THE leader of Denbighshire County Council has been honoured in the Queen’s New Year Honours List for services to local government.
Councillor Hugh Evans was honoured with the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
"When I read the confirmation letter from the Queen's office, to say that I was stunned and speechless was a complete understatement,” said Cllr Evans.
“I feel truly honoured to be receiving the Order of the British Empire for services to local government and this has to rate amongst one of the proudest moments of my life.
“Over the past few years, there have been great improvements in council services across Denbighshire.
“We continue to see a significant improvement in the education service, we have tightened up the governance across council services and the Denbighshire team has a clear vision to improve services around key priority areas - education, regeneration, responding to demographic change and improving roads and flood defences,” he added.
“We have also worked tirelessly to bring the council closer to the community and I believe that we listen, consult and communicate now more than ever before.
“I'm rather humbled to be receiving this honour, but I must acknowledge the support and commitment shown by councillors, senior officers and staff across the authority for their commitment to improvement.
“This has been a team effort and I have been privileged as leader to move forward the improvement agenda.
“The honour of receiving an OBE is something that I'll never forget,” he added.
Mohammed Mehmet, Denbighshire County Council’s chief executive who submitted the nomination, said: "Hugh has been council leader through times of significant change.
“His drive, enthusiasm, commitment and sheer determinedness to get the job done has helped move Denbighshire forward in recent years and we have been extremely fortunate to have a supportive leader at the helm.
“He has the ability to motivate councillors from all parties and staff to work closely together for the benefit of the council and his friendly, can-do approach has certainly paid dividends in Denbighshire.
“That’s why I felt it completely appropriate to nominate Hugh for this prestigious honour and I’m even more delighted that he has been recognised in such worthy fashion”.
Councillor Bill Cowie, chairman of Denbighshire, said: "I would like to offer my sincerest congratulations to Hugh on this tremendous achievement.
“The Queen honours individuals for exceptional services and Hugh is a very deserved recipient of this honour, having worked tirelessly over recent years to improve the council.
“Hugh is not only highly regarded locally in Denbighshire, but also by his counterparts across North Wales and across the rest of Wales. “He has taken on numerous roles over recent years, working with other councils in North Wales on major projects such as collaboration and regeneration.
“Hugh is a true ambassador for local government and especially Denbighshire County Council.”
In 2010, Cllr Evans won the councillor of the year honour at the Politician of the Year Awards held in Cardiff in December in December 2010.