# 2017 Ceredigion County Council election

The 2017 election to Ceredigion County Council was held on 4 May 2017 when local elections took place across Wales. It was preceded by the 2012 election and followed by the 2022 election.

## Summary of results

Plaid Cymru remained the largest party on 5 May 2017, but fell short of an overall majority with 19 councillors. However, James Wyn Reynolds Thomas (Plaid Cymru) was elected unopposed on 11 May 2017 for the Llandyfriog ward, bringing the number of Plaid councillors on the Council up to 20. Eight seats, out of the 42 available, had candidates elected unopposed.
Ceredigion local election result 2017 :
| Party | Party | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss | Seats % | Votes % | Votes |
| | Plaid Cymru | 20 | +4 | -3 | +1 | 46.0 | 36.11 | 8,554 |
| | Independent | 13 | +2 | -4 | -2 | 32.0 | 32.70 | 7,509 |
| | Liberal Democrats | 8 | +1 | 0 | +1 | 20.0 | 22.82 | 5,406 |
| | Labour | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.0 | 6.52 | 1,545 |
| | Conservative | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1.02 | 241 |
| | NHA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.96 | 228 |
| | Green | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.87 | 207 |
| Total | Total | 42 | | | | | | 23,690 |

## Background

The 2012 elections saw Plaid Cymru win 19 seats, independents 15 seats, Liberal Democrats 7 seats and the Labour Party one seat, leaving the council in no overall control, with Plaid Cymru three seats short of a majority. After the election the Independents agreed to work with Plaid Cymru, as did the sole Labour councillor, creating a coalition.
During the term Gethin James (Ind, Aberporth) joined UKIP but said that he would still sit in the Cabinet. This was strongly opposed by both the leader of the council Ellen ap Gwynn (Plaid, Ceulanamaesmawr) and by the leader of Plaid Cymru, Leanne Wood. He eventually resigned from his cabinet post and sat on the opposition benches with the Liberal Democrats; and lost his Aberporth seat in the 2017 election.
At the close of nominations on 4 April 2017, the numbers of candidates nominated were as follows: Plaid Cymru 35, Independents 27, Liberal Democrats 22, Labour Party 9, Green Party 5, Conservatives 3, National Health Action Party 1.

## Ward Results

Asterisks denote incumbent Councillors seeking re-election. Vote share changes compared with corresponding 2012 election.

### Aberaeron ward

Aberaeron ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Elizabeth Evans* | 559 | 88.45 | −2.88 |
| | Plaid Cymru | Owain Arwel Glyn Hughes | 73 | 11.55 | +2.88 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 486 | 76.90 | −5.74 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 632 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |

### Aberporth

Aberporth ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Plaid Cymru | Gethin Davies | 386 | 42.28 | +15.56 |
| | Independent | Gethin James* | 323 | 35.38 | −25.89 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Stefani Flowers | 114 | 12.49 | +12.49 |
| | Conservative | Owen William Edward Millward | 90 | 9.86 | −2.15 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 63 | 6.90 | −27.66 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 913 | | |
| | Plaid Cymru gain from Independent | Plaid Cymru gain from Independent | Swing | | |

### Aberystwyth, Bronglais ward

Aberystwyth, Bronglais ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Plaid Cymru | Alun John Wiliams* | 342 | 81.04 | −8.36 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jamie Matthew Dearden | 47 | 11.14 | +11.14 |
| | Labour | Jamie Christopher Scott | 33 | 7.82 | +7.82 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 295 | 69.90 | −8.90 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 422 | | |
| | Plaid Cymru hold | Plaid Cymru hold | Swing | | |

### Aberystwyth, Central ward

Aberystwyth, Central ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Ceredig Wyn Davies* | 215 | 64.18 | +1.75 |
| | Plaid Cymru | Jeff Alfred Smith | 73 | 21.79 | −9.83 |
| | Green | Julie Karen Makin | 35 | 10.45 | +10.45 |
| | Independent | Mark Robert Bolderston | 12 | 3.58 | +3.58 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 142 | 42.39 | +11.58 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 335 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |

### Aberystwyth, North ward

Aberystwyth, North ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Plaid Cymru | Mark Antony Strong* | 313 | 63.49 | +22.06 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Bryony Siân Davies | 180 | 36.51 | +4.14 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 133 | 26.98 | +17.92 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 493 | | |
| | Plaid Cymru hold | Plaid Cymru hold | Swing | | |

