40 councillors represent 18 wards. The council's own meetings website
Labour majority. The leader is Anthony Hunt (Labour). Every seat is up for election on Thursday 6 May 2027. The election guide has who holds the seats now and your ward.
Cabinet agreed to join a new Gwent-wide social care workforce development service, which Caerphilly County Borough Council will host. It also agreed to award a framework for building and electrical maintenance work and to appoint contractors for Lots 3 and 4.
The Committee recommended that the Council press Welsh Government to protect ALN funding and improve ALN information on its website for parents. Members also asked for an all-member seminar in the new year on how the Council works with health services and other agencies on ALN.
The Joint Planning Policy Panel held its first meeting, to support the Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen Joint Local Development Plan (JLDP), which sets out where homes and jobs can be built. Councillor Steve Evans was agreed as Chair for the first year, and the choice of Vice-Chair was deferred. Members also backed keeping the 2026-2041 Plan period and generally supported a joint settlement hierarchy.
Members raised concerns about timetables, risks, funding and public engagement. The Committee made six recommendations, including more regular updates, clearer public information, wider engagement outside working hours and a seminar with the council's new development and investment partner.
Council approved the 2026 Annual Monitoring Report for the Torfaen Local Development Plan and agreed fees for the May 2027 council elections. It also amended the Pensions Committee's terms of reference, changed committee seats to reflect a councillor's move between political groups, noted the Annual Scrutiny Report, and passed two motions of support, one for Nepal and one for the wildfires in Torfaen.
Cabinet considered the month 4 financial forecast for 2026/27, which showed a favourable revenue variance of £237,000, and agreed to note the forecasts and approve additions to the capital programme. It also delegated authority to appoint Willmott Dixon as the strategic development partner for Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent, at a cost of up to £300,000 plus VAT over 12 months.
The Adults & Communities Overview & Scrutiny Committee reviewed HALO Leisure's performance in the first 12 months of its ten-year contract with the Council. The Committee welcomed the progress made and made five recommendations on better reporting, outreach, inclusion, cycle parking and employability work.
Cabinet agreed a first set of Local Growth Fund projects worth £3.53 million, and no spending until a formal agreement with Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council is signed. It also approved a single council-wide grant application process and a revised major grants scheme for community and voluntary groups, which will start in April 2028.
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