The current leader of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council has highlighted the local authority’s positive financial position, regeneration programme and award-winning bus station among its recent achievements ahead of the upcoming local government elections. Lisa Mytton, of the leading independent group, has spoken about the improving position of the council and the work that still needs to be done going forward ahead of residents casting their vote on May 5.
Ms Mytton, who is also cabinet member for education, is a single parent of two children – James and Beth – and her hobbies include running, spending time with her children and supporting them with their hobbies and interests. To relax she likes to spend time walking her two rescued lurchers and new French bulldog.
She was elected as an independent councillor for Vaynor Ward in May 2008 and during her time in office became the youngest ever mayor of Merthyr Tydfil in 2012-13, and said it was “both an honour and privilege” to represent the people of the county. She is also a school governor at Ysgol y Graig and Cyfarthfa Park Primary School and is a board member for community groups Stephens & George Charitable Trust, Merthyr Tydfil Institute for the Blind and the Cyfarthfa Foundation.
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Outside of the council, she worked for more than 20 years in post-16 education, dealing mainly with apprenticeships, Estyn and the Welsh Government. In 2017 she trained as an Estyn peer inspector and led an inspection in work-based learning in November of that year which resulted in all areas being judged as “good”. Upon re-election in 2017, she was appointed as deputy leader and cabinet member for learning and local authority education services for children and young people.
She said: “Throughout the Covid pandemic I volunteered to deliver food packages to residents who were self-isolating. I would also carry out personal shopping tasks for those in need and deliver activity and well-being packs to children and OAPs.
“At a special council meeting on January 20, 2021, I was extremely privileged to be appointed as leader of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. Taking over as leader, I had to steady the ship, I did this by ensuring effective communication took place with both Labour and independent groups, as well as our MP and MS.
“It was vitally important that everyone understood their role in ensuring we deliver on the Recovery, Transformation and Improvement plan. Over the last 12 months I worked productively with the assurance board, Welsh Government and other leaders, alongside officers, as well as my cabinet and the independent group to make significant progress.
“The last two years have also brought some serious challenges to our borough, such as Storm Dennis and the Covid pandemic. Notwithstanding this, we have made serious inroads as an organisation, and I believe we are a much-improved organisation to the one that I was elected for in 2017.
She said: “Our term in office has also brought the council into a positive financial position for the first time in years. This is as well as developing new infrastructure, new schools, renovating disused buildings, developing the award-winning bus interchange, improving playgrounds, leisure and the environment.
“We have also developed a fantastic regeneration programme that will see our hospitality and tourism opportunities flourish over the coming years. Throughout my time as leader, I have worked closely with the education department and schools, resulting in a positive Estyn Inspection in 2022. In recent weeks the assurance board have also announced that they are stepping away from the local authority.
"I believe I have provided strong leadership and have met every issue head on, leading from the front. I am proud to be an ambassador, strong advocate and role model for women in Merthyr Tydfil. Whilst we have addressed a significant number of issues over the past five years, I fully understand there is still more work to be done to strengthen and improve our services, but if you elect me, I promise to give my all to keep making improvements as an organisation.
“Whilst being leader, I continued to support the residents in Vaynor, bringing about improvements to the ward, as well as supporting the community with the issues we face as the A465 development continues. If elected on May 5, I will continue to be a strong advocate for the Vaynor Ward.
“Independent members of this council are some of the hardest working councillors I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with, and if I was to become leader again, I would continue to prioritise the need to be financially prudent. I would also continue to strengthen and improve our services, enabling us to continue the positive journey we now find ourselves on. “We have proved just how successful an independent run council can be, delivering what the people of Merthyr Tydfil want, need, and deserve.”
The other candidates in Vaynor ward are Roy Bish (Labour), Stephen Jones (independent) and Clive Tovey (independent). To keep up to date with the latest news from across Merthyr Tydfil, subscribe to our dedicated newsletter here.
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