Caerphilly County Borough Council

Last updated

Caerphilly County Borough Council
Caerphilly County Borough Council.svg
History
Founded1 April 1996
Preceded by Islwyn Borough Council
Rhymney Valley District Council
Mid Glamorgan County Council
Gwent County Council
Leadership
Julian Simmonds,
Labour
since 9 May 2024 [1]
Sean Morgan,
Labour
since 19 May 2022 [2]
Christina Harrhy
since 11 January 2018
Structure
Seats69 councillors
Political groups
Administration
  Labour (45)
Other parties (24)
  Plaid Cymru (18)
  Independent (6)
Length of term
5 years
Elections
First past the post
Last election
 5 May 2022
Next election
6 May 2027
Meeting place
Penallta House, Tredomen Park, Ystrad Mynach (geograph 4143366).jpg
Penallta House, Tredomen Park, Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed, CF82 7PG
Website
www.caerphilly.gov.uk

Caerphilly County Borough Council (Welsh : Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Caerffili) is the governing body for Caerphilly County Borough, one of the principal areas of Wales. The last full council elections took place 5 May 2022.

Contents

Political control

The first election to the new council was held in 1995, initially operating as a shadow authority before coming into its powers on 1 April 1996. Political control of the council since 1996 has been held by the following parties: [3]

Party in controlYears
Labour 1996–1999
Plaid Cymru 1999–2004
Labour 2004–2008
No overall control 2008–2012
Labour 2012–present

Leadership

The first leader of the council, Graham Court, was the last leader of the old Rhymney Valley District Council. The leaders of Caerphilly since 1996 have been: [4]

CouncillorPartyFromTo
Graham Court Labour 1 Apr 199620 May 1999
Lindsay Whittle Plaid Cymru 20 May 199924 Jun 2004
Harry Andrews Labour 24 Jun 200415 May 2008
Lindsay Whittle Plaid Cymru 15 May 200824 May 2011
Allan Pritchard [5] Plaid Cymru 24 May 201124 May 2012
Harry Andrews Labour 24 May 20128 May 2014
Keith Reynolds [6] Labour 8 May 201410 Apr 2017
David Poole [7] [8] Labour 18 May 201720 Sep 2019
Philippa Marsden Labour 19 Nov 20198 May 2022
Sean Morgan [9] Labour 19 May 2022

Composition

Following the 2022 election the composition of the council was:

PartyCouncillors
Labour 45
Plaid Cymru 18
Independent 6
Total69

The next election is due in 2027.

Elections

YearSeats Labour Plaid Cymru Independent Liberal Democrats Notes
1995 67 [10] 55930Labour majority controlled
1999 73283861Plaid Cymru majority controlled
2004 73412660Labour majority controlled
2008 73323290No overall control; Plaid Cymru-led administration.
2012 73502030Labour majority controlled
2017 [11] 73501850Labour majority controlled
2022 [12] 69451860Labour majority controlled

Party with the most elected councillors in bold. Coalition agreements in notes column

Premises

The council inherited two main offices from its predecessor authorities: Ystrad Fawr House at Ystrad Mynach from Rhymney Valley District Council, and Pontllanfraith House in Pontllanfraith from Islwyn Borough Council. Ystrad Fawr House was demolished in 2008 to make way for the Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr hospital. A new headquarters was built at Penallta House in the Tredomen area of Ystrad Mynach (in the community of Gelligaer), opening in April 2008. [13] The other office at Pontllanfraith House subsequently closed in 2015 and has since been demolished. [14] [15]

Electoral divisions

The county borough is divided into 30 electoral wards returning 69 councillors. Many of these wards are coterminous with communities (parishes) of the same name. The following table lists council wards, communities and community ward areas.

