Ar ôl i'r Cynghorydd Kevin O’Neill, Arweinydd Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Merthyr Tudful wneud cais am gymorth statudol o dan Fesur Llywodraeth Leol (Cymru) 2009, penodwyd cynghorydd allanol, John Gilbert, i gynnal asesiad annibynnol trylwyr o'r heriau allweddol sy'n wynebu'r Cyngor ac o'r camau y mae angen eu cymryd er mwyn gwneud y newidiadau angenrheidiol.
Following a request for statutory support under the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2009 from Cllr Kevin O’Neill, Leader of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, an external adviser, John Gilbert, was appointed to carry out a rigorous independent assessment of the Council’s key challenges and what actions are needed to make necessary changes.