CEREDIGION has a bright future despite facing a range of challenges, the former county council chief executive has told the Cambrian News.
Bronwen Morgan, who has retired from the council after working in local government for over 30 years, said she has seen major changes in how councils provide services and the challenges facing local authorities, especially with continuing funding cuts under the central government’s austerity programme.
But while considering the successes and difficulties she faced over the years, Ms Morgan said she was confident the current council was up to the challenges ahead.
She said: “After 32 years in local government it is a cliche to say that there have been many changes.
“Over the years different government at all tiers have had different visions and priorities for local government.
“Priorities may change but the one constant to all who work in public service is to serve the public to the best of their ability.
“Austerity has driven changes and an enormous amount of rethinking on how things can be done most effectively.
“Looking back throughout my period with both Dyfed and Ceredigion County Council I have worked with wonderful and dedicated staff.”
She added: “As I retire the challenges will remain. However, a particular strength is the dedicated staff, whom I cannot praise enough, that will assist in facing the challenges of austerity, continuous changes in demography and in method of service delivery.
“The council has embraced the need to change as well as being an effective part of a growing focus on partnership working. The future will always be challenging and I remain confident that the council will be ambitious for Ceredigion.”
Ms Morgan was the only woman on the council’s senior management team when the authority was first established as a shadow authority in 1995 and became chief executive in 2007 after serving as the director of corporate and legal services.
During her time, Ceredigion was one of the leading counties in Wales in seeing women holding high-profile positions.
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