Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Leader, Councillor Andrew Morgan, has been awarded his OBE from HRH The Prince of Wales at an investiture ceremony held (Wednesday, February 1) at Windsor Castle.
It was announced last June that Councillor Morgan, Elected Member for Mountain Ash, was awarded the OBE in The Queen’s Birthday Honours. Her Majesty The Queen sadly passed away on September 8, 2022.
Councillor Morgan has this week become an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his Public Service.
The honour follows his strong leadership of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council during his time as Council Leader, but most specifically for his leadership during the severe flooding in 2020, which affected more than 1,500 properties, homes and businesses across the County Borough.
This was immediately followed by the Coronavirus COVID-19 global pandemic, which claimed many lives in Rhondda Cynon Taf and affected everyone. Throughout this national emergency, Councillor Morgan was at the helm at Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, and also working with other local authorities and Welsh Government in his role as Leader of the Welsh Local Government Association.
Born and raised in Mountain Ash, Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE attended Darrenlas Primary School, Bryngolwg Lower Comprehensive School and Mountain Ash Comprehensive School before later becoming an Apprentice in the housing department at Cynon Valley Borough Council before then working for Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council.
He first stood as an Election Candidate for the Mountain Ash Ward in 2004 and was duly elected, going on to become a Cabinet Member for Highways in 2008 and Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council in 2014, a role he holds today. He was also made Leader of the Welsh Local Government Association in late 2019.
Upon receiving his award, Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, said: “Today has been a very special day for myself and my family. I am honoured, proud and privileged to receive this and have so many people to thank for their continued support, none more so than my family and colleagues.
“Going from being a former Apprentice with the Local Authority to become Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, and also Leader of the Welsh Local Government Association, has only been possible due to the many people who support me, my good friend and Council Deputy Leader, Councillor Maureen Webber, the Council Cabinet, the Council’s Senior Leadership Team, all the Council staff, the Rhondda Cynon Taf Labour Group, and residents in my ward of Mountain Ash to continue to support me to be their representative.
“The last few years have been difficult, and on times extremely challenging, but I am proud of the way Rhondda Cynon Taf Council responded to the severe floods and then the global pandemic.
“Recent years have been some of the most difficult times to be involved in local government, but also one of the most rewarding, as I have always done my utmost to make a difference to people’s lives and help them in any way I can, no matter how sad and difficult the circumstances.
“Today, we face fresh challenges, but together we will get through them.”
Councillor Maureen Webber, Deputy Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, said: “This is a very special day for our Council Leader, who works tirelessly for the people he represents – his own ward of Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and also the whole of Wales as Leader of the Welsh Local Government Association.
“He has always been totally dedicated and committed to serving the public, and in times of emergency is always on hand dealing with whatever the situation is, flooding, winter weather, and even a global pandemic.
“Council Andrew Morgan OBE dedicates his life to public service and receiving the OBE is recognition of all that he does. I am proud to call him a dear friend and look forward to continue working alongside him.”
Paul Mee, Chief Executive of Rhondda County Borough Council, said: “Councillor Andrew Morgan is a council leader of the highest standards. Passionate about the area and the people he serves, he continues to lead from the front, whatever the situation.
“His knowledge of local government is phenomenal, and this OBE recognises his hard work, passion and commitment.”
