WREXHAM Council has paid tribute to its former leader and mayor.

Aled Roberts, who was first elected to Wrexham County Borough Council in 1991, passed away on February 13, aged 59.

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Brought up in Rhosllanerchrugog, Mr Roberts represented Rhos and Ponciau from 1991 to 2012, and was also Mayor of Wrexham from 2003 to 2004.

He became Leader of Wrexham Council in 2005 and went on to serve as a Welsh Government Assembly Member from 2011 to 2016.

In 2019 he became Welsh Language Commissioner – helping to protect and promote the language across the whole of Wales.

In a joint statement, the Mayor of Wrexham Ronnie Prince, current Leader of the Council Mark Pritchard, and Chief Executive Ian Bancroft said: “On behalf of the whole of Wrexham Council, we would like to extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to Aled’s family.

“He was a much-loved father and husband, and a wonderful public servant who did so much for Wrexham and Wales.

“Aled will always be remembered here at the council as a kind and warm person with a lovely sense of humour. He was always professional, thoughtful and intelligent, and was hugely respected by everyone he worked with.

“He was also incredibly passionate about Wrexham and Wales, and was a tremendous ambassador for the Welsh language.

“He was a wonderful person, and his former colleagues here at the council – both councillors and employees – will miss him very much. We will always remember him.”

The flags outside the Guildhall will be flown at half-mast.

Mr Roberts, a Welsh Liberal Democrat, was respected across all political parties.

Denbighshire County Councillor Bobby Feeley, who represents the Ruthin ward, said: "I would like to personally pay tribute to Aled Roberts who has tragically died at the age of 59, he was one of the kindest, nicest politicians I have ever had the privilege to know.

"I met Aled, who was a fellow Liberal Democrat, first in his role as Leader of Wrexham Council, later as the sole North Wales Lib Dem Senedd Member. On a personal basis, he was always helpful with sage advice, and found time to meet and talk to discuss any problems I encountered, both as County Councillor for Ruthin, or in my role as Cabinet Member for Social Care.

"There are very few people in this world who are universally liked and respected, I don’t think I ever heard a bad word about Aled.

"I know he loved his job as a Member of the Welsh Senedd, it was tragic to witness UKIP take his seat in 2016. Aled picked himself up and took on the job of Welsh Language Commissioner, until his untimely death this week, where I’m sure he did an equally good job.

"He was a truly good man and he died far too young, I feel privileged to have known him."

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Clwyd South MS Ken Skates has described his former colleague in the Senedd as a "true champion for the people and places of our region and nation".

Mr Skates said: "Aled was a gentleman, a brilliant and professional public servant, a true champion for the people of this area and Wales.

"He was always good company to have and was utterly dependable. He believed passionately in his home community of Rhos and the wider area of Wrexham County Borough, serving our communities with understanding and full commitment. We’ve lost a rare type of politician in Aled – someone who was always polite, compassionate and empathetic at all times. He will be missed by so many people, across the political divide."

Former MP for Clwyd South, Susan Elan Jones, also grew up in Rhosllannerchrugog and said the community would be united in sadness.

She added: "He was an exemplary public servant, who served his home community and the people of Wales with great dedication.

"He was also a brilliant Welsh Language Commissioner. We will remember in our thoughts Llinos and the rest of Aled’s family, his friends at the Stiwt, and his many friends across a large number of organisations that he was involved in."

His career in politics began when he was elected to Wrexham County Borough Council in 1991 to represent the Rhos and Ponciau Ward.

But he had already made a name for himself in his community of Rhosllannerchrugog, including being one of the leading voices in saving the historic Stiwt.

The Stiwt paid tribute on social media, saying: "With great sadness, we have to announce the passing of Aled Roberts, Chair of the Stiwt’s Board of Trustees. Aled. former leader of Wrexham Council. Former Lib Dem AM and current Welsh Language Commissioner. was instrumental in saving the Stiwt from demolition in the 1980s. Aled has worked tirelessly for the benefit of the Stiwt ever since.

"The success of the Stiwt today is a mark of Aled’s passion and dedication to his community. He will be sorely missed by all. Our condolences go to his family and friends and all who knew him. RIP Aled."