Gibbonsdown


Gibbonsdown, colloquially known as 'Gibby', is a residential area and electoral ward situated in the north east of Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales. Gibbonsdown borders Merthyr Dyfan to the northwest and Cadoxton to the southeast.

Crime

In 2009, Gibbonsdown was the location of the fatal stabbing of Paul Jones. John Chivers was arrested that night and later sentenced to a minimum of 18 years in prison, After the murder, Gibbonsdown Residents' Board chairwoman Molly Conway made complaints about the police for a lack of manpower and patrols on an estate well known as having problems with crime and anti-social behaviour.

Landmarks

Gibbonsdown is home to the Holm View Community Leisure Centre, the Gibbonsdown Children Centre, and the Oakfield Primary School. It also had Ysgol Maes Dyfan, a special school with 96 pupils as of 2005, teaching special needs children. It is also home to Pencoedtre park and the Master Mariner pub.

Transport

Notable roads include Treharne Road, Caradoc Avenue, Robins Lane, and Skomer Road, which connects the area to Wenvoe.

Governance

Gibbonsdown is the name of the electoral ward covering the area. According to the 2011 UK Census the population of the ward was 5,895, of which there are 3,753 registered voters. The ward elects two county councillors to the Vale of Glamorgan Council and three town councillors to Barry Town Council. The Court ward to the south covers part of the Gibbonsdown area.
At the 2017 local government elections Gibbonsdown both county council seats were held by Welsh Labour, despite a swing to the Conservatives in the county.
A by-election had taken place on 3 November 2016 following the resignation of Labour councillor, Rob Curtis, who had been a town and county councillor. The seat was held by Welsh Labour.