They were
warned.

Merthyr Tydfil residents now pay the highest average Council Tax in Wales — a Band D bill of approximately £2,594 for 2026/27. Since 2022 it has risen by 1.0%, 4.7%, 8.0%, 5.5% and 4.95% — a cumulative increase of almost 26% in just five years, around £311 more than the Welsh average.

When residents are paying over a quarter more than they were five years ago, they deserve transparency, accountability and clear evidence that public money is delivering results.

The Council applies a 200% premium on long-term empty properties and a 300% premium on second homes and certain periodically-occupied properties. I support bringing empty homes back into use — but policies of this scale should be regularly reviewed to stay fair, proportionate and effective.

I'll support evidence-based scrutiny that recognises genuine circumstances — probate, renovation, or active attempts to sell or let — so good policy encourages positive outcomes without creating unintended hardship.

The Council's procurement programme includes more than £100 million of planned projects across education, social care, infrastructure and regeneration. Residents deserve confidence that major investments are properly scrutinised, transparently managed and deliver what they promised.

The Medium Term Financial Plan forecasts a deficit of roughly £9 million in 2026/27, rising to a cumulative gap of more than £20 million. Despite 25% of tax rises over five years, recurring pressures remain. I'll back stronger governance, performance monitoring and evidence-based decisions to tackle the causes of recurring deficits — not just patch them with annual cuts and tax rises.

The Council faces rising borrowing requirements and capital financing costs. Every borrowing decision made today creates future commitments funded from future budgets.

I'll support robust scrutiny of borrowing and major investment decisions — ensuring projects deliver genuine long-term value, are backed by clear business cases, and don't create unnecessary pressure for future generations.

Council engineers warned in 2009 (estimated £33k) and again in 2012 (1% failure cost of £174k) of extensive erosion at the Pant culvert, identifying the potential impact on homes, roads and utilities. After the sinkhole, residents deserve transparency on what action was taken and how similar failures can be prevented.

The cost to MTCBC is circa £4m — and that lands on your council tax.

The Council is planning significant investment in storm-damage remediation, drainage, highway maintenance and culvert repairs — alongside an estimated £43 million maintenance backlog across its assets.

The Nant Morlais collapse shows what failing assets cost. I'll support a proactive approach to asset management: risks identified early, maintenance prioritised effectively, and investment focused on resilience and prevention rather than costly emergency repairs.

Local industry should be a stronger partner to our communities. I'll work with businesses, developers and stakeholders to ensure Community Infrastructure Levy funding, planning obligations and community benefit schemes are used properly, transparently and for the benefit of local residents.

Where investment happens, people should see real returns — better facilities, improved roads, youth services, environmental improvements, training, apprenticeships. For too long, communities have watched investment happen around them rather than for them.

Major housing, regeneration and employment projects are planned across Merthyr Tydfil — including the Welsh Government and Council-backed Goat Mill Road employment development, supported by more than £9.5 million of public investment.

I'll work to ensure CIL funding, developer contributions and community benefit investment are directed towards local infrastructure, facilities, environmental improvements, skills and employment — so local growth delivers lasting benefits for Dowlais & Pant.

Dowlais and Pant are home to major employers, industrial estates, successful local businesses and growing tourism attractions. I'll strengthen partnerships with employers and community organisations to support apprenticeships, skills development, employment and local projects — making sure residents benefit as regeneration continues.

I'll work with local businesses to help them understand available rate reliefs and ensure Rateable Values are accurate. Where valuations don't reflect the property or circumstances, I'll support businesses in challenging assessments through the Valuation Office Agency so they pay a fair and appropriate level.

Vacant commercial properties benefit nobody. I'll work with the Council to explore reliefs, incentives and support that encourage occupancy, attract investment and bring empty shops and premises back into productive use — supporting jobs, growth and regeneration, without penalising owners who are not at fault.

Dowlais & Pant sit at the gateway to the Brecon Beacons and are home to BikePark Wales, Brecon Mountain Railway and Morlais Castle Golf Club. I'll support opportunities that help communities benefit from visitor growth, regeneration and future investment linked to Rhydycar West and the wider visitor economy.

Hospitality has faced significant challenges. I'll work with local pubs, restaurants and hospitality businesses on initiatives that increase footfall, promote tourism and help sustain these important employers and community assets across Dowlais & Pant.

