Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

Seven of the nine community councillors in Draethen, Waterloo and Rudry have resigned from their positions.

The spate of resignations began with Cllr Sarah Parks-Jones, the community council’s chair, stepping down.

Community council clerk, Jayne Garland, said the six other councillors resigned in support of Cllr Parks-Jones.

The exodus has plunged the community council into crisis.

Why did Cllr Parks-Jones resign?

In a Facebook post, Mrs Garland said: “Due to abuse and intimidation directed at one of our members, most of the DWR Community Council stepped down in support of our chair Sarah Parks-Jones against what has become a toxic environment orchestrated by just a few in the Draethen area.”

She continued: “The relentless persecution of our chair by a small but vocal minority, enabling the relentless bullying by two individuals – one of which has been found guilty of an affray, is subject to a restraining order and most recently convicted of a criminal offence of assault by beating at Cwmbran Magistrates Court of the partner of our chair – has resulted in all but two councillors stepping way from elected office. 

“For her own safety and ‘to protect the council from further disruption’ our chair resigned and stepped back out of public office.

“She said she had decided some while ago that certain individuals were using her position as chair as a tool to persecute her, so by stepping back this would deny them that access.”

Mrs Garland added: “In support of Sarah Parks-Jones and the amazing work she has done in the short time she has been part of the council, everyone acknowledged the valuable contribution she has made to the area. 

“She has endured physical, verbal and mental abuse from a small section of the community, she has been subjected to relentless harassment and her partner physically assaulted resulting in convictions for the perpetrator.”

Mrs Garland, who is herself a former Plaid Cymru community councillor, highlighted abuse she had herself faced while an elected representative – and added: “This unacceptable behaviour by some in our society is becoming a barrier to those considering running for election.

“It has implications for the representation we see in UK politics, as female politicians and those from minority ethnic backgrounds receive disproportionate levels of abuse.

“Without urgent action, we risk going backwards on this issue.”

What next?

Following the spate of resignations, just two councillors – Kevin Stanworth and Lee Cecil – remain on DWR Community Council.

Labour councillor Chris Morgan, who represents the Machen and Rudry ward on Caerphilly County Borough Council, said the resignations came as a shock.

“I first found out about it on social media when I was sent posts by concerned residents,” Cllr Morgan said.

“It hasn’t been a good council operation for a while. It’s obvious things were not good there.

“It’s time to sort it out.”

Cllr Morgan, who also sits on Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen Community Council, said he and his fellow ward councillor Amanda McConnell were “willing to step in and help”.

He also said talks were ongoing over the future of the DWR Community Council.

Caerphilly Council deputy leader Jamie Pritchard said: “Thanks go to Labour councillors Morgan and McConnell for preventing the residents of Dreathen, Waterloo and Rudry from having a defunct community council.

“A period of stability for residents is now required”.