Labour wins Penrhiwceiber council by-election

ROSS Williams, the Labour candidate has won the by-election for a seat representing Penrhiwceiber on Rhondda Cynon Taf Council.

He received 954 votes defeating the independent candidate Gavin Williams with 384 who was standing to retake his former seat and Daniel Allen of Plaid Cymru who got 194 votes.

The seat was contested after Gavin Williams, who previously held it for The Cynon Valley Party, was kicked off the council for not attending a meeting in more than six months.

Ross Wiliams was born and raised in Penrhiwceiber like his family and lives there with his wife and two children.

He works as an aircraft engineer for GE Aviation and is also a shop steward and a branch equalities representative for the Unite union.

Outside of work, he is an ambassador volunteer for Llamau, the young people and women’s homelessness charity, and he has also given his time volunteering with the Cynon Valley Foodbank and as a community volunteer during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since 2016, he has co-organised and run the Santa Appeal, providing thousands of presents to local children in conjunction with RCT Council to ensure that no child goes with a present at Christmas.

He said:

“I’m delighted that the residents of Penrhiwceiber, Perthcelyn and Miskin have put their faith in me to represent them on RCT Council.

“My priorities over the remainder of the council term will be to hold monthly meetings with South Wales Police and Councillor Adam Fox to address any anti-social behaviour complaints that residents bring to our attention and to support the many amazing local groups throughout the Penrhiwceiber ward.

“I can’t wait to get started and to work closely with Councillor Adam Fox to lobby for further investment in our ward and to help residents to tackle the issues that matter to them.”