2017 Wrexham County Borough Council election explained

The 2017 Wrexham County Borough Council election took place on 4 May 2017 to elect members of Wrexham County Borough Council in Wales.^[1] This was on the same day as other 2017 United Kingdom local elections. The previous all-council election took place in May 2012.

Background

The Labour Party held power on the council after the 2012 election, but lost it after splitting because of an internal row. Several Labour councillors became independent, allowing the Independent group to take control in alliance with the Conservatives.

In 2017, contests took place in 44 of the 47 wards.

Results

The Independents lost three seats in comparison with their position immediately prior to the election, but remained the largest group. The Conservative group gained four seats. A coalition of the Independent group, the Wrexham Independents group and the Conservatives agreed to run the council for the next 5 years to 2022.^[2]

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Ward results

* = denotes councillor elected to this ward at the 2012 elections^[3]

Acton (one seat)

Councillor Lowe was elected for the Labour Party in May 2012.

Bryn Cefn (one seat)

Barbara Roxburgh was elected for the Labour Party in May 2012.

Garden Village (one seat)

Councillor Williams was elected for the Labour Party in May 2012.

Grosvenor (one seat)

Wilson was elected for the Labour Party at the previous election in 2012.

Gwersyllt East and South (two seats)

Griffiths and McCann was elected for the Labour Party at the previous election, in 2012.

Llay (two seats)

Terry Boland was elected for the Labour Party at the previous ward election, in May 2012.

Wynnstay (one seat)

Changes 2017–2022

On 28 November 2018 Councillor Paul Rogers left the Conservative Group to become non-aligned.^[4] He then went on to join the Independent group on 15 May 2019.^[5] On 7 November 2019, Councillor Ronnie Prince also joined the main Independent group having been non-aligned since the last election.^[6] Independent councillor for Gwersyllt North, Barrie Warburton, resigned his seat on 16 January 2020,^[7] and was subsequently replaced by Plaid Cymru's Phil Rees who won the by-election on Thursday 27 February.^[8] On 29 September 2020 Paul Jones, Labour Councillor for Maesydre, resigned his seat for personal reasons,^[9] he was replaced by Plaid Cymru's Becca Martin in a by-election on 18 March 2021.^[10]

Notes and References

1. News: Bagnall . Steve . Local election results: Independents hold onto Wrexham Council . . 5 May 2017 . 26 December 2020 .
2. News: Bagnall . Steve . Independents and Tories set to run Wrexham council . North Wales Daily Post. 17 May 2017 . 4 January 2021.
3. Web site: Wrexham County Borough Council Election Results 1995-2012. The Elections Centre, Plymouth University. 26 December 2020.
4. Web site: Councillor Paul Rogers leaves Conservative group on Wrexham Council to become unaligned councillor. Wrexham.com.
5. Web site: Brymbo councillor joins Independents on Wrexham Council after being unaligned for six months. Wrexham.com.
6. Web site: Cartrefle councillor joins Independent Group at Wrexham Council. Wrexham.com.
7. Web site: By-election to be held as Gwersyllt North councillor resigns. Wrexham.com.
8. Web site: Plaid Cymru’s Phil Rees wins Gwersyllt North by-election. Wrexham.com.
9. Web site: Wrexham Councillor resigns. 2021-03-19. The Leader. en.
10. Web site: Plaid Cymru’s Becca Martin wins Maesydre by-election and is Wrexham’s newest councillor. 2021-03-19. Wrexham.com. en.