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2022 Wrexham County Borough Council election

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2022 Wrexham County Borough Council election

← 2017 5 May 2022 2027 →

All 56 (Increase 4; previously 52) seats to Wrexham County Borough Council
29 seats needed for a majority
TurnoutDecrease 36.47%
  First party Second party Third party
  Blank Blank Blank
Leader Mark Pritchard Dana Davies Hugh Jones
Party Independent Labour Conservative
Leader's seat Esclusham Ruabon Rossett
Seats before 26[i] 12 9
Seats won 23[ii] 14 9[iii]
Seat change Decrease 3 Increase 2 Steady 0

  Fourth party Fifth party
 
Leader Marc Jones
Party Plaid Cymru Liberal Democrats
Leader's seat Grosvenor
Seats before 3 2
Seats won 9 1
Seat change Increase 6 Decrease 1

Map of the election results by electoral ward, coloured in party colours. Stripes indicate two councillor wards where each councillor is of a different affiliation. Inset: location of Wrexham County Borough in Wales

Council control before election

No overall control
IndependentWelsh Conservatives coalition

Council control after election

No overall control
Independent GroupWelsh Conservatives coalition

Map of Wrexham County Borough in Wales
Location of Wrexham County Borough in Wales
Council composition after the 2022 election.

The 2022 Wrexham County Borough Council election took place on 5 May 2022 to elect 56 members to Wrexham County Borough Council, the principal council of Wrexham County Borough, Wales. On the same day, elections were held to the other 21 local authorities, and community councils in Wales as part of the 2022 Welsh local elections. The previous Wrexham County Borough all-council election took place in May 2017 and future elections will take place every five years, with the next scheduled for 2027.

On 5 May 2022, the election was held in forty-one of the forty-nine wards for 2022 in Wrexham County Borough. The remaining eight had no opposition nominated by 5 April 2022, and the councillors for these wards were re-elected unopposed, with their wards not holding the election. The councillors unopposed were six independents and two conservative councillors.

Independent politicians (including "non-specified" and the "Wrexham Independents") formed the largest group in the council with twenty-three councillors, down from 2017's twenty-six, and were six short of the twenty-nine needed for a majority. The second largest group were Labour with fourteen councillors elected, up from 2017's twelve councillors. The Conservatives had the same amount councillors as in 2017 with nine. Plaid Cymru increased their number of councillors to match the Conservatives also at nine, up from their three councillors in 2017. The Liberal Democrats had their share of councillors split to one councillor, down from two in 2017.

Following the results, the council was again under no overall control. Talks between independent politicians and Labour occurred over the weekend. On 10 May 2022, the two formerly separately organised groups of independents in the council, the independents and the "Wrexham Independents" group, merged into one "mega" 21-member "Independent Group". The Independent Group was initially in talks with Welsh Labour councillors but talks collapsed over mandatory councillor anti-discrimination training. On 11 May 2022, the Independent Group formed another coalition with the Welsh Conservatives for another five-year term with a total of thirty members, a two-member majority.

Background

[edit]

Council elections in Wales were originally scheduled for May 2021 but were delayed to avoid a conflict with the 2021 Senedd election. The frequency of the elections was also increased from four years to five years to avoid future clashes,[2] meaning (after 2022) the next council election is expected in 2027. The number of councillors is to be increased from fifty-two to fifty-six at the 2022 election, with several ward changes to ensure better electoral parity. There would be forty-nine wards up for election, up from forty-seven in the 2017 election following a recent local boundary review.

An IndependentWelsh Conservatives coalition group was formed following the 2017 local election and were in control of the council since 2017 up to the election.

Local political context

[edit]

In the 2019 United Kingdom general election, Conservative candidates won the constituencies of Wrexham and Clwyd South for the first time in their existence. The constituencies were generally considered to be Labour heartlands part of its "red wall",[3] and were won by Labour in the June 2017 election.[4][5] Sarah Atherton was elected for the Conservatives to represent the Wrexham constituency with 15,199 votes, and Simon Baynes for Clwyd South with 16,222 votes.[6] Atherton is the first Female MP to be elected to the Wrexham seat since its creation in 1918, and the first female Conservative MP elected to Westminster representing a Welsh constituency.[4][7][8][9]

On 31 January 2020, the UK left the EU, with the county borough in the 2016 referendum, voting 59% in favour of Leave.[4]

In the 2021 Senedd election, Welsh Labour incumbents for the Senedd constituencies of Wrexham and Clwyd South covering the county borough were re-elected,[4] despite media predictions and polling stating that one or both constituencies should follow the 2019 UK general election results and be won by Welsh Conservative candidates with a tight margin.[4][10][11][12] For the 2021 Police and Crime Commissioner election, Andy Dunbobbin of the Labour and Co-operative party received the most votes (98,034) in the county borough.[4]

Between 2017 and 2021, various community councils had by-elections, leading to three independent, four Welsh Labour, one Plaid Cymru, and five non-aligned candidates elected. An additional independent candidate was elected to Rhosllanerchrugog Community Council's Pant ward in September 2017 but was replaced by a Welsh Labour candidate in a by-election five months later.[4] Eight elections in this period were uncontested.

On 20 September 2018, an independent candidate for community councillor for Gwersyllt North was elected with 98 votes.[4] The councillor was later replaced in another by-election on 27 February 2020 leading to the Plaid Cymru candidate being elected with 189 votes.

