Aberystwyth Town Council

Aberystwyth Town Council (Welsh - Cyngor Tref Aberystwyth) is the community council that governs the ancient borough, town and community of Aberystwyth. For electoral purposes, it is divided into five electoral divisions (often known as wards).

Aberystwyth Town Council
Logo
Type
Type
Leadership
Kerry Ferguson
Maldwyn Pryse
Structure
Seats19
Political groups
  Plaid Cymru (13)
  Liberal Democrats (2)
  Labour Party (2)
  Independent (2)
Elections
Last election
5 May 2022
Next election
5 May 2027
Meeting place
Siambr-y-Cyngor, 11 Baker Street, Aberystwyth, SY23 2BJ.
Website
www.aberystwyth.gov.uk

Background

The council appoints a chairman as its presiding officer who is then known as the Mayor of Aberystwyth. The Town Council is now a statutory body, but it also holds the town's Borough Charter in trust, granted by King Edward I on 28 December 1277 and confirmed by successive monarchs,[1] resulting in the members also being charter trustees. Since the Municipal Corporations Act 1835 came into force, Aberystwyth's status as a borough has been wholly ceremonial. The Local Government Act 1972 (in force from 1 April 1974) prevents the town council being known in name as a borough council as previously, although the town councillors as charter trustees can still, for example, take part in all of the ceremonial activities (wearing civic outfits), elect mayors (who can wear the chain of office) and organise markets (according to the original royal charter). The current Mayor of Aberystwyth is Kerry Ferguson; the Deputy Mayor for 2023-24 is Maldwyn Pryse.[2]

Aberystwyth council wards.

Aberystwyth town council comprises five wards - Bronglais, Central, North, Penparcau and Rheidol - electing between three and five town councillors each.

Clockwise, from the north, it borders the communities of Tirymynach, Faenor, Llanbadarn Fawr and Llanfarian.

Current composition
2023
Group affiliation Members
  Plaid Cymru
13
Liberal Democrats 2
  Labour
2
  Independent
2
  vacant seat
0
 Total
 19

Election history

Aberystwyth town council is made up of 19 councillors elected from the five wards. The most recent elections were held in 2022. Plaid Cymru have an overall majority.

2022 election

The 2022 Aberystwyth town council elections were held alongside the elections for elections for Ceredigion County council on 5 May 2022. All 14 seats from the Bronglais, Central, North and Rheidol wards were up for election. There was no election in the Penparcau ward as there were only 2 candidates for the 5 seats representing the ward. The election resulted in 12 seats for Plaid Cymru, 2 for Labour, 1 for Liberal Democrats and 3 vacant seats.

Ward Party Town councillors elected 2022[3]
Bronglais Plaid Cymru Talat Chaudhri
Plaid Cymru Lucy Huws
Plaid Cymru Mari Turner
Plaid Cymru Alun Williams
Central Plaid Cymru Owain Hughes
Plaid Cymru Emlyn Wyn Jones
Plaid Cymru Sienna Quinn Lewis
North Plaid Cymru Maldwyn Pryse
Plaid Cymru Jeff Smith
Plaid Cymru Mark Antony Strong
Penparcau Independent Steve Davies
Labour Dylan Lewis-Rowlands
Plaid Cymru Carl Worrall (co-opted)
Liberal Democrats Briony Davies (co-opted)
Independent Connor Edwards (co-opted)
Rheidol Liberal Democrats Mair Benjamin
Plaid Cymru Brian Davies
Plaid Cymru Kerry Elizabeth Ferguson
Labour Co-op Matthew Norman

2017 election

The 2017 Aberystwyth town council elections were held alongside the elections for Ceredigion County council on 4 May 2017. All 19 seats were up for election, which resulted in the election of 11 councillors for Plaid Cymru, 6 for the Welsh Liberal Democrats and 2 Welsh Labour councillors.[4] One seat became vacant in May 2017, reducing the number held by the Welsh Liberal Democrats to 5.[5] This position was filled by Brendan Somers in September 2017, bringing the total number of Plaid councillors up to 12.[6] However, Councillor Brendan Somers resigned from Plaid Cymru on 30 April 2019 and now sits as an independent.

