Independents field 22 for elections in Caerphilly

ON MAY 5, residents will get the chance to decide who runs Caerphilly County Borough Council.

There are a total of 69 seats across 31 wards.

Elected councillors form political groups on the council and the group with the largest number has control over the authority.

This is usually done along party lines, like Labour or Plaid Cymru, although independent councillors without a party can also form their own group.

Twenty-two independent candidates are standing in Caerphilly’s council elections on May 5.

Independents are not affiliated with a party and therefore have their own goals and aspirations for their ward.

Currently there are six independent councillors on Caerphilly County Borough Council, some of whom formed an Independents group led by Kevin Etheridge.

Cllr Etheridge represents Blackwood and is campaigning for re-election.

Being part of a group or party allows councillors to sit on scrutiny committees, something independent candidates alone cannot do.

Although Cllr Etheridge is the current leader of the Independents Group, he said this could change following the election.

If Independent candidates are successful in the election, it will be up to them to decide whether to form a group and elect a leader.

Where the independent candidates are standing:

■ Aberbargoed and Bargoed: Three seats.

■ Belinda Gingell

■ Rob Puddefoot

■ Argoed: One seat.

■ Iestyn James

■ Blackwood: Three seats.

■ Nigel Stuart Dix

■ Kevin Etheridge

■ Andrew-Farina Childs

■ Cefn Fforest and Pengam: Three seats.

■ George Edwards

■ Gerwyn James

■ Louise Phillips

■ Darran Valley: One seat.

■ Gavin Hughes

■ Nelson: Two seats.

■ Brett Jenkins

■ Rod Powell

■ New Tredegar: Two seats.

■ Tracey Gifford

■ Faebian Vann

■ Pontllanfraith: Three seats.

■ Laura Jane Richards

■ James Freeman Wells

■ Roy Williams

■ Risca West: Two seats.

■ Rob Derraven

■ Bob Owen

■ Twyn Carno: One seat.

■ Peter Bailie

■ Ynysddu: Two seats.

■ Jan Jones

■ Janine Reed