Council Election Results 2012

COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION

Aberavon:- 3 seats

Deputy Mayor Jeff Dinham loses his seat.
(1) Dinham...................................................SDP.................550
(2) Golding....................................................LAB.................751 elected
(3) Jones.......................................................LAB.................740 elected
(4) Nicholls-Jones...........................................Plaid...............185
(5) Sullivan....................................................SDP.................556
(6) Taylor......................................................SDP.................702 elected
(7) Trahar......................................................LAB.................613




Baglan:- 3 seats

1) Clement..........................................Lab.................1038 elected
2) Coslett............................................Ind....................881
3) Greenaway......................................Lab...................906 elected
4) Lewis..............................................Ind....................861
5) Morgan..........................................Con...................186
6) Richards.........................................Lab.................1190 elected
7) Tallamy..........................................Ind....................862






Briton Ferry East:- 1 seat

UNCONTESTED




Briton Ferry West:- 1 seat

UNCONTESTED






Bryn and Cwmavon:- 3 seats

1) Lewis........................................................Lab...............1168 elected
2) Roblin.......................................................Ind..................631
3) Shepherd..................................................Ind..................358
4) Whitelock..................................................Lab.................987 elected
5) Williams....................................................Lab............... 1321 elected
6) Willimas....................................................Ind..................500






Coedffranc Central:- 2 Seats

1) Bebell............................................................Lab.............382 elected
2) Davies...........................................................Lab.............616 elected
3) Fellowes........................................................Plaid............125
4) Morris............................................................Plaid.............90
5) Richards.........................................................Ind.............297
6) Saunders........................................................ind.............206 




Coedffranc North:- 1 seat

Davies................................................Lib D.....................268
Harvey................................................Lab.......................451 elected 






Coedffranc West:- 1 seat

1) Bebell.................................................Lab.....................406 elected
2) Clarke.................................................Lib Dem..............317 




Cymmer:- 1 seat

UNCONTESTED






Glyncorrwg:- 1 seat

1) Milsom...............................................................Ind.......................201
2) Rawlings............................................................Lab.......................271 elected 

Gwinfi:- 1 seat

1) Jones...................................................................Ind.................153
20 Thomas...............................................................lab..................502 elected 






Margam: 1 Seat

Caroline Yvonne Jones ...............Con......................................110 
Robert Jones .............................Lab..................................... 402 Elected 
Mathew Thomas McCarthy ..........Lib. Dem................................61 
George Roy Ridgeway .................SDP ....................................129 
Scott John Sullivan .....................NPTInd.................................166




Port Talbot, 3 seats

Stephen Griffiths......................NPT Ind.................................479 
Ian Ben Jones.........................Lab....................................... 831 Elected 
Marge Jones.......................... NPT Ind ................................528 
Dennis Keog.......................... Lab........................................782 Elected 
Keith James Miller .................Cons ................................... 107
Saifur Rahaman ..................... Lab...................................... 707 Elected
Andrew James Tutton..............NPT Ind.................................592




Sandfields East:- 3 seats.

Captain Beany ...............................NPT Ind .......................669 
Collin Crowley.................................Lab.............................879 Elected 
Lella Helen James ...........................Ind 1...........................116 Elected 
Pat Jones ...................................... Lab.............................750 
Ted Latham.................................... Lab ..........................1041 Elected 
Len Willis .......................................Ind ............................622






Sandfields West:- 3 seats.

Audrey Chaves ..........................Lab ............................. 1173 Elected 
Oliver Stewart Davies..................NPT Ind..........................368 
James Stephen Evans .................Lab.............................. 1088 Elected 
Olga Jones .................................Ind.................................242 
Wayne Morris.............................SDP ................................219
Suzanne Paddison .......................Lab ..............................1078 Elected
Keith Suter .................................NPT Ind..........................377
Joan Targett ...............................NPT Ind..........................363

Tory comments on Remploy reinforce Plaid’s devolution calls

Time for Labour to stop the rhetoric and take action

Plaid Cymru has reiterated its call for the Welsh Government to take real action to protect the interests of Welsh Remploy workers by bringing it under Welsh control following callous comments made by the Tory Pensions Secretary. Comments by Iain Duncan Smith which suggest that Remploy factories do not offer ‘proper jobs’ have revealed once again that the UK Government fails to understand the importance of continued support for disabled and vulnerable workers.

