Diolch, Llywydd. Today, I want to reflect on the life and achievements of Dr Shah Imtiaz. Dr Imtiaz achieved prominence in 1988, when he was elected as mayor of Cynon Valley borough council, becoming the first Asian mayor in Wales, which he described as the proudest moment in his life.

But Dr Imtiaz had been at the heart of the community since he arrived in Aberdare in 1970 to become a family doctor. As Councillor Mike Forey, his ward colleague for 19 years, said, Dr Imtiaz made a significant contribution to the political life of Cynon Valley, and to Aberdare in particular. He represented the town on Cynon valley and Rhondda Cynon Taf councils for 35 years, but his passionate activism extended beyond municipal office.

Dr Imtiaz, perhaps as would be expected from a local general practitioner, was actively involved in the Aberdare hospital action group, and campaigned against the pollution caused by the phurnacite plant in Abercwmboi. Showing his empathy with the community he had made his home, he championed the miners during the 1980s and the 1990s. Dr Imtiaz was a passionate advocate of devolution, chaired Cynon Valley CND, and helped install the peace pole in front of Aberdare library. He never shied from his beliefs, stating that he was a ‘socialist by conscience’.

Sadly, Dr Imtiaz passed away on 19 June. Our thoughts are with his children, but his memory and his legacy will surely live on.