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New Neath Port Talbot Mayor sworn in at Margam Orangery has long association with public service
COUNCILLOR Colin Matthew (Matt) Crowley has been sworn in as the new Mayor of Neath Port Talbot.
Cllr Crowley (Sandfields East) is President of Aberavon Green Stars RFC, a member of the Aberavon Lifeguard Club, a life member of the GMB Union, Chairman of Governors at Awel Y Mor Primary School, Governor at Tywyn Primary School and a member of the Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service,
He was sworn in by Neath Port Talbot Council Chief Executive Karen Jones at a ceremony as part of Neath Port Talbot Council’s Annual General Meeting at Margam Orangery on May 10th, 2024, where he paid tribute to the excellent work during the past year of outgoing Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr Chris Williams and Ms Debbie Rees.
Cllr Crowley’s Mayoress this year will be his Aberavon born wife Michelle. They have two children and a grandson.
Cllr Crowley will raise funds during his mayoral year for these two causes (which come under The Swansea Bay Health Charity - registered charity number 1122805):
The Morriston Podiatry General Fund providing training to ensure staff have the best and most up-to-date knowledge on meeting patients’ needs along with upgraded technology, machinery and innovation.
The Neath Port Talbot District Nurses General Fund which includes the Wound Clinic in the Neath Port Talbot Resource centre. The fund enables opportunities in education to help staff develop and to enhance patient experience as well as reviewing any specialist equipment to help the wound clinic deliver best practice care.
Cllr Crowley started work with Afan Borough Council 1982, then worked for Port Talbot Council, West Glamorgan County Council and finally Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, beginning as a Lifeguard at the famous Afan Lido and finishing as Manager of Access Managed Services.
He said his portfolio covered anything “from cleaning toilets to Royal visits” and was in his words “the best job in the world”.
This year, Cllr Crowley’s family will celebrate decades of commitment to the Sandfields East Ward in 18 Elections, starting in 1964 with his great Uncle John (Jacko) Collins who served seven years, his father Collin who served 41 years and his father’s brother, his uncle Noel, who served 25 years. This year, the new Neath Port Talbot Mayor will celebrate his 10th year as a local councillor.
Also sworn in at the ceremony on May 10th were this year’s Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress, Cllr Wayne Carpenter and Mrs Carol Carpenter.