### Aberystwyth, Penparcau ward

Cllr. Jones-Southgate was elected as a Plaid Cymru councillor for this ward in 2012 but subsequently became an Independent. She stood for the Liberal Democrats in the Llanfarian ward in 2008.
Aberystwyth, Penparcau ward (two seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Plaid Cymru | Steve Davies* | 354 | 44.19 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Glyndwr Lloyd Edwards | 251 | 31.34 |
| | Plaid Cymru | Dylan Paul Lewis | 247 | 30.84 |
| | Independent | Elian Lorrai Jones-Southgate* | 216 | 26.97 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Charlie Kingsbury | 213 | 26.59 |
| | Labour | Alex Mangold | 177 | 22.10 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 801 | |
| | Plaid Cymru hold | Plaid Cymru hold | Swing | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Independent | Liberal Democrats gain from Independent | Swing | |

### Aberystwyth, Rheidol ward

Aberystwyth, Rheidol ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Plaid Cymru | Mark Endaf Edwards | 170 | 27.87 | +5.14 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Mair Benjamin | 154 | 25.25 | +3.47 |
| | Independent | John Aled Davies* | 134 | 21.97 | −10.94 |
| | Labour | Claudine Allison Young | 97 | 15.90 | +15.90 |
| | Independent | Martin Wyn Shewring | 55 | 9.02 | −10.06 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 16 | 2.62 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 610 | | |
| | Plaid Cymru gain from Independent | Plaid Cymru gain from Independent | Swing | | |

### Beulah ward

Beulah ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Plaid Cymru | William David Lyndon Lloyd* | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Plaid Cymru hold | Plaid Cymru hold | Plaid Cymru hold | Plaid Cymru hold | Plaid Cymru hold |

### Borth ward

Borth ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Ray Quant* | 326 | 39.09 | −10.49 |
| | Independent | Hugh Richard Michael Hughes | 285 | 34.17 | +34.17 |
| | Plaid Cymru | Kevin Roy Price | 158 | 18.94 | +18.94 |
| | Independent | Phil Turner-Wright | 65 | 7.79 | +7.79 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 41 | 4.92 | −4.22 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 834 | | |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Swing | | |

### Capel Dewi ward

Capel Dewi ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Thomas Peter Lloyd Davies* | 362 | 58.86 | +1.51 |
| | Plaid Cymru | John Gethin Jones | 253 | 41.14 | −1.51 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 109 | 17.72 | +3.03 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 615 | | |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Swing | | |
* The election in 2017 was a repeat of the 2012 elections (with both candidates being re-nominated)

### Cardigan, Mwldan ward

Cardigan, Mwldan ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Plaid Cymru | Thomas John Adams-Lewis* | 411 | 52.56 | −13.37 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Myfanwy Maehrlein | 371 | 47.44 | +20.04 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 40 | 4.82 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 782 | | |
| | Plaid Cymru hold | Plaid Cymru hold | Swing | | |

### Cardigan, Rhydyfuwch ward

Cardigan, Rhydyfuwch ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Anne Elaine Evans | 258 | 64.99 | −10.84 |
| | Plaid Cymru | Shan Elizabeth Williams | 139 | 35.01 | +10.84 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 119 | 29.98 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 397 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |
* Cllr. Mark Cole announced his intention to stand down from the council at these elections on 4 April, the last day for nominations

### Cardigan, Teifi ward

Cardigan, Teifi ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Plaid Cymru | Catrin Miles* | 168 | 58.33 | −5.09 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Steven Paul Greenhalgh | 120 | 41.67 | +5.09 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 48 | 16.66 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 288 | | |
| | Plaid Cymru hold | Plaid Cymru hold | Swing | | |
* This is a repeat of the 2012 election (with both parties re-nominating the same candidates)

### Ceulanamaesmawr ward

Ceulanamaesmawr ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Plaid Cymru | Ellen Elizabeth ap Gwynn* | 452 | 55.12 | −8.30 |
| | Independent | John Dilwyn Lewis | 368 | 44.88 | +44.88 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 84 | 10.24 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 820 | | |
| | Plaid Cymru hold | Plaid Cymru hold | Swing | | |
* Cllr. ap Gwynn became leader of the council after the 2012 elections.

