23/05/23

The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Cllr Graham Hinchey will be stepping down from his role as Lord Mayor this Thursday as well as his Deputy, Cllr Abdul Sattar at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) at City Hall.

Over the last year, Cllr Hinchey has carried out approximately 300 events at schools, care homes and other events across the city, raising more than £75,000 forGuide Dogs Cymru, the charity he and his wife Anne, the Lady Mayoress, nominated.

Cllr Hinchey, 64, represents the Heath ward and was first elected as a local councillor to South Glamorgan Council from 1991 until 2004 and further elected to Cardiff Council in 2012 and continues to serve his local community to this present day.

As Lord Mayor, Cllr Hinchey is the lead ambassador for the city's civic functions, as well as the chairperson responsible for maintaining order amongst the political party debates at Full Council meetings.

Cllr Hinchey was elected to Lord Mayor of Cardiff unopposed in May 2022, shortly after the COVID restrictions were eased, with an unprecedented list of functions ahead of him.

This began with the 40^thanniversary of the Falkland's War, followed by the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations where he welcomed Their Royal Highness, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Cardiff to mark this historic milestone.

Additionally, Cllr Hinchey has also welcomed other members of the Royal Family to Cardiff during his term, including the then, Prince of Wales, Charles, Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal and His Royal Highness, The Duke of Gloucester.

Unfortunately, the death of Her Majesty Elizabeth II followed, with Cllr Hinchey taking a leading role in Cardiff by opening the official book of condolence at City Hall, representing the city during the reading of the Proclamation in Cardiff and welcoming the new King and Queen Consort on their first official visit to Cardiff.

The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Cllr Graham Hinchey, said: "It's been a privilege for a kid from Ely to have been elected as the 117^thLord Mayor of Cardiff after nearly 25 years of public service as a local councillor.

"My wife Anne, our friends and family will all look back at this historic year and cherish so many wonderful memories. Although the six Royal visits, Jubilee celebrations and Proclamation of the new King have grabbed the headlines, we have completed around 300 other visits to support care homes, schools, community groups, places of worship and charities across the city.

"Our chosen charity, Guide Dogs Cymru, seems to have been warmly welcomed by people of all ages and in every corner of the city. We haven't had many days off but it's with pleasure that I can now announce that we have raised over £75,000 to help support this critical cause which gives a lifeline to those who are blind or partially sighted.

"We would like to thank everyone that has invited us to an event and donated to our Lord Mayors' Guide Dog appeal. Anne and I are looking forward to a short break and then I will be back working with my ward colleagues, Cllrs Mike Ash-Edwards and Julie Sangani, supporting our fantastic Heath & Birchgrove community. "

Following the Annual General Meeting on Thursday, Councillor Bablin Molik will become the new Lord Mayor of Cardiff, with the Deputy Lord Mayor being awarded to Councillor Jane Henshaw.