Who are the candidates standing in the Merthyr Tydfil by-election?
The Valleys Lead contacted all six candidates standing in the Dowlais and Pant by-election, asking each the same four questions to help you make a decision for election day on Thursday.
Hello and welcome to The Valleys Lead.
This upcoming Thursday, 25 June, there will be a Merthyr Tydfil by-election for the Dowlais and Pant Ward. This will be the first local election since the May Senedd elections, when Plaid Cymru took power, with Reform forming the opposition. It feels like the result is momentous for Merthyr Tydfil in Wales’ ever-changing political arena.
Let’s jump straight in - because it is an election preview, this edition is completely free to read.
But first - just quickly - we’d love you to subscribe (free options to read partially, with paid options to read in full) to The Valleys Lead to support local journalism in the south Wales valleys. We don’t do clickbait, but instead, go behind the headlines to report on stories that matter to locals, asking questions of people in power, and speaking with real people in the valleys about their opinions and experiences.
The Valleys Briefing
(A little round-up of some stories in brief from our valleys.)
Blaenau Gwent organisations are being invited to apply for funding to help local people gain skills in digital and creative fields, to help move them closer to the jobs market as industry develops. This is particularly important for the county as it faces unemployment rates recently hovering around 4% to 5%. The Council is particularly looking to fund projects that can demonstrate activity in these employment and skills areas after gaps were identified locally. This is being funded through the Local Growth Fund Priority 2 grant from UK Government, which aims to help people build skills, access meaningful employment opportunities and contribute to stronger local economies and communities. All applications should be submitted to: LocalGrowthFund@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk. The closing date for applications is 5pm on 26 June 2026. Further information is here.
A Neath-based social housing provider has gone out to public consultation over plans to build affordable homes in the Afan Valley. The housing association, which manages more than 9,000 homes across Neath Port Talbot, is consulting the public before submitting a formal planning application. The early stage proposals could eventually see 25 new homes developed on vacant land off Pen-Y-Bryn and Menai Avenue in the village of Croeserw. The Welsh housing association which currently manages more than 9,000 homes is now asking for feedback from members of the public before submitting a formal planning application to the Council. The 25 properties would be a mixture of semi-detached houses, one bedroom apartments, and an assisted living block that are “suitable for a variety of needs” - all of which have been said to be affordable. The Valleys Lead is always on the lookout for problems and solutions to the social housing problem. Email laurencrosbymedlicott@gmail.com if you’d like to share anything with us.
Caerphilly County Borough Council are planning to enforce tough crackdowns on fly-tipping. New wireless cameras will give enforcement officers another tool to catch fly-tippers in the borough. Council officer Tim Keohane said the local authority was replacing and updating older cameras with new models running on 4G mobile connections, which could be “redeployable” when necessary.
“They can be moved to hotspots,” he said. “If we identify an area where there’s currently no need for a camera, that camera can be taken away and put in an area where there is a need for it, providing there’s infrastructure for it.” Councillor Shane Williams said CCTV acted as a “deterrent” to troublemakers and asked whether officers were “comfortable and satisfied with the provision that we’ve got now”. Regarding fly-tipping, Williams said he’d heard calls from residents “to say if only we could put cameras in known hotspots, it might go a long way towards resolving some of that issue”. The Valleys Lead reported on fly-tipping in Nelson, in Caerphilly County, in February.
Who are the candidates standing in the Merthyr Tydfil by-election?
On Thursday, a by-election (an individual election held to fill a specific seat on a local council that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections) is due to take place in the Dowlais and Pant ward of Merthyr Tydfil.
The election was triggered when former Reform councillor for the area, David Hughes – the only Reform councillor in Merthyr Tydfil County Brough Council, was elected to the Senedd in May representing Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr for Reform.
Currently, Paula Layton and Declan Sammon, both Dowlais and Pant Community Independents, represent the ward.
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council currently has 29 councillors, nine in the Independent group, two in the Dowlais and Pant Community Independents group, four other independents not aligned to a group, and 14 Labour.
Although independents outnumber Labour, the Council has been led by a Labour minority administration since September 2024, following the previous Independent Group Leader, Geraint Thomas, stepping down as Leader of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council after a Bedlinog and Trelewis Ward by-election.