The Council is planning significant investment in Cyfarthfa Park and Castle — drainage, castle restoration, greenhouse redevelopment and wider works. I support a balanced approach that protects the park's environmental and ecological value while keeping it open for community events, culture, recreation, tourism and education.

Investment should preserve our heritage and enhance public access, support local businesses and let residents enjoy one of the borough's most important public assets.

The Council is investing millions in supported accommodation and homelessness services. I'll back approaches focused on prevention, early intervention and long-term outcomes — ensuring resources are used effectively and deliver value for residents and taxpayers alike.

Affordable housing is a limited resource and should meet the needs of local residents and families. I'll support measures that prioritise local housing need — helping people with strong local connections access affordable homes and stay in the communities they call home.

Planning should balance environmental protection, economic growth and community benefit. The Rhydycar West development showed how planning decisions carry major implications for investment and jobs — residents deserve transparency, consistency and clear reasoning.

Where restrictions are necessary they should be proportionate, evidence-based and focused on practical outcomes — not unnecessary barriers for residents, businesses and community organisations.

Dowlais & Pant residents face some of the highest fuel prices in the UK, with local stations averaging around 189.9p per litre — an unfair burden on households, commuters and businesses. I'll lobby our MP and the relevant regulators to investigate the causes, increase transparency and ensure local residents get fair treatment at the pump.

I'll lobby our Members of the Senedd to review 20mph restrictions in Dowlais & Pant where residents have raised concerns. Speed limits should be based on evidence, road conditions and safety — applied where they're needed most, without unnecessary impact on residents, commuters and local businesses.

Merthyr Tydfil has one of the strongest records in Wales for helping young people into education, employment and training — rising from 8th to 2nd nationally between 2022 and 2023. But concerns around attendance, mental health and disengagement are growing, while funding for key prevention programmes is uncertain beyond 2025.

I'll support investment in skills, apprenticeships, employability and early intervention that helps young people realise their potential close to home.

Pant families are served by Pen-y-Dre High School, undergoing a major refurbishment to become the first Net Zero Carbon in Operation refurbished school in Wales. The project has grown from roughly £37.8m to £46.6m as structural works, inflation and new Net Zero requirements were added.

I support modern facilities — but projects of this scale need strong governance, transparent reporting and clear measures of success, so residents know they deliver better learning environments and long-term value.

Demand for ALN provision keeps growing, pressuring budgets, placements and transport costs. The Council is investing approximately £60 million in the new Greenfield Special School to increase local capacity. I support investment in specialist education — but a project this size needs strong oversight, transparent reporting and clear evidence it's improving outcomes, reducing reliance on external placements and providing long-term value.

Residents have raised concerns about dust, odour and environmental impacts at Trecatti for many years. A peer-reviewed 2001 health study identified potential adverse effects from composting and waste-management emissions, including respiratory irritation and reduced quality of life nearby. Natural Resources Wales has since required controls including Dust Management Plans and permit conditions, updated in recent years.

Regulation is in place, but residents deserve confidence that risks are effectively managed and that monitoring data is transparent and accessible. I'll support greater scrutiny, stronger engagement between residents, operators and regulators, and evidence-based responses — not reassurance alone.

For over a decade, concerns have been raised about the long-term management and restoration of the Ffos-y-Fran opencast site. Welsh Government reports highlighted restoration bond shortfalls and the risk of taxpayers carrying the cost of restoring former coal sites; evidence to the Senedd estimated liabilities of £75m–£100m, with committees describing aspects of oversight as "epic mismanagement".

The lesson is about the future: when major developments and environmental risks are identified, communities deserve transparency, effective oversight and clear accountability — so residents aren't left carrying the consequences of poor planning or failed oversight.

Accessing GP services shouldn't be a challenge. I'll work with local GP practices, the Health Board and community representatives to understand the barriers residents face — and support initiatives that improve access to appointments, make better use of digital and community services where appropriate, and improve communication and patient experience across Dowlais & Pant.

Planning Policy Wales recognises the value of green infrastructure, biodiversity and access to nature for healthier communities. I support protecting and enhancing green spaces across Dowlais & Pant while keeping them accessible and usable — delivering practical benefits through improved public spaces, recreation, active travel and biodiversity, applied proportionately so they don't unnecessarily restrict community events and enjoyment of public spaces.