Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council (Welsh: Cyngor bwrdeistref Sirol Merthyr Tudful) is the governing body for Merthyr Tydfil County Borough, one of the Principal Areas of Wales.
Merthyr Tydfil Council Cyngor Merthyr Tudful | |
---|---|
Type | |
Type | |
History | |
Founded | 1 April 1996 |
Preceded by | Mid Glamorgan County Council Merthyr Tydfil Borough Council |
Leadership | |
Leader of the Council | Cllr Kevin O'Neill, Independent |
Deputy Leader | Cllr Lisa Mytton, Independent |
Leader of the Opposition | Cllr Darren Roberts, Labour |
Chief Executive | Vacant |
Structure | |
Seats | 33 councillors |
Political groups |
|
Length of term | 5 years |
Elections | |
First-past-the-post | |
First election | 4 May 1995 |
Last election | 4 May 2017 |
Next election | 5 May 2022 |
Website | |
www |
Background
Elections take place every four years. The last election was 4 May 2017. This election saw a big swing, with Independent councillors winning majority control from the Labour Party, in what was previously a Labour stronghold. The final result was delayed because of the death of a candidate in the Cyfarthfa ward, where the election took place on 8 June to choose the final three councillors.[1] Labour council leader Brendan Toomey lost his seat at the election.[2]
At the May 2004 elections the Labour group were challenged by a new party, People Before Politics (PBP), who won nine of the 33 seats[3] across four wards. PBP's numbers reduced to three and the party was disbanded before the next election.[3][4]
Political makeup
Current composition
Group affiliation | Members | |
---|---|---|
Independent |
18 | |
Labour | 15 | |
Total |
33 |
Historic results
Year | Labour | Liberal Democrats | UKIP | Plaid Cymru | Others |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2017 [1] | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
2012 | 23 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 |
2008 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 19 |
2004 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
1999 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 13 |
1995 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Electoral divisions
The county borough is divided into 11 electoral wards returning 33 councillors. Most of these wards are coterminous with communities (parishes) of the same name.[5]
Bedlinog & Trelewis Community Council is the only community council in Merthyr Tydfil.
The following table lists council wards, communities and associated geographical areas.
Ward | Communities (Parishes) | Other geographic areas |
Bedlinog c | Bedlinog | Cwmfelin, Trelewis |
Cyfarthfa c | Cyfarthfa | Clwydyfagwyr, Gelli-deg, Heolgerrig, Winch Fawr, Ynysfach |
Dowlais |
|
Pantyscallog, Rhydybedd, Tair Twynau, Dowlais Top, Caeharris, Caeracca, |
Gurnos c | Gurnos | |
Merthyr Vale c | Merthyr Vale | Aberfan, Mount Pleasant, |
Park c | Park | |
Penydarren c | Penydarren | Galon Uchaf |
Plymouth | Troed-y-rhiw | Abercanaid, Pentrebach |
Town c | Town | Twynyrodyn, Penyard |
Treharris c | Treharris | Quakers Yard, Pentwyn, Fiddler's Elbow, Edwardsville |
Vaynor c | Vaynor | Cefn Coed, Pontsticill, Trefechan |
c = Ward coterminous with community of the same name
See also
References
- "Independents win control of Merthyr Tydfil council and oust Labour after delayed ward vote". Wales Online. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
- "Ousted Merthyr leader Brendan Toomey says people are 'fed up with politics'". Wales Online. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
- "Regeneration is a key issue in Valleys town". Wales Online (published 23 April 2008). 29 March 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
- Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council Election Results 1995–2012, The Election Centre. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
- "Election maps". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 3 November 2018.