On 18 March 2021, a by-election for the council's Maesydre ward occurred, leading to the Plaid Cymru candidate, Rebecca Martin, being elected with 150 votes, over the Welsh Labour (133 votes) and Welsh Conservative (123 votes) candidates.[4][13]

On 28 October 2021, a by-election in the ward of Gresford East and West was held following the resignation of the incumbent Conservative candidate.[14] The Welsh Conservatives were able to hold onto the ward, with Jeremy Kent being elected for the ward with 351 votes.[4][15][16]

On 17 December 2021, in the neighbouring English constituency of North Shropshire, the Liberal Democrat candidate overturned a 23,000 (2019) Conservative majority following the former MP Owen Paterson's scandal.[17][18]

Council context

[edit]

In 2021, the council submitted bids for UK City of Culture 2025 on behalf of the county borough, and a separate bid for awarding the then town of Wrexham the status of a city for the 2022 Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II civic honours.[19] In October 2021, the council's bid for UK City of Culture 2025 made it onto the competition's shortlist of only 8 shortlisted places in the UK, outbidding 12 other places (20 applied in total) and being the only one of the five bids from Wales making it onto the shortlist. In March 2022, Wrexham County Borough's bid for City of Culture made onto the competition's shortlist of only four places.[20][21] Wrexham's city status bid was submitted in December 2021 to local controversy.[22][23] Protests against the city status bid, led by Plaid Cymru, were held outside Wrexham's Guildhall, the council's main building.[24][25] A public consultation into the city status bid revealed that of those surveyed, 61% did not believe Wrexham should be awarded city status at all.[26] Within the council, political groups threatened to walk out over the debate of city status.[27] The council was criticised for ignoring the survey's results by submitting a bid. Wrexham's city status bid is one of 39 bids across the UK and territories, it is the only bid from Wales, following Merthyr Tydfil's withdrawal of their bid. It is hoped that being the only Welsh bid leads to increased chances of Wrexham winning city status if the Queen awards city status to at least one town in the four countries of the United Kingdom. Wrexham has applied for city status three other times, in 2000, 2002 and 2012, with the 2012 bid lost to St Asaph, Denbighshire. Following the election and unrelated to it, on 20 May 2022, it was announced that Wrexham would be awarded city status through letters patent later in 2022.[28] However, on 31 May 2022, it had lost its bid for UK City of Culture to Bradford, but was formally awarded city status on 1 September 2022.[29]

In January 2022, the council considered raising salaries for councillors to encourage more skilled and more diverse candidates for the 2022 election.[30][31][32][33]

Changes since 2017

[edit]
Results of Maesydre by-election 18 March 2021[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Plaid Cymru Rebecca Ann Martin 150 30.7
Welsh Labour Thomas Stanford 133 27.2
Welsh Conservatives Catherine Brown 123 25.2
Welsh Liberal Democrats Peter Roger Davies 47 9.6
Independent Clive Graham Ray 36 7.4
Total 489
Results of Gresford East and West by-election 28 October 2021[34]
Party Candidate Votes %
Welsh Conservatives Jeremy Kent 351 43
Welsh Liberal Democrats Beryl Blackmore 165 20
Plaid Cymru Aimi Waters 163 20
Welsh Labour Aled Canter 132 16
Reform UK Charles William Henry Dodman 6 1
Green Party Alan Butterworth 5 1
Total 822

Nominations

[edit]

The deadline for councillor nominations was 4 April 2022 at 16:00. 146 candidates were nominated, a decline of 9 from 155 in 2017. These nominees include: 48 independents (down 13), 30 Welsh Labour (down 9), 28 Welsh Conservatives (up 8), 24 Plaid Cymru (up 9), 8 Welsh Liberal Democrats (down 5), 4 Wales Green Party (up 2), 3 non-aligned and 1 Reform UK candidate.[35]

Due to a lack of competing candidates for some electoral wards, upon the deadline for councillor nominees, eight councilors were re-elected due to no competition. These uncontested seats represent 14.29% of the total seats in the election, cancelling the election for 14,583 electors.[36] Wards with only the incumbent or one contender standing would not be holding the ward election.[36] The eight wards with no competition, is an increase from the three non-contending wards in the 2017 election.[35]

The eight wards and councillors not facing competition, and are re-elected prior to the election are:[35]

Ward changes

[edit]
Map of the wards, effective from the 2022 election

In July 2021, the Welsh Government accepted the various ward change proposals made by the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales, with only slight modification, for Wrexham County Borough.[37] The number of councillors will increase by four, from 52 to a total of 56, giving an average of 1,801 electors per councillor.[37] These took effect from May 2022 following the election. The changes gave a better parity of representation. The Welsh Government rejected three recommendations on the names of three wards.[37] Twenty-four wards remained unchanged. Seven wards have two councillors, up from four wards having two councillors in 2017.[37]

Of the other wards, and not mentioning minor boundary changes, the major changes are:[38][39]

