Agenda item

To adopt a resolution expressing our profound sorrow at the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, and extending our deepest sympathy to His Majesty, King Charles III and to the members of the Royal Family in their loss.

·        The  Mayor read out the motion that was before Council today, that being:.

 

“To adopt a resolution expressing our profound sorrow at the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, and extending our deepest sympathy to His Majesty, King Charles III, and to the Members of the Royal Family in their loss.”

 

·        Councillor A. Llewelyn repeated the motion in Welsh.

 

I fabwysiadu pendefyniad yn mynegi ein tristwch dwys am farwolaeth y Frenhines Elizabeth II, ac yn estyn ein cydymdeimlad dwysaf i’w Fawrhydi, y Brenin Charles III ac i aelodau’r Teulu Brenhinol yn eu colled.

 

 

Before the motion was put to Council the following Members paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.

 

·        Cllr. A. Llewelyn, Deputy Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council:

 

Mr Mayor,

 

Hoffwn fynegu cydymdeimlad diffuant i’r teulu brenhinol ar farwolaeth y Frenhines.

Gwelodd cyfnod hir y Frenhines newidiadau enfawr ym mywyd Cymru, Prydain ac ar draws y byd.

Mae wedi denu hoffter a pharch yn lleol, cenedlaethol a rhygwladol, a bydd llawer o bobl yn dymuno talu teyrnged.

 

Mr Mayor,

 

I wish to express sincere condolences to the Royal family on the passing of Her Majesty the Queen.

 

The Queen’s long reign has seen so many changes in the life of Wales, Britain, and across the world.

 

She has attracted affection and respect locally, nationally and globally, and many people will wish to pay respects, and the coming week will be a period of reflection.

We saw that yesterday as people came together to the Civic Square, fortunately in bright sunshine, as individuals and as representatives of voluntary organisations, community and town Councils, schools, different Services, and our County Borough, in the company of the Lord Lieutenant and the High Sherriff.

 

I wish to thank Mrs Karen Jones and all the staff for their hard work in organising the event and many other arrangements in such a short period of time.

 

Diolch Barchus Faer

 

Thank you Mr Mayor.

 

Cllr S.Jones, Deputy Leader of the Independent Group :

 

“Mr Mayor,  Cllr Steve Hunt, the Leader of the Independent Group, is unfortunately unable to be here today and I would like deliver the following tribute on his behalf :

 

It is an honour for me to have this opportunity to pay tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II on behalf of the Independent Group.

 

Over recent days, we have heard people from across the world recognise the tireless devotion to duty that was the hallmark of Queen Elizabeth’s reign.

 

That she lived in the service of others for over 70 years is truly remarkable.

 

We have also heard of the respect in which she was held by the political class with all surviving former prime ministers and the current prime minister admiring her wisdom and ability to keep on top of current affairs.

 

But we will all have been moved by the deeply personal tributes paid by King Charles III and the Royal Family. For them, they have lost a much loved mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

 

Mr Mayor, Queen Elizabeth II was a shining example for all of us who have chosen a life in public service and on behalf of the Independent Group I pay tribute to that.

 

When you are ready Mr Mayor I will happily second the resolution before Council this afternoon”.

 

·        Councillor J. Hale, on behalf of the Plaid Cymru Group.

 

“ It is a privilege  for me to add my voice on behalf of the Plaid Cymru Group to those paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth III today and to also offer sincere condolences to King Charles III and the Royal Family.

 

The Queen’s devotion her life to public life for over 70 years is un-paralleled.  She has been a very visible and constant presence in national life and across the world and we shall miss that.

 

I have huge respect for the way she lived her life in public service her support and dedication to the armed forces, patronage to many charitable causes and her extensive calendar of engagements well past a time when most others would be enjoying a well-deserved retirement, rightly deserves our respect.  Our late Queen honoured the commitment she made all those years ago, so its right that we honour her today. 

 

It is has been clear to see over the recent days that the Queen was much loved by our King Charles III and the wider royal family.

 

On behalf of the Plaid Cymru Group, I want to extend our sympathy to King Charles 111 and the wider Royal Family at this sad time.

 

·        Councillor S. Reynolds, on behalf of the Labour Group:

 

On behalf of the Labour Group, it is with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II after long time of service to this country.

 

Our thoughts and prayers go to all the Royal Family for their loss of a mother, grandmother and great grandmother.  Many of us have never known anyone other than the Queen as our constitutional leader and monarch.  We won’t see the like of her again in our lifetime.  Whatever your view of the royal family, the Queen commands respect holding a unique position in our hearts throughout the land.

 

We in Neath Port Talbot welcomed her on many occasions to our county borough. This was before my term as a councillor but I have talked to those that remember standing in the rain waiting for her to open the Afan Lido, her visit to the Steel Works remembered by my husband, her visit to the Metal Box and numerous other visits made to the Orangery, signified by the commemorative plaques adorning the walls of the building.  I am sure there were many more.

 

As a fellow horse rider I felt for her when she could no longer take her position looking so regal for ceremonial occasions.

 

We all sympathised when she lost her beloved husband the Duke of Edinburgh some 18 months ago during the pandemic.

 

She like many others that suffered loss at that time endured the loneliness of not being able to have family close during the funeral and therefore she provided an inspiration to those of us who also had close family members who could not have the comfort of loved ones during that time.

 

This was a display of dignity unparalleled in public lives.  This country owes a great debt of gratitude for her 70 glorious years of her reign.  She was a great stateswoman.

 

May she rest in peace.

 

God save the King.

 

 

·        Councillor C. James, on behalf of the Armed Forces Champion, Neath Port Talbot:

 

I was deeply saddened, like so many others to hear of the Queens passing on Thursday.

 

I, like so many others was inspired to join the armed forces by the tireless service given by Queen Elizabeth II to this country.

 

Queen Elizabeth II demonstrated the service she gave to this country. This inspired the arms forces.  Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. Because of her leadership the Armed Forces are recognised and respected across the world.

 

Everyone from the Armed Forces who met the Queen respected her and that fondness was reciprocated by the Queen. Any chance she had she visited the Armed Forces.

 

In 2001, I had the honour of leading the ceremonial party welcoming the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh aboard HMS Illustrious where there was a state visit happening in Norway.  I remember that day always as majestic.

 

I just want to give my heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family and my thoughts and prayers are with them at this time.

 

The Mayor thanked all the speakers.

 

The motion was proposed by Councillor A.Llewelyn and seconded by Councillor S.Jones. 

 

RESOLVED|:

Council approved the resolution to express our profound sorrow at the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, and extending our deepest sympathy to His Majesty, King Charles III, and to the Members of the Royal Family in their loss.”

 

 

End of Meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

CHAIRPERSON