### Ciliau Aeron ward

Ciliau Aeron ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Marc Davies | 443 | 51.63 | +51.63 |
| | Plaid Cymru | John Edward Charles Lumley* | 281 | 32.75 | −17.88 |
| | Independent | Sonia Rose Williams | 134 | 15.62 | +15.62 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 162 | 18.88 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 858 | | |
| | Independent gain from Plaid Cymru | Independent gain from Plaid Cymru | Swing | | |
* Sonia Williams was the Liberal Democrat candidate in the 2012 elections.

### Faenor ward

Faenor ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | John Erfyl Roberts* | 413 | 57.20 | −8.16 |
| | Plaid Cymru | Talat Zafar Chaudhri | 174 | 24.10 | −6.99 |
| | Labour | Gareth Stevan Kelly | 95 | 13.16 | +13.16 |
| | Green | Chris Simpson | 40 | 5.54 | +5.54 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 239 | 33.10 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 722 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |

### Lampeter ward

Lampeter ward (two seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Robert George (Hag) Harris* | 737 | 81.71 |
| | Independent | John Ivor Williams* | 551 | 61.09 |
| | Plaid Cymru | Elin Tracey Jones | 270 | 29.93 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 281 | 31.16 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 902 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Swing | |

### Llanarth ward

Llanarth ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Plaid Cymru | Bryan Gareth Davies | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | | |
| | Plaid Cymru hold | Plaid Cymru hold | Swing | | |

### Llanbadarn Fawr, Padarn ward

Llanbadarn Fawr, Padarn ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Plaid Cymru | Gareth Davies* | 236 | 62.27 | −17.52 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Juliet Price | 143 | 37.73 | +24.14 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 93 | 24.54 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 379 | | |
| | Plaid Cymru hold | Plaid Cymru hold | Swing | | |

### Llanbadarn Fawr, Sulien ward

Llanbadarn Fawr, Sulien ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Plaid Cymru | Paul James* | 267 | 70.63 | −13.24 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Michael Chappell | 58 | 15.34 | +3.93 |
| | Labour | Wiliam Jac Rees | 33 | 8.73 | +8.73 |
| | Green | John Roy Morgan | 20 | 5.29 | +5.29 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 209 | 55.29 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 378 | | |
| | Plaid Cymru hold | Plaid Cymru hold | Swing | | |

### Llandyfriog ward

Two candidates were nominated for this ward, Neil Flower (Liberal Democrat) and James Wyn Reynolds Thomas (Plaid Cymru). On 28 April 2017 it was announced that Neil Flower had died. Following normal convention the election in this ward was cancelled and a new election was due to be held on 8 June 2017. However, James Wyn Reynolds Thomas was elected County Councillor for the ward without a contest.
Llandyfriog ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Plaid Cymru | James Wyn Reynolds Thomas | Unopposed |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | |
| | Plaid Cymru hold | Plaid Cymru hold | Swing |

### Llandysiliogogo ward

Llandysiliogogo ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Gareth Lloyd* | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | | |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Swing | | |

### Llandysul Town ward

Here, Keith Evans regained the seat he lost four year previously.
Llandysul Town ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Evan John Keith Evans | 407 | 63.30 | +21.22 |
| | Plaid Cymru | Peter Godfrey Evans* | 236 | 36.70 | −21.22 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 171 | 26.60 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 643 | | |
| | Independent gain from Plaid Cymru | Independent gain from Plaid Cymru | Swing | | |

### Llanfarian ward

Llanfarian ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Plaid Cymru | Alun Lloyd Jones* | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Plaid Cymru hold | Plaid Cymru hold | Swing | | |

### Llanfihangel Ystrad ward

Llanfihangel Ystrad ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Plaid Cymru | William Lynford Thomas* | 510 | 59.23 | −5.25 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Angela Lewes Gee | 274 | 31.82 | −3.7 |
| | Green | Elly Foster | 77 | 8.94 | +8.94 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 236 | 27.40 | −1.55 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 861 | | |
| | Plaid Cymru hold | Plaid Cymru hold | Swing | | |

### Llangeitho ward

Llangeitho ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | David Rhodri Wyn Evans* | 534 | 71.39 | +17.67 |
| | Independent | Margaret Eirwen James | 132 | 17.65 | +17.65 |
| | Labour | James Ralph Cook | 82 | 10.99 | +10.99 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 402 | 53.74 | +36.92 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 748 | | |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Swing | | |