  • New wards; Acrefair North (from Plas Madoc ward and Cefn community), Bangor Is-y-Coed and Rhos.
  • Acton ward expanded to include Maesydre as Acton and Maesydre
  • Bronington ward expanded to include Hanmer as Bronington and Hanmer
  • Bryn Cefn expanded to include parts of Brynteg ward
  • Gwenfro ward expanded to include parts of New Broughton and Brynteg wards
  • Parts of Abenbury wards moved to Whitegate ward, parts of Whitegate ward (near Newton Street) moved to Smithfield ward, and parts of Smithfield ward moved to Wynnstay ward
  • Split Cefn ward (a two councillor ward) into separate East and West wards (one councillor each), as Cefn East and Cefn West.
  • Refer to the dually named Dyffryn Ceiriog/Ceiriog Valley ward by only its Welsh name, Dyffryn Ceiriog
  • Parts of Offa ward transferred to Erddig ward
  • Parts of Brynyffynnon ward transferred to Offa ward
  • Split Gwersyllt East and South (a two councillor ward) into separate East and South wards (one councillor each), as Gwersyllt East and Gwersyllt South
  • Abolish Johnstown ward, Plas Madoc ward, and Maesydre ward
  • Overton ward expanded to include Maelor South as Overton and Maelor South
  • Pant ward merged with Johnstown ward as Pant and Johnstown with two councillors.
  • Various minor boundary changes
  • Shrink the Ponciau ward, removing one of its two councillors.
  • Wards of Acton and Maesydre (merged ward), Brymbo, Pant and Johnstown (merged ward), Rhosnesni, and Rossett, become two-councillor wards.
  • Introduction of Welsh language names used alongside English language names for some wards.

No changes performed on the following wards:[38]

Overview of results

[edit]

The election was held on 5 May 2022, no party gained a majority of seats, making the council under no overall control. Four councillors were added for the 2022 election. Below is a table comparing the seat numbers of the 2022 and 2017 election using notional election results, which uses an estimated version of 2017's results using 2022 boundaries.

Notional results

[edit]

Below is an election summary table using notional election results. These are based on an estimated 2017 result using 2022's electoral boundaries, which are then compared to 2022's results. Compared to 2017, there is an increase of four councillors on the council, and various ward boundary changes. Data and calculations are provided by BBC News. Turnout was 36.47%,[40] down from the 40% in 2017.

Wrexham County Borough Council election 2022 notional results[41][42][40]
Party Seats Gains Losses Net gain/loss Seats % Votes % Votes +/−
  Independent 23 Steady Decrease 5 -5 41 38.2 14,349 Decrease 3%
  Labour 14 Increase 3 Steady +3 25 23.6 8,770 Decrease 1.2%
  Conservative 9 Steady Decrease 3 -3 16.1 15.2 5,650 Decrease 2.1%
  Plaid Cymru 9 Increase 6 Steady +6 16.1 14.7 5,454 Increase 7.8%
  Liberal Democrats 1 Steady Decrease 1 -1 1.8 5.1 1,881 Decrease 3.8%
  Non-aligned politician 0 Steady Steady Steady 0 2.6 950
  Green 0 Steady Steady Steady 0 0.6 236 Steady
  Reform UK 0 Steady Steady Steady 0 <0.1 12 Increase <0.1%
Election statistics[40]
2022 Total 2017 Change from 2017
or Ward
Registered electors 87,291
Ballots issued 31,840
Votes cast

(incl. two cllr ward ballots)

37,304
Candidates elected 146 155 Decrease 9
Ward with highest turnout 50% Llangollen Rural
Overall turnout 36.47% 40% Decrease 3.53%
Ward with most votes 3034 Pant and Johnstown (two cllrs)
Ward with least votes 373 Queensway (one cllr)
Ward with most spoilt ballots 25 Hermitage
Candidate with most votes 1,168 Rob Walsh (Llay)
Winning candidate with least votes 184 Paul Williams (Smithfield)
Candidate with least votes 7 Stephen James Rooney (Penycae candidate)
Winning candidates total 21,800
Losing candidates total 15,500

Summarised ward results

[edit]
2022 election changes
Electoral ward 2017 result Notes 2022 result Change
Acrefair North did not exist Labour new seat
Acton Independent abolished
Acton and Maesydre did not exist Plaid Cymru new seat
Labour new seat
Bangor Is-y-Coed did not exist Conservative new seat
Borras Park Conservative Conservative hold
Bronington Conservative abolished
Bronington and Hanmer did not exist Conservative new seat
Brymbo Conservative Conservative defected

to Independent

Independent hold
did not exist Labour new seat
Bryn Cefn Conservative Conservative hold
Brynyffynnon Independent Independent hold
Cartrefle Independent Independent hold
Cefn Independent abolished
Labour abolished
Cefn East did not exist Labour new seat
Cefn West did not exist Labour new seat
Chirk North Labour Labour hold
Chirk South Independent Independent hold
Coedpoeth Labour Labour hold
Independent Labour gain
Dyffryn Ceiriog[iv] Independent Independent hold
Erddig Conservative Conservative hold
Esclusham Independent Independent hold
Garden Village Independent Independent hold
Gresford East and West Conservative Conservative hold

(28 October 2021 by-election)

Conservative hold
Grosvenor Plaid Cymru Plaid Cymru hold
Gwenfro Independent Independent hold
Gwersyllt East did not exist Independent new seat
Gwersyllt East and South Independent abolished
Independent
Gwersyllt North Independent Plaid Cymru gain
Gwersyllt South did not exist Plaid Cymru new seat
Gwersyllt West Plaid Cymru Plaid Cymru hold
Hermitage Labour Labour hold
Holt Conservative Conservative hold
Johnstown Independent abolished
Little Acton Independent Independent hold
Llangollen Rural Independent Independent hold
Llay Liberal Democrats Incumbent defected from Liberal Democrats to Independents Independent hold
Labour Labour hold
Maesydre Labour Plaid Cymru gain from Labour

