Councillor Wayne Carpenter has been officially sworn in as the new Mayor of Neath Port Talbot for the 2025/26 term.
Born in Melin, Cllr Carpenter represents the Neath East ward. He is the son of a Metal Box factory worker and a mother who dedicated much of her life to providing school meals in Neath.
Cllr Carpenter brings with him a rich background in the arts and community service. For many years, he worked in youth arts and music for the former West Glamorgan County Council, including serving as administrator for the annual Margam Festival.
A committed Christian, he later pursued a career in music, recording four albums and performing across the UK, Southern Ireland, the Channel Islands, South Africa, and Romania. He went on to become Pastor of Bethel Elim Church in Melin and was later ordained as a reverend. He served in Neath for 12 years, followed by a decade in Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil.
As Regional Youth Director for his denomination, Cllr Carpenter supported youth development across 42 churches in Wales and the Southwest Midlands. His contribution to community life was recognised in 2009 when he received the Citizen of the Year Award from Neath Town Council for his work with young people and the elderly.
Cllr Carpenter was sworn in by Chief Executive Frances O’Brien during the Annual General Meeting of Neath Port Talbot Council, held at Margam Orangery on May 9, 2025. During the ceremony, he paid tribute to outgoing Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr Matthew Crowley and Michelle Crowley, for their outstanding service over the past year.
This year, the role of Mayoress will be held by his wife, Carol. The couple have two children, Claire and Christian—the latter of whom played guitar at the inauguration ceremony—and six grandchildren: Grace, Layla, Jacob, Reuben, Faith, and Isabella.
During his mayoral year, Cllr Carpenter will raise funds for two causes close to his heart:
- Type-1-Derful – A local charity under the umbrella of Diabetes UK. It supports children diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and their families by organising summer camps, Christmas parties, and helping with treatment costs.
- Alzheimer’s Society Cymru – A national charity supporting individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s across Wales.
“It’s a great honour and privilege for us to be inaugurated as Mayor and Mayoress of Neath Port Talbot Council,” said Cllr Carpenter.
“This authority recognises the importance of economic prosperity and is working hard to make Neath Port Talbot a thriving, forward-looking, and confident place—somewhere people want to live, work, and visit.
I could never let this moment pass without thanking my wonderful wife and your new Mayoress, Carol. We celebrate our Golden Wedding Anniversary this year, and I can’t think of a better way to mark 50 years of marriage than by serving our community together.”
Also sworn in at the ceremony were this year’s Deputy Mayor, Cllr Alan Lockyer, and Deputy Mayoress, Jan Lockyer.
