Labour make pledges ahead of May 5 vote
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.
From creating new respite centres to investing more in green spaces, here’s exactly what Labour is pledging to remain in power in Caerphilly County Borough.
The leader of the Labour Group has said she wants to send a message to Boris Johnson, the Conservative Prime Minister, on May 5.
The party’s pledges include:
■ Economy – In order to build a resilient economy Labour is proposing to increase the number of apprenticeships and ensure every council worker has the real living wage.
The party also said it intends to support small businesses and invest in the county borough’s town centres. ■ Environment – To address the climate emergency the party is pledging to invest more in its parks and green spaces and build more net zero CO2 homes. Additionally, it hopes to move towards net zero CO2 and zero emissions across the council’s vehicles and infrastructure.
■ Social care – To protect vulnerable residents, the party is promising a vulnerable learners centre and two new respite centres for carers who need a break. More council houses are also proposed, to prevent homelessness and support residents in need of housing.
■ Education – Schools will be “built and rebuilt” to improve education standards and outcomes in the county borough if the party is elected. “High-quality Welsh-language education” is also mentioned in the party’s manifesto.
Community – Labour wants to increase the number of community safety wardens and take ownership of the bus network to improve the communities in Caerphilly County Borough.
With 59 candidates, the party is standing in every ward in the county borough.
Where candidates are standing for Labour:
■ Aber Valley: Three seats.
■ Joy Morgan
■ Aberbargoed and Bargoed: Three seats.
■ Tudor Davies
■ Dawn Ingram-Jones
■ Dianne Price
■ Abercarn: Two seats.
■ Denver Preece
■ Andy Whitcombe
■ Argoed: One seat.
■ Walter Henry Edgar Williams
■ Bedwas and Trethomas: Three seats.
■ Liz Aldworth
■ Lisa Phipps
■ Jill Winslade
■ Blackwood: Three seats.
■ Dean Jones
■ Hero Marsden
■ Cefn Fforest and Pengam: Three seats.
■ Marina Chacon-Dawson
■ Teresa Heron
■ Shane Williams
■ Crosskeys: One seat.
■ Julian Simmonds
■ Crumlin: Two seats.
■ Carl Thomas
■ Kristian Woodland
■ Darran Valley: One seat.
■ Robert Edward Chapman
■ Gilfach: One seat.
■ Carol Julia Andrews
■ Hengoed: Two seats.
■ Tracey Rowlands
■ Rhiannon Stone
■ Llanbradach: Two seats.
■ Adam Birkinshaw-Bird
■ Rhydian Dafydd Birkenshaw-Bird
■ Machen and Rudry: Two seats.
■ Chris Morgan
■ Amanda McConnell
■ Maesycwmmer: One seat.
■ Jo Rao
■ Morgan Jones: Three seats.
■ Anne Broughton-Petit
■ Shayne Cook
■ Jamie Pritchard
■ Moriah and Pontlottyn: Two seats.
■ David Harse
■ Mansel Powell
■ Nelson: Two seats.
■ Brenda Miles
■ Sean Morgan
■ New Tredegar: Two seats.
■ Mark Anthony Evans
■ Eluned Stenner
■ Newbridge: Three seats.
■ Adrian Hussey
■ Leeroy Jeremiah
■ Gary Johnsont
■ Penmaen: Two seats.
■ Jim Sadler
■ Roy Saralis
■ Penyrheol: Four seats.
■ Phil Rosser
■ Pontllanfraith: Three seats.
■ Mike Adams
■ Pat Cook
■ Colin John Gordon
■ Risca East: Three seats.
■ Nigel George
■ Arianna Leonard
■ Philippa Leonard
■ Risca West: Two seats.
■ Ceri Wright
■ St Cattwg: Three seats.
■ Carmen Marie Bezzina
■ Ann Gair
■ John Tully Toner
■ St Martin’s: Three seats.
■ Cath Lewis
■ Twyn Carno: One seat.
■ Carl Cuss
■ Van: Two seats.
■ Christine Forehead
■ Elaine Forehead
■ Ynysddu: Two seats.
■ Philippa Marsden
■ Phoebe Marsden
■ Ystrad Mynach: Two seats.
■ Matthew Cook