(18 March 2021 by-election)

abolished
Marchwiel Independent Independent hold
Marford and Hoseley Conservative Liberal Democrats gain
Minera Independent Labour gain
New Broughton Independent Independent hold
Offa Liberal Democrats Plaid Cymru gain
Overton Independent abolished
Overton and Maelor South did not exist Independent new seat
Pant Independent abolished
Pant and Johnstown did not exist Independent new seat
Independent new seat
Penycae Independent Independent hold
Penycae and Ruabon South Independent Independent hold
Plas Madoc Labour abolished
Ponciau Independent Independent hold
Labour abolished
Queensway Plaid Cymru Plaid Cymru hold
Rhos did not exist Independent new seat
Rhosnesni Independent Independent hold
did not exist Plaid Cymru new seat
Rossett Conservative Conservative hold
did not exist Conservative new seat
Ruabon Labour Labour hold
Smithfield Labour Plaid Cymru gain
Stansty Independent Independent hold
Whitegate Labour Labour hold
Wynnstay Labour Labour hold

Aftermath

[edit]

Following the results, the council was under no overall control, with no single party holding a majority of councillors. Independents were initially in talks with Welsh Labour councillors over the 7–8 May weekend.

On 10 May 2022, the two formerly separately organised groups of independents in the council, the Independents, led by Mark Pritchard, and the "Wrexham Independents" group, led by David A Bithell, merged into one "mega" "the Independent Group".[43] The group contains twenty-one of the twenty-three independent politicians elected, with Mike Davies and Ronnie Prince being the only two independents not join the group. It is led by incumbent council leader and deputy leader, Mark Pritchard and David A Bithell respectively.[44] On the start of more talks between Labour and the Independent Group, Labour Cllr Davies, questioned whether the merger was an attempt to stay in power, and questioned the relationship between Cllr Pritchard and Cllr Bithell over a rumoured falling out prior to the election.[44] However, Cllr Davies added if they are "able to reconcile their differences" and have a "new and ambitious agenda", then Welsh Labour would welcome the merger.[45]

On 11 May 2022, the Independent Group formed another coalition with the Welsh Conservatives for the next five-year term following an agreement between the two.[46] The coalition would have 30 members, a two councillor majority on the 56 seat council.[47] Labour Cllr Davies said that the Independent–Conservatives deal was based on "pure self-interest" "to protect their own positions".[46] Leader of Plaid Cymru in the council, Marc Jones also accused the deal to be more focused in retaining power than representation.[46] Welsh Labour leader in the council, Dana Davies claimed talks between the two failed due to Labour's requirement that any deal involves all councillors undertaking training on addressing anti-Semitism, homophobia, racism and sexism.[48][46] Cllr Davies described this deal to have been a "UK-first" and "ground-breaking" if it were to have been agreed.[48][46] Cllr Davies also said that every member would have to sign up a motion condemning racism and misogyny. Talks with Plaid Cymru were ruled out from the beginning by the independents due to Plaid Cymru's disagreement with Mark Pritchard's leadership.[43][49]

The Independent Group and the Welsh Conservatives following the announcement describe it to be "an exciting time for Wrexham", and Cllr Pritchard and Conservative group leader Hugh Jones said that they are "please to have reached a workable agreement [...] we will continue to build on our success".[46]

Opposition in the council will be Welsh Labour, Plaid Cymru, the two non-aligned independents, and the Liberal Democrats councillor.[50]

Full ward results

[edit]

Incumbent councillors are marked with a *. Councillors who served for different (including abolished) wards are marked with **.

Acrefair North (one seat)

[edit]
Acrefair North 2022[51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Paul Blackwell** 217 55
Independent Amanda Bradley 180 45
Majority 37 9.3
Turnout 27
Rejected ballots 4 1
Total ballots 401
Total valid votes 397 99
Registered electors 1,500
Labour win (new seat)

Acton and Maesydre (two seats)

[edit]
Acton and Maesydre 2022[51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Plaid Cymru Becca Martin** 667 30
Labour Corin Jarvis 460 21
Plaid Cymru Bobbi Cockcroft 418 19
Independent Tim Ryan 395 18
Conservative Anna Justyna Buckley 222 10
Green Peter David Sanham 59 3
Majority 207
Majority 42
Turnout 37
Rejected ballots 6
Total ballots 1379
Total valid votes 2221
Registered electors 3,737
Plaid Cymru win (new boundaries)
Labour win (new seat)

Bangor Is-y-Coed (one seat)

[edit]
Bangor Is-y-Coed 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Robert Ian Williams 365 53
Liberal Democrats Tim Sly 254 37
Green Graham Bannister Kelly 65 10
Majority 111 16.2
Turnout 42
Rejected ballots 3 0.4
Total ballots 687
Total valid votes 684
Registered electors 1,624
Conservative win (new seat)

Borras Park (one seat)

[edit]
Borras Park 2022 [51][52][40][38]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Debbie Wallice* unopposed n/a n/a
Registered electors 1,964
Conservative hold Swing unopposed

Bronington and Hanmer (one seat)

[edit]
Bronington and Hanmer 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Jeremy Alexander Newton 363 52
Independent Ben Martin 335 48
Majority 28 4
Turnout 47
Rejected ballots 4 0.57
Total ballots 702
Total valid votes 698
Registered electors 1,480
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative win (new boundaries)

Brymbo (two seats)

[edit]
Brymbo 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Paul Rogers*[v] 682 43
Labour Gary Brown 512 32
Independent Gavin Elgan Hughes 403 25
Majority 170 10.6
Majority 109 6.8
Turnout 34
Rejected ballots 4 0.37
Total ballots 1076
Total valid votes 1597
Registered electors 3,156
Independent hold Swing
Labour win (new seat)

