Council pays tribute to late Queen at extraordinary meeting

Neath Port Talbot councillors held a special meeting on Monday (12 September) to express sorrow at the death of the Queen and extend sympathy to Royal Family.

The sentiment formed part of a formal Notice of Motion, which was agreed by councillors at the meeting, where tributes were paid to Her Majesty the Queen.

The Deputy Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Cllr Alun Llewelyn, said: “The Queen’s long reign has seen so many changes in the life of Wales, Britain and across the world. She attracted affection and respect nationally, locally and globally and the coming week will be a period of reflection. We saw that on Sunday (the Proclamation Ceremony) as people came together to the Civic Square, fortunately in bright sunshine, as individuals and representatives of voluntary organisations, community and town councils, schools, different services and our County Borough in the company of the Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff.”

The Deputy Leader of the Independent Group, Cllr Scott Jones, said: “It’s an honour for me to have the opportunity to pay tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II on behalf of the Independent group. Over recent days we’ve heard people across the world recognise the tireless devotion to duty that was the hallmark of Queen Elizabeth’s reign. Queen Elizabeth II was a shining example for all of us who have chosen a life in public service.”

Cllr Jo Hale added on behalf of the Plaid Cymru Group: “The Queen’s devotion to public duty for more than 70 years is unparalleled. She’s been a very visible and constant presence in national life and across the world and we’ll miss that. I have huge respect for the way in which she lived her life public service, her support and dedication to the armed forces and her patronage of many charitable causes and her extensive calendar of engagements well past the time when many others would be enjoying a well deserved retirement rightly deserves our respect.”

Cllr Sonia Reynolds, Deputy Leader of the Labour Group said: “Many of us have never known anyone other than the Queen as our constitutional leader and monarch. Whatever your view of the Royal Family the Queen commanded our respect and held a unique position in our hearts throughout the land and we in Neath Port Talbot welcomed her on many occasions to our county borough. This country owes a great debt of gratitude for 70 glorious years of her reign. She was a great stateswoman, may she rest in peace. God save the king.”

Cllr Chris James, the council’s Armed Forces Champion said: “I was deeply saddened on Thursday like so many others when I heard of the Queen’s passing. And like so many others I was inspired to serve in the Armed Forces by the tireless service that Queen Elizabeth demonstrated. In 2001 I was personally honoured to lead a ceremonial party welcoming Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh on board the HMS Illustrious when there was a state visit. The word that always comes to mind that day when I met the Queen is ‘majestic’”.

(Lead image: Neath Port Talbot Council)