Porthmadog - Governance

Governance

Ynyscynhaiarn was a civil parish in the "cantref" of Eifionydd. In 1858 a local board of health was established under the provisions of the Public Health Act 1848, which from 1889 formed a second tier of local government in Caernarfonshire. Under the Local Government Act 1894 the local board became an urban district, which by 1902 had changed its name to Portmadoc. In 1934 part of the area was transferred to Dolbenmaen, whilst a smaller area was taken in from Treflys, which had been abolished. Porthmadog Urban District was abolished in 1974, the town becoming part of Dwyfor District in the new county of Gwynedd, though it retained limited powers as a community. Dwyfor itself was abolished when Gwynedd became a unitary authority in 1996.

The town now forms three electoral divisions of Cyngor Gwynedd, each electing one councillor. In 2012 Jason Humphreys, representing Llais Gwynedd, was elected in Porthmadog East, whilst Selwyn Griffiths of Plaid Cymru, retained his seat in Porthmadog West, unopposed. Tremadog is included in the Porthmadog-Tremadog division, which also includes Beddgelert and part of Dolbenmaen. In 2012 Alwyn Gruffydd, for Llais Gwynedd, retained the seat.

Porthmadog Town Council has 16 elected members. In the 2008 elections 12 councillors were elected unopposed: seven Independents, four for Plaid Cymru and one representing Llais Gwynedd. There were four unfilled seats. The town is divided into six wards: Gest, Morfa Bychan, Porthmadog East, Porthmadog West, Tremadog and Ynys Galch.

Since 1950 Porthmadog has been part of Caernarfon parliamentary constituency, and has been represented by Hywel Williams of Plaid Cymru since 2001. In the National Assembly for Wales it has since 2007 formed part of Dwyfor-Meirionnydd constituency, represented by Dafydd Elis-Thomas, the Presiding Officer of the assembly, and also from Plaid Cymru. The constituency forms part of the electoral region of Mid and West Wales.