Some of the fresh faces representing Swansea after the local elections
NEW beginnings, fresh perspectives, different backgrounds – Swansea has 22 new councillors of varying political hues for the next five years. And 11 of the newcomers are women.
A total of 17 councillors had stood down ahead of last week’s council elections, but the Labour-led authority now has 75 elected representatives instead of the previous 72 following a boundary review.
Here is a profile of some of those who made it across the line at the election count:
Patience Bentu (Labour)
The 51-year-old described winning as like an out-of-body experience. “It was disbelief at first – has this really happened?” she said. “It’s good, very encouraging and very inspirational.”
Cllr Bentu has been a Labour Party member since 2016 and chairs its Swansea West constituency group. She used to work for Race Council Cymru and is now a self-employed equality, diversity and inclusion consultant.
She said Swansea Council hasn’t had equal representation in terms of councillor make-up, but felt this was changing.
Cllr Bentu said this was one reason why she stood, but not the principal one. “I wanted to serve the community,” she said.
She is one of four Labour councillors representing the city-centre Castle ward.
“The main complaints on the doorstep had to do with keeping the streets clean, anti-social behaviour, and more activities to keep young people occupied,” she said.
“We do have our pledges, and I would like to promote more green spaces within the ward, promote the arts and culture, and community activities.”
She said there was a lot to learn about how the council worked. “It’s all new and confusing – in time we will settle into it.”
The single mother, who lives in Sketty, where her son attends school, said she was prepared for the online slings and arrows that came councillors’ way at times. “I am not new to social media,” she said.
Angela O’connor (Conservative)
The 40-year-old is from Mumbles – the ward she now represents – and always hankered to return after spells living in Chester and West Sussex.
“I love Mumbles so much and feel part of it,” she said. “I want to be involved in the community.”
It was the first time she had stood for any kind of elected office. Going out on the campaign trail was a novel experience.
“I was a little bit scared, if I’m honest,” she said. “The responses were very mixed, but I didn’t come across anyone who was really mean.”
She only joined the Conservative Party recently and said she wasn’t “hugely political”. She was elected in Mumbles along with Tories Will Thomas and Francesca O’brien.
“All three of us are excited about the opportunity,” she said. “We’ve got a lot of ideas.”
Cllr O’connor, who does some voiceover and broadcasting work and is raising two young boys with her husband, said she would like to see improvements in Highmead Park, Newton, and tackle “boy racer” and quad bike issues in the ward.
She said social media provided great opportunities but could also be frustrating. “I have been told I have to get a thick skin,” she said. “I’m not a nasty person, and hopefully there won’t be too many ‘keyboard warriors’ out there.”
Sam Bennett (Liberal Democrat)
The 32-year-old is something of a veteran after serving as a Brecon town councillor before he moved to Swansea’s maritime quarter.
Cllr Bennett is the sole councillor for the new Waterfront ward, which encompasses Swansea Marina and SA1. He polled 60% of the votes.
“It was very overwhelming,” he said. “I always thought the ward was winnable, but I didn’t expect anywhere near the size of the victory I got.”
Cllr Bennett lives in the ward, and works in digital marketing at Swansea University’s faculty of medicine, health and science.
He said he wanted anti-social behaviour issues at the new coastal park by the arena to be dealt with very quickly – particularly the throwing of stones at flats.
He added that he would like to see uneven paths fixed in the ward, green spaces protected and a new play area earmarked for years on Langdon Road delivered.
Cllr Bennett said the odd bit of flak came with the territory of being an elected official, but warned that women he had spoken to had been put off standing as candidates because of social media abuse.
“We have to try our hardest that scrutiny and accountability happen without it becoming personal,” he said.
Dai Jenkins (Labour)
The 59-year-old BT worker had never stood as an election candidate before but has organised conferences and done public speaking through his officer role in the Communication Workers Union.
He lives in Waunarlwydd – in the
Gowerton ward he represents – helps with the carnival and has put on treasure hunts.
“I love putting on events,” he said. “I want to bring some fun and happiness, as well as the serious things like potholes.”
Cllr Jenkins, who serves the ward alongside Independent councillor Susan Jones, said he would like to see outdoor facilities for the 13 to 17-year-old age group, while being mindful they were in the right place.
“They [13 to 17-year-olds] can’t go to the pub, and are looking for somewhere to go,” he said.
Cllr Jenkins is married to Michelle and the couple have two daughters, Laura May, 25, and Beth, 21.
Hayley Gwilliam (Labour)
The 37-year-old campaigned for improvements at her local park, Polly’s Park, St Thomas, after her 11-year-old son Oscar had an accident there several years ago.
The efforts of Friends of Polly’s Park led to a £25,000 grant and the upgrades they sought, with volunteers doing some of the work.
Cllr Gwilliam joined the Labour Party and got to know the councillors for the ward, Labour’s Clive Lloyd and Joe Hale.
“People would contact me, and I would contact Clive and Joe,” she said. “They encouraged to be a candidate.”
She was elected with Cllr Hale, with Cllr Lloyd standing down.
Social work graduate Cllr Gwilliam lives with her partner, builder Leigh Potts, Oscar and Oscar’s sister, 13-yearold Matilda.
“I feel proud and privileged to represent St Thomas,” she said. “I didn’t think I would be a politician – for me it’s about the community being in my heart.”
Clllr Gwilliam said had received some “really unpleasant” flak on one occasion relating to Polly’s Park, and that she was determined not to take such stuff to heart.
“I have given myself a good talking-to!” she said. “I can only do the best I can.”
Chris Evans (Wales Green Party) Swansea’s first-ever Green councillor joined the party in 2015 and has stood in general elections since.
His decision to join came while working on his dissertation for his master’s degree in international relations at Swansea University. “I realised how bad things were,” he said.
The 48-year-old said he was surprised to win the Mayals ward but felt his work in the months before had not gone unnoticed.
Cllr Evans said he would like to work with other parties and groups in the council and try to ensure his voice was heard at committee meetings, where policies were scrutinised.
“There would be more impact that way, rather than being a sole councillor who turns up at full council meetings,” he said.
Cllr Evans works at Swansea University’s library and lives in West Cross with his partner and daughter.
He said he was hopeful about the future. “The previous [council] administrations have made a decent start – we are heading in the right direction,” he said.
Cllr Evans said he would like sustainability engrained into policies and decisions from the outset, rather than being an add-on, and the public offered more choices on things like transport.
He added: “I don’t think people are given enough chance to act green and more sustainably.”