New councillor in Abercynon sets out his priorities after by-election victory

LABOUR still has both Abercynon seats on Rhondda Cynon Taf Council after winning a by-election.

The vote on Thursday, November 17, was won by Andrew Dennis, who said he would work to protect services and campaign for road improvements, action on fly-tipping and other priorities raised by residents.

The by-election was held after Marcia Rees-Jones, who won the seat there for Labour in May, decided to stand down.

Cllr Dennis received 80% of the vote with 520 votes, while Jeffrey Lee Baxter of the Green Party got 18, Andrew Adam Robinson of the Conservatives got 56 and Matt Skinner of Plaid Cymru also got 56.

Cllr Dennis, who joins Councillor Rhys Lewis in the ward, said he was pleased with the result.

He said: “The Labour Party and I have been out knocking doors almost every evening for the last four weeks all while balancing our careers and studies and the result reflects the hard work Labour have put into the ward.

“I’m also very grateful to the electorate for the opportunity to serve the community I live in for the next four years.

“Following on from the budget, the immediate priority will be to work with Rhys and the other Labour Party councillors to protect services and mitigate the impact of the budget as much as possible.

“On top of this we will be continuing to campaign for road improvements, action on fly-tipping and other priorities that residents raised during the campaign.”