensations made.

The were no declarations of interest or dispensations reported.

An EXTRAORDINARY MEETING of the Council of the County Borough of Blaenau Gwent will be held on TUESDAY, 8^TH APRIL, 2025 at 3.30 P.M. for the sole object, notice of which is now given, of considering and if thought fit passing a resolution in the following terms, which resolution, pursuant to Section 249 (5) of the Local Government Act 1972, must be passed by not less than two-thirds of the Members voting thereon:-

Motion

That in pursuance of Section 249 (5) of the Local Government Act 1972 the Council of the County Borough of Blaenau Gwent do hereby confer the Honorary Freedom of the County Borough of Blaenau Gwent upon:

Stephen 'Steve' Jones MBE OLY

In recognition of Steve’s outstanding achievements and contributions to international athletics but to also celebrate his role as a symbol of perseverance and excellence.

That the Council do embrace the privilege of admitting the said Stephen 'Steve' Jones MBE OLY as Freeman of the County Borough of Blaenau Gwent.

The Presiding Member welcomed everyone to the meeting and commenced by explaining that the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council had been convened for the sole object, notice of which was now given, of considering and if thought fit passing a resolution in the following terms, which resolution, pursuant to Section 249 (5) of the Local Government Act 1972, must be passed by not less than two-thirds of the Members voting thereon.

At the invitation of the Presiding Member, following a short speech, the Leader of the Council, thereupon, proposed the following Motion:

That in pursuance of Section 249 (5) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Council of the County Borough of Blaenau Gwent do hereby confer the Honorary Freedom of the County Borough of Blaenau Gwent upon:

STEPHEN ‘STEVE’ JONES MBE OLY

In recognition of Steve’s outstanding achievements and contributions to international athletics but to also celebrate his role as a symbol of perseverance and excellence.

That the Council do embrace the privilege of admitting the said Stephen ‘Steve’ Jones MBE OLY as Freeman of the County Borough of Blaenau Gwent.

At this juncture in the proceedings, Councillor Sue Edmunds  (who had proposed that Steve receive this accolade), Councillor Derrick Bevan, Armed Forces Champion, Nick Smith, M.P., Air Commodore Robert Woods and Lee Aherne from Parc Bryn Bach Running Club and Council Members spoke in support of the honour.

Upon a vote being taken, the Motion was, thereupon, seconded and unanimously supported by all Members present.

Steve on receiving the accolade said that it was a massive honour to receive the Freedom of the County Borough of Blaenau Gwent, his birthplace and former home, where many of his family and friends still resided and said he was extremely proud of his roots. He continued by stating that with hard work, determination and belief in oneself anything could be achieved and he concluded by expressing his appreciation to everyone who had supported him throughout his running career.

The Chair concluded by stating that there was an intention for further commemorations to take place in person when Steve was in the U.K. later in the year and at that time, Steve would also be presented with the official Freedom of the Borough Scroll.

He, thereupon, thanked everyone for attending and declared the meeting closed.