Carl Sargeant AM is the Welsh Government Minister for Social Justice and Local Government. Born in St. Asaph, he is a former Quality and Environmental Auditor and industrial fire-fighter. He was first elected in 2003 and was Labour Chief Whip and Deputy Business Manager prior to his appointment in December 2009.

Making the Blue Badge fit for the future

Earlier this month the Minister for Local Government and Communities, Carl Sargeant announced that from April 2012 the Blue Badge will be free for individual badge holders in Wales. Here, he explains why he took this decision

A chance to challenge complacency, under-performance and senseless bureaucracy

This morning Carl Sargeant issued a stark warning to local government in Wales. Here’s what he had to say

“The need to work together has become the purpose – not just a process”

On Thursday the new Welsh Local Government Minister addressed the Welsh Local Government Association conference in Llandudno – and he didn’t pull a punch. Here’s a transcript of perhaps the most significant speech in Welsh politics in the last week

Opportunity in adversity

In the first of a new weekly column focusing on the public sector and public services, the newly appointed Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, Carl Sargeant AM, explains how joint working between the Welsh Government and local councils is the key to surviving the budget squeeze