ONE of Ceredigion County Council’s longest-serving councillors is stepping down after 49 years of public service.

And Haydn Lewis, of Ferwig, said his exit was sealed by the news the Welsh Government had scrapped plans to reinstate the old administrative county of Dyfed, in favour of greater co-operation between mid and west Wales councils.

The 81-year-old farmer – who formerly served on Dyfed County Council – remains convinced that a rural area such as Ceredigion would be better served by the reinstatement of such an authority.

“Dyfed County Council was the best council I was ever on,” Mr Lewis told the Cambrian News.

“It was big enough to do things and yet small enough to organise locally.

Mr Lewis, who also served on the Dyfed-Powys Police Authority, completing a term as chairman, added: “I’ve enjoyed my years as a councillor.

“The reasons I’m going are my age and, of course, because the Welsh Assembly decided against bringing Dyfed back.

“The fact they want more powers in Cardiff can only means there will be less money spent on rural Wales.”

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