BARRY TOWN COUNCIL WELCOMES NEW MAYOR FOR 2026/27

Councillor Sian Thomas became the Mayor of Barry for 2026/27 at Barry Town Council’s Annual Meeting on Monday 11 May 2026. Councillor Thomas was nominated by Councillor Helen Payne and seconded by Councillor Ewan Goodjohn, with all council members present unanimously agreeing on appointing Councillor Thomas as the new Mayor of Barry.

The Mayor of Barry for municipal year 2025/26 was Councillor Dennis Clarke who spoke on the evening about what a great honour it had been to be the Mayor of Barry. Councillor Clarke’s charities for the year were Valeways and Mind in the Vale.

Councillor Thomas took the reins from Councillor Clarke, in the traditional Mayor Making Ceremony held at Victoria Park Community Centre. The ceremony included the Mayor’s Mace Bearer taking up the role of protector and escorting the Mayor and Chief Officer into the meeting.

The Mayor of Barry, Councillor Sian Thomas is accompanied by Sean Doel as her Consort for municipal year 2026/27. Her nominated charities for her term are Intersensory Club & Friends of Animals Wales.

Upon her investiture, Councillor Thomas remarked on how grateful she was to be given the opportunity to become the Town’s first disabled & chronically ill Mayor. Her speech included information about her future events and how she would like to make things a little different this year, including diversity and keeping in mind the cost of living crisis.

The Deputy Mayor of Barry for municipal year 2026/27 is Councillor Millie Collins who was nominated by Councillor Shirley Hodges and seconded by Councillor Nic Hodges.