Polling for the June 2026 by-eleciton will take place between 7am and 10pm on Thursday, 25 June. You need to be registered to vote (the deadline for this has past). You should have received a polling card with details of where and how to vote, but you can also find where the polling stations are here. You can take the polling card with you to the polling station, however, you don’t need it to vote. You won’t need photo ID to vote.
The election will use the first-past-the-post polling system, the simplest of all voting systems in the UK elections. Each voter has a single vote, and the candidate with the most votes wins the seat.
Candidates are Dean Barrett of Welsh Labour, James Cushen of Plaid Cymru, Janeen Davies of the Wales Green Party, Terry Donegan of Reform UK Wales, Nick Meaney who is an Independent, and Roxanne Richardson of the Welsh Conservatives.
The Valleys Lead got in touch with each of the candidates to ask each of them the same four questions.
We heard back from four of the six candidates.
The Welsh Conservative candidate has not yet responded, and Reform’s candidate is not currently speaking with journalists.
We asked each to tell us about themselves, why they are standing, why people should vote for them and what the three biggest issues people in their ward are concerned about.
Here were their answers, in order according to the notice of poll and statement of persons nominated.
Dean Barrett, Welsh Labour
Tell us about yourself
I’m Dean Barrett. I’m 50 years old, and I’ve lived in Dowlais and Pant all my life. I’m a proud father of two children, and proud grandfather of one. I work as the centre and gym manager at Dowlais Community Centre. I raised my family here and worked at the Triumph furniture manufacturers for twenty years. I now work as a manager at the local community centre, a job I love because it brings me into contact with residents daily. It’s great chatting to them, listening to them and supporting them.
Why are you standing?
I’m standing because I want to make a real difference to the community. I want to listen to residents, act upon their concerns and be their voice. I want to rebuild trust in politics through honesty, hard work and results, rooted in Labour values of fairness, opportunity, dignity and community.
Why should people vote for you?
People should vote for me because I care passionately about the community I was born and raised in. Through living here and working at the community centre, I know the issues people round here face every day. I believe I am the person they can turn to for help.
What are the three biggest issues in your ward that people are concerned about?
People have told me they want to see cleaner streets, fewer potholes and action on electric bikes.
James Cushen, Plaid Cymru
Tell us about yourself
My name is James Cushen, I’m 38 years old and I am currently an account manager in the tobacco sector. I was born in Merthyr and lived here nearly my whole life, with some excursions here and there. I grew up in the ward I am seeking to represent, and I also currently live in the ward. I am a father to one son and two daughters. My interests include hill walking and making music.
Why are you standing?
I am standing in this by-election to hopefully be given a chance to make Dowlais and Pant a safer, cleaner and more functional place to live.
Why should people vote for you?
I believe, should people vote me in, that I can be a healthy arbiter between the two main factions in the current Merthyr council, and use that position to effect real change on the issues of the ward.
With Plaid Cymru now sitting in the Welsh Government, I also believe there is a bridge to be built between the ward and the Welsh Government directly.
What are the three biggest issues in your ward that people are concerned about?
I want to be able to tackle the reoccurring issues I hear about on the doorsteps. These issues are largely the Ffos-y-fran open cast issue, congested parking, general cleanliness and the quality of housing.
Janeen Davies, Wales Green Party
Tell us about yourself
My name is Janeen Davies I’m 58 years old. I was born in Merthyr Tydfil and have lived in the borough my whole life. I live with my husband and two rescued German Shepherds. We have two daughters and one granddaughter.
I have a keen interest in natural health and well being and I am passionate about nature, conservation, wildlife, and animal welfare in general. I have worked as a NHS community staff nurse in the area for the past 15 years.
Why are you standing?
Merthyr has given me so much throughout my life, standing for election is my opportunity to give something back to the place and people that have shaped me.
Why should people vote for you?
Throughout my working life in the NHS I have seen firsthand the challenges that local people face and the importance of strong public services, healthy communities and a cleaner, greener, safer environment.
I believe politics should be about service, integrity and making a positive difference in people’s everyday lives. I will campaign to:
· Improve better access to GP and NHS services
· Protect green spaces, encourage the provision of more allotments for self sufficiency
· Tackle environmental issues
· Support local businesses, keeping money in the local economy
· Provide more opportunities and activities for young people
· Create opportunities for future generations
Drawing on my experience in the NHS and my commitment to our community I will work tirelessly to ensure that the voices of Dowlais and Pant residents are heard.
