Community Council by-elections in Caerphilly County Borough

polling station sign — Community council by-elections are taking place alongside the Senedd Election and Police and Crime Commissioner Election

As voters across Wales hit the polls this week, they’ll be faced with three ballot papers.

The first will be to elect their constituency Senedd Member, while the second will be to choose which party they would like to represent them in the regional seats.

The third will be to elect their Police and Crime Commissioner.

But some voters will be faced with a fourth ballot paper. This will be to elect a community councillor.

There are five community council by-elections taking place on Thursday, May 6, alongside the Senedd Election and Police and Crime Commissioner Election.

But which seats are up for grabs and who is standing for election?

Blackwood North (Blackwood Town Council)

Cathrine Clark (Welsh Conservatives)

George Edwards (Independent)

Jane Lancastle (Plaid Cymru)

Current makeup of town council: Plaid Cymru 7; Independent 6; Labour 2

Lansbury (Van Community Council)

Anne Broughton-Pettit (Welsh Labour)

Monica Hughes (Plaid Cymru)

Current makeup of community council: Labour 6; Plaid Cymru 1; Independent 1

Llanbradach Central (Llanbradach Community Council)

Rhydian Birkinshaw-Bird (Welsh Labour)

Norma Cabble (Plaid Cymru)

Current makeup of community council: Plaid Cymru 8; Labour 0; Independent 0

Machen (Bedwas, Trethomas, Machen Community Council)

Steve Aicheler (Liberal Democrats)

Benjamin Clark (Plaid Cymru)

Gareth Pratt (Welsh Labour)

Current makeup of community council: Labour 9; Plaid Cymru 1; Independent 0

Trethomas (Bedwas, Trethomas, Machen Community Council)

Nigel Bull (Welsh Labour)

Marc Hubbard (Plaid Cymru)

Current makeup of community council: Labour 9; Plaid Cymru 1; Independent 0

Ystrad Mynach (Gelligaer Community Council)

Mandy McCarthy (Plaid Cymru)*

_{*Elected uncontested}

Current makeup of community council: Plaid Cymru 7**; Labour 6

_{**Includes Cllr Mandy McCarthy}

Senedd Election 2021 explained

What is a community council?

Community Councils and Town Councils are one level below the County Borough Council.

Caerphilly County Borough is divided into 18 community or town councils.

List of town and community councils in Caerphilly County Borough

Community and town councillors are elected by voters in the area they represent, and don’t take home a salary.

These councils are given a pot of money, generated through the council tax precept, to support projects in their local area, such as Christmas lights, flower displays and charitable causes, for example.

Community councils and town councils, while having different names, serve the same purpose.

They were formed under the Local Government Act 1972, replacing old parish councils.

Caerphilly Media