The town council describes itself as the only elected body dedicated solely to the interests of Barry residents. Its councillors provide a channel to pass on opinions to other organisations and public bodies. Councillors are members of various local governing bodies and organisations. The council's opinion is sought on a variety of local issues, for example planning applications, street names and licensing issues. The town council has direct ownership and control of Merthyr Dyfan Burial Ground and acts as agent to run Porthkerry Cemetery. It manages and staffs the Pioneer Hall and Memorial Hall. The council also provides grant aid for many local organisations. The town council's offices are next to the Memorial Hall on Gladstone Road.
Representation
Barry Town Council is the largest town council in Wales. Twenty two councillors are elected from the eight electoral wards in the town, namely: Baruc, Buttrills, Cadoc, Castleland, Court, Dyfan, Gibbonsdown and Illtyd. These wards also elect county councillors to the Vale of Glamorgan Council Only the mayor and deputy mayor receive any form of financial allowances. The issue was debated following the 2017 elections and the council agreed not to introduce wider remuneration to the rest of the council, which it was claimed would cost an additional £100,000.
Mayor
The council elects a town mayor annually. The first mayor of Barry was Councillor Frederick Cook, who was also Chairman of South Glamorgan County Council and an officer of the GMB trade union. There was controversy in 2008 when the Labour controlled council chose two completely inexperienced councillors for the mayoral positions, rather than an opposition councillor with 25 years service. On 15 May 2017 Councillor Nic Hodges was elected as the first Plaid Cymru mayor of Barry. The current mayor is Janice Charles, a Conservative, who represents Illtyd ward.
Council composition
In April 2019, a by-election was held in the wake of the resignation of the independent candidate, Richard Bertin, who represented Court ward. The successful candidate was Dennis Clarke of Plaid Cymru, thus increasing Plaid's presence on the Council from six to seven. Following the election on 4 May 2017 Labour were the largest party, though with no overall majority. Plaid Cymru became the official opposition. Following the election on 3 May 2012 Labour had a strong majority. In July 2016 a Gibbonsdown councillor resigned his position after he had been charged with common assault on a 17-year-old woman. A by-election on 3 November elected Welsh Labour councillors to fill the resulting vacancies on the town council and the Vale of Glamorgan Council.
