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Five candidates have been selected to compete in the upcoming Penyrheol ward by-election for Caerphilly County Borough Council on Thursday December 11.

It follows the election of Lindsay Whittle to the Senedd, where he is the new MS for the Caerphilly constituency.

Mr Whittle had represented the area for nearly 50 years prior to his election to the Welsh Parliament last month.

However, he was forced to step down from his council job due to rules banning Senedd Members from serving as councillors.

Ahead of polling day, each party was invited to set out why their chosen candidate was in the running.

Listed here in alphabetical order, here’s what the candidates had to say:

Reform UK candidate James Bevan worked as an NHS nurse during the Covid-19 pandemic before moving into customer service.

Originally from Abertridwr but now living in Caerphilly, he said he has a “rather simple” political stance focusing on “common-sense policies, straight talking, and being a voice for my peers”.

He said: “This election is about just that – electing someone who can be honest, accountable, and a voice for the people of Penyrheol ward, where every single concern is acknowledged.”

Mr Bevan said he will “campaign as someone who the people can contact day or night with concerns and feel supported by the people they elect”.

“I will be someone who will be an active champion for their community, their homes, their schools, and each and [every] single one of them individually,” he added.

Welsh Conservative candidate Brandon Gorman said he has lived in the Penyrheol ward “my whole life” and wants to “continue working for the community that has given me so much”.

He is the son of a college teacher and a healthcare support worker, and said his parents’ “dedication to public service inspires everything I do”.

The former St Cenydd pupil now works for the NHS, and said his priorities, if elected, will be to improve anaphylaxis guidance in schools, tackle “poor road conditions on Heol Aneurin, Graig-yr-Wylan, Gypsy Lane and surrounding areas”, and address “traffic and school access issues”.

Mr Gorman said he would also push for more action to combat fly-tipping and litter, and review rates for local businesses.

“Above all, I will be an accessible, accountable councillor who listens, engages and works hard for you all year-round,” he added.

Welsh Liberal Democrat candidate Mary Lloyd is a former member of the Royal Air Force.

She moved to Wales 25 years ago when she transferred to work at the BT telephone exchange in Newport, and she and her husband have lived in the area ever since.

Her election agent said Mrs Lloyd’s family heritage “spans several European countries”, and “as a mother, grand-mother and great grand-mother Mary has a deep-rooted understanding of the need for a caring society”.

“Mary is standing in the Penyrheol by-election to make sure that people can vote for liberal values,” her agent added. “Mary really cares about speaking up for marginalised communities whilst ensuring that our taxes are spent effectively on providing the public services that the people of Penyrheol rely on.”

Plaid Cymru candidate Aneurin Minton is another former St Cenydd pupil, who now runs his own tree surgeon business after previously working as a countryside ranger.

He has served on Penyrheol, Trecenydd and Energlyn Community Council since 2022, and said he is “now ready to take the next step as your county councillor, to amplify Penyrheol’s voice and ensure our local needs are met with dedication and practical action”.

Mr Minton, who grew up in Ty Isaf, said he is “asking voters for their support to make a real difference, together”.

“I know it will be a difficult act to follow the footsteps of Lindsay Whittle, whose work over almost 50 years is unrivalled, but I’m determined to work hard for the community if elected,” he added.

Welsh Labour candidate Keiran Russell is a local business leader who has “supported thousands of local people to start and grow businesses in the last ten years”.

He is “very excited to be standing in the upcoming by-election and to represent strong, inclusive and passionate community values”.

Having previously worked in the third sector supporting victims of domestic abuse, and supporting young adults into education, training or employment, Mr Russell said he was “keen to showcase my leadership skills”.

He added: “I know times are tough right now, but I’m determined to fight for the interests of local people. You need a candidate that has the skills and expertise to handle the complex challenges of local government. I can offer that.” 

Mr Russell also volunteers as a coach with his local rugby club, where his young son plays.

Reform UK was also invited to set out why its candidate, James Bevan, was running in the Penyrheol by-election, but had not responded at the time of publication.