The by-election for the local council in Port Talbot is now set to go ahead in June. The vote which was delayed due to the death of Independent councillor Andrew Tutton, will take place on Thursday, June 23, after the list of candidates were announced last week.
Candidates on the sheet will compete for two seats in the council that recently announced a coalition leadership under nominated council leader Steve Hunt of the Independents. We spoke to the candidates ahead of the upcoming election.
The by-election comes just over a month after voters went to the poll in May for the 2022 local elections - which saw Labour win the most seats with 526 councillors. In Neath Port Talbot, Labour lost 18 seats but remained the party with the most number of councillors. Mr Tutton's death happened before the May election - but the vote for Port Talbot ward was postponed as a result.
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The updated list of candidates for the Port Talbot election are as follows:
John Davies - Independent
Independent candidate John Davies is a former business owner from the Port Talbot area, and will be running for a seat as councillor for the third time.
He said: "I have decided to run for Port Talbot council as I would love to work with people on a wide range of issues. It's a great place and I honestly believe that as part of this coalition group I can help in assisting residents to the best of my abilities. The political landscape changed in May and I would like to be a part of that change to help build a better future for the people of Port Talbot."
Sharon Freeguard - Labour
Sharon Freeguard of the Welsh Labour Party was one of the three councillors for Port Talbot in 2017, and says she would be honoured to continue to represent her community again in the coming years.
She said: "Over the last five years I have worked hard for my community and have delivered a number of investments and improvements within the area. I am passionate about the place where I have lived for 40 years, and would be honoured to continue to represent the people here."
Nigel Thomas Hunt - Plaid Cymru
Nigel Thomas Hunt is a former councillor for Aberavon, and says if he was elected he would focus on value for money with council tax.
He said: "Port Talbot in many ways is the jewel in the crown of the area, with a great community spirit and historic sports teams. If I was elected to represent the people here I would make sure we get value for money on our council tax, as well as delivering the biggest street art festival the county has ever seen."
Kimberley Anne Isherwood - Independent
Kimberley Anne Isherwood will be running for the first time in 2022, and says her focus will be on the youth of the town.
She said: "I am coming into this election as an independent candidate, and have a complete focus on helping the youth of the area. There is nothing here for teens and pre-teens at the moment and I want to give a voice to this generation to help make a change. I'm not from any sort of political background but I am passionate about the issues of under-represented youths in the area."
Bethany Payne - Green Party
Bethany Payne, 26, has been a member of the Green Party for almost seven years and says with her background in politics and sustainability she can offer a different outlook on local politics.
She said: "I'm standing in this year's election because I believe everyone should have a range of choices for who they want to represent them in the ward. I have a background in politics and sustainability which I believe qualifies me for the role. As a wheelchair user I can also offer a unique and different perspective on life in Port Talbot."
Saifur Rahaman - Labour
Saifur Rahaman, 41, was voted in as councillor at the last two local elections in 2012 and 2017, and was the first councillor of an ethnic minority to be voted in, in the area.
He said: " I have gained a lot of experience in my time as councillor since 2012 and I want to carry on with the work I've been doing here in that time. I have a strong community ethos after living in the area all my life, and have been a great campaigner for equality, believing that everyone in Port Talbot should have a voice and be represented."
Melissa Stanford-Roberts - Plaid Cymru
Melissa Stanford-Roberts of Plaid Cymru was born and raised in Port Talbot where she works as a store manager on Station Road.
She said: " I was born and raised in Port Talbot and have lived in the PT ward for the last 19 years. For the last 23 years I have been working as a Store Manager in Station Road, and during that time have built up numerous great relationships within the local community and I am very aware of the issues we face. It is for these reasons I want to make a stand and represent the area by putting the voices of the people first and foremost."
Jan Dowden - Green Party
Jan Dowden is the second candidate who will be bidding to represent the Green Party in Port Talbot, where she will aim to join the likes of Nathan Goldup-John, the first Green Party candidate elected to Neath Port Talbot Council. You can read more of our stories from Neath Port Talbot here.
