Llanelli Town Mayor steps down due to ill‑health

In a statement issued following Tuesday evening’s meeting of the Ex‑Town Mayor’s Committee, members said: “Cllr Bragoli has been incredibly busy with Mayoral engagements throughout his time in office. The Ex‑Town Mayor’s Committee expressed its best wishes to Cllr Bragoli for a swift recovery to full health and expressed its thanks to him for his service throughout his time as Town Mayor, which has included raising a large sum of money for his chosen charities, LAMAS and the Llanelli Warriors Rugby Club.”

The committee added that arrangements will be made to enable Cllr Bragoli to present the donations to the charities in due course.

It was also agreed that the immediate past Town Mayor, Councillor John Prosser, will represent the Town Council at mayoral engagements for the forthcoming period.

The statement continued: “Future arrangements will be made to appoint an interim Town Mayor for the remainder of the current Civic Year at the December Town Council meeting. The Ex‑Town Mayor’s Committee also put forward a recommendation to be placed before the next Town Council meeting that Cllr Prosser be nominated for appointment as Town Mayor for the remainder of the current Civic Year.”

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Llanelli mayor blasts WRU over Scarlets future as town rallies behind ‘Save Our Scarlets’ march

‘Clueless’ leadership

Councillor Andrew Bragoli, a lifelong Scarlets supporter who describes the late Phil Bennett as his “idol and hero”, accused the WRU of being “clueless” and failing both the regions and grassroots clubs.

“They have mismanaged regional rugby in Wales in general. They haven’t helped the grassroots teams like Furnace, Trimsaran, Felinfoel, Llangennech, Tumble and Tenby,” he said.

“The WRU haven’t looked after the regions – Scarlets, Ospreys, Cardiff and the Dragons – so the national team is now suffering. We don’t want to see any region disappear.”

Cllr Bragoli said the union had been “narrow‑sighted”, relying on the success of the national side while neglecting the pathway from community rugby into the professional game.

Call for English league switch

The mayor suggested the best way forward would be for the Scarlets, Ospreys and Cardiff to join the English league system, with the Dragons remaining in the United Rugby Championship.

“Nothing in Welsh rugby has the passion of Scarlets versus Ospreys. We must both survive. And derby games against Bristol, Bath and Gloucester would boost attendances and bring atmosphere and rivalry with travelling fans,” said Cllr Bragoli, who has attended more than 1,000 Scarlets matches.

March to Parc y Scarlets

He urged local people to join the Save Our Scarlets march this Saturday, ahead of the home game against Munster. The march will leave Sandy Water Park at 1pm, led by Scarlets heritage director Rupert Moon, and will pass through Llanelli town centre before arriving at Parc y Scarlets.

The town council has also commissioned buses to bring local choirs to the stadium, with renditions of Sospan Fach and Yma O Hyd planned as part of a festival‑style build‑up.

Council united

Fellow councillor Shaun Greaney said:

“We cannot allow the demise of the Scarlets. It would be an act of cultural and sporting vandalism on a near criminal scale. Our area cannot afford the economic decimation the loss of 400 plus jobs would mean.”

Town council leader David Darkin confirmed the council had written to the WRU in the “strongest terms” and voted unanimously to back the campaign.

“Our position reflects the love the town has for the Scarlets. The region is part of our very identity,” he said.

Petition gathers pace

Nearly 5,500 people have signed an online petition calling for the WRU to safeguard the Scarlets’ future. The petition describes the club as “a cornerstone of our community, a symbol of local pride, and a source of inspiration for young athletes”.

It highlights Sport Wales figures estimating rugby contributes more than £200 million a year to the Welsh economy and supports over 4,000 jobs, with the Scarlets playing a key role in that ecosystem.

Related stories on the future of the Scarlets

Save Our Scarlets, urges town council
Llanelli Town Council backed a cross‑party motion calling on the WRU to safeguard the Scarlets, citing their cultural importance and multi‑million pound contribution to the local economy.

‘Save Our Scarlets’ march planned as WRU consultation sparks fears for region’s future
Councillors urged residents and businesses to join a march from Stradey Park to Parc y Scarlets, as the WRU consults on cutting the number of professional teams.

Llanelli MP: Parc y Scarlets must be central to Welsh rugby’s future
Dame Nia Griffith said the stadium’s facilities, heritage and player pathway make it essential to the sport’s future, warning decisions now will shape Welsh rugby for decades.

Scarlets investor slammed WRU leadership weeks before deal announced
Kirsti Jane, head of the US‑based group investing in the Scarlets, criticised WRU leadership as lacking vision, weeks before confirming a landmark takeover deal.

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Cllr Andrew Bragoli becomes Llanelli’s 51st town mayor

Born and raised in the Lliedi ward, which he continues to represent on the town council, Bragoli recently retired from Tata Steel’s tinplate works in Trostre after more than 40 years — including over two decades as a senior union official representing a 600-strong workforce.

He succeeds Cllr John Prosser as the town’s 51st mayor.

Cllr Andrew Bragoli said: “It is a great honour to serve as town mayor, it gives me the opportunity to give something back to the town, as well as keeping active, and supporting the many organisations and charities doing such wonderful work here.”

Bragoli has selected two local charities to support during his mayoral year:

• Llanelli Warriors, a mixed ability rugby club offering disabled people the chance to play full-contact rugby alongside their peers.
• LLAMA (Llanelli Autism Mams Association), a community group supporting neurodiverse children, parents and carers.

A passionate Scarlets fan, Bragoli praised the Warriors’ inclusive ethos and recent success at the Mixed Ability Rugby World Cup in Spain, where their women’s team, Merched Cymru, won silver.

Cllr Andrew Bragoli said: “Both the men and the women at the Llanelli Warriors represent everything rugby should be about: fun, community, and inclusion. It’s great to see how they face and overcome challenges and support each other. I congratulate them on their achievements.”

Also a governor of Ysgol Penygaer and trustee of Llanelli Mind, Bragoli said he was proud to support LLAMA “because they are a local charity”.

Bragoli was first elected to Llanelli Town Council in May 2022. His mayoral consort for the year is his eldest daughter Jenna, with fellow Lliedi councillor Sarah Evans serving as deputy mayoress.

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