The Welsh Government has been accused of hypocrisy by Plaid Cymru after a Labour Minister declared the decision ‘wrong’ on social and economic grounds. This is despite a similar move by the former Labour Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain to close Remploy factories in 2007, where the closure of 28 factories was approved.

Plaid Cymru has now called on the Welsh Government to actively seek the devolution of the budget so that it can be protected and to avoid the closure of Welsh Remploy factories.

Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson on Equal Opportunities Lindsay Whittle said:

“Plaid Cymru has long called for the budget for Remploy to be devolved so that it can be protected, and that is what the Welsh Government should be seeking to do. Clearly the Tory Secretary for Pensions doesn’t understand the importance of Remploy. These are factories that employ thousands of disabled workers who will find it extremely difficult to find work anywhere else.

“Remploy workers are facing redundancy and all the Labour Government is doing is wagging its finger. This rhetoric has no impact on the workers who want to know that their government is actively looking to support and protect their livelihoods.

“It is high time Labour listened and took action. Thousands of workers are facing redundancy and any hope of future employment is slim. Talk is cheap; Labour now needs to act.”

Onwards and upwards

The Aberafan Constituency of Plaid Cymru had mixed fortunes in Skewen in the local Council Elections . Whilst Russell Gwilym Morris and Pauline Fellowes didn't manage to gain County Council seats , mainly due to Labour fighting an Election as if it was a General Election instead of a local campaign with local issues at the forefront . Pauline fellowes and Jennifer Davies did secure Community Council seats for Plaid Cymru in Skewen .
We wish them well in their role for the next 5 years and do Skewen proud as we sure they both will .

Pauline Fellowes Coedffranc Central Community Councillor

Jennifer Davies   Coedffranc North Community Councillor

Come the next Council Election in 5 years time , we hope to not only get more Community Councillors in Skewen but also get County aswell .

Leanne Wood: After the elections

Its been a diffucult election for Plaid. Despite holding up our vote and seats in a number of places, we've lost some long-serving, hard working community activists, some of whom have dedicated many years of service to the party, their community and their country.  I am personally sorry for each and every one of them, but also grateful for all that they have done for their communities and for the party.

Some results were very close.  On a night when there were massive swings back to Labour, especially in their traditional heartlands, where the cuts are being felt particularly acutely, Plaid Cymru took less of a hit that the other two parties as well as the independents.  The call to 'send a message to Cameron & Clegg', to turn the election into a referendum on the UK government's austerity measures was clearly attractive to people and that message was sent in a spectacular fashion.  People are fearful - the economic crisis has created great uncertainty and people voted for safety.

This election has highlighted those communities where there is deep strength to the support for Plaid Cymru. We must work now to further deepen and broaden that base of support.   And despite the difficult night, we also saw some new councillors make gains in parts of the country which aren't traditionally the strongest areas for us in places like Trebanos and Bangor town, we have new champions for Plaid, new beacons of progressive politics. 

We know from the findings of our internal review Moving Forward what we need to do to turn Plaid Cymru into a successful party capable of making inroads into new territory.  Plaid Cymru activists must now be ready to roll up their sleeves to carry out the hard work needed to re-build our internal party structures so that we are able to effectively communicate our messages to large numbers of people.  For strong communities in a strong Wales, we must have a strong Plaid Cymru.  The re-building work starts now.

A vote for Plaid Cymru - a vote for jobs

 

Plaid Cymru Leader Leanne Wood has called for people to vote for jobs on Thursday by voting Plaid Cymru.

Leanne said that Plaid Cymru councillors will act as local champions for their areas and Plaid run councils will be powerhouses for their local economies.  She said that the party is focussed on ways to raise finance and work with small businesses and social enterprises to promote schemes that can create jobs and apprenticeships.

Following these elections, Plaid Cymru plans to: 

• Create and save jobs by keeping more taxpayers’ money local. Using for example, our fantastic Remploy factories as well as other local firms to supply goods to the public sector.
• Fund apprenticeships for our young people.
• Provide practical support for small businesses and social enterprises - to help them to take on more staff as well as other measures - like help with marketing and the forming of consortia aimed helping them to apply for public contracts - action to help them grow and thrive.

Plaid Cymru Leader Leanne Wood AM said:

"When the economy is in so much difficulty, all levels of government must step up to the plate and do whatever can be done to create jobs and stimulate economic activity.  All levels of government have to take their share of responsibility for making things better.

