Russell Goodway

Russell Goodway is a Welsh Labour Party councillor for Ely, Cardiff; and the former Lord Mayor of Cardiff and former CEO of Cardiff Chamber of Commerce.

Goodway was first elected to South Glamorgan County Council in 1985 and became Leader in 1992.[1] South Glamorgan Council was replaced in Cardiff by Cardiff Council in 1996.

He was, for a short period at the turn of the 21st century, the highest paid council leader in Great Britain, until he agreed to cut his £58,000 salary under pressure from the Welsh Government.[2]

The "disastrous showing" for Labour at the Pentwyn by-election in September 2003 (with a Liberal Democrat landslide victory) led to a local vote of 'no confidence' in Goodway by the Cardiff Central Labour Party, with a further vote of no confidence discussed by the county Labour Party in October.[3] Following the Labour Party's loss of control of Cardiff Council at the May 2004 Local Elections, Goodway resigned as leader of the group,[4] adding that Welsh Assembly First Minister Rhodri Morgan wanted Goodway to be beaten by his independent opponent.[5]

Remaining an elected councillor for Ely, Goodway was subsequently elected CEO of the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce in late 2004. In late 2007/early 2008, the chamber financially collapsed spectacularly following at overpaid training grant from ELWa of £500,000, which could not be repaid thanks to interest payments totalling £500,000 and other debts of a further £1million.[6] After all 35 staff were immediately made redundant,[7] it was subsequently liquidated.

Goodway subsequently insisted he would not seek the vacant leadership of the Labour group.[8]

In 2012, Labour regained control of Cardiff Council, under Heather Joyce' leadership. Goodway was appointed Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Finance in Joyce' cabinet. During his time in that role he led the Council's negotiations with development firm Rightacres, which established the Central Square partnership[9]. Following Joyce' resignation as Leader in March 2014, Goodway was not appointed to the new cabinet under Phil Bale's leadership.

Following the May 2017 Welsh Local Government elections, Goodway was appointed Cabinet Member for Investment and Development.

References

  1. ↑ Hooper, Alan; Punter, John (2006). Capital Cardiff 1975-2020: Regeneration, Competitiveness and the Urban Environment. University of Wales Press. pp. 37–39. ISBN 0-7083-2063-5.
  2. ↑ "Goodway to stay as city's leader". BBC Wales. 2 May 2000. Retrieved 2017-01-06.
  3. ↑ Rhys Evans (29 September 2003). "'No confidence' in council leader". BBC News. Retrieved 2018-04-23.
  4. ↑ "Goodway resigns as leader". BBC Wales News. 2004-06-14. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  5. ↑ "Morgan denies Goodway 'plot'". BBC News Wales. 2004-06-14. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  6. ↑ Barry, Sion (2008-03-05). "Chamber sees liquidation as its only debt solution". Western Mail. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  7. ↑ "Death of Initiative". Rev Keith Kimber. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  8. ↑ James, David (2008-05-02). "Is Goodway coming back?". Media Wales. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  9. ↑ Barry, Sion (2014-06-12). "Watch: Businessman behind Cardiff's ambitious Capital Square scheme on how the dream is slowly becoming a reality". walesonline. Retrieved 2018-03-24.

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