Plaid exploring coalition options to run council
PLAID Cymru confirmed that it is exploring the possibility of forming a coalition at Neath Port Talbot Council after Labour lost its grip on power in the local elections.
Despite winning the most seats on Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council (NPTCBC), Labour’s share of councillors nearly halved – going from 43 in the last elections in 2017 to 25 this year. Plaid now holds 12 seats and the independents, who made the biggest gains, now hold 16.
Plaid Cymru confirmed that it has offered to begin discussions on forming a coalition administration on the council.
Plaid Cymru group leader at NPTCBC, Alun Llewelyn, said: “Plaid’s group of 12 councillors are eager to discuss a programme of policies to form a new progressive administration with independents and others in Neath Port Talbot.
“Among our priorities are reviewing schools closure policies, a Valleys strategy, supporting small businesses in our town centres and better support for economic development.
“We also want to tackle environmental deterioration across Neath Port Talbot and ensure that street care and visible services are rapidly improved.
“I am confident that there is agreement on many of these issues among the current opposition members. That is why Plaid Cymru is eager to explore the possibility of creating a coalition for common good, and we look forward to constructive and positive discussions over the next few weeks.”
Plaid had strong support in the Swansea Valley during this year’s local government elections on May 5. The party held on to Trebanos and claimed both of the seats available in Pontardawe. Plaid candidate Nia Jenkins took Allt-wen from Labour, which had held the ward since the early days of NPTCBC in the late 1990s.
It was a different picture in Neath for Plaid, however, as the party won just one of the seven available seats in the three wards there. In Aberavon, Plaid’s Nigel Hunt, who had been a councillor since 2017, lost his seat. However, the party’s other candidate, Andrew Dacey, won one of the two that were available in the ward this year alongside Labour’s Stephanie Lynch.
Cllr Scott Jones, who was the group leader for the Independent Democrats at NPTCBC before the 2022 local government elections, has been approached for a comment.