Cardiff Council has a new Leader after Cllr Chris Weaver was elected at last night’s Annual General Meeting of Full Council.
Cllr Weaver was appointed Leader of Cardiff Council after his predecessor, Huw Thomas, stepped down and resigned as a Councillor following his election to the Senedd earlier this month.
In his inaugural Council Leader’s speech to the Annual General Meeting, Cllr Weaver reflected on the local authority’s achievements and set out his priorities for the year ahead.
Speaking after the Annual General Meeting, Cllr Weaver, said: “The next 12 months are about building on the momentum created over the past decade and more. It has been an extremely challenging and yet productive period for Cardiff Council. We have had to deal with the pressures of austerity, Brexit, COVID and the cost-of-living crisis, while demand for Council services has continued to grow, and the needs of the those we are here to help have become more complex.
“Despite all of that, we have continued to deliver for the people of Cardiff, protecting vital services and investing in the city’s future – from building more than 1,500 new Council homes, the biggest Council housing programme in Cardiff in decades, to delivering world-class school facilities and driving forward major economic projects like the new indoor arena. Just as importantly, we’ve kept a strong focus on inclusive growth, including our commitment to the Real Living Wage.
“We will continue to protect frontline services, accelerate the delivery of new Council homes, invest further in our schools – particularly expanding provision for children and young people with Additional Learning Needs – and drive forward key transport infrastructure and major projects that will support Cardiff’s long-term economic growth.”
Prior to taking up the role of Leader, Cllr Weaver served as Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation and Performance.
Following the move, a new Cabinet was also appointed at this year’s Annual General Meeting, the first change in its make-up since a reshuffle in May 2024.
The local authority’s Cabinet is now configured as follows – seeing new portfolios created, and new Cabinet Members appointed:
- Cllr Chris Weaver, Leader
- Cllr Sarah Merry (Deputy Leader) Cabinet Member for Education
- Cllrs Lynda Thorne & Lee Bridgeman, Housing & Communities (Job Share)
- Cllr Ed Stubbs, Waste, Street Scene & Environmental Services
- Cllr Russell Goodway & Cllr Peter Bradbury, Investment, Employment & Inclusive Growth (Job Share)
- Cllr Leo Thomson, Finance, Modernisation & Performance
- Cllr Jennifer Burke, Culture, Leisure & Tourism
- Cllr Dan De’Ath, Climate Change, Strategic Planning & Transport
- Cllr Bethan Proctor, Social Justice, Cohesion & Digital
- Cllrs Ash Lister & Norma Mackie, Social Services (Job Share)
On the Cabinet changes, Cllr Weaver, added: “I want to put on record my thanks for the hard work and dedication shown by my Cabinet colleagues over the past two years and more.
“The newly appointed Cabinet is designed to meet the priorities of the year ahead. It brings together the right experience to deliver for Cardiff at a time when the challenges remain significant.
“Just as importantly, this new Cabinet closely aligns with the Council’s recently restructured senior management team, ensuring strong collaboration and clear accountability. This joined-up approach will help us deliver our priorities more effectively, maintain momentum, and continue improving outcomes for residents across the city.”
