THE re-elected leader of Torfaen council and the newly appointment Mayor will send a message of solidarity to officials in Manchester following Monday’s terrorist attack.

Panteg member Cllr Anthony Hunt was confirmed as the leader of the council at the AGM on Tuesday, following on from the local government elections held at the start of the month.

Cllr Jessica Powell of the Pontnewydd ward becomes the Mayor of Torfaen following her spell as deputy in the previous year, with her partner Anthony Bird serving as her consort.

The leader’s acceptance speech took on a sombre tone before thanking the councillors for standing as elected officials.

“In the shadow of such unmitigated evil last night in Manchester, today is not a day for triumphalism,” said cllr Hunt, who remains the youngest council leader in Wales.

“If members agree, I will make my first task as leader to send a message of solidarity and sympathy alongside our Mayor, to the people of Manchester via their Mayor, Andy Burnham and their council leader.

“First of all, thank you to all of you for standing up to be counted and serving as local councillors.

“Perhaps, given recent events, it’s a good time to remind ourselves that there is more that unites us than divides us.

“Whatever our colours, we all stood as councillors because we want to help people and make a difference to our communities.

“The enthusiasm and energy of the new councillors in my group has certainly been a breath of fresh air to me as a returning councillor.

“I have already used my selective memory to forget who voted for or against me as leader, and I suggest that we continue in that vein – of rejecting narratives that paint our opponents as malicious saboteurs to be shouted down, and instead work together to help those we serve and improve our area.

The cabinet members and the committee chairs were also announced at the meeting, which included representation from the three parties comprising the council.

Councillors Richard Clark, David Daniels and David Yeowell have retained their positions on the cabinet, while Veronica Crick, Fiona Cross, Alan Jones and Mandy Owen have joined.

The committees will be chaired by councillors Gwyn Jenkins, Elizabeth Haynes, Peter Jones, Collette Thomas, Stuart Ashley, Norma Parrish, Neil Waite, Glyn Caron and Ray Mills.

“I hope you’ll see with my appointments that I’ve tried to be fair rather than tribal in who I’ve put forward for positions,” said Cllr Hunt.

“As the leader of a group which has made great strides forward in terms of gender balance, I also want that to be reflected in our appointments - because I believe it leads to better decision-making.

“But we should never apologise for being political – after all, from the NHS to the education system to the welfare state, advances for the many were made thanks to politicians who were willing to stand up for what they believe in.

“But I hope we can debate in this chamber in a way that retains an atmosphere of mutual respect, even when we disagree on the way forward.”

“After all, just by being here as part of a democratic society, we stand up for the ideals of freedom that the terrorists want to weaken.

“So I look forward to working with you all in the coming civic year, and hope you all know that my door is always open if you want to speak with me.

“I will work hard to repay the trust you have shown in me,” added the leader.

At the mayor making ceremony, which followed the AGM, the deputy mayor was confirmed as Cllr Stuart Evans of the Blaenavon ward.

The new Mayor of Torfaen’s three chosen charities were also confirmed as Torfaen Mind, Torfaen Women's Aid and Lincoln's Legs.