Ward [16] CommunitiesCommunity wardCouncillors
Aber ValleyAber ValleyAbertridwr, Senghenydd3
Aberbargoed and BargoedBargoedAberbargoed, Bargoed3
Aber-carnAber-carnAber-carn2
ArgoedArgoedArgoed, Hollybush, Markham1
Bedwas and TrethomasBedwas, Trethomas and MachenBedwas, Trethomas3
BlackwoodBlackwoodBlackwood Central, Blackwood North, Blackwood South, Cefn Fforest East3
Cefn Fforest and PengamCefn Fforest, PengamCefn Fforest, Pengam3
CrumlinCrumlinCrumlin2
Darran ValleyDarran ValleyDeri, Fochriw1
GilfachBargoedGilfach1
HengoedGelligaerCefn Hengoed, Hengoed2
LlanbradachLlanbradach and PwllypantLlanbradach, Pwllypant, Wingfield2
Machen and RudryBedwas, Trethomas and Machen, RudryLlanfedw, Machen, Rhydygwern, Rudry2
MaesycwmmerMaesycwmmerMaesycwmmer1
Morgan JonesCaerphillyBryncenydd, Parcyfelin, Tonyfelin3
Moriah and PontlottynRhymneyAbertysswg, Moriah, Pontlottyn, St David's2
NelsonNelsonLlanfabon, Llwyncelyn2
New TredegarNew TredegarBrithdir, Cwmsyfiog, New Tredegar, Phillipstown, Tir-phil2
NewbridgeNewbridgeNewbridge3
PenmaenPenmaenPenmaen2
PenyrheolPenyrheol, Trecenydd and EnerglynEnerglyn, Penyrheol, Trecenydd4
PontllanfraithPontllanfraithPontllanfraith, Springfield3
Risca EastRisca EastPontymister and Ty-Sign, Pontymister Upper, Trenewydd3
Risca WestRisca WestPontymister Lower, Risca Danygraig, Risca Fernlea and Town, Ty-Isaf Fields Road2
St CattwgGelligaerCascade, Greenhill, Tir-y-berth3
St MartinsCaerphillyCastle, Cwrt Rawlins, Twyn, Watford3
Twyn CarnoRhymneyTwyn Carno1
VanVanBrynau, Lansbury, Porset2
Ystrad MynachGelligaerYstrad Mynach3

Former wards

Until 2022, the county borough was divided into 33 electoral wards returning 73 councillors. Communities with a community council are indicated with a '*':

