Ceredigion County Council website

Aberystwyth (Rheidol) Town Council by-election

A by-election for the Rheidol Ward of Aberystwyth Town Council, to elect one Councillor will be held Thursday, 19 March 2026.

Town / Community Council Elections

There are currently 51 Town and Community Councils in Ceredigion.

Town and Community Councils can set a ‘precept’ or ‘rate’ which is collected by the County Council along with the Council Tax.

The level of services provided by community and town councils varies across Wales but can include:

• provision and maintenance of community transport schemes, local youth projects, tourism activities
• leisure facilities, car parks, village greens, public lavatories, litter bins
• biodiversity schemes (there is a duty under the Environment (Wales) Act 2021 for all councils to prepare biodiversity plans)
• burial grounds, allotments, bus shelters, commons and open spaces, footpaths and bridleways, crime reduction measures
• provision of a village hall or contributing to another body that provides a facility.

In addition, many councils use the Section 137 discretionary power that enables them to provide other services, such as public telephones; village surgeries; preservation or restoration of old objects or buildings; best kept village competition; tidying land of unknown ownership; Christmas trees; flower shows, festivals and fairs; contributions to play groups and youth clubs; meals on wheels; and assistance for the disabled.

Almost all community councils employ a Clerk/Responsible Financial Officer who is responsible for the efficient administration of the Council which includes servicing of meetings; ensuring the council meets its legal obligations and handling its financial processes. All councils are required to have standing orders and financial regulations to regulate their operations.

Town and Community Councils will work closely with the County Councillors and Ceredigion County Council on areas of mutual interest or common concern.

One Voice Wales is the organisation which represents and provides support services to community and town councils across Wales. For further information, visit www.onevoicewales.org.uk

The Good Councillors Guide is a useful resource.

Nomination process

Nomination papers must be delivered to the Returning Officer, no later than 4.00p.m. on 20 February 2026.

Nomination papers may be delivered to the Returning Officer at Neuadd Cyngor Ceredigion, Penmorfa, Aberaeron, Ceredigion SA46 0PA on any day after the date of this notice, on Monday to Friday 8.00a.m. to 4.00p.m. (excluding bank holidays) or electronically as per the arrangements set out in the electronic delivery statement below.

Appointments must be made if choosing to deliver nomination papers in person. These can be made by phoning 01545 570881 or by e-mail to returningofficer@ceredigion.gov.uk

Nomination papers may be delivered electronically in accordance with the arrangements set out in the electronic delivery statement:

• Nomination papers must be submitted by e-mail to returningofficer@ceredigion.gov.uk Nominations will not be accepted if submitted to an alternative e-mail address;
• The e-mail subject line should make it clear the candidate’s name;
• On receipt of the papers, an acknowledgement e-mail will be sent. This will not provide confirmation that the nomination is valid;
• A further e-mail will be sent confirming the nomination is valid or whether there are any issues with the information provided;
• It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that the nomination papers are delivered and confirmed as valid, by no later than 00p.m on 20 February 2026.

Nomination papers can be accessed on the Electoral Commission website:

Community council elections in Wales | Electoral Commission

Returning Officer

The Returning Officer is Eifion Evans, Chief Executive of Ceredigion County Council and is responsible for:

• Publication of the notice of election
• Administration of the nomination process
• Encouraging participation
• Publication of the statement of persons nominated and the notice of poll
• Provision and equipment of polling stations
• Appointment of polling station staff
• Conduct of the poll
• Management of the postal vote process
• Verification and counting of the votes
• Declaration of results.

There are two Deputy Returning Officers, namely Barry Rees and Lowri Edwards who will be supporting the Returning Officer to run the elections in accordance with set protocol.

Any enquiries to the Returning Officer or Deputy Returning Officer should be made to returningofficer@ceredigion.gov.uk or on 01545 570881.

Key dates