Cllr Alan Jones has been appointed Mayor of Blaenavon for a second time.

Cllr Jones was voted in at the Town Council’s annual general meeting, which was held remotely with members linking up via the Microsoft Teams app.

He previously held the position in 2016/17.

The Town Council is currently celebrating after winning the One Voice Wales Innovative Practice Best Council Service of the Year Award for 2020.

“During my year in office, I want to continue to support the outstanding service delivery we have given our residents, which has been demonstrated so well with the work we’ve been able to achieve during this current pandemic,” said Cllr Jones.

“The way in which we’ve moved forward in terms of governance, financial accountability, partnership working, project management, policy and procedure and press relations and social media has been outstanding.”

Cllr Jones has served as a councillor on Torfaen council for eight years, and previously served as the executive member for business, tourism, leisure and culture.

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(Blaenavon Town Council clerk Kevin Warren, Mayor Cllr Alan Jones and deputy mayor Cllr Liam Cowles.. Picture: Blaenavon Town Council.)

He paid tribute to former councillor Phyllis Roberts, who recently stood down, describing her as “an outstanding servant to Blaenavon” and she had received “such lovely responses from the public and fellow politicians across the borough.”

And he thanked outgoing Mayor, Cllr Jac Denley-Jones, for her contribution during her term of office.

“I’m looking forward to my forthcoming year and working with all of you to continue with the outstanding work that we’ve achieved to date,” he said.

Cllr Denley-Jones said she had been honoured to serve the people of Blaenavon as Mayor.

“As Mayor, I have enjoyed representing Blaenavon and meeting new people - people from other councils locally and from those further afield,” she said. “It has been an opportunity to keep Blaenavon Town Council at the forefront.

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(The new Deputy Mayor of Blaenavon Cllr Liam Cowles. Picture: Blaenavon Town Council.)

“Possibly the thing I’ve enjoyed the most has been presenting grants to local community groups.

“This has shown publicly how the Town Council supports its community, and personally has given me the opportunity to meet lots of lovely people.

“I’ve been most fortunate to have had the support of the Town Clerk and his staff, for which I’m very grateful. I end my term with great pride, gratitude and optimism about what Blaenavon Town Council can achieve in the future and I wish the new Mayor continued success.”

Cllr Jones has chosen Hospice of the Valleys and the Royal British Legion Blaenavon Branch as his mayoral charities.

The new Deputy Mayor is Cllr Liam Cowles.