A NEW deputy leader has been appointed for Gwynedd Council this week.

Gwynedd Council leader Cllr Dyfrig Siencyn has announced that Cllr Dafydd Meurig will be taking over the role in the coming weeks.

Cllr Meurig has been a member of Gwynedd Council since 2011.

A representative of Arllechwedd, he is also a member of the council's cabinet with responsibility for planning, transport and public protection matters since 2015.

He will continue to hold the environment portfolio as he takes on the role of deputy leader.

Having started his career with the BBC, Cllr Meurig had run companies in the media and publishing fields before being elected a county councillor.

He has been active in the Dyffryn Ogwen area for a number of years, and is one of the founders and current chairman of Partneriaeth Ogwen, which helps develops local community projects.

On his appointment to his new role, Cllr Meurig said: “I consider it an honour and a privilege to be appointed deputy leader of Gwynedd Council.

"I’m looking forward to helping with the work to deliver the best possible services for the people of Gwynedd.”

The appointment of Cllr Meurig to the role follows the decision of Cllr Mair Rowlands to step-down as deputy leader to become the new director of the Bangor University Students' Union.

A new member is expected to be appointed to replace Cllr Rowlands on the cabinet soon.