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

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.”

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

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.

FORGET POLITICS LET'S TALK ABOUT JOBS

FORGET POLITICS

LET'S TALK ABOUT JOBS

Just like you, we believe that there is no issue more important in Wales today than creating and protecting jobs. 137,000 people in Wales are out of work and everyone agrees that the situation is going to get worse.

Now is the time for Wales to stand together and pledge to do whatever can be done in order to save jobs and to protect families.  Unlike the others we will not sit on our hands and let the Conservative and Lib Dem cuts take their toll in Wales in the worst possible way.  It’s time to put Wales first.

This is why we want to see this Welsh government shifting its money in order to;

• Invest in building projects which will help our construction industry. 
• Give greater help to small, local businesses
• Support the survival of our manufacturing sector
• Provide money for people to re-train if they lose their jobs
• Help companies so that they can avoid redundancies

We also want to see our councils treating their workers fairly – we want fairness for all those who work tirelessly everyday for our communities.  We would never treat our public sector workers in the way they have been treated by Labour councils.  Forcing through pay cuts and changing terms and conditions with minimum consultation is not the way to treat a workforce.  Our way is to invite workers to work with management in order to plan a way forward together.

Plaid exists not for its own sake, but for Wales.

We believe that despite the cuts, more can be done to protect jobs and communities. Plaid has a plan that really could make a difference to you, your family and your community. We would urge you to join us in saying that now is the time to make protecting jobs an absolute priority. Like you, we want a better future for Wales.  

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.