The county councillor for Caerau and town councillor for Nantyfyllon, Phil White, has died at the age of 67. He was receiving treatment for Covid-19 after falling ill several weeks ago.
The former miner – who was involved in the worker’s buy-out of Tower Colliery in the mid-1990s – eventually went into the environmental business, becoming involved with or a director of several companies. He won one of the Caerau council seats for Labour in 2008 and served as Cabinet Member for Social Services & Early Help from 2010 to 2020. He was also a member of Maesteg Town Council, though he intended to stand down from both at the next local elections in 2022.
As Cabinet Member, Cllr. White helped oversee the introduction of new extra care facilities for older people, a new day centre at Waterton as well as the creation of multi-agency hubs to bring services under one roof.
“My friend, comrade and mentor, Cllr Phil White died last night of Covid. He worked tirelessly through the pandemic to prevent Covid deaths. He was a good man and I will miss him. Sending love to his family and friends.”
– Cllr. Nicole Burnett, Cabinet Member for Social Services & Early Help (Lab, Morfa)
“We grievously announce the passing of Cllr. Phil White.
“Cllr. White sadly passed away in the intensive care unit of the Princess of Wales Hospital due to complications after contracting Covid-19.
“Political differences have been set aside.
“Our deepest sympathy and condolences go out to family and friends of Phil.”
– Statement on behalf of Maesteg Town Council
Although Cllr. White was undoubtedly well-liked – demonstrated by the warm tributes from former colleagues when he stood down from the Cabinet in September 2020 – his political legacy may be tarnished by his business dealings.
Cllr. White once had a correspondence address at South Wales Wood Recycling. The company was eventually prosecuted by Natural Resources Wales and wound up after a series of fires.
He was also heavily implicated in the Caerau Arbed insulation scandal, having been the director and secretary of one of the companies involved – Green Renewable Wales. Damage was caused to multiple properties due to poor workmanship. It’s estimated the cost of repairing it will be up to £1million.
As a result, Phil White was set to face an Adjudication Panel hearing for multiple breaches of the councillor’s code of conduct. A report from the Public Services Ombudsman is also yet to be published.
