A COUNCIL by-election will be held in Pontypridd after a councillor stepped down for health reasons.
Dawn Wood of Plaid Cymru, who served as a councillor for the Pontypridd Town ward on Rhondda Cynon Taf Council since 2022 and as a councillor representing the Town ward on Pontypridd Town Council, announced she would be stepping down earlier this month.
Now a by-election for the Pontypridd Town ward on RCT Council will be held on Thursday, July 17, to elect a new councillor for the area.
The candidates are Jeffrey Lee Baxter of the Green Party, Elin Mair Brown of Welsh Labour, William Jac Rees of Plaid Cymru, Martin William Roberts of Reform UK, and Cerys Walker of the Welsh Conservative Party.
There will also be a by-election for the Town ward on Pontypridd Town Council with the candidates being Jeffrey Lee Baxter of the Green Party, Elin Mair Brown of Welsh Labour, William Jac Rees of Plaid Cymru, and Martin William Roberts of Reform UK.
In announcing she was stepping down Cllr Wood said: “As many of you will be aware I’ve had to take a period of absence from my role as both your RCT councillor and Pontypridd town councillor for the past few months because of significant health challenges linked to a brain tumour.”
Cllr Wood added: “After careful consideration and consultation with my medical team I have come to the difficult decision that I must step down from my role to focus on my health and well-being and have therefore tendered my resignation with immediate effect.
“Unfortunately all avenues for treatment have been explored and my prognosis now is unfavourable and is especially poor if I were to continue in this role.
“This was not an easy decision to make but I hope you will understand why it is necessary.
“Serving you – the residents of Pontypridd Town ward – has been one of the greatest honours of my life and I am deeply grateful for the trust and support that the community has shown me over the past three years.
“It has been a privilege to work alongside my fellow Plaid Cymru councillors and so many individuals, businesses, and community groups to make a positive impact on our community.”
She thanked everyone for their kind words, support, and understanding during this time and wished the council and the community all the best for the future.
