Anglesey County Council’s Standards Committee has appointed a new independent chair and vice chair.

The Standards Committee is responsible for promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct amongst county councillors and assisting them to follow the Code of Conduct.

Rhys Davies was elected as chair and Trefor Owen as vice chair of the committee earlier this month.

Rhys Davies has been an independent member of the Standards Committee since December 2019 and had served as vice chair since February 2020.

Following his appointment, Mr Davies said: “I look forward to continuing with the committee’s important work as led by my predecessor, Mr John R Jones, who was chair for four years. In my role as vice chair, I have enjoyed supporting the chair and I wish to thank John for his hard work and leadership.”

He added, “I am committed to ensuring that the committee continues to support elected and co-opted members of the county council, and the town and community councillors on the island, and strive for the highest possible standards of conduct.”

The Standards Committee includes nine members with the majority being independent members. Accompanying the chair and vice chair are Mr Brace Griffiths, Mr John R Jones and Mrs Gill Murgatroyd as independent members. There are also two members of the county council (councillors Margaret Murley Roberts and Dafydd Rhys Thomas) and two town and community council representatives (councillors Iorwerth Roberts and Margaret Thomas) who form part of the Standards Committee.

Anglesey’s chief executive, Dylan Williams, said: “I have had the opportunity of working with Rhys Davies in his role as vice chair for the previous four years and I congratulate him on this appointment. His experience on the committee, and generally from his employment and within the community, will serve him well as he takes on the role of chair.

“Congratulations also to Trefor Owen on his appointment as vice chair. I am confident that he will be an asset and a great support to the chair as the committee continues to promote high standards of behaviour amongst councillors in Anglesey.

“I take this opportunity to thank John R Jones for his valuable contribution as chair of the Standards Committee for the past four years. Whilst appreciating his decision not to sit as chair for a second term, I am glad to note that the committee will continue to benefit from his experience as he remains an independent member.”

The chair and vice chair are chosen from amongst the independent members of the Standards Committee. Both are appointed for initial periods of four years, with the possibility of re-appointment.

More information on the standards committee is available on this website.

Ends 29 February 2024

Notes for editors

Rhys Davies is originally from Anglesey and studied dentistry in Cardiff before returning and running his practice in Llangefni for over 30 years until his retirement.

Mr Davies continues to live on the island and has carried out several roles in the community with his most recent appointment as a member of the “More than Words” Advisory Board, a body which reports to the health minister of Welsh Government.

Trefor Owen is also from Anglesey and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Foresters, with almost 40 years' experience as a civil servant serving HM Government, the Welsh Government and the Scottish Government.

He has worked in senior leadership, policy development, operational delivery and programme management roles. Mr Owen was appointed as an independent member on the committee in October 2023.