Councillor Paula Layton appointed Mayor of Merthyr Tydfil 2025/2026

Councillor Paula Layton was elected Mayor of Merthyr Tydfil at the Council’s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 14^th May 2025, taking over from the immediate past Mayor, Councillor John Thomas, as First Citizen of the County Borough.

Partner to fellow Councillor Declan Sammon for 20 years, and recently wife, mother to Louise and son-in-law Marc, and grandmother to Jack and Emelia, Paula was born and raised in Merthyr Tydfil.

A former Customer Service Manager in T-Mobile, Paula then showcased her culinary skills when she stepped up to the plate by becoming a chef at The Stables View Dowlais, a successful restaurant run by herself and Declan.

Paula has been a Dowlais and Pant ward Councillor since 2022, and within her role is an active committee member of Neighbourhood Services, Countryside and Planning, Governance and Audit Joint Committee, and the Fly Tipping task and finish group. Paula said: “I am a Merthyr Tydfil girl, born and bred, and am incredibly proud of my roots.

“It means the world to me to become Mayor of somewhere that has such a special place in my heart.

“I will cherish this role and the responsibilities that come with it and do my upmost to represent the residents of Merthyr Tydfil.”

Paula’s Consort for the municipal year 2025/26 is her husband, Declan Sammon.

In her role as councillor for her beloved Dowlais and Pant ward, Paula is active within a variety of community groups such as Active Kids and Dowlais Community Action Group and regularly takes part in litter pick events. She is also a big supporter of Becca’s Besties, a local wellbeing group run by women - for women.

The new Mayor’s duties will include chairing full council meetings and representing the authority at formal and ceremonial occasions throughout the county borough, regionally, nationally, and internationally.  She will also welcome visitors to Merthyr Tydfil and attend and support events organised by local people and organisations. 

Paula has chosen to support two local charities:

Macmillan Cancer Support Merthyr a local volunteer committee that raises funds for Macmillan services in the area.

Central Beacons Mountain Rescue a voluntary organisation, based in Dowlais, responsible for covering the Central section of the Brecon Beacons including South Wales’ highest mountain, Pen y Fan at 886m, Cribyn and Corn Du as well as the Ystradfellte waterfalls, Newport, Cardiff and the valleys.

Deputy Mayor for the next year is Councillor David Issac, whose Consort will be his wife, Deborah.

If you would like to invite the Mayor to an event, or donate to the Mayor’s appeal, please contact mayoral@merthyr.gov.uk