The Chair of Council 2026 – 2027
County Councillor Tudor Thomas
Appointment of the Chair
- The Chair, who is the Civic Head of the Council, is elected in May of each year at the Annual Meeting of the County Council.
- The Chair must be a serving Councillor and must remain politically impartial during their year of office.
- During the Annual Meeting of Council the Chair appoints a Consort for their term of office.
- The Vice Chair of the Council is also appointed at the Annual Meeting and will represent the Chair at meetings and events in his/her absence.
The Role of the Chair
The Chair has the following responsibilities:
- To preside over meetings of the Council so that its business can be carried out efficiently and with regard to the rights of councillors and the interests of the community.
- To uphold and promote the purposes of the Constitution when necessary.
- To ensure that the Council meeting is a forum for the debate of matters of concern to the local community and the place at which members who are not on the executive are able to hold the executive and committee Chair to account.
- To promote public involvement in the Council’s activities.
- To be the conscience of the Council.
- To attend such civic and ceremonial functions as the council and he/she determines appropriate e.g. royal visits, charitable events, supporting local cultural activities (whilst representing the County the Chair wears a Chain of Office). By stature, the Chair takes precedence within the County, with the exception of His Majesty the King or his representative for the County, the Lord Lieutenant.
- The Chair can nominate a charity of their choice and host fund raising events throughout their term of office.
- The Chair acts as First Citizen for the County fostering community identity and pride by actively promoting local areas and raising the profile of Monmouthshire and the Council.
County Councillor Tudor Thomas
Chair 2026 – 2027
I was born and brought up in Ystradgynlais, a small mining town in the Swansea Valley. In my childhood it was a bilingual community, and I attended Ysgol Gyfun Maesydderwen a bi-lingual comprehensive school in the town.
I taught In England for six years before joining the staff of King Henry VIII Comprehensive in 1983 as a Head of Department. After twelve years at King Henry VIII I was appointed to WJEC as a subject specialist and subsequently became a Principal Manager.
I met my wife Jan, a teacher and Textile Artist at university and we subsequently married and have three grown up sons and three grandsons.
I am passionate about education having been involved with it in one way or the other for over forty years. I have been a strong advocate for Welsh medium education and was a campaigner for the establishment of Ysgol Gymraeg Y Fenni and Ysgol Gymraeg Trefynwy. I am currently Chair of the Governing Body of Ysgol Gymraeg Trefynwy and chaired the Temporary Governing Body when it was being established.
I became a councillor on Abergavenny Town Council in 2016 and a year later joined Monmouthshire County Council.
My personal interests include walking, reading and I have a great interest in animal welfare. I live on a small holding and have a Welsh Cob and a rescue Welsh Mountain pony, I also have a few sheep, chickens and two dogs which keep me busy. I enjoy spending time with my wife, three sons and my grandsons.
My chosen charity during term of office 2026 – 2027 will be: St David’s Hospice Care
If you would like to invite the Chair to an event or would like them to visit a community facility, please contract Julia Boyd in the Chair’s Office – Tel: 01633 644206 or email juliaboyd@monmouthshire.gov.uk alternatively write to: The Chair’s Office, Monmouthshire County Council, County Hall, Rhadyr, Usk NP15 1GA. (It would be appreciated if all correspondence could please be sent via the Chair’s Office and not directly to the Chair).
I taught In England for six years before joining the staff of King Henry VIII Comprehensive in 1983 as a Head of Department. After twelve years at King Henry VIII I was appointed to WJEC as a subject specialist and subsequently became a Principal Manager.
I met my wife Jan, a teacher and Textile Artist at university and we subsequently married and have three grown up sons and three grandsons.
I am passionate about education having been involved with it in one way or the other for over forty years. I have been a strong advocate for Welsh medium education and was a campaigner for the establishment of Ysgol Gymraeg Y Fenni and Ysgol Gymraeg Trefynwy. I am currently Chair of the Governing Body of Ysgol Gymraeg Trefynwy and chaired the Temporary Governing Body when it was being established.
I became a councillor on Abergavenny Town Council in 2016 and a year later joined Monmouthshire County Council.
My personal interests include walking, reading and I have a great interest in animal welfare. I live on a small holding and have a Welsh Cob and a rescue Welsh Mountain pony, I also have a few sheep, chickens and two dogs which keep me busy. I enjoy spending time with my wife, three sons and my grandsons.
My chosen charity during term of office 2026 – 2027 will be: St David’s Hospice Care
If you would like to invite the Chair to an event or would like them to visit a community facility, please contract Julia Boyd in the Chair’s Office – Tel: 01633 644206 or email juliaboyd@monmouthshire.gov.uk alternatively write to: The Chair’s Office, Monmouthshire County Council, County Hall, Rhadyr, Usk NP15 1GA. (It would be appreciated if all correspondence could please be sent via the Chair’s Office and not directly to the Chair).