TRIBUTES have been paid to three long-serving Ceredigion councillors who are standing down.

Liberal Democrat Rowland Jones, Independent Haydn Lewis and Plaid Cymru’s Towyn Evans will not seek re-election in May’s elections and received plaudits at their last meeting of the full council on Thursday, 16 March.

The three councillors received tributes from colleagues for their work on the council with council chairman Dai Mason wishing them the best after they stand down.

Cllr Mason said: “They have 90 years experience between them. Happy retirement to the three of you and thank you for your service.”

Fellow Liberal Democrat councillor Rowland Rees-Evans paid tribute to Ystwyth ward councillor Rowland Jones. He said: “Thirteen years ago I was lucky enough to be voted in to the council. How lucky I was to sit next to Rowland Jones and what a mentor he has been.

“If there’s one lesson that most of us can learn from Rowland Jones, it’s this, when he’s in the chamber he rarely speaks, but when he does everyone always listens because what he says is relevant and pertinent to the debate going on.”

Deputy council leader Ray Quant, the leader of the Independent group in the council, said Cllr Haydn Lewis, of the Penparc ward, would be missed for his community work in Ceredigion.

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