Holyhead Town Council Explained

Holyhead Town Council
Native Name:Cyngor Tref Caergybi
Native Name Lang:Welsh
House Type:Town council
Leader1 Type:Mayor
Leader1:Vaughan Williams (2024/25)
Members:16
Session Room:Neuadd y Dref-Town Hall, Newry Street, Holyhead - geograph.org.uk - 1413253.jpg
Meeting Place:Holyhead Town Hall, Newry Street, Holyhead (Welsh: Neuadd y Dref Caergybi)

Holyhead Town Council is an elected community council serving the town of Holyhead in Anglesey, Wales.

Background

Holyhead Town Council was created in 1974 with the demise of Holyhead Urban District Council and the transfer of many of its powers to Anglesey Borough Council (later Isle of Anglesey County Council).[1]

The town council's responsibilities include maintaining the town's six playing fields, Maeshyfryd Cemetery, allotments, bus shelters, noticeboards, as well as the left luggage facilities at the port.[2] The council manages the Town Hall and has leased the old Empire Cinema building to create a Soft Play Centre and a Laser Quest for children. In 2017 the Town Council took over Holyhead's Pavilion and park from Anglesey County Council. By January 2019 a skatepark, as well as a bike track, tennis and basketball courts and bowling greens had been made available to the public.[3]

Dissolution threat

Despite being commended by auditors, in 2013 the town council was threatened with a call for its dissolution, by campaigners including Newry Waterfront Action Group. They claimed the town council didn't represent the views of the town on major development projects.[4] Parc a'r Mynydd councillor Shaun Redmond resigned in May 2016 to support the campaign.[5] In November 2016 the Wales Audit Office and the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales rejected Redmond's accusations of corruption and decided there was no evidence of criminality.[6]

Representation

Sixteen councillors are elected from the seven community electoral wards in the town, namely: Kingsland (2), Ffordd Llundain/London Road (2), Maeshyfryd (3), Morawelon (2), Parc a'r Mynydd (2), Porth Y felin (3) and Town (2).[7]

Mayor

The council elects a mayor and deputy mayor annually.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Holyhead Town Council. Holy Island website . 5 December 2017.
  2. Web site: About Us . Holyhead Town Council . 5 December 2017 .
  3. News: Arron Evans . Town Council officials say Holyhead has been "crying out for a place like this" as latest Pavilion project is opened . North Wales Chronicle . 22 January 2019. 31 March 2019.
  4. News: Row erupts over future of Holyhead Town Council. . North Wales. 31 July 2013. 5 December 2017.
  5. News: Town council on Anglesey could be completely 'dissolved'. News North Wales . 5 May 2016. 5 December 2017.
  6. News: Gareth Wyn-Williams . Holyhead Town Council cleared of corruption claims made by ex-councillor. Daily Post . North Wales. 14 November 2016. 5 December 2017.
  7. Web site: Councillors . Holyhead Town Council . 5 December 2017 .
  8. News: Rhodri Barker . New mayor of Holyhead says town centre is priority . Daily Post . North Wales . 22 May 2013 . 5 December 2017 .