Labour and Plaid Cymru have won a seat each in the two community council by-elections held yesterday (Thursday, September 12).
Plaid Cymru’s Dan Llewellyn became the first ever Plaid Cymru councillor to be elected to Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen (BTM) Community Council, winning his seat in the Bedwas ward from Labour.
Cllr Llewellyn won 297 votes, ten votes more than Labour’s Adam Bird, who won 287 votes.
Following his victory, Cllr Llewellyn said: “It’s very pleasing. I want to thank residents for putting their trust in me.
“The community council needs scrutiny to bring change for the people of Bedwas. They deserve the best.
“This is a historical win for Plaid.”
Cllr Llewellyn becomes one of four community councillors representing the Bedwas ward, with the community council now being comprised of ten Labour councillors, one independent and one Plaid councillor.
The turnout was 19.2%, with the electorate being made up of 3,129 people.
Congratulations to Dan Llewellyn on winning a former Labour seat on Bedwas, Machen & Trethomas Community Council, the first Plaid Cymru seat on the authority Dan won by 297 to 287 votes and it means Plaid now has a seat on every community council in the Caerphilly Basin pic.twitter.com/X1exywnOd3
— Caerphilly Plaid (@CaerphillyPlaid) September 13, 2019
Meanwhile, in the Gelligaer Community Council by-election, Labour retained its seat in Glan y Nant and Tir y Berth.
Congratulations to Cllr Jodie Postians who won her by-election 260 votes to 90 on a 30% turnout and commiserations to Adam Bird who lost out by 10 votes on a 19% turnout. Lots to reflect on but very proud of both exceptional candidates. @WayneDavid_MP pic.twitter.com/lgHMu9qjif
— Dr Hefin David AC/AM (@hef4caerphilly) September 13, 2019
Labour’s Jodie Postians saw off the challenge of Hannah Boucher, who stood for Plaid Cymru.
Cllr Postians won 220 votes, compared to Ms Boucher’s 90.
With an electorate of 1,006, the turnout was 31.3%.
Cllr Postians told Caerphilly Observer: “I really feel overwhelmed. It’s a lovely honour.
“The turnout was higher than predicted and it was great to see the younger generation turning out to vote too.
“I can’t thank the Labour Party enough for their support and I think this shows that people can see what the Labour Party is doing in the community.”