Bryn Cefn (one seat)

[edit]
Bryn Cefn 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Beverley Parry-Jones* 373 51
Labour Jackie Owen 260 35
Plaid Cymru James Holland 101 14
Majority 113 15.4
Turnout 38
Rejected ballots 4
Total ballots 738
Total valid votes 734
Registered electors 1,943
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative win (new boundaries)

Brynyffynnon (one seat)

[edit]
Brynyffynnon 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Phil Wynn* 280 44
Labour Barbara Lloyd 214 34
Plaid Cymru Peter Derrick 143 22
Majority 66 10.4
Turnout 28
Rejected ballots 4 0.6
Total ballots 641
Total valid votes 637 99.4
Registered electors 2,265
Independent hold Swing

Cartrefle (one seat)

[edit]
Cartrefle 2022 [51][52][40][38]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Ronnie Prince* unopposed n/a
Registered electors 1,636
Independent hold Swing unopposed

Cefn East (one seat)

[edit]
Cefn East 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Derek William Wright** 235 51
Independent David Taylor 164 36
Independent David Metcalfe 38 8
Independent George Wood 22 5
Majority 71 15.5
Turnout 28
Rejected ballots 5 1.1
Total ballots 464
Total valid votes 459 98.9
Registered electors 1,661
Labour win (new seat)

Cefn West (one seat)

[edit]
Cefn West 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Stella Matthews 269 42
Independent Sonia Tyger Benbow-Jones** 263 41
Independent Victoria Matthews 114 18
Majority 6 0.9
Turnout 38
Rejected ballots 2 0.3
Total ballots 648
Total valid votes 646 99.7
Registered electors 1,715
Labour win (new seat)

Chirk North (one seat)

[edit]
Chirk North 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Frank Hemmings* 434 60
Independent Gareth Baines 290 40
Majority 144 19.9
Turnout 39
Rejected ballots 5 0.7
Total ballots 729
Total valid votes 724 99.3
Registered electors 1,858
Labour hold Swing

Chirk South (one seat)

[edit]
Chirk South 2022 [51][52][40][38]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Terry Evans* unopposed n/a n/a
Registered electors 1,552
Independent hold Swing unopposed

Coedpoeth (two seats)

[edit]
Coedpoeth 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Krista Childs* 730 34
Labour Anthony Wedlake 507 24
Independent Ben Brown 362 17
Liberal Democrats Graham Kelly 205 10
Conservative Gareth Leslie Owens 174 8
Independent Michael Dixon* 173 8
Majority 223 10.4
Majority 145 6.7
Turnout 34
Rejected ballots 4 0.3
Total ballots 1191
Total valid votes 2151
Registered electors 3,509
Labour hold Swing
Labour gain from Independent Swing

Dyffryn Ceiriog (one seat)

[edit]
Dyffryn Ceiriog (Ceiriog Valley) 2022 [51][52][40][38]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Trevor Raymond Bates* unopposed n/a n/a
Registered electors 1,679
Independent hold Swing unopposed

Erddig (one seat)

[edit]
Erddig 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Paul Anthony Roberts* 322 39
Labour John Ramm 174 21
Independent Alex Jones 164 20
Liberal Democrats David Richard Jones 90 11
Plaid Cymru Iolanda Banu Viegas 82 10
Majority 148 17.8
Turnout 47
Rejected ballots 0 0
Total ballots 832
Total valid votes 832 100
Registered electors 1,764
Conservative hold Swing

Esclusham (one seat)

[edit]
Esclusham 2022 [51][52][40][38]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Mark Pritchard* unopposed n/a n/a
Registered electors 2,154
Independent hold Swing unopposed

Garden Village (one seat)

[edit]
Garden Village 2022 [51][52][40][38]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Andy Williams* unopposed n/a n/a
Registered electors 1,644
Independent hold Swing unopposed

Gresford East and West (one seat)

[edit]
Gresford East and West 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Jeremy Kent*[vi] 700 67
Plaid Cymru Aimi Waters 351 33
Majority 343 32.6
Turnout 43
Rejected ballots 11 1
Total ballots 1062
Total valid votes 1051 99
Registered electors 2,445
Conservative hold Swing

Grosvenor (one seat)

[edit]
Grosvenor 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Plaid Cymru Marc Jones* 382 63
Labour Ray Floyd 157 26
Conservative Patricia Sikora-Maciejewska 64 11
Majority 225 37.3
Turnout 30
Rejected ballots 3 0.5
Total ballots 606
Total valid votes 603 99.5
Registered electors 1,990
Plaid Cymru hold Swing

Gwenfro (one seat)

[edit]
Gwenfro 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Nigel Williams* 374 77
Plaid Cymru Katie Brisco 72 15
Non-aligned politician Andrew Humphreys 42 9
Majority 302 61.9
Turnout 27
Rejected ballots 1 0.2
Total ballots 489
Total valid votes 488 99.8
Registered electors 1,809
Independent hold Swing
Independent win (new boundaries)

Gwersyllt East (one seat)

[edit]
Gwersyllt East 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Tina Mannering** 437 52
Independent David John Griffiths** 400 48
Majority 37 4.4
Turnout 44
Rejected ballots 11 1.3
Total ballots 848
Total valid votes 837 98.7
Registered electors 1,943
Independent win (new seat)

David Griffiths and Tina Mannering were the two incumbent councillors for the former Gwersyllt East and South ward, and elected in 2012 for such ward.

