THE former chair of North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority has celebrated the number of fire stations ‘kept in tact’ amid spending cuts, as he retired after six years at the helm.

Cllr Meirick Lloyd Davies, chair of Denbighshire County Council, who was the annual chair of the fire authority since 2014, said it has “overcome a lot” under his leadership, during which he was re-elected five times.

The authority is made up of a committee of councillors which oversees the policy and service delivery of North Wales Fire and Rescue Service. This includes service plans, budgets and spending, and to make or approve policy decisions.

“We have done marvellously to find the means to keep fire stations in tact at a time of cuts,” Cllr Davies said.

Cllr Davies said he has “full confidence” in his successor, Cllr Peter Lewis, chair of Conwy County Borough Council, who was his deputy since 2015.

Cllr Lewis was elected chair at Conwy’s Council Chamber, Bodlondeb on June 17. Anglesey county councillor Dylan Rees was elected deputy chair.