Number of councillors set to stand down at May elections

A SIGNIFICANT number of Bridgend councillors have decided to stand down ahead of this year’s local government elections.

When Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) published their list of candidates standing for election on May 5, it was revealed that a total of 23 councillors will not be stepping up to defend their seat.

Amond those standing down is former Independent Alliance councillor Sorell Dendy, 27.

Other independent councillors, including Carolyn Webster; Julia Williams; Rod Shaw; Roz Stirman; Mike Clarke; Elaine Venables and Ken Watts, are also standing down.

Another independent councillor who is stepping down this year is Llynfi Independent, Keith Edwards.

Mr Edwards, who was first elected as a Labour councillor at BCBC in 2008 before becoming a Llynfi Independent, said the good times are “few and far between” for him.

Four Conservatives members – Tom Giffard, Sadie Vidal, Lyn Walters and Altaf Hussain – are stepping down this year.

Altaf Hussain, who was a consultant orthopaedic surgeon until 2009 before turning his attention to politics, was elected as a county borough councillor for Pen Y Fai in 2017. Mr Hussain said he will be devoting his time to his Welsh Government role as a Regional MS for South Wales West.

Labour are the party that are seeing the most councillors standing down from their roles at BCBC, with nine former members deciding not to throw their hat in the ring again.

These include Nicole Burnett, Pam Davies, Gareth Howells, David Lewis, Janice Lewis, John McCarthy, Bridie Sedgbeer, Stephen Smith and Richard Young.

You can find all the candidates listed for each ward in the County on the Bridgend County Borough Council website.