Gwersyllt North (one seat)

[edit]
Gwersyllt North 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Plaid Cymru Emma Holland 411 81
Conservative Luke Steven Howells 99 19
Majority 312 61.2
Turnout 26
Rejected ballots 10 2
Total ballots 520
Total valid votes 510 98
Registered electors 2,023
Plaid Cymru gain from Independent Swing

Gwersyllt South (one seat)

[edit]
Gwersyllt South 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Plaid Cymru Peter Howell 228 42
Independent Bernie Mccann 177 33
Labour Colin Powell 133 25
Majority 51 9.5
Turnout 31
Rejected ballots 7 1.3
Total ballots 545
Total valid votes 538 98.7
Registered electors 1,777
Plaid Cymru win (new seat)

Gwersyllt West (one seat)

[edit]
Gwersyllt West 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Plaid Cymru Annette Davies 250 35
Independent Barrie Warburton** 203 29
Labour Aled Canter 189 27
Conservative Wendy O'Grady 66 9
Majority 47 6.6
Turnout 30
Rejected ballots 3 0.4
Total ballots 711
Total valid votes 708 99.6
Registered electors 2,362
Plaid Cymru hold Swing

Hermitage (one seat)

[edit]
Hermitage 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Graham Rogers* 485 88
Conservative Lauren Louise McKenry 65 12
Majority 420 76.4
Turnout 33
Rejected ballots 25 4.3
Total ballots 575
Total valid votes 550 95.7
Registered electors 1,741
Labour hold Swing

Holt (one seat)

[edit]
Holt 2022 [51][52][40][38]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Michael Morris* unopposed n/a n/a
Registered electors 2,219
Conservative hold Swing unopposed

Little Acton (one seat)

[edit]
Little Acton 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Bill Baldwin* 234 29
Labour Christina Bate 227 28
Conservative Martin Bennett 208 26
Plaid Cymru Andrew Moss 132 16
Reform UK Charles Dodman 12 1
Majority 7 0.9
Turnout 45
Rejected ballots 10 1.2
Total ballots 823
Total valid votes 813 98.8
Registered electors 1,829
Independent hold Swing

Llangollen Rural (one seat)

[edit]
Llangollen Rural 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Rondo Roberts* 650 81
Plaid Cymru Rachel Allen 152 19
Majority 498 62.1
Turnout 50
Rejected ballots 3 0.4
Total ballots 805
Total valid votes 802 99.6
Registered electors 1,625
Independent hold Swing

Llay (two seats)

[edit]
Llay 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Rob Walsh*[vii] 1,168 54
Labour Bryan Apsley* 775 36
Conservative Lyndon Bruce Vickery 231 11
Majority 393 18
Majority 544 25
Turnout 37
Rejected ballots 1
Total ballots 1401
Total valid votes 2174
Registered electors 3,800
Independent gain from Liberal Democrats Swing
Labour hold Swing

Marchwiel (one seat)

[edit]
Marchwiel 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent John Pritchard* 390 58
Plaid Cymru Vicky Woodhouse 153 23
Conservative William Robert Martin 129 19
Majority 237 35.3
Turnout 37
Rejected ballots 3 0.4
Total ballots 675
Total valid votes 672 99.6
Registered electors 1,847
Independent hold Swing

Marford and Hoseley (one seat)

[edit]
Marford and Hoseley 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Beryl Blackmore 481 56
Conservative James Robert Hobbley 373 44
Majority 108 12.6
Turnout 47
Rejected ballots 7 0.8
Total ballots 861
Total valid votes 854 99.2
Registered electors 1,837
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing

Minera (one seat)

[edit]
Minera 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Jerry Wellens 304 37
Independent Ricki McNeil 293 36
Plaid Cymru Melys Elisabeth 123 15
Independent Jeanie Barton 97 12
Majority 11 1.3
Turnout 43
Rejected ballots 7 0.8
Total ballots 824
Total valid votes 817 99.2
Registered electors 1,921
Labour gain from Independent Swing

New Broughton (one seat)

[edit]
New Broughton 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Claire Lovett 246 39
Labour Ben Connor 140 22
Plaid Cymru Natasha Borton 115 18
Independent Gerald Davies 83 13
Liberal Democrats Luke Meyers 39 6
Majority 106 17
Turnout 32
Rejected ballots 8 1.3
Total ballots 631
Total valid votes 623 98.7
Registered electors 1,996
Independent hold Swing

Offa (one seat)

[edit]
Offa 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Plaid Cymru Katie Wilkinson 212 30
Liberal Democrats Alun Jenkins* 206 30
Labour Andrew Ranger 174 25
Conservative Steven Vale 80 11
Green Alan Butterworth 26 4
Majority 6 0.9
Turnout 33
Rejected ballots 6 0.9
Total ballots 704
Total valid votes 698 99.1
Registered electors 2,106
Plaid Cymru gain from Liberal Democrats Swing

Overton and Maelor South (one seat)

[edit]
Overton and Maelor South 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent John Bernard McCusker** 557 58
Independent Paul Ashton 316 33
Green Virginia Carter 86 9
Majority 241 25.1
Turnout 43
Rejected ballots 1 0.1
Total ballots 960
Total valid votes 959 99.9
Registered electors 2,236
Independent win (new boundaries)

Pant and Johnstown (two seats)

[edit]
Pant and Johnstown 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Steve Joe Jones 902 30
Independent David A Bithell** 780 26
Non-aligned politician David Maddocks** 765 25
Labour Ethan Jones 459 15
Independent Geoff Foy 128 4
Majority 122 4
Majority 15 0.5
Turnout 44
Rejected ballots 1
Total ballots 1814
Total valid votes 3034
Registered electors 4,136
Independent win (new seat)
Independent win (new seat)

