 The first mayor of Barry was Councillor Frederick Cook (1912–2008), who was also Chairman of South Glamorgan County Council and an officer of the GMB trade union.There was controversy in 2008 when the Labour controlled council chose two completely inexperienced councillors for the mayoral positions, rather than an opposition councillor with 25 years service.On 15 May 2017 Councillor Nic Hodges was elected as the first Plaid Cymru mayor of Barry.