Council Leader Poised for Health Board Chair Role
A senior council leader who publicly supported Health Secretary Jeremy Miles' leadership campaign is set to become chair of the Aneurin Bevan Health Board.
Andrew Morgan denied allegations of cronyism during a pre-appointment hearing at the Senedd on Tuesday, where he appeared as the preferred candidate for the position.
As leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, Morgan expressed his hope that his appointment would be judged on his professional record rather than his political affiliations within the Labour party.
Morgan plans to step down from his council role in April and is the preferred candidate of Jeremy Miles for the £69,840-a-year chair position.
Pre-appointment hearings in the Senedd serve as scrutiny sessions where candidates for key public appointments are questioned.
Addressing Perceptions of Cronyism
During the hearing, Reform MS James Evans addressed Morgan, stating:
"There is going to be a perception that you backed the current health secretary to be the first minister, you are a member of the Labour party, there will be elements out there that will say there's a little bit of cronyism."
Morgan rejected the suggestion that his appointment was influenced by personal connections, stating:
"Anybody who knows me knows I wouldn't be that way inclined. If I go for something, its based on ability."
He had supported Jeremy Miles in the 2023 Welsh Labour leadership contest before Miles was defeated by Vaughan Gething.
Qualifications and Experience
When questioned about his suitability for the health board role, which oversees health services in Caerphilly, Morgan highlighted his leadership experience:
"I have led a major organisation with 10,000 staff, a budget of £900m, and have a lot of experience in having a constructive relationship with executive officers."
Morgan noted that Rhondda Cynon Taf had achieved "exceptionally good outcomes in inspections over the last 12 months, amongst the best in Wales."
He also emphasized his ability to work across party lines in his role as leader of the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA):
"I would hope that people would judge me on my track record as an individual leading organisations, rather than my party politics. I've always tried to be very middle of the road [and] work with everybody."
Focus on Staffing and Hospital Services
Morgan expressed his intention to prioritize the recruitment of permanent in-house staff for the health board, reducing reliance on agency workers.
He also addressed concerns regarding Grange Hospital, whose accident and emergency department faced criticism last year for failing to improve despite additional staff and investment.
"I want to be confident the model of services at Grange Hospital is deliverable,"
he said, adding that while he praised many aspects of the hospital's operations, some patient experiences at the Cwmbran facility were "not good."
Future Plans and Political Context
Morgan confirmed he will resign as WLGA leader following the Senedd election in May and plans to step down as a councillor for Mountain Ash ward in May 2027.
The appointment of health board chairs in Wales has included individuals from diverse political backgrounds. For example, Jonathan Morgan, chair of Cwm Taf Morgannwg, is a former Conservative assembly member; Kirsty Williams, chair of Cardiff and Vale health board, was a Liberal Democrat MS and former Welsh government education minister; and Dyfed Edwards, chairman of Betsi Cadwaladr, is a former Plaid Cymru leader in Gwynedd.
