Councillor Jill Bonetto is the new Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf, having been appointed at the Council’s 26th Annual General Meeting, which took place on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
Councillor Bonetto, the Elected Member for Taffs Well Ward, said she is looking forward to her time as Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf, a County Borough that has suffered so much heartache this past year due to severe flooding which affected so many residents and businesses, followed by the global pandemic.
The Mayor’s Consorts for the ensuing year are Mr Lawrence Bonetto and Mrs Nicola Charlesworth.
Councillor Bonetto will be supporting many Charities during her year, including Help for Heroes, 2 Wish Upon A Star and AP Cymru as well as supporting the Armed Forces.
Councillor Bonetto takes over from Councillor Susan Morgans, Elected Member for the Ferndale Ward, as Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Speaking at the AGM and addressing Council members and officers, Councillor Morgans said: “It has been a huge honour to serve as Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf, albeit in a very different capacity to previous Mayors before me.
“This has been such a difficult year for us all. We have endured some of the most devastating storms in living memory, quickly followed by the global pandemic, which we are still living with to this day.
“A Mayor’s year in office is usually packed with many engagements, meeting so many people face-to-face, and enjoying the company of others. This past year I have remained very active in my own community and with Council business.”
Councillor Morgans said some of her highlights included being invited to light up Morlais Hall, Ferndale, for Remembrance Day, Polio Awareness Day, Carers Day and NHS Awareness Day. She also took part in a restricted Remembrance Service last November at Ferndale War Memorial and laid a Wreath honouring our Servicemen and women, Past and Present.
Councillor Morgans, who unveiled a plaque at a pharmacy in Maerdy in memory of all those Rhondda residents who have sadly died during this pandemic, paid tribute to those people and to their loved ones who are grieving their passing.
Following her inauguration as Mayor, Councillor Jill Bonetto said: “I am so looking forward to my term in office as Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf and thank you for affording me such an honour.
“Through a very difficult chapter in all of our lives, I would like my predecessor, Councillor Susan Morgans, for carrying out her duties with great pride and to the best of her abilities.
“I will do my utmost to continue her work, and that of Mayors who have worn the chain of office previously. I look forward to safely meeting as many people and organisations as possible as well as helping to raise funds for charities that are so close to my heart.”
Also appointed at the Council’s 2021 Annual General Meeting was Rhondda Cynon Taf Deputy Mayor, Councillor Wendy Treeby, Elected Member for the Mountain Ash West Ward. The Deputy Mayor’s appointed Consort for the ensuing year is Mr Paul Hammett.
Posted on 28/05/2021