AT OUR recent council AGM, I was honoured to be re-elected as leader of Newport City Council by colleagues across the political groups.

It has provided me with opportunity to both reaffirm my commitment to this city and reflect on what’s been achieved since originally taking up the position in 2016.

For me, a big part of the role is about standing up for the city and the council – making our views, wants and needs heard in the right places so we can keep Newport moving in the right direction.

This was one of the driving factors for me when I also became the first female leader of the Welsh Local Government Association last year.

As the body representing all councils in Wales, it’s important that we use our collaborative power to influence the decisions of both the Welsh and UK Governments and ensure they don’t lose sight of what is important to our residents.

An example is the ongoing debate over the future structure of local government. While we look forward to working with the Welsh Government, our priority will always be to provide the best possible services for our residents.

Councils are already working together in many different ways.

For example, Newport works with nine other local authorities in the Cardiff Capital Region and with the other Gwent authorities on collaborations which include the Education Achievement Service.

Care will need to be taken not to undo some of the good work that is already being done.

I believe local services are best determined and delivered locally by stable and adequately-funded councils and would urge Welsh Government to concentrate its resources on resolving the acute financial issues facing front-line services, rather than another plan to change geographical boundaries.

It is clear that reorganisation would cost a significant amount in the short term which is likely to further adversely impact on those services with no guarantee of savings in the long term.

Despite these challenges and pressures, Newport is growing and improving.

Our profile as a sporting city and a city in which to do business is blossoming and we are seeing continued and steady regeneration.

I vow not to lose sight of the needs of residents, wards or the city as a whole, and lead the authority as best I can – meeting all these challenges head on.