"Plaid Cymru's focus is on what our local councils can do to help to create jobs.  Councils can play an important role - but they have to be led by people who have the determination, will and ambition to make such a plan happen.

“Plaid Cymru councillors have a proven track record of taking action to boost their local economies.  Plaid Cymru in Gwynedd launched the 'Gwynedd Loans Fund' which has protected or created more than 300 jobs in the county.  In Cardiff Plaid Cymru introduced the ‘Capital Cardiff’ public investment scheme which has helped to create more than 600 jobs in the city.  And 160 young people in Caerffili have so far benefitted from the apprenticeship scheme that Plaid Cymru introduced.  Schemes like these can be extended and expanded by Plaid Cymru run councils - our work begins next Friday.”

Labour led NPTC Neglecting Skewen

Skewen Plaid Cymru candidates for the local council Elections on May 3rd , Russell Gwilym Morris and Pauline Fellowes  feel angered that Skewen constantly gets forgotten about by the Labour led council . One example is the local park , where there seems to be no major effort to invest to make it into an attraction Skewen can be proud of .
Below are photos taken by Russell and Pauline whilst walking through the park yesterday .

As  you can see the Park is really showing its age and needs investment , something Labour don't seem in a rush to come up with .

£1bn boost to local economies

“Spend Councils’ money locally – and we’ll save jobs”

Plaid Cymru Leader Leanne Wood has outlined her party’s plans to spend more of councils’ money locally to safeguard jobs and provide a boost to local economies.

Wales’ councils spend billions of pounds worth of public money and Plaid is pledging action to ensure that more of that money remains in the local economies – which provide employment and support to town centres.

Currently around £4bn is spent by the public sector in Wales buying goods and services. Plaid Cymru has called for government action to ensure that a greater percentage of that money can be spent in Wales. Plaid’s target of 75% of the public sector spend in Wales would mean around £3bn pounds of tax-payers money staying in Wales.

Plaid Cymru Leader Leanne Wood AM said:

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities and of the wider Welsh economy. Plaid Cymru wants to see our public sector supporting small businesses by allowing them to bid for contracts to provide goods and services.

“The more public money we can lock into our communities, the more jobs will be safeguarded and created, the more businesses will flourish, and the more prosperity we’ll have as communities and as a nation.

“As part of the previous Welsh government, Plaid Cymru increased the number of public sector contracts going to Welsh companies to 50%. More work can be done to increase this figure to 75% which would lead to a £1billion boost for our economy.

“Plaid Cymru wants to see the Welsh government working together with local authorities to make this happen. Plaid Cymru councils will introduce procurement models that are accessible to smaller businesses and contracts which will include social and environmental clauses to promote the sustainable development of our economy.”

Double-dip disappointment as UK economy remains stagnant

Plaid Cymru have responded with disappointment to figures this morning which show that the UK has suffered two consecutive quarters of negative growth, blaming the double dip recession upon the direction of the UK Con-Dem government’s economic policy and the austerity cuts that they have introduced.

UK’s first quarter GDP figures, published this morning, showed a contraction of -0.2% in the economy, following last year’s fourth quarter figures of -0.3%. This means that the UK is in a ‘double-dip’ recession, as consistently warned by Plaid since the 2010 UK General Election when the Con-Dem coalition announced their economic plans.
Plaid Cymru Treasury spokesperson, Jonathan Edwards MP, said:

“These are disastrous figures and this ‘double-dip’ recession shows the abject failure of the UK Coalition’s economic policies.

“These figures show that the UK economy remains stagnant, years after the financial crisis began.

“We are now firmly looking at an economic lost decade – with most of the cuts still to come and most of the public sector job losses yet to take place.

“Worse may still come with the Eurozone in crisis and no real sign of growth in domestic demand as families continue to tighten their belts.

“Plaid have warned since the very beginning of the financial crisis that growth was vital for the economy’s well-being, but the UK Coalition’s package of austerity cuts, job losses and tax rises for ordinary people have undermined the economy and led to the double-dip recession we are now in.
“Our policy throughout the crisis has been to invest in infrastructure projects, such as hospitals, schools, rail and roads, which would have created jobs now to boost the economy and invest in better prospects for the future.

“In recent weeks we have had the Con-Dem’s giving tax breaks to their rich friends who earn more than £3,000 a week while the economy is stagnant. The Tories are out of touch.”

Plaid Cymru is the only party committed to fighting for the future of Wales

“Plaid Cymru is the only party committed to fighting for the future of Wales.”



