03/29/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

THE three candidates who want to represent Nantymoel on Bridgend County Borough have been confirmed.

The by-election for the seat is taking place after independent councillor David Owen was sentenced to three years in prison from March 2020 for plotting to steal an off-road vehicle.

The candidates standing in the election, which will take place on Thursday May 6, are:

Lee-Anne Hill – Labour;  Claire Lewis – Conservative and Mary Hughes – Independent.

Labour candidate Lee-Anne Hill said:

“Nantymoel means everything to me and I care about you and our community”.

Mrs Hill, a mother of one, has lived in the ward for over half of her life and has worked as a community councillor, activist and campaigner for many years. ​​

She said she has “always been very active” in the area, for example, litter-picking with Ogmore Valley PRIIDE, an environmental group she helped to set up 10 years ago.

“​A vote for me will ensure​ someone who represents our community who cares about Nantymoel’s residents,” she said.

“The past year has been difficult for us all and the lack of a borough councillor has really become obvious.”

During the pandemic, Mrs Hill said she has been helping shielding residents with shopping, errands and helping out at a local foodbank, which she plans to continue to do.

If elected as councillor for NantyMoel, her priorities would be giving the ward a “strong voice” on the council,  refurbishing the children’s play area at Waunllwyd Park, keeping the area clean and refurbishing Nantymoel’s pavilion.

Conservative candidate Claire Lewis said Nanytymoel “has been forgotten about” by the Labour Party.

She said residents are currently living with poor public transport access and have increasingly lost local hubs like the Berwyn Centre, a community centre knocked down in 2013.

Mrs Lewis said the people living in Nantymoel “need someone to speak up for them” so they are not “forgotten about”.

If elected, her main priorities would be helping children become more active by improving outdoor spaces and access to local sports clubs. She said the local rugby club is “fantasic” and more children should be encouraged to join.

She would also like to improve public transport services and create a community space where older children can meet up and socialise.

Mrs Lewis is married with four children and four grandchildren and loves going for dog walks with her family. Her husband grew up in Blackmill and she has lived in NantyMoel.

The Local Democracy Service tried to contact Independent candidate Mary Hughes but was unsuccessful.

%d bloggers like this: