Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council (Welsh: Cyngor bwrdeistref Sirol Blaenau Gwent) is the governing body for Blaenau Gwent, one of the Principal Areas of Wales.
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council Cyngor Bwrdeisdref Sirol Blaenau Gwent | |
|---|---|
 | |
| History | |
| Founded | 1 April 1996 |
| Leadership | |
Chair of the Council | |
Leader of the Council | |
Deputy Leader | Cllr Garth Collier, Independent |
Leader of the Opposition | Cllr Stephen Thomas, Labour |
Chief executive | Michelle Morris since 11 August 2017 |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 42 councillors |
Political groups |
|
Length of term | 4 years |
| Elections | |
First election | 4 May 1995 |
Last election | 4 May 2017 |
Next election | 5 May 2022 |
| Website | |
| www | |
Background
Prior to May 2017 the Labour Party had firm control of Blaenau Gwent council, with 30 seats. However, at the May 2017 council elections the numbers of Labour councillors was greatly reduced, with the Independents winning majority control. The Conservatives and Green Party failed to win any seats.[1]
Current composition
| Group affiliation | Members | |
|---|---|---|
| Independent | 28 | |
| Labour | 13 | |
| Plaid Cymru | 1 | |
| Majority (IND) | +15 | |
| Total | 42 | |
Historic results
Summary of the council composition after council elections, click on the year for full details of each election.[2][3]
| Year | Conservative | Independent | Labour | Liberal Democrats | Plaid Cymru | |||||
| 1995 | 1 | 6* | 33 | 1 | 1 | |||||
| 1999 | 0 | 7* | 34 | 1 | 0 | |||||
| 2004 | 0 | 7 | 32 | 3 | 0 | |||||
| 2008 | 0 | 23* | 17 | 2 | 0 | |||||
| 2012 | 0 | 9 | 33 | 0 | 0 | |||||
| 2017 | 0 | 28 | 13 | 0 | 1 | |||||
- In 1995, two Ratepayers' Association candidates and one Independent Labour candidate was elected.
- In 1999, four Ratepayers' Association candidates and one Independent Labour candidate was elected.
- In 2008, five candidates were elected to represent Blaenau Gwent People's Voice.
Electoral wards
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The county borough is divided into 16 electoral wards returning 42 councillors. The following table lists council wards, communities and associated geographical areas. Communities with a community council are indicated with an asterisk (*).
| Ward | Communities | Other geographic areas |
|---|---|---|
| Abertillery
(3 Seats - 1 No Party, 2 Labour) |
Abertillery & Llanhilleth Town* (Abertillery ward) | Rhiw Park, Aberillery Park |
| Badminton
(2 seats) |
That part of the Community of Beaufort specified in relation to the existing district ward of Badminton in column 2 of the Schedule to the Blaenau Gwent (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1986 | Newchurch, Glyncoed |
| Beaufort
(2 seats) |
That part of the Community of Beaufort specified in relation to the existing district ward of Badminton in column 2 of the Schedule to the Blaenau Gwent (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1986 | Garn Lydan, Carmeltown, |
| Blaina
(3 seats) |
Nantyglo & Blaina Town* (Blaina ward) | Cwm Celyn, Bournville |
| Brynmawr
(3 seats) |
Brynmawr Town* | |
| Cwm
(2 seats) |
Cwm | Waunllwyd |
| Cwmtillery
(3 seats) |
Abertillery & Llanhilleth Town* (Cwmtillery ward) | Rose Heyworth |
| Ebbw Vale North
(3 seats) |
That part of the Community of Ebbw Vale specified in relation to the existing district ward of Ebbw Vale North in column 2 of the Schedule to the Blaenau Gwent (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1986 | Mountain Air, Willowtown, Waun-y-pound, Newtown |
| Ebbw Vale South
(2 seats) |
That part of the Community of Ebbw Vale not contained in the Ebbw Vale North ward | Garden City, Tyllwyn, Hilltop, Briery Hill |
| Georgetown
(2 seats) |
Tredegar Town* (Georgetown ward) | Troedrhiwgwair, Peacehaven |
| Llanhilleth
(3 seats) |
Abertillery & Llanhilleth Town* (Llanhilleth ward) | Brynithel, Aberbeeg, Swffryd |
| Nantyglo
(3 seats) |
Nantyglo & Blaina Town* (Nantyglo ward) | Winchestown, Coalbrookvale, Garn Fach, Coed Cae |
| Rassau
(2 seats) |
That part of the pre-2010 community of Beaufort not contained in the Badminton and Beaufort wards | Nantycroft |
| Sirhowy
(3 seats) |
Tredegar Town* (Sirhowy ward) | Tafarnaubach, Waundeg, Trevil, Dukestown, Rhoslan |
| Six Bells
(2 seats) |
Abertillery & Llanhilleth Town* (Six Bells ward) | Warm Turn |
| Tredegar Central and West
(4 seats) |
Tredegar Town* (Central and West ward) | Bedwellty Pits, Cefn Golau, Ashvale |
Mayorality
Blaenau Gwent Council discontinued the role of mayor in 2017. The last Mayor of Blaenau Gwent was Councillor Barrie Sutton.
All the ceremonial and civic functions previously undertaken by the Mayor are now allocated to the Leadership, Executive and other members of the Council. A Chair of the Council role was also created for the chairing of meetings.[6]
Council Leadership and Executive (2020-21)
Leader / Executive Member - Corporate Services - Councillor Nigel John Daniels
Deputy Leader / Executive Member - Regeneration & Economic Development - Councillor Dai Davies
Executive Member - Education - Councillor Joanne Collins
Executive Member - Environment - Councillor Joanna Wilkins
Executive Member - Social Services - Councillor John Edward Mason
Political Party Group Officers (2012)
Leader of the Majority Group: Cllr Hedley McCarthy (Lab, Llanhilleth)
Deputy Leader of the Majority Group: Cllr Steve Thomas (Lab, Tredegar Central and West)
Majority Chief Whip: Cllr Mike Bartlett (Lab, Llanhilleth)
Secretary to the Majority Group: Cllr David White (Lab, Beaufort)
Leader of Minority Group: Cllr John Mason (Ind, Nantyglo)
Deputy Leader of the Minority Group: Cllr Garth Collier (Ins, Blaina)
Criticism of councillors' conduct
Joanne Collins, the council's executive member for education and also a governor of her son's primary school took her family on holiday during school term time, "in direct contravention of her department's own policy", reported Private Eye in April 2020. The council reportedly distributes a pamphlet titled "School Attendance - a guide for parents of children starting school" that clearly states Blaenae Gwent Council "requested headteachers do not authorise any holidays in term time". The booklet had been published by Families First, a welsh government project, in conjunction with the council. Collins' action reportedly caused resentment among local families who had been refused permission to take a holiday during term time to save on cost. In response, council leader, Nigel Daniels, issued a statement to the South Wales Argus newspaper stating the "holiday in question was authorised ... and fully complied with the policy".[7]
References
- "Local Elections: Independents take control of Blaenau Gwent from Labour". South Wales Argus. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
- "Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council Election Results 1995-2012" (PDF). Elections Centre Plymouth University. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
- "Wales local elections 2017". BBC News. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
- "Councillors - General Information". Archived from the original on 3 May 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- "Blaenau Gwent CBC: Councillor Directory". www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
- https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/no-longer-mayor-blaenau-gwent-13100056
- Private Eye, Issue 1519, p.18