We believe that through the collective strength and talents of our people we can achieve a prosperous, sustainable and just Wales. We will not stand back and let our communities be devastated by consecutive reckless UK governments and by the inaction of a do nothing Government in Wales .


Together we will fight for the future of jobs in Wales, through ensuring that councils: 

Pump £1billion extra into the Welsh economy by improving local procurement.
Provide grants and loans to fund business start-ups.
Provide paid apprenticeship, skills and training schemes – to support our young people.


Together, we will fight for the future of our communities, through ensuring that councils:

Campaign to save vital local services currently under threat from closure and centralisation.
Introduce schemes to allow local communities to benefit from the ownership and control of our natural resources.
Ensure that the housing needs of our communities are met by bringing empty properties back into use, investing in affordable housing and campaigning against over-development .


Together, we will fight for a future for our young people, through ensuring that councils:

Work tirelessly to ensure that all our children have the basic skills of literacy and numeracy so that they can reach their full potential.
Identify and support young carers to ensure their needs are met.
Support young families everywhere in Wales through parenting programmes which help to give children the best start in life.



Plaid Cymru Councillors are community leaders who are elected to serve the interests of the people they represent, they are proud of their towns, villages and communities. They place this duty higher than any other consideration. This is what sets Plaid Cymru Councillors and candidates apart from the others.

Plaid Cymru is ambitious for Wales. Together we can make Wales more successful, and Plaid believes that independence is key to unlocking the potential of the nation. To achieve this aim we realise that each community in Wales needs the strength and sustainability to take us forward as a nation.

We know that people are facing difficult times, whether it’s in trying to find a job, in struggling to pay the bills, or in seeking support services for vulnerable family members. Our communities are suffering due to the irresponsible actions of a small, greedy minority. Only Plaid Cymru is working hard to make Wales better
for the majority.

Plaid Cymru will always be there for the people of Wales. Our Councillors are always there for the people they represent. Whether in government or opposition our Councillors work tirelessly to represent you and your family.

We also understand that your community is infinitely more important to you than any councillor or political party which is why Plaid believes in putting people first.

Plaid Cymru-run councils have led the way in supporting local economies. We have dealt with the Westminster-imposed cuts wisely to protect the most vulnerable. We are also doing everything in our power to make sure that our communities can move beyond “managing the cuts” and thrive in the future.




We are under no illusion about the challenges we face, but just as the goal of empowering our nation to stand on its own two feet is an ambitious one, we are also ambitious for the future of our local communities. We are proud that, thanks to our role in the Welsh Government, cuts to your council services are around half the size of those that are being made to services in England.

As a party we believe in local democracy – local leadership, local decision making, and community empowerment. For Plaid Cymru devolution does not end in Cardiff Bay, we believe our communities should
be empowered to take responsibility for their own destinies.

This Manifesto provides an outline of the principles behind the decisions that we will implement on your behalf in local government. It also demonstrates our record – what we have been doing on your behalf throughout
Wales and what we will continue to do for the sake of Welsh communities.

Our local Plaid Cymru teams will also share with you their vision, their record and introduce their local champions when they produce manifestos for your local community .

Manifesto here http://www.english.plaidcymru.org/uploads/Manifesto_2012/Plaid_ManiffestoLleol_2012_engWeb.pdf

Job-creating powers could help transform nation's economic fortunes

Majority back Welsh responsibility over income tax

Plaid Cymru has welcomed the findings of a Western Mail poll which show that the vast majority of Welsh voters support the devolution of tax-varying powers to Wales.

Plaid Cymru Leader Leanne Wood AM said;
"The fact that a clear majority want to see the transfer of these powers to our nation is very positive news.

“Plaid Cymru's submission to the Silk Commission has called for the Welsh Government to be able to set Welsh income tax rates.

“Having these powers in Wales would give us more tools to focus on economic growth and the creation of more jobs that would then increase the tax base.

“Surely any self-respecting Welsh Government would prefer to have control over these job-creating levers rather than see them remain in the hands of a remote government in Westminster which doesn't place the economic well-being of our nation as a priority or even an after thought.

"People are saying clearly that they want our nation to take greater control over the economic tools that can help to improve our lives. The First Minister and his Labour Government now have a big decision to make - the choice is between taking responsibility for ourselves or to continue to blame others; the choice is between home rule or continued Tory rule."