Ward Party Town councillors elected 2017[7]
Bronglais Plaid Cymru Alun Williams
Plaid Cymru Susan Jane Jones-Davies
Plaid Cymru Endaf Edwards
Plaid Cymru Lucy Huws
Central Liberal Democrats David Lees
Liberal Democrats Emily Price (deceased 12 May 2017)
Liberal Democrats Michael Chappell
North Plaid Cymru Mark Strong
Plaid Cymru Talat Chaudhri
Plaid Cymru Sara Hammel
Penparcau Plaid Cymru Steve Davies
Plaid Cymru Dylan Lewis
Liberal Democrats Charlie Kingsbury
Labour Alex Mangold
Liberal Democrats Brenda Haines
Rheidol Liberal Democrats Mair Benjamin
Labour Claudine Young
Plaid Cymru Rhodri Francis
Plaid Cymru Mari Turner

2012 election

The 2012 Aberystwyth town council elections were held alongside the elections for Ceredigion County council on 3 May 2012. All 19 seats were up for election.[8] The 2012 elections had previously resulted in 11 councillors for Plaid Cymru, 5 for the Welsh Lib Democrats and 3 independents. Lucy Teresa Huws (Plaid Cymru) was elected for Bronglais Ward in November 2013,[9] replacing Christopher Griffiths. Brendan Somers (Plaid Cymru) joined for Central Ward in January 2014,[10] replacing Carys Morgan (resigned 2013), and Dr Talat Zafar Chaudhri (Plaid Cymru) joined for Penparcau in September 2015,[11] replacing Dylan Lewis (resigned 2015). There were subsequently 12 councillors for Plaid Cymru, 4 for the Welsh Liberal Democrats and 3 independents for the remainder of the term.

Ward Party Town councillors elected 2012
Bronglais Plaid Cymru Alun Williams
Plaid Cymru Susan Jane Jones-Davies
Plaid Cymru Endaf Edwards
Plaid Cymru Christopher Griffiths
Central Liberal Democrats Ceredig Davies
Liberal Democrats Sarah Bowen
Plaid Cymru Carys Morgan
North Plaid Cymru Mark Strong
Independent Aled Davies
Plaid Cymru Jeff Smith
Penparcau Plaid Cymru Steve Davies
Independent Dylan Lewis
Plaid Cymru Mererid Jones
Plaid Cymru Kevin Price
Liberal Democrats Brenda Haines
Rheidol Liberal Democrats Wendy Morris-Twiddy
Plaid Cymru Brian Davies
Liberal Democrats Mair Benjamin (resigned from the Liberal Democrats on 15 May 2012[12])
Independent Martin Shewring

2008-2012 by-elections
By-electionDateIncumbent partyResultCandidateReason[13]
Rheidol 18 September 2008 Liberal Democrats Liberal Democrats Martin Shewring Resignation of Elian Lorrae Jones-Southgate
Penparcau 18 September 2008 Independent Plaid Cymru Owain Jones Death of Owen Jones
Central 25 November 2010 Liberal Democrats Liberal Democrats Ceredig Davies Resignation of Trevor Shaftoe
Rheidol 4 August 2011 Liberal Democrats Liberal Democrats Wendy Morris-Twiddy Resignation of Martin Shewring

2008 election

In the 2008 elections, 9 seats were won by Plaid Cymru, 6 by the Welsh Liberal Democrats, 2 by independents, 1 by Welsh Labour and 1 by the Green Party.[14]

