He qualified as a civil engineer, and worked in the Highways and Transport Department of a local authority.

After the 2004 elections to Vale of Glamorgan Council the Plaid Cymru group found itself with the 'balance of power' and Franks held meetings with both the Conservative and Labour leaders.

[3] A coalition between Labour, Plaid Cymru and Independent councillors was agreed that December under which Franks became the cabinet member for Legal and Public Protection, a post that he no longer holds.

He also challenged Owen John Thomas for the top placement on Plaid Cymru's party list for the South Wales Central region for the 2003 election, but was unsuccessful.

[5] Franks was selected in May 2006 as second on Plaid Cymru's list for South Wales Central following the retirement of Owen John Thomas; Plaid had won two seats from the regional list in both previous elections to the Assembly.