A new Mayor has been elected at Barry Town Council's Annual Meeting on Monday, 11th May 2026.
Councillor Sian Thomas was elected to the role after being nominated by Councillor Helen Payne and seconded by Councillor Ewan Goodjohn, with all council members present unanimously agreeing on appointing her to the role.
Councillor Thomas takes over from 2025/26, Mayor of Barry, Councillor Denis Clarke, who spoke on the evening about what a great honour it had been to be Mayor of Barry.
During his year, Cllr Clarke raised funds for his chosen charities, 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 on Monday 11th May. 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 will be accompanied by Sean Doel as her Consort for the municipal year, with her chosen charities being 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 and 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 the municipal year 2026/27 is Councillor Millie Collins, who was nominated by Councillor Shirley Hodges and seconded by Councillor Nic Hodges.

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