THE independent leader of Merthyr Tydfil Council has quit the role following a recent by election.
Councillor Geraint Thomas has decided to step down from his role as Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council leader following the recent Bedlinog and Trelewis ward by-election which was won by Gillian Preston of Labour.
Councillor Geraint Thomas said: “With Labour gaining a seat at the recent by-election, then councillors Declan Sammon and Paula Layton leaving the Independent group, with only twelve members it became impossible to remain in leadership.”
Councillor Thomas said: “As a born and bred Merthyr boy, this role is the best job in the world, and it has been an honour to have served as the leader of the council.
“I am extremely proud of my achievements, those of the cabinet, and those of the independent group as a whole, during a challenging time for local government.
“While the political leadership of the authority is yet to be determined, I will continue to represent the Cyfarthfa ward and the council as a whole, with dedication and commitment.”
A council statement said that to ensure a smooth transition, the leader will remain in office until the next full council meeting, on Wednesday, September 18 where a decision will be made on the political leadership of the council moving forward.
The main Independent group now has 12 councillors after Councillor Declan Sammon and Paula Layton formed their own group called the Dowlais and Pant Community Independents and there are two independent councillors in Councillor Kevin Gibbs and Jamie Scriven.
Following Gillian Preston winning the Bedlinog and Trelewis by election, the Labour group now has 14 councillors.
At the last local elections in 2022, Labour won 15 seats and the independents won 15 seats with Councillor Geraint Thomas eventually elected leader through a casting vote by the mayor after a tied vote.
The Independent group has been running the council since 2017 when it took over control from Labour.