Penycae (one seat)

[edit]
Penycae 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent John Conrad Phillips* 579 92
Labour Matt Birnie 40 6
Conservative Stephen James Rooney 7 1
Majority 539 86.1
Turnout 41
Rejected ballots 2 0.3
Total ballots 628
Total valid votes 626 99.7
Registered electors 1,548
Independent hold Swing

Penycae and Ruabon South (one seat)

[edit]
Penycae and Ruabon South 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Alison Tynan 303 38
Plaid Cymru Chris Jones 250 31
Labour Jim Roberts 248 31
Majority 53 6.6
Turnout 39
Rejected ballots 2 0.2
Total ballots 803
Total valid votes 801 99.8
Registered electors 2,063
Independent hold Swing

Ponciau (one seat)

[edit]
Ponciau 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Paul Pemberton* 478 66
Labour Kevin Hughes* 247 34
Majority 231 32
Turnout 39
Rejected ballots 0 0
Total ballots 725
Total valid votes 725 100
Registered electors 1,878
Independent hold Swing

Ponciau was reduced from a two-seat ward to a one-seat ward for the 2022 election. Both incumbents stood for re-election.

Queensway (one seat)

[edit]
Queensway 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Plaid Cymru Carrie Harper* 279 75
Labour Sion Edwards 82 22
Conservative Joseph Wojcik-Jones 12 3
Majority 197 53
Turnout 26
Rejected ballots 2 0.5
Total ballots 375
Total valid votes 373 99.5
Registered electors 1,417
Plaid Cymru hold Swing

Rhos (one seat)

[edit]
Rhos 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Fred Roberts 231 38
Labour Will Peters 189 31
Independent Paul Williams 150 25
Conservative Andrew Patrick Roberts 40 7
Majority 42 6.9
Turnout 35
Rejected ballots 7 1.1
Total ballots 617
Total valid votes 610 98.9
Registered electors 1,752
Independent win (new seat)

Rhosnesni (two seats)

[edit]
Rhosnesni 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Mike Davies* 883 48
Plaid Cymru Andy Gallanders 468 26
Conservative Catherine Brown 307 17
Liberal Democrats Roger Davies 171 9
Majority 415 22.7
Majority 161 8.8
Turnout 38
Rejected ballots 4 0.4
Total ballots 1121
Total valid votes 1829
Registered electors 2,934
Independent hold Swing
Plaid Cymru win (new seat)

Rossett (two seats)

[edit]
Rossett 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Hugh Jones* 693 40
Conservative Ross Edward Shepherd 596 35
Liberal Democrats Glenda Kelly 435 25
Majority 97 5.6
Majority 161 9.3
Turnout 42
Rejected ballots 11 1
Total ballots 1110
Total valid votes 1724
Registered electors 2,650
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative win (new seat)

Rossett gained an additional councillor seat for 2022.

Ruabon (one seat)

[edit]
Ruabon 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Dana Davies* 249 32
Independent Charles Devlin 245 32
Non-aligned politician Sharon Mazzarella 143 18
Plaid Cymru Rebecca Wide 85 11
Conservative Peter James Molloy 52 7
Majority 4 0.5
Turnout 36
Rejected ballots 2 0.3
Total ballots 776
Total valid votes 774 99.7
Registered electors 2,170
Labour hold Swing

Smithfield (one seat)

[edit]
Smithfield 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Plaid Cymru Paul Williams 184 41
Labour Patricia Maura Williams 153 34
Independent Richard Bennett 70 16
Conservative Geoffrey Charles Sutton 38 9
Majority 31 7
Turnout 25
Rejected ballots 7 1.5
Total ballots 452
Total valid votes 445 98.5
Registered electors 1,820
Plaid Cymru gain from Labour Swing

Stansty (one seat)

[edit]
Stansty 2022 [51][52][40][38]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent David Bithell* unopposed n/a n/a
Registered electors 1,735
Independent hold Swing unopposed

Whitegate (one seat)

[edit]
Whitegate 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Brian Paterson Cameron* 312 61
Plaid Cymru Kath Grives 144 28
Conservative Brian Wright 54 11
Majority 168 32.9
Turnout 28
Rejected ballots 5 1
Total ballots 515
Total valid votes 510 99
Registered electors 1,848
Labour hold Swing

Wynnstay (one seat)

[edit]
Wynnstay 2022 [51][52][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Malcolm Christopher King* 195 52
Independent Colin Ridgway 110 29
Plaid Cymru Cameron Hughes 56 15
Conservative Merril Anna Maria Wolfson 15 4
Majority 85 22.6
Turnout 24
Rejected ballots 0 0
Total ballots 376
Total valid votes 376 100
Registered electors 1,576
Labour hold Swing

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ This number includes those part of the "Wrexham Independents Group" which organised themselves separately in the council from the other independents before the election, as well as one "non-specified".[1]
  2. ^ 6 candidates stood uncontested, 're-elected' without opposition, and the election not held in their electoral wards.
  3. ^ 2 candidates stood uncontested, 're-elected' without opposition, and the election not held in their electoral wards.
  4. ^ Named dually with the English name "Ceiriog Valley" in 2017. Only referred to by its Welsh name "Dyffryn Ceiriog" from 2022.
  5. ^ Stood for the Welsh Conservatives in 2017
  6. ^ Elected in a by-election since 2017
  7. ^ Stood for the Liberal Democrats in 2017

