[1] He went to Barry Boys' Comprehensive School before gaining a degree in economics and politics at University College, Swansea.
He was, for a short period at the turn of the 21st century, the highest paid council leader in Great Britain, until he agreed to cut his £58,000 salary under pressure from the Welsh Government.
In late 2007/early 2008, the chamber financially collapsed spectacularly following at overpaid training grant from ELWa of £500,000, which could not be repaid thanks to interest payments totalling £500,000 and other debts of a further £1million.
During his time in that role he led the council's negotiations with development firm Rightacres, which established the Central Square partnership.
[14] He was criticised after stating on X that the scrutiny of the scandal that has engulfed the First Minister Vaughan Gething about his highly controversial £200,000 donation from a company with criminal convictions was racist.