Llanelli Rural () is a community in the southeast of Carmarthenshire, Wales.
Description Despite its name, Llanelli Rural covers large parts of the Llanelli urban area, including Bynea, Llwynhendy, Cefncaeau, Pemberton, Bryn, Cwmcarnhywel, Cwmbach, Cynheidre, Penygraig, Penceilogi, Dafen, Felinfoel, Swiss Valley, along with the villages of Pont-Henri, Pontiets, Pwll, and Five Roads, as well as a number of hamlets. The community surrounds Llanelli, except at the coast.
According to the 2001 census it had a population of 21,043,Census 2001 Statistics increasing to 22,800 at the 2011 Census.
Llanelli Rural is bordered by the communities of: Llanelli; Pembrey and Burry Port Town; Trimsaran; Llangyndeyrn; Pontyberem; Llannon; and Llangennech, all being in Carmarthenshire; and by: Gorseinon; Llwchwr; Gowerton; Llanrhidian Higher; and Llanrhidian Lower, all being in the City and County of Swansea.
Llanelli Rural Council
Llanelli Rural Community Council governs the area at a community level. The council headquarters is located in Llanelli town centre.
In 2013/14 Llanelli Rural Council received £959,530 via the council tax precept, the highest of any community council in Wales.
Current Composition (after the May 2022 election and 2025 by elections)
Group affiliation MembersCouncil Members and Wards 8 6 Independent 7 Vacant 0 Total 21
Following the previous full election on 4 May 2017 the council composition was:Town and Community Council Election Results 2017, Carmarthenshire County Council. Retrieved 18 December 2019
Group affiliation Members 13 4 Independent 4 Total 21
Following the election in May 2022 the council elected Cllr. Susan Lewis as leader and Cllr. Edward Skinner as deputy leader.
Following the 2 by elections in 2025 Cllr Alex Evans put forward a motion of 'no confidence' in the leader Cllr Susan Lewis in an effort to take control. The motion was lost in a council meeting and Cllr Lewis remains leader of Council with the support of members from all groups across the chamber.
Election history
2017 election
Ward Party Rural councillors elected - May 2017Bynea Stephen Donoghue Michelle Donoghue Ian WooldridgeDafen Sharen Davies Tegwen Devichand Susan Lewis Andrew RogersFelinfoel John Evans Bill ThomasGlyn Jim Jones Carol ReesHengoed Sian Caiach Martin Davies Bethan Williams Jennifer Susan Phillips Pemberton Fozia Akhtar Jason Peter Hart Rafia Najmi Ella SimmonsSwiss Valley Giles Morgan Jordan Spencer Randall
2021 By-elections Councillors Mina Najmi and Ella Simmons left the council in 2020, leading to a by-election for their Pemberton ward seats on 6 May 2021. The by-election saw Christopher Beer (Labour) and Samantha Nurse (Independent) elected.
Following the death of Carol Rees in 2021, Alexander Evans (originally independent but joined Plaid Cymru soon after) was co-opted to serve as a member for the Glyn ward.
Although originally elected under a Labour ticket, Sharen Davies and Jason Hart left the party and became independent members in 2018 and 2021 respectively. Jordan Randall was originally elected as a Plaid Cymru candidate but moved to the Conservative party. Ian Wooldridge also crossed from Plaid Cymru to Labour during his term of office.
2022 election
Ward Party Rural councillors elected - May 2022Bynea Deryk Cundy Michelle Donoghue Simon FordDafen Rob Evans Sue Lewis Andrew Rogers Neil StephensFelinfoel Nysia Evans Eve EvansGlyn Alex Evans Owen WilliamsHengoed Edward Skinner Susan Phillips Bethan Williams Martin Davies Pemberton Sharen Davies Jason Peter Hart Samantha Nurse Andrew StephensSwiss Valley Giles Morgan Stephen Bowen
2025 By-elections Following the sad passing of Neil Stephens (Labour) a by-election was held in the Dafen ward on March 27th which was won by Karl Morgan (Plaid Cymru)
Following the resignation of Bethan Williams (Labour) a by-election was held in the Hengoed ward on February 20th which was won by Jason Lovell (Plaid Cymru).
Chairs of Council
2025/26 Susan Lewis 2024/25 Martin Davies 2023/24 Susan Phillips 2022/23 Gyles Morgan 2021/22 Tegwen Devichand 2019/21 Sharen Davies 2018/19 Sian Caiach 2017/18 John Evans 2016/17 Stephen M Donoghue 2015/16 Martin Davies 2014/15 Lindy J Butlern 2013/14 Thomas J “Jim” Jones 2012/13 Tegwen Devichand 2011/12 Susan Lewis 2010/11 Sharen Davies
References
External links Llanelli Rural Council Llanelli Rural Council Training