Nick Meaney, Independent
Tell us about yourself
I am 49 years old. I was born and raised in Pant and have spent most of my life in Merthyr Tydfil. My background is in military intelligence, where I served as an Operator Military Intelligence within the Intelligence Corps of the British Army. These roles required sound judgement, integrity, accountability and the ability to analyse complex information, assess risk and make informed decisions under pressure. They also provided a strong foundation in critical thinking, evidence-based decision-making, scrutiny and problem-solving, skills that have remained central throughout my professional career. Following my military career, I built a successful career in cyber security, governance, risk management, resilience and organisational improvement. For more than 20 years, I worked as an independent consultant supporting major blue-chip consultancies, government departments and global organisations. Today, I continue that work within one of the world’s leading consulting firms at global scale. Throughout my career, I have been responsible for identifying risks, scrutinising governance, challenging assumptions and helping organisations make better decisions. My work has involved assessing complex programmes, major investments, organisational change and the effectiveness of governance arrangements across both public and private sector organisations. Those experiences have given me a unique perspective on how decisions made at international, NGO, UK Government and Welsh Government level often have direct consequences for local communities. Policies relating to infrastructure, planning, environmental regulation, public services, decarbonisation and public spending may be developed nationally, but their impact is ultimately felt by residents through local services, local projects and household finances. This has reinforced my belief that transparency, accountability and effective scrutiny are essential at every level of government, particularly where decisions have a direct impact on local communities and taxpayers.
Why are you standing?
I am not a career politician. In fact, I have never been particularly politically motivated and, like many residents, have often felt frustrated by the growing disconnect between the public and the democratic process. Too many people feel their voices are not being heard, that decisions are made without meaningful engagement and that accountability is often lacking. This growing disconnect from the democratic process has contributed to declining trust in politics and a sense among many residents that their involvement makes little difference. I decided to stand in the Pant and Dowlais by-election because I believe local government should be different. I believe local people deserve a stronger voice in decisions that affect their communities, public services and household finances. Whether the issue is Council Tax, local infrastructure, planning decisions, public spending, environmental policies or community investment, residents deserve transparency, accountability and meaningful engagement. I believe the same principles of transparency, accountability and evidence-based decision-making that apply in government and industry should apply in local government. Residents deserve to understand not only what decisions are being made, but why they are being made, how they will be funded and what benefits they will deliver for the community. As an Independent candidate, I am not accountable to a political party, party whip or political machine. My loyalty is to the residents of Pant and Dowlais. I will judge every issue on its merits, ask difficult questions where necessary and work to ensure local people receive the transparency, accountability and representation they deserve.
Why should people vote for you?
People should vote for me if they want an independent councillor who will work hard, ask questions, challenge decisions where necessary and always put residents first.
I will:
· Listen to residents and represent their concerns.
· Challenge decisions where accountability is needed.
· Push for greater transparency and openness.
· Review historic issues and failings through available council reports, committee papers and public documents, so lessons are identified and repeated mistakes are avoided.
· Support safer communities and address concerns around speeding, anti-social behaviour and visible drug use.
· Fight for value for money for taxpayers.
· Keep residents informed about issues affecting the ward.
· Support regeneration and investment that delivers genuine benefits for local communities.
· Make decisions based on evidence and the interests of residents, not party politics.
What are the three biggest issues in your ward that people are concerned about?
Community safety, speeding and anti-social behaviour - people deserve confidence that every pound collected from taxpayers is being spent wisely, efficiently and in a way that delivers genuine value for residents.
Council Tax, local services and value for money - residents are facing increasing financial pressures and want assurance that public money is being spent effectively. Merthyr residents now pay the highest average Council Tax in Wales, with a Band D property now paying £2,594 per year, yet many residents question whether they are receiving value for money in return. People deserve confidence that every pound collected from taxpayers is being spent wisely, efficiently and in a way that delivers genuine value for residents.
Environmental concerns, regeneration and accountability - Ffos-y-Fran, ongoing concerns surrounding Trecatti Landfill, flooding risks, the Nant Morlais culvert collapse, land management, pollution and the long-term impact of major developments on local communities.