COUNCILLORS in Monmouthshire have chosen Peter Clarke to be their chairman for the 2018/19 civic year.

The Conservative councillor for Llangybi Fawr boasts more than 30 years of experience at the council and its predecessor, Gwent County Council.

Cllr Clarke described the nomination by leader Councillor Peter Fox as “humbling”, having previously stepped into the role in 2012/13.

“Eight years ago I stood in our previous chamber with Paul (Matthews, chief executive) by my side, endeavouring to keep nerves at bay,” he said at the council’s annual general meeting on Tuesday.

“Many things are different – a new county hall, a very much tighter and different budget.”

Cllr Fox’s nomination was seconded by Tory councillor Giles Howard, who revealed that as a youngster he was once employed by Cllr Clarke at his Usk hotel, Glen-yr-Afon.

Cllr Clarke’s consort will be his wife of 45 years Jan, who he thanked for “all of her support”, while his chaplain will be fellow Conservative councillor Malcolm Lane.

The vice-chairman for the coming year will be Conservative councillor Sheila Woodhouse, who was elected into the Abergavenny seat Grofield last year.

The former mayoress of Abergavenny chose her husband Chris, the town’s former mayor and a former Monmouthshire County Council chairman, as her consort.

Tributes were also paid to the outgoing chair Councillor Maureen Powell, with her successor describing the Castle councillor as the “hardest working octogenarian I know”.

Cllr Powell’s stint as chairman in 2017/18 had also been her second time in the role but she told a packed council chamber that the past year had gone quickly.

During her time in the role she raised more than £1,000 for charity after taking part in a sponsored swim, despite suffering from bouts of ill health.

An emotional Cllr Powell also thanked her husband and consort John, who the meeting heard also suffered from health problems in the past year.

Praise for Cllr Powell came from across the chamber, with Cllr Fox saying: “[Cllr Powell] has been a wonderful chairman.

“You have massive integrity and you have managed the meetings in here with great fairness.”

Councillor Dimitri Batrouni, leader of the Labour group, described Cllr Powell as the “matriarch of the Conservative group”.

He said: “You’ve had a great year. You’ve been a stalwart and figurehead for this council, and you’ve been fair.”

Independent Councillor Simon Howarth added: “I’ve known you for many years. You’re still a hard worker and very respected within the realms of all the people within Monmouthshire.”

Lib Dem group leader Councillor Linda Guppy said: “You must be commended to take up this role for the second time. You’ve been a true ambassador for Monmouthshire.”

The AGM on Tuesday only dealt with the chairman and vice chairman roles, with other appointments such as the leader and deputy leader of the council being discussed today (10th May).