Plaid Cymru leader to establish Commission on Sustainable Communities

Urgent report on Welsh language communities first task of long term group

Plaid Cymru’s leader Leanne Wood has today announced the formation of a Sustainable Communities Commission.

The Commission will be headed by Llyr Gruffydd AM and Bethan Jenkins AM, and will develop the party’s vision for ensuring our communities are economically, environmentally and linguistically sustainable and able to flourish over the coming decades.

In addition to its longer term work, the Commission will report by Autumn this year on the future of the Welsh language at a community level fulfilling a pledge made by Ms Wood during her leaderhip campaign.

This is the second of a series of commissions to be announced by the new leader, following the appointment of an Economic Commission last month. The commissions are intended to look at key policy areas and feed into Plaid Cymru’s vision of a strong and sustainable Wales.

Plaid Cymru Leader Leanne Wood said;

“My aim is to pull together a group of experts, from both inside and outside the Party to be part of developing a long term plan to ensure that our communities overcome the huge challenges of today and flourish in the decades to come.

“Llyr and Bethan will lead on the work of this commission, reporting back on individual elements of the commission in stages over the next four years. I look forward to reading the first stage report of the group on the future of Welsh language communities soon. Welsh faces serious challenges at a community level, and all political parties have a duty to come up with answers to strengthening our unique national language in the 21st century."

Llyr Gruffydd AM, who will lead on matters relating to the environment, regeneration and housing, said:

“Creating sustainable communities is essential to the future success of our nation. We want to look at how we can rebuild and strengthen our communities, ensuring that were utilising the enormous natural resources of our nation along with the talent of all its people.

“Our work will consult widely on elements such as how we build our green economy, invest in our knowledge base and create the right infrastructure for a 21st century Wales.”

Bethan Jenkins AM will look at aspects of linguistic sustainability, she added:

“Sustainability is more than just being green. We also want to ensure a truly bilingual nation where both our languages are able to flourish. That means ensuring that, for example, communities are able to offer sustainable jobs, affordable homes and wider opportunities for our young people to stay and contribute to their communities.

“The first stage of this commission will focus on the Welsh language – looking at how we can ensure it flourishes as a living every-day language in our communities over the coming decades.

“Plaid Cymru has proven that it is committed to delivering for the people of Wales, and that is what our focus will be with this commission. Our aim is to bring forward clear and realistic recommendations that will benefit communities across the whole of Wales.”

VIDEO: Plaid 2012 broadcast - What is being welsh?

Take a look at Plaid Cymru's latest broadcast where people from across Wales tell us what it is to be Welsh.

Local communities: Our vision

Local communities: Our vision

What is Plaid's vision for our local communities?

Plaid will work to ensure that local government is more open and answerable to the public. We will also ensure that our local councils work effectively in partnership with other local councils and organisations for the benefit of our communities. We oppose the micro management of local councils by central government and are committed to ensuring that local councils have the freedom and funding to respond appropriately to local issues.

In the long term, Plaid will create an All-Wales Civil Service, with civil servants and officers able to move freely between the National Assembly for Wales, Local Government in Wales and The National Health Service in Wales. We believe that this model will encourage cooperation, the sharing of best practice, and will result in more joined-up thinking.

Plaid-run councils operate with robust scrutiny mechanisms so that decision-making power is not just concentrated in the hands of the executive board and senior local government officials. Plaid values the important work of town and community councils as they are a vital link in Welsh democracy. We will work to strengthen their role as we believe that they have the potential to play a fuller role in revitalising our communities.

We know that community involvement is vital to effective local government. We will make sure that voluntary groups, local businesses and individuals have every opportunity to share their views on decisions impacting their local community. We will support the campaign for participatory budgeting in our local authorities to ensure that local citizens have a voice in how money is spent.

Plaid is committed to a fairer voting system and will continue to campaign for the introduction of the Single Transferable Vote for every election in Wales including local authority elections. We will also continue to call for the right to vote at 16 as a way of encouraging young people to take part in the political process.

Plaid believes that we should abolish the unfair and outdated council tax system and introduce a local income tax. A local income tax would be based on the ability to pay, not on the value of property. It would be fairer and more efficient.

We know that Post Offices are often central to the vibrancy of communities, especially in our rural areas. Plaid has always been opposed to Post Office closures, and we have supported the strengthening of the Post Office network with a People's Bank. We believe that these community hubs have massive potential as information and advice centres.