51 councillors represent 21 wards. The council's own meetings website
Labour majority. The leader is Dimitri Batrouni (Labour). Every seat is up for election on Thursday 6 May 2027. The election guide has who holds the seats now and your ward.
Councillors asked the Leader whether Newport's transport interests were well represented by the Burns Commission, and whether the Leader and the council's chief executive agree on proposed changes, including the Old Green Roundabout. The Leader said the Commission had a wide mix of expertise and that congestion on the M4 corridor will be reviewed over the next eighteen months. The minute records no decisions.
At its formal questions session, the council considered a written question from Councillor Mogford about changes to the board of Newport Transport Limited, the company that runs the city's buses. Councillor Batrouni replied for the Leader, pointing to a Cabinet report of 15 September 2026 that proposes replacing five directors. The minute records no decision on the question.
Councillor Batrouni responded by referring to the Cabinet report of 15 September 2026. The minute records the questions and answers but no decision by this meeting.
At this formal question session, Councillor Morris asked whether residents can be assured that alleged contamination by PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls, industrial chemicals) at the former Monsanto site and Glebelands is not a health risk. The Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Waste and Recycling, Councillor Forsey, replied that the Council is not aware of any current health risk. No decision was recorded.
The meeting heard a question from Councillor M Howells about city centre footfall, meaning how many people visit the town centre. Councillor Clarke gave figures showing footfall down compared with the same months a year earlier, for April to July 2026, with the fall smaller than the national figures. The minute records no decision.
Councillors on the Performance Scrutiny Committee, which checks the council's partnership work, reviewed the 2025-26 update on the Shared Resource Service (SRS), a technology partnership Newport shares with other councils, and the Gwent Regional Partnership Board's annual report. They asked for workforce diversity figures, a focus on language barriers in digital services, and a funding update on the Regional Integration Fund. The Committee was content with the SRS report.
The committee was asked to take decisions on planning applications and to note recent planning appeals. The minutes record that decisions be recorded as shown on the planning applications schedule, and that the Planning and Development Manager may draft any amendments or extra conditions. The meeting also noted the results of six appeals: four were dismissed and two were allowed.
At this meeting, Councillor Sterry asked the Cabinet Member for Communities and Sport whether Newport could introduce a targeted rule on balaclavas and face coverings in public spaces, similar to one Nottingham has approved. Councillor Hughes replied that the Council can change a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO, a local rule for a public area) if the legal tests are met, that any change would need evidence and consultation, and that the city centre PSPO is due for review. No decision was recorded.
The next council elections in Wales are on Thursday 6 May 2027. Every seat on every council is up for election.
Welsh Government. Closes 2 December 2026
Welsh Government. Closes 4 December 2026
Welsh Government. Closes 18 December 2026
Welsh Government. Closes 4 January 2027