1981 West Glamorgan County Council election

The third election to West Glamorgan County Council was held in May 1981. It was preceded by the 1977 election and followed by the 1985 election.

Candidates
The Labour Party fielded candidates in every ward. A significant proportion of seats were contested by the Conservative Party and Plaid Cymru with fewer candidates fielded by the Liberal Party. A feature of the election was the number of Ratepayer candidates.

In the Neath area, Labour contested all thirteen seats, with Plaid Cymru running nine candidates.

Outcome
Labour retained their majority and regained some of the ground lost to Ratepayers four years earlier.

Results

 * indicates sitting councillor