Vale of Glamorgan Council


The Vale of Glamorgan Council is the governing body for the Vale of Glamorgan, one of the Principal Areas of Wales.

History

The new Vale of Glamorgan Council unitary authority came into effect on 1 April 1996, following the dissolution of South Glamorgan. It replaced the Vale of Glamorgan Borough Council, which had been created in 1974 as a second-tier authority to South Glamorgan County Council.

Political control

The council has been under no overall control since 2012. Since the 2022 election the council has been run by a coalition of Labour, the Llantwit First Independents, and one of the independent councillors.
The first election to the reconstituted council was held in 1995, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until it came into its powers on 1 April 1996. Political control of the council since 1996 has been as follows:

Leadership

The role of mayor is largely ceremonial in Vale of Glamorgan, with political leadership provided by the leader of the council. The leaders since 1999 have been:

Composition

Following the 2022 election the composition of the council was:
One of the independent councillors forms part of the ruling coalition with Labour and local party the Llantwit First Independents. The next election is due in 2027.

Elections

Since 2012, elections have taken place every five years. The last election was on 5 May 2022.
YearSeatsLabourConservativePlaid CymruIndependentLiberal DemocratsUKIPNotes
YearSeatsNotes
1995473665000Labour majority control
19994718226010
20044716208300
20084713256300
20124722116701
20174714234600-
20225425138800

Party with the most elected councillors in bold. Coalition agreements in notes column.

Premises

The council is based at the Civic Offices on Holton Road in Barry, which were built in 1981 for the old Vale of Glamorgan Borough Council.

Electoral divisions

Until 2022 the county borough was divided into 23 electoral wards returning 47 councillors. Some of these wards are coterminous with communities of the same name. Other wards may encompass several communities and in some cases communities can encompass more than one ward. The following table lists council wards, communities and associated geographical areas prior to the 2022 boundary changes. Communities with a community council are indicated with a '*':
WardCommunities Other geographic areas
BarucBarry Town* The Knap, Garden Suburb, Barry Island
ButtrillsBarry Town*
CadocBarry Town* Cadoxton, Palmerstown
CastlelandBarry Town* Bendricks
CornerswellPenarth Town* Cogan
CourtBarry Town*
Cowbridge
Aberthin, City, Craig Penllyn, Llanblethian, Llandough, Llansannor, Penllyn, Pentre Meyrick, St Mary Church, St. Hillary, Trehyngyll, Ystradowen
Dinas Powys
  • Dinas Powys*
  • Michaelston*
  • Eastbrook, Leckwith, Michaelston le Pit, Murch, St Andrew's Major, Westra
    DyfanBarry Town* Colcot, Highlight Park
    GibbonsdownBarry Town* Merthyr Dyfan
    IlltydBarry Town* Cwm Talwg
    LlandoughLlandough*
    Llandow/Ewenny
  • Colwinston*
  • Ewenny*
  • Llandow*
  • Llangan*
  • Colwinston, Corntown, Llysworney, Ruthin, St. Mary Hill, Sigingstone, Troes,
    Llantwit Major
  • Llan-maes*
  • Llantwit Major Town*
  • St. Donats*
  • Boverton, Llanmaes, Monknash
    Peterston-super-Ely
  • Pendoylan*
  • Peterston-super-Ely*
  • St. Georges-super-Ely*
  • Welsh St. Donats*
  • Clawdd Coch, Downs, Drope, Gwern y Steeple, Hensol, Pendoylan, St. Brides-super-Ely, St. George's
    PlymouthPenarth Town* Lower Penarth, Cosmeston
    Rhoose
  • Llancarfan*
  • Rhoose
  • East Aberthaw, Fonmon, Font-y-gari, Llanbethery, Llancadle, Llancarfan, Llantrithyd, Moulton, Penmark, Porthkerry, Tredogan, Walerston,
    St AthanSt Athan*Flemingston, Gileston, West Aberthaw, East Camp, Eglwys Brewis
    St Augustine'sPenarth Town* Headlands, Penarth Marina
    St. Bride's Major
  • St. Bride's Major*
  • Wick*
  • Boughton, Ogmore, Ogmore-by-Sea, Southerndown
    StanwellPenarth Town*
    SullySully and Lavernock*Cog, Cosmeston, Swanbridge
    Wenvoe
  • St Nicholas and Bonvilston
  • Wenvoe*
  • Dyffryn, St. Lythans