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Election results by party, 4 May 2017". moderngov.wrexham.gov.uk. 4 May 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  2. ^ Mosalski, Ruth (24 September 2019). "The date of the next council elections in Wales has moved". Wales Online. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  3. ^ "The Tories are well ahead in Wrexham, part of Labour's "Red Wall"". The Economist. 5 December 2019. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Election results | Wrexham County Borough Council". www.wrexham.gov.uk. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  5. ^ "'People are fed up, tired and scared': the battle for Wrexham". The Guardian. 6 December 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Wrexham parliamentary constituency - Election 2019 - BBC News". Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  7. ^ Randall, Liam. "Sarah Atherton: Wrexham elects Conservative MP for first time in history". Leader Live. Archived from the original on 13 December 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  8. ^ "In Wrexham, voters are abandoning Labour over Brexit". New Statesman. 8 June 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  9. ^ "General Election 2019 - Wrexham turns blue for the first time". www.shropshirestar.com. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  10. ^ Randall, Liam (7 May 2021). "Senedd Election 2021: Wrexham constituency result in full". North Wales Live. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  11. ^ Mosalski, Ruth; Burkitt, Sian (7 May 2021). "Senedd election 2021 result in Wrexham: Labour hold seat". WalesOnline. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  12. ^ "Seat projection: Conservatives on course to gain seats from Labour". ITV News. 7 May 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  13. ^ "Plaid Cymru gain council seat from Labour in Wrexham as by-elections resume after pandemic pause". Nation.Cymru. 19 March 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  14. ^ "Voters set to go to the polls at Gresford by-election in October". The Leader. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  15. ^ "Candidates confirmed in race to replace Wrexham councillor who relocated to Panama". The Leader. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  16. ^ "Jeremy Kent wins Gresford election – Welsh Conservatives Hold". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  17. ^ "North Shropshire by-election 'drubbing' will send shockwaves through the Tory party". Sky News. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  18. ^ "'Party is over': UK's ruling Tories lose safe seat they've always held". euronews. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  19. ^ "Wrexham mulls launching fourth bid for city status". BBC News. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  20. ^ "UK city of culture 2025: Southampton and Bradford among those on shortlist". The Guardian. 18 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  21. ^ "UK City of Culture 2025: Derby misses out on shortlist". BBC News. 18 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  22. ^ "Wrexham to make fourth city status bid despite opposition". BBC News. 7 December 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  23. ^ Randall, Liam (7 December 2021). "Wrexham pushes ahead with fourth city status bid despite backlash over plans". North Wales Live. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  24. ^ "Wrexham's city status bid plan opposed by protesters". BBC News. 4 December 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  25. ^ "'Say No To City Status' - protesters demonstrate outside Wrexham Guildhall". The Leader. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  26. ^ "Majority say Wrexham does not deserve city status – council say "people lack confidence in their town"". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  27. ^ "Council issue statement 70 days after mess of Full Council meeting on City Status bid". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  28. ^ "The City of Wrexham: History made as city status is granted". The Leader. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  29. ^ "Official – Wrexham is now a city". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  30. ^ "Councillors set to back action plan aiming to increase diversity in 2022's local government elections". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  31. ^ "Councillor pay could rise by 16.9% in 'significant reset' to encourage more candidates for May 2022 elections". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  32. ^ ""You said we did" – Public again suggest cutting Mayoral role, trimming councillor pay and numbers". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  33. ^ "Wrexham politicians to discuss £2,400 a year councillor pay rise proposals". Border Counties Advertizer. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  34. ^ "Election results for Gresford East/West, 28 October 2021". moderngov.wrexham.gov.uk. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  35. ^ a b c "Wrexham council election: 138 candidates fighting election with eight others already elected with no competition". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  36. ^ a b "Dozens of council seats in Wales already decided as 70 councillors unopposed in upcoming elections". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  37. ^ a b c d "Wrexham Council Boundary Reforms Confirmed | LDBC". ldbc.gov.wales. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  38. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Review of the Electoral Arrangements of the County Borough of Wrexham – Final Recommendations Report" (PDF). ldbc.gov.wales. Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales. November 2020. p. 12. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  39. ^ "Shake up of Wrexham council wards would see more councillors and boundary changes". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  40. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az "Turnout up across Wrexham in council election – however nine wards saw less than 30% of voters take part". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  41. ^ "Local elections 2022: How the BBC is reporting the results". BBC News. 5 May 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  42. ^ "Wrexham result - Local Elections 2022". BBC News. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  43. ^ a b "Wrexham Independents merge with Independents to form new mega Independents Group". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  44. ^ a b "Questions over whether Wrexham independent group merger is 'marriage of convenience'". The Leader. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  45. ^ ""Change takes courage" as Welsh Labour in talks with new Independent Group". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  46. ^ a b c d e f "Independents and Conservatives agree deal to run Wrexham Council for next five years". The Leader. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  47. ^ "New mega Independent Group join forces with Conservatives to run Wrexham Council". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  48. ^ a b "Coalition deal 'faltered on anti-Semitism, anti-homophobia, anti-racism and anti-sexism' training condition, says labour group leader". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  49. ^ ""Independent candidates have taken the public for a ride" say Plaid Cymru". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  50. ^ Randall, Liam (11 May 2022). "Wrexham council to be led by Independents and Conservatives". North Wales Live. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  51. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw "Wrexham Council Elections 2022". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  52. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw "Election results by wards, 5 May 2022". moderngov.wrexham.gov.uk. 5 May 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.