### Llangybi ward

Llangybi ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Plaid Cymru | John Timothy Odwyn Davies* | 402 | 69.91 | −4.51 |
| | Labour | Dinah Mulholland | 173 | 30.09 | +30.09 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 229 | 39.82 | −9.03 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 575 | | |
| | Plaid Cymru hold | Plaid Cymru hold | Swing | | |

### Llanrhystud ward

Llanrhystud ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | David Rowland Rees-Evans* | 482 | 58.49 |
| | Plaid Cymru | Hywel Llŷr Jenkins | 140 | 16.99 |
| | Labour | Tony Geraghty | 118 | 14.32 |
| | Independent | Alan Scott Durrant | 49 | 5.95 |
| | Green | John Raymond Crocker | 35 | 4.25 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 342 | 41.50 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 824 | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | |

### Llansantffraed ward

Llansantffraed ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Dafydd Edwards* | 795 | 77.71 |
| | NHA | Harry Hayfield | 228 | 22.29 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 567 | 55.42 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,023 | |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Swing | |
* Harry Hayfield was the Liberal Democrat candidate for this ward in the 2012 elections.

### Llanwenog ward

Llanwenog ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Euros Davies* | unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Swing | | |

### Lledrod ward

Lledrod ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Ifan Lloyd Davies* | 571 | 54.02 |
| | Independent | Aaron Benjamin | 325 | 30.75 |
| | Plaid Cymru | Angharad Danielle Adrienne Shaw | 161 | 15.23 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 246 | 23.27 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,057 | |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Swing | |

### Melindwr ward

Melindwr ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Plaid Cymru | Daniel Rhodri Davies* | 627 | 79.17 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Gordon Patrick Walker | 165 | 20.83 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 462 | 58.34 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 792 | |
| | Plaid Cymru hold | Plaid Cymru hold | Swing | |

### New Quay ward

New Quay ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Dan Potter | 261 | 52.62 |
| | Independent | Sarah Gillian Hopley* | 205 | 41.33 |
| | Conservative | Faith Louise Millward | 30 | 6.05 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 56 | 11.29 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 496 | |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Swing | |

### Penbryn ward

Penbryn ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Emyr Gwyn James* | 691 | 71.61 |
| | Plaid Cymru | Steffan Jenkins | 274 | 28.39 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 417 | 43.22 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 965 | |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Swing | |

### Penparc ward

Penparc ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Plaid Cymru | John Clive Davies | 423 | 44.48 |
| | Independent | Des Davies | 265 | 27.87 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Graham William Dixon | 142 | 14.93 |
| | Conservative | Nigel Sydney Moore | 121 | 12.72 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 158 | 16.61 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 951 | |
| | Plaid Cymru gain from Independent | Plaid Cymru gain from Independent | Swing | |

### Tirymynach ward

Tirymynach ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | Paul Hinge* | 468 | 56.18 |
| | Plaid Cymru | Richard Michael Lucas | 365 | 43.82 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 103 | 12.36 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 833 | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | |

### Trefeurig ward

Trefeurig ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | David James Mason* | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Swing | | |

### Tregaron ward

Tregaron ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Plaid Cymru | Catherine Jane Hughes* | 325 | 54.08 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Karine Davies | 276 | 45.92 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 49 | 8.16 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 601 | |
| | Plaid Cymru hold | Plaid Cymru hold | Swing | |

### Troedyraur ward

The winning candidate ran as an independent in 2012.
Troedyraur ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Plaid Cymru | Thomas Maldwyn Benjamin Lewis | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Plaid Cymru gain from Independent | Plaid Cymru gain from Independent | Swing | | |

### Ystwyth ward

Ystwyth ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | John Edwin Meirion Davies | 503 | 60.82 |
| | Plaid Cymru | Mererid Jones | 324 | 39.18 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 179 | 21.64 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 827 | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | |

## By-elections 2017-2021
### Llanbadarn Fawr, Sulien ward (2019)

A by-election was held in this ward on 18 July 2019 following the death of Cllr. Paul James in a cycling accident. The result of the by-election was:
Llanbadarn Fawr, Sulien ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Plaid Cymru | Matthew Woolfall-Jones | 186 | 63.27 | −7.36 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Michael Chappell | 93 | 31.63 | +16.29 |
| | Labour | Richard Layton | 15 | 5.10 | −3.63 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 93 | 31.64 | −23.66 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 294 | | |
| | Plaid Cymru hold | Plaid Cymru hold | Swing | -11.83 | |