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.


 * -bgcolor=#F6F6F6
 * colspan=2 style="text-align: right; margin-right: 1em" | Total
 * style="text-align: right;" | 42
 * colspan=5 |
 * style="text-align: right;" | 23,690
 * style="text-align: right;" |
 * }
 * }

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.

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.

Capel Dewi ward

 * The election in 2017 was a repeat of the 2012 elections (with both candidates being re-nominated)

Cardigan, Rhydyfuwch ward

 * 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

 * This is a repeat of the 2012 election (with both parties re-nominating the same candidates)

Ceulanamaesmawr ward

 * Cllr. ap Gwynn became leader of the council after the 2012 elections.

Ciliau Aeron ward

 * Sonia Williams was the Liberal Democrat candidate in the 2012 elections.

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.

Llandysul Town ward
Here, Keith Evans regained the seat he lost four year previously.

Llansantffraed ward

 * Harry Hayfield was the Liberal Democrat candidate for this ward in the 2012 elections.

Troedyraur ward
The winning candidate ran as an independent in 2012.

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: