By-election for Valley seat

A BY-ELECTION will be held for the Ynyshir seat on Rhondda Cynon Taf Council after a councillor stepped down due to taking on a new role.

Councillor Darren Macey of Plaid Cymru was elected to represent Ynyshir and Wattstown on the council in 2017.

But due to taking up a role as historian and principal officer on the RCT Sporting Heroes 18002021 project he has been forced to stand down as a councillor.

He said: “It is with great regret that I have to step down from my duties as councillor for Ynyshir and Wattstown.

“As some of you may be aware I’ve been involved in the RCT Sporting Heroes 1800-2021 and have been offered the opportunity of leading the project as its historian and principal officer.

“I am however informed that taking this post will debar me from continuing as a councillor. The opportunity to support my family, further my career as a historian, and follow in the footsteps of four generations of my family working at the Lewis Merthyr Pit is one I cannot pass up.

“I hope everyone can understand my decision and I’d like to once again say how honoured I’ve been to represent our community.

“I will of course continue to play an active role in the St Anne’s Church renovation initiative and in other community projects.”

Adrian Parry will be standing for Plaid Cymru in the by-election which is scheduled to take place on Thursday, December 5.

Julie Edwards is the only other candidate and she will be standing for the Labour Party.