Gwent County Council

Gwent County Council (Welsh: Cyngor Sir Gwent) was the local authority that governed the county of Gwent in South Wales from its creation in 1974 to its abolition in 1996.

Gwent County Council

Cyngor Sir Gwent
County shield, inherited from Monmouthshire CC
History
Founded1 April 1974
Disbanded1 April 1996
Preceded by
  • Monmouthshire County Council (1889-1974)
  • Newport County Borough Council (1891-1974)
  • Breconshire County Council (part) (1889-1974)
Succeeded by
Elections
First election
12 April 1973
Last election
May 1993
Next election
N/A
Meeting place
County Hall, Cwmbran, from 1977

The council took over the geographical area and main roles of the previous councils, Monmouthshire County Council (1889–1974) and Newport County Borough Council (1891–1974). Five district councils provided a second tier of government, namely Blaenau Gwent, Islwyn, Monmouth, Newport and Torfaen.[1]

The first elections to the council took place on 12 April 1973, with 78 councillors elected from 66 electoral wards.[2] Councillors acted in a shadow capacity until the new council came into full effect on 1 April 1974.

The council was initially based at the Monmouthshire Shire Hall in Newport, while a new headquarters was being built in Cwmbran,[3] completed in 1977.[4]

The first Chief Executive of Gwent County Council was James Bray, who had previously been deputy clerk of Monmouthshire County Council.[1] The Chairman of Gwent County Council from 1974 was 78-year-old Councillor Barney O'Neill, who had previously been a representative on Monmouthshire County Council and Chepstow Urban Council.[1]

Historic election results
Year [5]Labour     ConservativeLiberals
(Lib Dems)		Plaid CymruCommunistRatepayersIndependent
199355611---
1989557----1
198565911---
1981631211--1
1977362712146
1973591231-21

References
  1. "The Counties and Districts - Gwent". Western Mail ("The New Wales" supplement). Wales. 22 March 1974. p. 8.
  2. "Dad gets her vote - but he still loses seat - Gwent (results)". South Wales Echo. 13 April 1973. p. 8.
  3. Niall Griffiths (20 August 2019). "Old Gwent County Council headquarters site in Croesyceiliog to get almost 150 new homes". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  4. Newman, John (2000). Gwent/Monmouthshire. Yale University Press. p. 79. ISBN 978-0300096309.
  5. "Gwent County Council Election Results 1973-1993" (PDF). The Elections Centre (Plymouth University). Retrieved 15 September 2019.
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