The Local Government in Cardiff is The City of Cardiff Council, or Cardiff Council. Cardiff Council is led by Councillors, who are elected in the Local Government Elections. They are known as the Council Members.
The Council Members act on behalf of the people of Cardiff, making decisions about local services, budgets and the overall level of council services.
Local Government Elections
Local Government elections are held every 5 years in Cardiff.
Local Government elections are held so the people of Cardiff can vote for who will be elected as Council Members.
Cardiff Council has 79 Council Members. They are elected to represent the different areas or Electoral Wards in Cardiff.
Cardiff is divided into 28 Electoral Wards. So, each ward will have more than one councillor representing them.
When you vote in a Local Government election you choose which candidate you want to represent your electoral ward in Cardiff Council. The candidates with the most votes will be elected as Council Members, and they will represent everyone in your electoral ward.
Some areas in Cardiff also have a Community Council. Community Councils are led by Community Councillors. They are responsible for delivering a wide range of services and for the provision and upkeep of local amenities. Community Council Members are also elected in a Local Government Election.
If you live in an area in Cardiff with a community council, then you will have two ballot papers when voting:
- one to vote for a Councillor to represent your electoral ward in Cardiff Council
- one to vote for a Community Councillor to represent your area in your Community Council
Why do the Local Government Elections Matter?
The Political Party with the most elected Council Members will form the Council’s Cabinet and they will be responsible for making decisions and policies about local services, budgets, and the overall level of council services. These are services that have a direct impact on the people of Cardiff such Social Services, Education, Recycling and Waste Collection.
The Senedd, formally known as Senedd Cymru, is the Welsh Parliament. The Senedd is separate from Welsh Government. The Senedd has ‘devolved powers’, which means that it has powers to make laws over issues that used to be reserved to the UK Parliament only.
The Senedd is led by Members who are elected in the Senedd Elections, they are known as ‘Members of the Senedd’.
The Members of the Senedd act on behalf of the people of Wales. They check on the work of the Welsh Government, making sure plans for spending money or running services is done in the best way possible for Wales.
Senedd Elections
Senedd elections are held every 5 years.
The Senedd elections are held so the people of Wales can vote for who will be elected as Members of the Senedd.
The results of the Senedd elections are also used to decide who will form the next Welsh Government.
When it comes to the Senedd Elections, Wales is divided in two different ways:
- 40 constituencies
- 5 regions
There are 60 Members of the Senedd. 40 of the Senedd Members are elected to represent the 40 constituencies in Wales. Each constituency will have 1 Member of the Senedd to represent it.
The remaining 20 Members of the Senedd are elected to represent the 5 regions. Each region will have 4 Members of the Senedd representing it.
When you vote in the Senedd elections, you have two voting ballot papers:
- A vote for a candidate to represent your constituency
- A vote for a candidate to represent your region
The political party that wins 30 or more seats in the Senedd is able to form the next Welsh Government.
Why do the Senedd elections matter?
The Welsh Government is responsible for deciding how Wales is run. They choose what to spend public money on and decide how to deliver public services, like health and education.
The Senedd looks closely at the work of the Welsh Government and questions its Ministers. It examines government plans and suggests changes. Senedd Members are also able to raise issues in the Senedd that are important to you.
The UK Parliament is separate from the UK Government and is made up of three central elements:
- The House of Commons
- The House of Lords
- The Monarchy
The main business of Parliament takes place in the two Houses.
Parliament is there to represent the interest of the people of the UK and make sure these interests are considered by the UK Government.
UK Parliamentary Elections
UK Parliamentary Elections are held at least once every 5 years and are more commonly known as the UK General Elections.
When you vote in a General Election, you choose which candidate you wish to represent your constituency in Parliament. The Candidate with the most votes in your constituency will be elected as a Member of Parliament or MP, for your constituency and they will sit in the House of Commons.
The House of Lords has members who are mostly appointed for life rather than elected. They have often been chosen because of their achievements and experience.
The political party with the most number of elected MP’s is able to form the UK Government. So, your vote in a general election plays a role in deciding who leads the country.
Why do UK Parliamentary Elections matter?
The UK Government is responsible for deciding how the country is run. They set UK taxes and create laws and policy on reserved UK wide matters such as policing, defence, international relations, welfare benefits and energy supply.
While many UK Government powers have been delegated to the ‘devolved institutions’ in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland (in Wales this is the Senedd), only the UK Government can speak on behalf of the UK and represent the people of the UK abroad.
Parliament's job is to look closely at the UK Government's plans and to monitor the way they are running things.
When you vote at a UK general election you choose who you think should work on your behalf to try to make sure that UK Government decisions are:
- open and transparent – by questioning ministers and requesting information
- workable and efficient – by examining new proposals closely and suggesting improvements, checking how public money is being spent and tracking how new laws are working out in practice
- fair and non-discriminatory – by checking that they comply with equalities and human rights laws and by speaking up on behalf of affected individuals
The role of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) is to be the voice of the people and hold the police to account.
Police and Crime Commissioner Elections
When it comes to PCC elections, there are 41 areas across Wales and England where 1 Commissioner is elected. In Cardiff you can vote for who represents you as the South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner.
Why do the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections matter?
PCCs aim to cut crime and deliver an effective and efficient police service within their police force area.
When you vote in a PCC election you get to choose who you think should hold Chief Constables and the police force to account in your area.