Caerphilly County Borough Council
Type
Type
HousesUnicameral
Term limits
None
History
Founded1 April 1996
Preceded byIslwyn Borough Council
Rhymney Valley District Council
Mid Glamorgan County Council
Gwent County Council
Leadership
Mike Adams,
Labour
since 11 May 2023[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
First election
4 May 1995
Last election
5 May 2022
Next election
6 May 2027
Meeting place
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.

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
Labour1996–1999
Plaid Cymru1999–2004
Labour2004–2008
No overall control2008–2012
Labour2012–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 Labour1 Apr 199620 May 1999
Lindsay Whittle Plaid Cymru20 May 199924 Jun 2004
Harry Andrews Labour24 Jun 200415 May 2008
Lindsay Whittle Plaid Cymru15 May 200824 May 2011
Allan Pritchard[5] Plaid Cymru24 May 201124 May 2012
Harry Andrews Labour24 May 20128 May 2014
Keith Reynolds[6] Labour8 May 201410 Apr 2017
David Poole[7][8] Labour18 May 201720 Sep 2019
Philippa Marsden Labour19 Nov 20198 May 2022
Sean Morgan[9] Labour19 May 2022

Composition

Following the 2022 election the composition of the council was:

Party Councillors
Labour45
Plaid Cymru18
Independent6
Total 69

The next election is due in 2027.

Elections

Year Seats Labour Plaid Cymru Independent Liberal Democrats Notes
199567[10]55930Labour majority controlled
199973283861Plaid Cymru majority controlled
200473412660Labour majority controlled
200873323290No overall control; Plaid Cymru-led administration.
201273502030Labour 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] Communities Community ward Councillors
Aber Valley Aber Valley Abertridwr, Senghenydd 3
Aberbargoed and Bargoed Bargoed Aberbargoed, Bargoed 3
Aber-carn Aber-carn Aber-carn 2
Argoed Argoed Argoed, Hollybush, Markham 1
Bedwas and Trethomas Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen Bedwas, Trethomas 3
Blackwood Blackwood Blackwood Central, Blackwood North, Blackwood South, Cefn Fforest East 3
Cefn Fforest and Pengam Cefn Fforest, Pengam Cefn Fforest, Pengam 3
Crumlin Crumlin Crumlin 2
Darran Valley Darran Valley Deri, Fochriw 1
Gilfach Bargoed Gilfach 1
Hengoed Gelligaer Cefn Hengoed, Hengoed 2
Llanbradach Llanbradach and Pwllypant Llanbradach, Pwllypant, Wingfield 2
Machen and Rudry Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen, Rudry Llanfedw, Machen, Rhydygwern, Rudry 2
Maesycwmmer Maesycwmmer Maesycwmmer 1
Morgan Jones Caerphilly Bryncenydd, Parcyfelin, Tonyfelin 3
Moriah and Pontlottyn Rhymney Abertysswg, Moriah, Pontlottyn, St David's 2
Nelson Nelson Llanfabon, Llwyncelyn 2
New Tredegar New Tredegar Brithdir, Cwmsyfiog, New Tredegar, Phillipstown, Tir-phil 2
Newbridge Newbridge Newbridge 3
Penmaen Penmaen Penmaen 2
Penyrheol Penyrheol, Trecenydd and Energlyn Energlyn, Penyrheol, Trecenydd 4
Pontllanfraith Pontllanfraith Pontllanfraith, Springfield 3
Risca East Risca East Pontymister and Ty-Sign, Pontymister Upper, Trenewydd 3
Risca West Risca West Pontymister Lower, Risca Danygraig, Risca Fernlea and Town, Ty-Isaf Fields Road 2
St Cattwg Gelligaer Cascade, Greenhill, Tir-y-berth 3
St Martins Caerphilly Castle, Cwrt Rawlins, Twyn, Watford 3
Twyn Carno Rhymney Twyn Carno 1
Van Van Brynau, Lansbury, Porset 2
Ystrad Mynach Gelligaer Ystrad Mynach 3

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 '*':

Ward Communities (Parishes) Other geographic areas
Aberbargoed Bargoed Town* (Aberbargoed ward) Bedwellty
Abercarn Abercarn Chapel 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 Crosskeys Pontywaun
Crumlin Crumlin Bont 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 Newbridge Cwmdows, Pant, Pentwynmawr
New Tredegar New Tredegar* Brithdir, Phillipstown, Tirphil, Elliotstown, Cwmsyfiog
Pengam Pengam Britannia, Fleur de Lis, Gellihaf
Penmain Penmain (Penmaen) Oakdale, Pen-y-fan, Woodfieldside
Penyrheol Penyrheol, Trecenydd and Energlyn* Trecenydd, Hendredenny, Energlyn, Groeswen
Pontllanfraith Pontllanfraith Bryn, 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 Ynysddu Brynawel, 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]

References

  1. ↑ "Council minutes, 11 May 2023" (PDF). Caerphilly County Borough Council. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  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
  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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