Penarth Town Council

Penarth Town Council is an elected community council serving the town of Penarth in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales.

Penarth Town Council
Type
Type	Town council
History
Founded	1974
Leadership
Mayor	Melissa Rabiotti(2023/24)
Seats	16
Meeting place
West House, Stanwell Road, Penarth
Website
www.penarthtowncouncil.gov.uk

Background

Penarth has had a council of one form or another since the 1890s. Penarth Town Council came into existence in 1974^[1] at the same time as local government reorganisation.

Town councillors represent Penarth's views on various committees and to wider public bodies. It gives out awards^[2] and grants. The council is responsible for Penarth Cemetery (which was originally acquired by Penarth Urban District Council in 1903)^[3] and the town allotments.^[4]

The council also manages three important buildings in the town, namely West House (the council headquarters), The Paget Rooms (a theatre in the town centre) and The Turner House Art Gallery .^[4][5] West House was purchased from Vale of Glamorgan Council for £100,000 and is the location for the council chamber (where council meetings are held), a Register Office (for births and deaths) and is a licensed wedding venue.^[6]

Representation

Electoral wards of Penarth

Sixteen councillors are elected from the four electoral wards in the town, namely: Cornerswell (4), Plymouth (4), St Augustine's (5) and Stanwell (3). In 2022 thirteen of the seats were won by the Labour Party and one by the Conservatives There was also two independents elected.^[7][8]

In January 2018 the council supported recommendations that five senior councillors would receive an allowance of £500 per year.^[9]

Mayor

The council elects a town mayor and deputy mayor annually.^[10]

Council composition

Following the election on 4 May 2017 Labour were the largest party. The Conservatives increased their numbers from four to five, winning back a seat from Labour for the St Augustine's ward.^[7] Candidates also stood for Plaid Cymru, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and Penarth First Independents, though these other parties didn't win any seats.^[7] Stanwell councillor Janice Birch, who'd first been elected in 1975, stood down at this election.^[11]

At May 2017 election
Ward		Conservative		Labour
Cornerswell		1		3
Plymouth		3		1
St Augustine's		1		4
Stanwell		0		3
Total		5		11

References

1. "D-block GB-316000-171000: Penarth Town Council". BBC Domesday. 1986. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
2. Anthony Lewis (13 February 2017). "Shoe menders and street cleaner honoured with town citizen award". Penarth Times. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
3. "Bereavement services: Penarth Town Council is responsible for Penarth Cemetery on Castle Avenue". Penarth Town Council. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
4. "Penarth Town Council Blamed For "Disgraceful State" Of Local Cemetery". Penarth Daily News. 27 May 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
5. "Hire a council venue: Penarth Town Council operates three properties in the town". Penarth Town Council. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
6. "West House Is To Become New Wedding Venue For Penarth". Penarth Daily News. 16 July 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
7. "Labour Resumes Control Of Penarth Town Council". Penarth Daily News. 5 May 2017. Archived from the original on 16 December 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
8. "Your Councillors". Penarth Town Council. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
9. "Penarth Town Council supports recommendations to pay some members an annual allowance". Penarth Times. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
10. Anthony Lewis (23 May 2017). "New Penarth town mayor is elected". Penarth Times. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
11. Anthony Lewis (2 May 2017). "Tributes paid to long standing councillor as she retires". Penarth Times. Retrieved 16 December 2017.