It's been a momentous few weeks for Wales and the wider UK, culminating in last week's Senedd elections and the defeat of the longstanding Welsh Labour Government under Baroness Eluned Morgan.

This week appears certain to see the election of Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, Leader of Plaid Cymru, as our new Prif Weinidog/First Minister.

I'm sure that Brecon and Radnor Express readers will join me in wishing Rhun well for the many challenges ahead, just as we also congratulate our newly elected Senedd Members for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd: James Evans, Iain McIntosh and David Mills of Reform UK; Sioned Williams and Beca Phillips of Plaid Cymru and Jane Dodds of the Welsh Liberal Democrats.

Whatever our own individual allegiances, our whole democratic system depends upon individuals coming forward to seek election and upon an orderly and peaceful transition of power. We should therefore express our respect and thanks to all candidates, those elected and the much larger number who were not successful. The tetchy political climate in which we live makes this even more important.

This week sees the Annual General Meeting of Powys County Council, which marks the end of the civic year and the end of my own term of office as Chair of Council. It has been an immense privilege to represent the County Council since last May, at events throughout Powys, as well as representing our County further afield. The events have been rich in their diversity, but the Gurkha Parade in June; the Brecknock RWAS Feature County Carol Service at Brecon Cathedral in December; the National Holocaust Memorial Day in Cardiff in January and the Proclamation Ceremony of the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Maldwyn Meirionnydd 2027 in Llanidloes last weekend are amongst the most individually memorable. These, together with the rich tapestry of Silver Kite Awards that I have presented to remarkable individuals and voluntary groups from throughout Powys, will stay with me for a very long time to come.

However, in these days of robust political discourse, live streaming, and seemingly endless rounds of elections, it is the chairing of Full Council meetings and member development sessions that is the central rôle. Next month sees the tenth anniversary of the murder of the late MP Jo Cox and the Jo Cox Foundation created to commemorate her work and secure her legacy rightly aims to encourage people to "disagree well." In this spirit, I have always sought to nurture a climate of mutual respect and active listening in debate - and hopefully, on more occasions than not, I have been successful.

This week, I am due to be succeeded by my long serving Vice Chair, Cllr Geoff Morgan (Ithon Valley - Reform UK.) I would like to thank Cllr Geoff and Cllr Danny Bebb, Assistant Vice Chair (Churchstoke - Welsh Liberal Democrats) for their sterling efforts during 2025/2026 and wish them both all the very best for the ensuing year. They will do our County proud.

A final word of sincere thanks to my wife Ria, who has been at my side throughout the year and provided wise counsel and support. Also to my PA, Karen Southcott, who has been most people's first contact with the Chair's Office. Her superb organisation, attention to detail and diary management have been instrumental to me in delivering my duties as Chair throughout the year. Diolch am bopeth.