Glanymor councillor Sean Rees is the new Leader, with Bigyn’s Michael Cranham as Deputy Leader, after a confidence and supply deal between non‑Labour councillors pushed Labour out of the top roles.
The move follows weeks of open rows in the chamber — including a bust‑up over a watered‑down skip‑day plan — and growing frustration over how the council was being run.
‘Residents want services, not party politics’
Rees said the new administration would strip out party politics and focus on the basics.
Cllr Sean Rees said:
“Residents want us to focus on local services, community facilities and value for money — not party politics. Our priority will be to listen and put our residents at the heart of every decision.”
Cranham said the agreement underpinning the new administration would be published in full.
Cllr Michael Cranham said:
“This is a fresh start. We’re ready to work with anyone who shares the goal of being responsible with public money. Decisions must be made on merit, not political allegiance.”
The Independents say their early priorities include recording and publishing meetings, proposing the removal of councillor expenses, working towards freezing the precept for 2026–27, and investing in parks, play areas and community facilities.
Labour’s Senedd candidate hits back: ‘What do they stand for?’
The takeover is a blow for Labour locally — and a political headache for outgoing leader David Darkin, who is standing as one of Labour’s six Senedd candidates under the new voting system.
Darkin congratulated Rees but questioned what the new administration actually represents.
David Darkin said:
“I must be honest — I do not know what this group of Independents stands for or what vision they have for Llanelli. They have no shared manifesto, no unified programme and no clear commitments made to the public.”
He said Labour had strengthened community facilities, improved parks and supported local groups during its time in charge, and vowed to hold the new administration to account.
Darkin added:
“Residents deserve transparency and clarity about the direction their council will now take.”
A council already split before the takeover
The leadership change comes after a string of public clashes inside the chamber. Councillors traded blows over a scaled‑back skip‑day plan and argued over how to tackle fly‑tipping — rows that exposed deep divisions and raised questions about Labour’s grip on the council.
Those tensions ultimately fuelled the loss of confidence that opened the door for the Independents.
What happens next
The Independents say they want a “stronger, brighter, fairer future for Llanelli”. Labour says it will scrutinise every decision and defend the priorities voters backed at the last election.
The publication of the confidence and supply agreement, the upcoming budget, and the 2026–27 precept will be the first major tests of the new regime — and the first chance for residents to see whether Llanelli’s political shake‑up delivers the stability both sides claim to offer.
“The confidence‑and‑supply agreement between the Independent Group and Plaid Cymru was made for one reason: to put Llanelli first. Councillors had grown tired of party‑whip politics, photo‑op culture, and decisions being driven by party interests rather than the needs of local people. Residents deserve councillors who understand their communities because they were raised in them, not candidates parachuted in for a seat.”
“Local knowledge matters. It was clear in the recent skip‑charge proposal, which would have placed a new financial burden on the poorest wards in Tyisha and Glan‑y‑Môr. Independent and Plaid councillors stood together to stop that. A amemndment was proposed to investigate the cost and the effectiveness. Time and again, when cooperation was offered, it was not reciprocated. It became ‘our way or no way’, and that is not how a democratic town council should function.”
“Concerns also grew around allowances. County councillors receive higher allowances because they carry enormous statutory responsibilities —education, social care, highways, safeguarding, planning, and hundreds of frontline services. Their role is, in effect, a full‑time job with county‑wide impact. Llanelli Town Council is different: it has a much smaller remit, 500 times smaller with far fewer statutory duties, and historically councillors have treated the role as an honour of service, not an opportunity to maximise personal allowances.” But David Darking may not understand that never been a County Councillor.
“When Labour councillors moved to award themselves the maximum permitted allowances including their County Councilors —breaking with long‑standing Llanelli tradition—it caused deep concern. especially when labour members toped up tens of thousands for those expenses between them., at a time when families are struggling, foodbanks are stretched, and frontline charities are under pressure, rewarding oneself at the top rate was seen as completely out of step with public expectation.”
“Independent and Plaid councillors also pushed for meetings to be video‑recorded to restore transparency and balance. Residents deserve to see how decisions are made, especially when one party has held both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor positions throughout their administration. Openness protects democracy, and it prevents any group from holding an iron grip on the council chamber.”
“This new arrangement is about restoring fairness, rebuilding trust, and returning Llanelli Town Council to its core purpose: serving the people, not serving a London party whip decion.” and that is when you must stand for this town for the people and our Community. That principal is a clear message and a clear Welsh principal that our forefathers stood by.