WardCommunities (Parishes)Other geographic areas
Aberbargoed Bargoed Town* (Aberbargoed ward)Bedwellty
Abercarn AbercarnChapel of Ease, Cwmcarn, Llanfach, West End
Aber Valley Aber Valley* Senghenydd, Abertridwr
Argoed Argoed*Cwm Corrwg, Hollybush, Manmoel, Markham
Bargoed Bargoed Town* (Bargoed and Park wards)Gilfach Estate
Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen*Bedwas, Trethomas, Machen, Graig-y-Rhacca
Blackwood Blackwood Town*Britannia, Cwm Gelli, Highfields
Cefn Fforest Cefn Fforest
Crosskeys CrosskeysPontywaun
Crumlin CrumlinBont Pren, Croespenmaen, Hafodyrnynys, Kendon, Treowen, Trinant
Darran Valley Darran Valley* Deri, Groesfaen, Pentwyn, Fochriw
Gilfach Bargoed Town* (Gilfach ward)
Hengoed Gelligaer* (Cefn Hengoed and Hengoed wards)
Llanbradach Llanbradach & Pwllypant*
Maesycwmmer Maesycwmmer*
Morgan Jones Caerphilly Town* (Bryncenydd, Parcyfelin and Tonyfelin wards)Bryncenydd, Churchill Park, Pontypandy
Moriah Rhymney* (Abertysswg, Moriah and St.David's wards)Abertysswg, Tan-y-bryn
Nelson Nelson*
Newbridge NewbridgeCwmdows, Pant, Pentwynmawr
New Tredegar New Tredegar*Brithdir, Phillipstown, Tirphil, Elliotstown, Cwmsyfiog
Pengam PengamBritannia, Fleur de Lis, Gellihaf
Penmain Penmain (Penmaen)Oakdale, Pen-y-fan, Woodfieldside
Penyrheol Penyrheol, Trecenydd and Energlyn*Trecenydd, Hendredenny, Energlyn, Groeswen
Pontllanfraith PontllanfraithBryn, Gelligroes, Springfield, Penllwyn
Pontlottyn Rhymney* (Pontlottyn ward)
Risca East That part of the Community of Risca bounded by a line commencing at the point on the boundary of the former borough of Islwyn at Grid Reference ST 24879259, thence southwards along a track to Grid Reference ST 24799214, thence southwestwards along a cart track to Grid Reference ST 24679204, thence southwestwards along field boundaries to the stream at Grid Reference ST 24459185, thence along that stream southwestwards to the place where it enters the Monmouthshire Canal. [17] Ty Sign
Risca West The area of Risca not contained in Risca East
St. Cattwg Gelligaer*Cascade, Cefn Hengoed, Glan-y-nant, Penpedairheol, Tir-y-berth
St. James Rudry*, Van*Lansbury Park, Mornington Meadows, Waterloo, Llwyn Gwyn
St. Martins Caerphilly Town* (Castle, Twyn and Watford wards)Watford, Bonfield Park, Castle View
Twyn Carno Rhymney* (Twyn Carno ward)Llechryd, Princetown
Ynysddu YnysdduBrynawel, Wattsville, Wyllie, Cwmfelinfach, Mynyddislyn
Ystrad Mynach Gelligaer* (Ystrad Mynach ward)Tredomen, Penallta

Allegations of misconduct

In 2015 Anthony O'Sullivan, the chief executive and two other executives were charged with misconduct during public office. It was alleged that they specifically 'wilfully misconducted themselves in relation to securing Caerphilly County Borough Council's approval of a remuneration package for the said council's chief officers from which they stood to gain for themselves'. [18] [19] [20]

Relating to this and other failings the Welsh Assembly commissioned a special report on the council in January 2014 [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caerphilly</span> Town in South Wales

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Islwyn</span> Former district of Gwent, Wales

The Borough of Islwyn was one of five local government districts of Gwent from 1974 to 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caerphilly County Borough</span> County borough in Wales

Caerphilly County Borough is a county borough in the south-east of Wales. It is governed by Caerphilly County Borough Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ystrad Mynach</span> Human settlement in Wales

Ystrad Mynach is a town in the Caerphilly County Borough, within the ancient county of Glamorgan, Wales, and is 5 miles (8.0 km) north of the town of Caerphilly. The urban area has a population of 19,204, and stands in the Rhymney Valley. Before the Industrial Revolution and the coming of coal mining in the South Wales Coalfield the valley was rural and farmed. It lies in the community of Gelligaer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caerphilly (UK Parliament constituency)</span> Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1918 onwards

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Hengoed is a village on the west side of the Rhymney Valley - between Ystrad Mynach to the south and Cefn Hengoed to the north. Across the valley it looks towards Maesycwmmer. The village is in the county borough of Caerphilly, in the traditional county of Glamorgan, Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ystrad</span> Human settlement in Wales

Ystrad is a village and community in the Rhondda Fawr valley, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pontllanfraith</span> Human settlement in Wales

Pontllanfraith is a large village and community located in the Sirhowy Valley in Caerphilly County Borough, Wales, within the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire. It is situated adjacent to the town of Blackwood, with the Sirhowy River passing through both locations. The village includes the communities of the Penllwyn, Springfield and The Bryn. The population of the community at the 2011 census was 8,552.

