Gwenda Thomas
Encyclopedia
Gwenda Thomas AM
(born in Neath
, 22 January 1942) is the Labour Assembly Member for Neath
. Mrs Thomas was first elected to the National Assembly for Wales
in 1999 and re-elected in 2003, having almost doubled her majority. She is a fluent Welsh
speaker. She is a member of the GMB Union.
She was re-elected as Welsh Labour's Assembly Member for Neath on 3 May 2007 for a third 4 year term in office, with a majority reduced from 4,946 to 1,944 - despite the actual number of votes for Labour only reducing by 398 votes from the 2003 Assembly election. In the 2011 Assembly election, Gwenda was re-elected again to the Neath seat, she increased her majority to 6,390; also incurring a 10% increase in the voting share from the previous 2007 election.
, Rhodri Morgan
AM, to chair a review into Safeguarding Vulnerable Children in Wales. The review's report - Keeping Us Safe - was published on 3 May 2006. She was also a member of the Local Government and Public Services, Voluntary Sector Partnership, South Wales West Regional, and Standards committees in the National Assembly.
In the Third Assembly she was appointed as Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services (31 May 2007). She has special responsibility for social services. She retained the position of Deputy Minister for Social Services when the coalition government of Labour
and Plaid Cymru
was announced on 19 July.
In the Fourth Assembly, she holds the position of Deputy Minister for Children & Social Services, with her responsibilities amongst others being childcare, child trust funds and parenting programmes.
Mrs Thomas served on West Glamorgan County Council as Chair of the Social Services Committee - the first female councillor to chair a such a major committee. She later served in the same position on Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council
following local government reorganisation in 1995.
Educated at Pontardawe
Grammar School, she worked in the County Courts Division of the Lord Chancellor's Department and at the Benefits Agency as an Executive officer for many years.
Mrs Thomas is a campaigner for carers' rights and a past member of the Lord Chancellor
's Advisory Committee. Her interests include health, social services, children's issues, local government and the voluntary sector.
. Gwenda is married to Morgan and they have one son together, Geraint.
National Assembly for Wales
The National Assembly for Wales is a devolved assembly with power to make legislation in Wales. The Assembly comprises 60 members, who are known as Assembly Members, or AMs...
(born in Neath
Neath
Neath is a town and community situated in the principal area of Neath Port Talbot, Wales, UK with a population of approximately 45,898 in 2001...
, 22 January 1942) is the Labour Assembly Member for Neath
Neath (National Assembly for Wales constituency)
Neath is a constituency of the National Assembly for Wales. It elects one Assembly Member by the first past the post method of election. Also, however, it is one of seven constituencies in the South Wales West electoral region, which elects four additional members, in addition to seven constituency...
. Mrs Thomas was first elected to the National Assembly for Wales
National Assembly for Wales
The National Assembly for Wales is a devolved assembly with power to make legislation in Wales. The Assembly comprises 60 members, who are known as Assembly Members, or AMs...
in 1999 and re-elected in 2003, having almost doubled her majority. She is a fluent Welsh
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
speaker. She is a member of the GMB Union.
She was re-elected as Welsh Labour's Assembly Member for Neath on 3 May 2007 for a third 4 year term in office, with a majority reduced from 4,946 to 1,944 - despite the actual number of votes for Labour only reducing by 398 votes from the 2003 Assembly election. In the 2011 Assembly election, Gwenda was re-elected again to the Neath seat, she increased her majority to 6,390; also incurring a 10% increase in the voting share from the previous 2007 election.
Responsibilities in the Assembly
She was Chair of the Assembly's Equality of Opportunity Committee and was appointed in December 2003 by the First Minister for WalesFirst Minister for Wales
The First Minister of Wales is the leader of the Welsh Government, Wales' devolved administration, which was established in 1999. The First Minister is responsible for the exercise of functions by the Cabinet of the Welsh Government; policy development and coordination; relationships with the...
, Rhodri Morgan
Rhodri Morgan
Hywel Rhodri Morgan is a Welsh Labour politician who, as First Secretary for Wales, and subsequently First Minister, was leader of the Welsh Assembly Government from 2000 to 2009. A former leader of Welsh Labour, he was the Assembly Member for Cardiff West from 1999 to 2011...
AM, to chair a review into Safeguarding Vulnerable Children in Wales. The review's report - Keeping Us Safe - was published on 3 May 2006. She was also a member of the Local Government and Public Services, Voluntary Sector Partnership, South Wales West Regional, and Standards committees in the National Assembly.
In the Third Assembly she was appointed as Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services (31 May 2007). She has special responsibility for social services. She retained the position of Deputy Minister for Social Services when the coalition government of Labour
Wales Labour Party
Welsh Labour is the part of the United Kingdom Labour Party that operates in Wales. Labour is the largest and most successful political party in modern Welsh politics, having won the largest share of the vote at every UK General Election since 1922, every Welsh Assembly election since 1999, and...
and Plaid Cymru
Plaid Cymru
' is a political party in Wales. It advocates the establishment of an independent Welsh state within the European Union. was formed in 1925 and won its first seat in 1966...
was announced on 19 July.
In the Fourth Assembly, she holds the position of Deputy Minister for Children & Social Services, with her responsibilities amongst others being childcare, child trust funds and parenting programmes.
History
In the first Assembly (1999-2003), she was Chair of the Local Government and Housing committee.Mrs Thomas served on West Glamorgan County Council as Chair of the Social Services Committee - the first female councillor to chair a such a major committee. She later served in the same position on Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council is the local governing body for Neath Port Talbot. It is currently controlled by the Labour party, under the leadership of Councillor Alun Thomas, who succeeded Derek Vaughan when he became an MEP in May 2009....
following local government reorganisation in 1995.
Educated at Pontardawe
Pontardawe
Pontardawe is a town of some 5,000 inhabitants in the Swansea Valley in south Wales...
Grammar School, she worked in the County Courts Division of the Lord Chancellor's Department and at the Benefits Agency as an Executive officer for many years.
Mrs Thomas is a campaigner for carers' rights and a past member of the Lord Chancellor
Lord Chancellor
The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign...
's Advisory Committee. Her interests include health, social services, children's issues, local government and the voluntary sector.
Personal Life
Gwenda was educated at Pontardawe Grammar School, she currently lives in Gwaun-Cae-GurwenGwaun-Cae-Gurwen
Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen is a village in Neath Port Talbot, south Wales. Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen is also a parish made up of the electoral wards of Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen and Lower Brynamman.-Location:...
. Gwenda is married to Morgan and they have one son together, Geraint.