After 33 years service as both a lecturer and head of enterprise, employability and international projects at The College Merthyr Tydfil, Ms Bissex-Foster decided to hang her education boots up and is now hoping to put more time into helping the people of her local community. Ms Bissex-Foster, who describes herself as “life-long socialist”, said she believes that society should help those in need. She said she is looking forward to helping local residents if elected to serve the community.

Ms Bissex-Foster has had a successful career in education, training and entrepreneurship and has always undertaken voluntary roles alongside her career. Her achievements include chairing the Welsh Government’s “Apprenticeship Award Judging panel” for ten years and also sitting as a councillor on the board of City & Guilds, London. 

She said: “I am so excited to be chosen to represent Welsh Labour. My main focus will be helping the residents of Aberbargoed and Bargoed; contributing to the council’s plans for the community and sharing my experience from 33 years in education, enterprise and employability to support residents in my local community.”

Bio submitted by the council’s Labour group

Journalism student Joshua McCarthy, 23, has pledged to become a powerful voice for young people, if he is elected to Caerphilly County Borough Council.

Mr McCarthy said: “I have experienced how difficult many young people in Bargoed find it to gain opportunities in education, work, and housing, and I have also seen how many have lost hope in our community and believe that there is no sense of pride or vision for the future of the town.

“I can be a powerful voice in local government speaking up for young people, and I also continue to believe that Aberbargoed and Bargoed have the potential to be thriving communities with the right levels of investment and increased local decision-making. 

“The transition to a green economy provides the opportunity to create good local jobs at the centre of the new industrial revolution.”

He added: “I’ve lived in the Rhymney Valley all my life, and Bargoed has been my home for the last 14 years. I attended Heolddu Comprehensive School and Lewis School Pengam, and maintain a strong connection with Lewis School, returning every year to speak with pupils about their work to make it a diverse, equal, and inclusive environment.”

He is currently studying at the University of South Wales.

Bio submitted by the council’s Plaid Cymru group

Mr Thomas is 35 and lives in Caerphilly with his wife and children. He works as a therapist after qualifying from the University of South Wales and also manages an award-winning, family-run business. Mark has a long history in volunteering with both local and international charities.

He stood for the Green Party in the Caerphilly constituency at the 2024 general election.

Bio taken from party website