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The College Ystrad Mynach is a former college of further education based in Ystrad Mynach in Caerphilly county borough, Wales. It had over 13,000 students ranging from school leavers to adult mature students. It taught mainly vocational courses from entry level to Degree.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gelligaer</span> Community in Wales

Gelligaer is a community in the County Borough of Caerphilly, Wales, in the Rhymney River valley. As well as the village of Gelligaer, the community also includes the small towns of Hengoed and Ystrad Mynach. The population of the community at the 2011 census was 18,408.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aberbargoed Hospital</span> Hospital in Wales

Aberbargoed Hospital was a community hospital in Aberbargoed, Caerphilly County Borough, Wales. It was managed by the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ystrad Mynach Hospital</span> Hospital in Wales

Ystrad Mynach Hospital was a community hospital in Ystrad Mynach, Wales. It was managed by Aneurin Bevan Local Health Board.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr</span> Hospital in Wales

Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr is a community hospital at Ystrad Mynach in Caerphilly County Borough in Wales. It is managed by Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence</span> Welsh sports facility

The CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence was opened in May 2014. The CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly, Wales, is a sports facility located in and run by Caerphilly County Borough Council, South Wales. The Centre's facilities include a FIFA 2 star 3G Football Pitch, an IRB 22 ratified 3G Rugby Pitch, 2 conference rooms, a strength and conditioning room, medical & first aid rooms, a community room, 2 grandstands; 1 on each pitch and 2 balconies overlooking both pitches for performance analysis purposes.

The 2022 Caerphilly County Borough Council election was held on 4 May 2022. It was part of a broader round of local elections held on the same day across Great Britain included to every local authority in Wales. The election saw the Labour Party maintain their majority in the council with little change between the parties in overall seat numbers.

References

  1. ↑ Thomas, Nicholas (10 May 2024). "'Honour and privilege' for new mayor to serve county borough". Caerphilly Observer. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  2. ↑ "Council minutes, 19 May 2022" (PDF). Caerphilly County Borough Council. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  3. ↑ "Compositions calculator". The Elections Centre. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  4. ↑ "Council minutes". Caerphilly County Borough Council. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  5. ↑ Gurner, Richard (24 May 2011). "New leader of Caerphilly Borough Council elected". Caerphilly Observer. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  6. ↑ "Tributes paid following death of Caerphilly council leader Keith Reynolds". South Wales Argus. 10 April 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  7. ↑ Gupwell, Katie-Ann (19 May 2017). "This is who has been named the new leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council". Wales Online. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  8. ↑ Hayward, Will (20 September 2019). "Caerphilly council leader resigns as investigation launched". Wales Online. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  9. ↑ James, Rhiannon (20 May 2022). "Caerphilly councillors appoint new leader". Nation Cymru. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  10. ↑ "Caerphilly County Borough Council Election Result 1995-2012" (PDF). The Elections Centre. Plymouth University.
  11. ↑ "Council Election 2017: Labour keep hold of power in Caerphilly County Borough". 5 May 2017.
  12. ↑ "Caerphilly result - Local Elections 2022". BBC News. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  13. ↑ "£28m for a leaky building". Wales Online. 24 July 2008. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  14. ↑ "Pontllanfraith House Site Development Brief". Caerphilly County Borough Council. 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  15. ↑ "Caerphilly Council's Pontllanfraith House closure takes a step closer". Caerphilly Observer. 23 January 2015. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  16. ↑ Final report ldbc.gov.wales [ dead link ]
  17. ↑ "NAMES AND AREAS OF AND NUMBERS OF COUNCILLORS FOR NEW ELECTORAL DIVISIONS". legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  18. ↑ Claire Hayhurst (5 January 2015). "Caerphilly council chief executive Anthony O'Sullivan appears in court charged with misconduct over pay rise". Wales Online.
  19. ↑ "Caerphilly council pay-row probe to take six months - and cost up to £28,000". South Wales Argus.
  20. ↑ "Council fatcat broke the law by giving himself a £26,000 pay rise". Daily Mirror . 6 March 2013.
  21. ↑ "Caerphilly County Borough Council Special Inspection Report 2013" (PDF). Audit Wales.
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