My name is Tracy Hickson and I have been a Llantwit resident for the past five years having returned back to the Vale after living in Dublin, Ireland. However my links to the town go back to 1987 when my father was posted to RAF St Athan.

Since returning to live in the Vale I have worked for the Vale Youth Service, volunteered with the Llantwit Youth Council and am currently a school governor at St Illtyd’s Primary School where I sit on the Finance and Curriculum Standards sub committees.

As a teacher and youth worker I am passionate about education and empowering our young people to achieve their full potential. If elected, improving youth services in the area would be top of my agenda.

My other interests include the environment and I am an active member of both the Barry Action for Nature and Friends of Barry Beaches groups.

I originally joined the Labour Party in 1986 and campaigned during many local and national elections, including successfully for our Labour MP John Smith. I was also secretary of the Vale of Glamorgan Labour Party Young Socialists during this time. Having left the Party during my time living in Ireland I re-joined in 2017 and have been active in local Labour politics since then.

I am a member of the GMB trade union and have always been a Trade Union member.