As you probably already know by now, Labour has narrowly secured a majority on Bridgend County Borough Council in this week’s local elections.
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Putting the results to one side, the big story here isn’t who won what but the large number of vacancies. The future of Bridgend’s town and community councils is worthy of a piece in its own right, but it seems as though every party and group struggled to find people to stand.
Resultingly, three community councils have been left inquorate (Ogmore Valley, Coychurch Higher, Llangynwyd Middle). That means they don’t have enough members to hold meetings and fresh elections will need to be held at a later date. Two are borderline (Ynysawdre, St. Bride’s Minor).
Several community councils (and wards) didn’t hold an election at all because scores of members were elected unopposed (Llangynwyd Lower, Merthyr Mawr, Pencoed Town, Coychurch Lower, Pyle).
Labour seems to have had the most pronounced problem in getting people to stand. The majority of their losses – pushing them into second place – are down to a lack of candidates than actually losing elections.
Community councils are usually run on a non-partisan basis, so the political affiliation of community councillors isn’t as important as it is at BCBC level. Nonetheless, the bigger town and community councils have become more politicised over the last two terms.
Independents retained majority control over Bridgend Town Council, making a number of gains at the expense of the Conservatives – who’ve been wiped out. Independents also won every single seat in Coity Higher after Labour failed to put up any candidates.
In one of their best performances, Independents won the most seats on Laleston Community Council, with the last remaining elected Liberal Democrats in Bridgend county losing their seats.
There was more success for Independents in Maesteg Town Council, where they secured a majority – though Plaid Cymru narrowly missed out on winning a seat in the Caerau ward.
While the results are generally disappointing for Labour, they have some results to be pleased about. The main one is Brackla, where Labour retained their majority – though Independents secured a respectable 3 councillors (when they’ve previously struggled to get any elected).
Labour won the most councillors in Cornelly, taking “control” from Independents. They also retain control, or have taken majority control, of Cefn Cribwr, Garw Valley, Pencoed Town and Pyle.
There was little for the Conservatives to cheer, except for Porthcawl Town and Coychurch Lower where they gained seats compared to 2017. Porthcawl Town remains evenly balanced, with the Independents the largest single group and a few vacancies remaining.
Plaid Cymru are down on the total number of seats they won in 2017 but will be pleased to have secured representation on Pencoed Town Council and Cefn Cribwr Community Council. They may be able to get a few more in future election re-runs or co-options.
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