Cllr Carol Andrews has been announced as the new Mayor of Caerphilly County Borough Council.
Carol accepted the position of civic head at the first remote Annual Meeting of Council held on Thursday 3rd September.
“It is a huge privilege to undertake the role of Mayor and serve the community of the Caerphilly borough. I’d like to pay tribute to our outgoing Mayor, Cllr Julian Simmonds, who has experienced unprecedented circumstances during his time in office.” said Carol.
“My daughter Megan will be joining me in representing the Caerphilly county borough, taking the place of my mother who very sadly passed away recently. I’d like to thank Megan for stepping into the huge space left by my Mum, who was Consort during my time as Deputy Mayor; we look forward to performing our new roles, despite these unusual times.”
Carol grew up in Bargoed, with parents Susan and Leighton, where she attended St Gwladys Primary and Heolddu Comprehensive schools. She began nursing training with South East Wales Institute of Nursing and Midwifery in 1991 and qualified as a Registered General Nurse in 1994. Carol worked in a number of Cardiff hospitals after qualifying, before undertaking a Diploma in Midwifery in 1998 with the University of Wales, College of Medicine in Cardiff.
Following this, Carol spent 17 years working in a secondary school in Merthyr Tydfil, before returning to work in a hospital, on the wards in Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr. She has worked on the hospital’s Bargoed Ward for the last two years and recently looked after patients with Covid-19.
As well as her daughter Megan, she shares a step-daughter, Chelsea, with her husband Stephen. Carol has held a life-long interest in politics and through her late father-in-law, former Council Leader Harry Andrews MBE, joined the Labour party and was elected as a local councillor in 2017.
Carol has chosen to raise funds for three charities during her year in office: The Alzheimer’s Society, Valley Daffodils and The Friends of Bargoed Ward at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr.
The position of Deputy Mayor has been announced as Cllr June Gale, who represents Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen.