Ward Party Town councillors elected 2008
Bronglais Plaid Cymru Alun Williams
Plaid Cymru Susan Jane Jones-Davies
Plaid Cymru Aled Davies
Plaid Cymru Ann-Marie Hinde
Central Liberal Democrats Alec Dauncey
Plaid Cymru Lyn Lewis Dafis
Liberal Democrats Trevor Graham Shaftoe
North Green Christopher Guy Borrill Simpson
Plaid Cymru Mark Strong
Plaid Cymru Dafydd Wyn Thomas
Penparcau Plaid Cymru Rob Gorman
Independent Goronwy Edwards
Plaid Cymru Steve Davies
Independent Owen Jones
Labour Richard Boudier
Rheidol Liberal Democrats Elian Lorrae Jones-Southgate
Liberal Democrats Sam Hearne
Liberal Democrats Mair Benjamin
Liberal Democrats Ceri Meehan

Mayoral history
YearName[15]PartyNotes
2022-23 Talat Chaudhri Plaid Cymru
2021-22 Alun Williams Plaid Cymru
2020-21 Charlie Kingsbury Liberal Democrats
2019-20 Mari Rhian Turner Plaid Cymru
2018-19 Talat Zafar Chaudhri Plaid Cymru First Pakistani Punjabi and ethnic minority mayor of Aberystwyth.
2017-18 Steve Davies Plaid Cymru Elected as Plaid Cymru mayoral candidate and mayor-elect.
2016-17 Brendan Somers Plaid Cymru Lost seat at election held on 4 May 2017
2015-16 Endaf Edwards Plaid Cymru
2014-15 Brenda Haines Liberal Democrats
2013-14 Wendy Morris-Twiddy Liberal Democrats
2012-13 Dylan Wilson-Lewis Labour
2011-12 Richard Boudier Labour General election candidate for Ceredigion UK parliamentary constituency
2010-11 Samantha Hearne Liberal Democrats
2009-10 Trevor Shaftoe Liberal Democrats
2008-09 Susan Jones-Davies Plaid Cymru
2007-08 Lorrae Jones-Southgate Liberal Democrats Resigned June 2008.[16]
2006-07 Michael Jones Plaid Cymru
2005-06 Aled Davies Plaid Cymru
2004-05 John T. James Plaid Cymru Independent from March 2005.
2003-04 John T. James Plaid Cymru
2002-03 Carol Kolczak Liberal Democrats
2000-01 Jaci Taylor Plaid Cymru
1999-00 Siôn Jobbins Plaid Cymru
1998-99 Graham T. Parry Liberal Democrats
1997-98 Elin Jones Plaid Cymru
1996-97 Carol Kolczak Liberal Democrats
1995-96 Hywel Jones Independent Removed from office February 1996.
1994-95 Bob Griffin Liberal Democrats Husband of Rose Simpson.

References
  1. Jones, Howard C. "History of the Borough". Aberystwyth Town Council. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  2. "Mayor of Aberystwyth". Aberystwyth Town Council. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  3. "Town and Community Council Elections 2022". Ceredigion County Council. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  4. Betteley, Chris. "Outgoing mayor of Aberystwyth loses council seat". Cambrian News. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  5. Betteley, Chris. "Shock death of new Aberystwyth town councillor, 22". Cambrian News. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  6. "Aberystwyth Council Minutes". Aberystwyth Town Council. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  7. "Town and Community Council Elections 2017". Ceredigion County Council. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  8. "Town & Community Councils Elections 2012 - RESULTS". Ceredigion County Council. Archived from the original on 30 August 2012. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  9. Williams, Alun. "By-election to Aberystwyth Town Council". Alun Williams' Blog. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  10. "Aberystwyth Council Minutes". Aberystwyth Town Council. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  11. "Aberystwyth Council Minutes". Aberystwyth Town Council. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  12. Cambrian News (Aberystwyth) published Wednesday 16/05/2012
  13. Williams, Alun. "Plaid Win Another-By-election". Alun Williams' Blog. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  14. Ceredigion County Council Archived June 9, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Community Council Election Results 2008.
  15. "Town Council". Press Cuttings. Ceredigion County Council. Archived from the original on 4 September 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  16. "Aber mayor quits over by-election". BBC News. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
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