Chair

Andrew Morgan OBE is from Mountain Ash in the Cynon Valley and has served as a County Borough Councillor since 2004, representing the former ward of Mountain Ash West and the current ward of Mountain Ash.

In 2022, he was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his outstanding record of public service, particularly during the COVID‑19 pandemic and the major flooding in 2020. On behalf of Local Government, he joined the Welsh and UK Coal Tips Taskforce, which initiated a review of existing legislation and explored options for responding to coal tip safety in the face of climate change.

Andrew was formerly an employee of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, initially in the construction section and later in management, before standing for election to represent his local community. He attended Pontypridd Technical College for three years full‑time and two years part‑time.

He was appointed to the Cabinet in 2008 and served as Cabinet Member for Highways, Customer Care and Emergency Planning for four years, later taking on responsibility for Frontline Services. He became Leader of the Council in May 2014.

In late 2019, Andrew was elected as the Leader of the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA). Through these roles, Andrew has worked with and built extensive links with a number of government agencies including the Welsh NHS.

Prior to becoming the Leader of the WLGA, Andrew led negotiations on the Cardiff Capital Region £1.495bn City Deal and was instrumental in setting up the new executive and officer structure to lead the organisation.

He has served as an Observer on the Board of Transport for Wales, having been invited by the Welsh Government to provide a local authority perspective and support informed decision‑making.

Andrew has also chaired the Southeast Wales Transport Alliance (SEWTA) and has been a member of the Heads of the Valleys Taskforce.