Mike Hedges (Welsh Politician)
Encyclopedia
Michael John Hedges AM (born 8 July 1956) is a Welsh Labour politician, who has represented the constituency of Swansea East
since the 2011 National Assembly for Wales election
with a majority of 8,281 and with 58.36% of the total vote.
for many years but was originally born in the Plasmarl
area of Swansea
. He is married to Anne and has a daughter, Catrin, who attends Ysgol Gyfun Bryntawe. He attended Plasmarl, Parklands and Penlan Schools, and then went onto higher education at both Swansea University
and Cardiff University
. Active in local sport, Mike has been a football referee, coach and was secretary of Morriston town for several years. Currently, Mike is President of Ynystawe Cricket and Football Club and is a social member of both Morriston RFC and Glais RFC.
at Port Talbot
, Mike has spent the last 27 years as a senior lecturer in Pontypridd
, specialising in computing and information technology.
on the City and County of Swansea Council since 1989 and has held a number of senior posts on the Council, including Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Technical Services. He is currently Vice-Chair of the Council's Scrutiny Committee and has previously been the Welsh Local Government Association
spokesperson on both social services and information.
Taking an active interest in education, Mike has been a governor of Swansea University
, Swansea Institute, Mynyddbach and Morriston Comprehensives, Swansea College
and is currently chair of the governors of Glyncollen Primary School and Ynystawe Primary School.
Mike has also been a non-executive director of Swansea NHS Trust
between 1999 and 2005. Mike’s political interests include education, health, local government, sports provision and social deprivation.
Swansea East (National Assembly for Wales constituency)
Swansea East is a constituency of the National Assembly for Wales. It elects one Assembly Member by the first past the post method of election...
since the 2011 National Assembly for Wales election
National Assembly for Wales election, 2011
The National Assembly for Wales election 2011 was the most recent election for the National Assembly. The poll was held on Thursday, 5 May 2011 and decided the incumbency for all the assembly's seats...
with a majority of 8,281 and with 58.36% of the total vote.
Personal History
Mike has lived in MorristonMorriston
Morriston is a community in the City and County of Swansea, Wales and falls within the Morriston ward. Morriston is sometimes referred to as a distinct town , however Morriston never had a town charter, and is now part of the continuous urban area around Swansea, the centre of which lies three...
for many years but was originally born in the Plasmarl
Plasmarl
Plasmarl, or Plas-Marl, is a suburban district and historically a village of the City and County of Swansea, Wales. It falls within the old copper quarter of Landore electoral ward.-Location:...
area of Swansea
Swansea
Swansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands...
. He is married to Anne and has a daughter, Catrin, who attends Ysgol Gyfun Bryntawe. He attended Plasmarl, Parklands and Penlan Schools, and then went onto higher education at both Swansea University
Swansea University
Swansea University is a university located in Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom. Swansea University was chartered as University College of Swansea in 1920, as the fourth college of the University of Wales. In 1996, it changed its name to the University of Wales Swansea following structural changes...
and Cardiff University
Cardiff University
Cardiff University is a leading research university located in the Cathays Park area of Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. It received its Royal charter in 1883 and is a member of the Russell Group of Universities. The university is consistently recognised as providing high quality research-based...
. Active in local sport, Mike has been a football referee, coach and was secretary of Morriston town for several years. Currently, Mike is President of Ynystawe Cricket and Football Club and is a social member of both Morriston RFC and Glais RFC.
Professional Background
Originally a research scientist for British SteelBritish Steel
British Steel was a major British steel producer. It originated as a nationalised industry, the British Steel Corporation , formed in 1967. This was converted to a public limited company, British Steel PLC, and privatised in 1988. It was once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index...
at Port Talbot
Port Talbot
Port Talbot is a town in Neath Port Talbot, Wales. It had a population of 35,633 in 2001.-History:Port Talbot grew out of the original small port and market town of Aberafan , which belonged to the medieval Lords of Afan. The area of the parish of Margam lying on the west bank of the lower Afan...
, Mike has spent the last 27 years as a senior lecturer in Pontypridd
Pontypridd
Pontypridd is both a community and a principal town of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales and is situated 12 miles/19 km north of the Welsh capital city of Cardiff...
, specialising in computing and information technology.
Political History
Mike has represented MorristonMorriston (electoral ward)
Morriston is an electoral ward in Swansea, Wales. Morriston is one of two five member wards in the City and County of Swansea local authority area...
on the City and County of Swansea Council since 1989 and has held a number of senior posts on the Council, including Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Technical Services. He is currently Vice-Chair of the Council's Scrutiny Committee and has previously been the Welsh Local Government Association
Welsh Local Government Association
The Welsh Local Government Association represents the interests of local authorities in Wales. It is an affiliated member of the Local Government Association of England and Wales....
spokesperson on both social services and information.
Taking an active interest in education, Mike has been a governor of Swansea University
Swansea University
Swansea University is a university located in Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom. Swansea University was chartered as University College of Swansea in 1920, as the fourth college of the University of Wales. In 1996, it changed its name to the University of Wales Swansea following structural changes...
, Swansea Institute, Mynyddbach and Morriston Comprehensives, Swansea College
Swansea College
Swansea College was a further education college in Swansea. It was one of the largest further education colleges in Wales with over 15,000 students and employing approximately 1,000 staff...
and is currently chair of the governors of Glyncollen Primary School and Ynystawe Primary School.
Mike has also been a non-executive director of Swansea NHS Trust
Swansea NHS Trust
Swansea NHS Trust was an NHS Trust covering Swansea, south Wales. It was established on 1 April 1999 and ceased to exist on 1 April 2008 when it merged with Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust to form the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust . The trust managed nine hospitals and provides over 1,800...
between 1999 and 2005. Mike’s political interests include education, health, local government, sports provision and social deprivation.