In this first of three ward-by-ward previews, I focus on the Ogmore, Garw and Llynfi Valleys as well as the Sarn/Aberkenfig/Bryncethin area (in council-speak called “The Valleys Gateway”).
There’s a widget you can use below (also on the home page) from the Democracy Club if you’re unsure which ward you’re in – particularly following boundary changes. Just put in your postcode and it’ll give you a list of candidates.
Which county councillors are standing down this year?
- Sorrel Dendy (Ind, Blaengarw) – will still be running for Garw Community Council.
- Keith Edwards (Ind, Maesteg East) – has already been returned to Maesteg Town Council.
- Gareth Howells (Lab, Caerau)
- Mary Hughes (Ind, Nantymoel)
- Altaf Hussain (Con, Penyfai) – elected as MS for South Wales West in 2021.
- David Lewis (Lab, Sarn)
- Janice Lewis (Lab, Bryncoch)
- James Radcliffe (Plaid, Aberkenfig)
- Rod Shaw (Ind, Pontycymer)
- Roz Stirman (Ind, Llangeinor)
Sitting councillors seeking re-election are in italics. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by party and then surname.
Blackmill (elects 1 councillor)
- Electoral History: 1 Labour (1995, 1999, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2017).
Candidates
- Conservative: Vanessa Latchem-Smith.
- Independent: Andrew McKay.
- Labour: Hywel Williams.
Blackmill – which also includes the “exclave” of Evanstown near Gilfach Goch as well as Lewistown – is a rock-solid Labour seat currently held by Bridgend Council’s Deputy Leader, Hywel Williams.
The main opposition is likely to come from the Independent, Andy McKay – who got to within 100 votes of winning in 2017 – but barring something dramatic, odds are that Hywel Williams will be re-elected.
Garw Valley (elects 3 councillors)
- Electoral History: New ward.
Candidates
- Conservative: William Esmond, Ben Lewis, Angela Voisey.
- Independent: Jon Coles.
- Labour: Heather Griffiths, Martyn Jones, Maxine Lewis.
Another new multi-member “super ward” made up of the former Bettws, Blaengarw, Pontycymer and Llangeinor wards. In 2017, the four wards elected two Labour and two Independents, with Labour’s Rod Shaw subsequently leaving the Labour group and opting not to stand again despite being one of the stronger performers of the 2017 intake.
While the Garw Valley is the more well-off of the three Bridgend valleys, you wouldn’t expect the Tories to do anything there.
The fact only a single Independent is standing may result in Jon Coles receiving a large proportion of the “anti-Labour” vote and that could take him over the line. However, Labour ought to be confident that they’ll win at least two of the seats (you would expect Martyn Jones to be one of them), if not all three if the vote against Labour is split between the Conservatives and Independents.
Llangynwyd (elects 1 councillor)
- Electoral History: 1 Independent (1999, 2004); 1 Plaid Cymru (2008, 2012, 2017).
Candidates
- Greens: Paul John.
- Labour: Henry Davies.
- Plaid Cymru: Malcolm James.
The seat includes the villages of Llangynwyd, Pont Rhyd-y-Cyff and Cwmfelin to the immediate south of Maesteg.
The local community council was embroiled in a mismanagement scandal during the last term, which didn’t reflect well on either Labour or Plaid Cymru and has now resulted in it being rendered inquorate due to a lack of candidates.
Given his seemingly local popularity and the fact he’s won three elections in a row, the favourite ought to be Malcolm James.
Maesteg East (elects 2 councillors)
- Electoral History: 2 Labour (1995, 1999); 1 Independent, 1 Labour (2004); 2 Labour (2008, 2012); 2 Independent (2017).
Candidates
- Conservative: Simon Care, Joshua Nuth.
- Independent: Tom Beedle, Phil Jenkins.
- Labour: Fadhel Abedalkarim, Martin Hughes.
- Plaid Cymru: Kirsty Rice-Duggan.
The Maesteg East ward is largely made up of Garth and the eastern half of Maesteg town centre.
The Llynfi Independents pulled off very strong result here in 2017. The question now is whether they can repeat that? Keith Edwards’s decision to stand down from the county council – when he finished top in 2017 – could be a blow given his seeming popularity locally. You would expect Tom Beedle to retain his seat at least.
Labour will be going hard to take back at least one of the seats. A win here may offset possible losses elsewhere in the county and keep them on track to remain the largest group.
Maesteg West (elects 2 councillors)
- Electoral History: 2 Labour (1995, 1999, 2004, 2008, 2012); 1 Labour, 1 Independent (2017).
Candidates
- Conservative: Mary Emment-Lewis, Robert Lewis.
- Independent: Ross Penhale-Thomas.
- Labour: Richard Collins, Rosemary Martin.
- Plaid Cymru: Ben Southgate.
Maesteg West includes the Oakland Estate, Maesteg Park and the western half of the town centre.
Ross Penhale-Thomas has been one of the strongest performers in the last term and seeing as he’s (somewhat surprisingly) the only Llynfi Independent candidate standing in the ward, he ought to be re-elected relatively comfortably.
In the absence of a second Llynfi Independent candidate, you would expect the result to be the same as in 2017 – which would be a boost to Labour. I doubt that Plaid Cymru has enough to challenge either Labour, though they did manage to get 34% of the vote in 2004 – their previous best result, but not enough to unseat anyone.
Nantymoel (elects 1 councillor)
- Electoral History: 1 Independent (1995, 1999, 2004); 1 Labour (2008); 1 Independent (2012, 2017, 2021 by-election).
Candidates
- Conservative: Shaun Jones.
- Labour: Rhys Goode.
Mary Hughes has seemingly opted to stand down a year after winning Nantymoel in a by-election, meaning there’s no Independent candidate when it could otherwise have been a close contest.
Given this isn’t exactly natural Tory territory, it looks set to be a relatively easy Labour gain.
Ogmore Vale (elects 1 councillor)
- Electoral History: 1 Labour (1995, 1999); 1 Plaid Cymru (2004); 1 Labour (2008); 1 Independent (2012); 1 Labour (2015 by-election, 2017).
Candidates
- Conservative: Jessica Martin.
- Greens: Laura Phillips.
- Independent: Della Hughes, Jeffrey Lake.
- Labour: Dhanisha Patel.
- Plaid Cymru: Christine Moore.
Two Independents are seemingly running against each other (possibly by accident). Della Hughes won Ogmore Vale in 2012 as an Independent but had to stand down a few years later, prompting a by-election which was won by the Labour incumbent – Cabinet Member, Dhanisha Patel.
The fact Della Hughes will likely have some local name recognition bodes well for her chances overall. Unfortunately, two Independents running against each other and the crowded candidate list in a single-member first-past-the-post seat will make the task of winning it more difficult.
The odds will certainly favour Dhanisha Patel, but it could be closer than people expect.
