Monmouthshire County Council has chosen a new Chairman to serve for the next twelve months.

Councillor Sheila Woodhouse was elected at the council’s annual general meeting on May 14 following nomination by Council Leader Peter Fox. Councillor Fox said, “Sheila is an extremely hardworking and respected person and has been an excellent Vice-Chairman during the past year.”

Councillor Woodhouse was born and raised in Abergavenny, educated in St Albans RC School and Monmouth Comprehensive School and enjoyed a successful career with the Post Office, rising to become branch and area manager.

She is an active volunteer in and around the town and has a long-standing connection with Abergavenny’s Gateway Club, is a member of the WRVS, is involved in Abergavenny’s twinning association and was the founder and secretary of Abergavenny Mind Association as well as participating in many other causes.

Councillor Woodhouse serves as the member for the Grofield ward and has previous experience in her new role having served as Mayor of Abergavenny. Her consort for her year of office is her husband, Chris who served as Monmouthshire’s Chairman in 2007 while her chaplain is Canon Mark Soady.

Councillor Woodhouse said, “What an honour and privilege to be elected as this year’s Chairman. All councillors and parties represented here today are committed to the well-being of the people of Monmouthshire.

“Through difficult and trying times their co-operation has underpinned everything we stand for and I will do my best to ensure all opinions are heard and heard fairly.”

Councillor Woodhouse’s chosen charities for her year of office are the Alzheimer’s Society and Gwent Music—the local authority music service in collaboration with Monmouthshire, Blaenau Gwent, Newport and Torfaen councils.

The outgoing Chairman, Councillor Peter Clarke said of his year as chairman of Monmouthshire County Council, “This has been an amazing year and it has passed very quickly. Monmouthshire is a wonderful place where everyone is very courteous and keen to help.

“Highlights for me include witnessing the fly-past of the RAF’s last remaining Lancaster Bomber in Chepstow to remember a Dambusters squadron pilot who lived in the town, and hearing amazing performances by the children and young people of my chosen charity, Gwent Music.”

Monmouthshire County Council also announced the election of Councillor Bryan Jones, who represents the Goetre Fawr ward, who will take on the Vice-Chairmanship of the county council.