Pembrokeshire County Council has welcomed its new Chairman for the coming municipal year - Cllr Delme Harries.

Cllr Harries was elected in 2022 to represent the Bro Gwaun ward. He is a member of the Independent Group.

Cllr Harries has worked for NFU for many years and has extensive experience in agriculture, governance and community leadership.

Within the council, he has several key roles, having been Chairman of the Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and as current Members’ Champion for both the Welsh Language and for Children and Young People.

He is deeply involved in education and youth development, serving as a Local Authority Governor at Ysgol Ger y Llan and Ysgol Casmael a Llychllwydog, and as Club Leader of Llysyfran Young Farmers Club. He also chairs the POINT Youth Project in Fishguard, where he is also a trustee.

Cllr Harries held numerous senior leadership roles within the Young Farmers’ movement at county, national and international level.

These include Chair of the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (2019–2024), Chair of Wales Young Farmers Clubs, Chair European Young Farmers, and Chair of Pembrokeshire YFC. In recognition of his contribution, he has been awarded honorary life memberships and vice presidencies within Young Farmers organisations at county, national and UK level.

He is also Director and Trustee of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society.

Upon taking the chains, Cllr Harries thank outgoing Chairman Cllr Maureen Bowen, and said: “I am truly humbled and honoured to have your support in appointing me as Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council for the coming year.

“When I was elected to represent the Bro Gwaun ward in 2022, this role was certainly not on my list of expectations. To now stand before you as your Chair is something I feel deeply privileged to do, and I am extremely grateful for the confidence you have placed in me to serve as the civic leader of this authority.

“I am particularly proud to serve as Chair in a year when Pembrokeshire will welcome the National Eisteddfod. This is a moment of huge significance for our county, and I hope we will all embrace this wonderful event, which promises to be one of the very best. I look forward to seeing many of you in Llantood this August as we celebrate our language, culture, and heritage together.”

Cllr Nick Neumann was elected Vice Chairman for the coming year; nominated by Cllr Di Clements, seconded by Cllr Mark Carter.

The new Chairman Cllr Delme Harries, is pictured with new Vice Chairman Cllr Nick Neumann, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed Meurig Raymond, High Sheriff of Dyfed Andrew Phillips, Consort to the High Sherriff of Dyfed Sue Phillips, Presiding Member Cllr Simon Hancock, outgoing Chairman Cllr Maureen Bowen, and Pembrokeshire County Council’s chief executive Will Bramble.

The new chairman was announced on the same day that Cllr Tessa Hodgson was elected as PCC Leader at the Annual General Meeting of Council held on May 15, succeeding Cllr Jon Harvey, who did not seek re-election as Leader.