The sixteenth election to Cardiganshire County Council took place in March 1937. It was preceded by the 1934 election and, after those scheduled for 1940 and 1943 were postponed due to the Second World War, by the 1946 election.
Candidates 36 of the 50 councillors were returned unopposed and this resulted in fourteen contests, one fewer than three years previously Political affiliations did not feature in the election.
Retiring aldermen
Eight aldermen retired, of whom four sought election.
Contested elections
Following the fourteen contests, three retiring members (including one who withdrew too late to be removed from the ballot paper) were defeated while two retiring aldermen were defeated by incumbent councillors.
Outcome
Very little change took place as a result of an election in which only one sitting member lost his seat.
Results
Aberaeron
Aberbanc
Aberporth
Aberystwyth Division 1
Aberystwyth Division 2
Aberystwyth Division 3
Aberystwyth Division 4
Aberystwyth Division 5
Aberystwyth Division 6
Aeron
Borth
Bow Street
Cardigan North
Cardigan South
Cilcennin
Cwmrheidol
Devil's Bridge
Felinfach
Goginan
Lampeter Borough
Llanarth
Llanbadarn Fawr
Llanddewi Brefi
Llandygwydd
Llandysul North
Llandysul South
Llansysiliogogo
Llanfair Clydogau
Llanfarian
Llanfihangel y Creuddyn
Llangoedmor
Llangeitho
Llangrannog
Llanilar
Llanrhystyd
Llanllwchaiarn
Llansantffraed
Llanwnen
Llanwenog
Lledrod
Nantcwnlle
New Quay
Penbryn
Strata Florida
Taliesin
Talybont
Trefeurig
Tregaron
Troedyraur
Ysbyty Ystwyth
Election of Aldermen
In addition to the 50 councillors the council consisted of 16 county aldermen. Aldermen were elected by the council, and served a six-year term. Following the 1937 election, there were eight aldermanic vacancies which were filled at the annual meeting. There was some controversy due to the fact that the principle did seniority was not observed in the selection of aldermen. The following retiring aldermen were re-elected: Sir D.C. Roberts, Aberystwyth R.J.R. Loxdale, Llanilar J.G. Morris Davies, Devil's Bridge E.J. Davies, New Quay W.E. Matthews, Cardigan In addition, the following four new aldermen were elected: David Evans, Troeduraur Meredydd Ll.G. Williams, Llanwenog Rev John Ellis Williams, Llanddewi Brefi The following retiring aldermen had been re-elected as members of the council but were not re-elected as aldermen: R.D. Herbert, Lledrod
The five re-elected aldermen had served at least two previous terms while Meredith Gwarnant Williams had been an alderman from 1922 until 1928.
By-elections Five by-elections were held following the election of aldermen. Morgan Davies was returned unopposed at Llanddewi Brefi as was the incumbent councillor at Llanilar, James Isaac, who had stood down in favour of Alderman Loxdale. New members were elected for the three other divisions, including Devil's Bridge where the veteran member T. Mason Jones, who had returned to the council in 1934 after fifteen years absence did not stand due to ill health.
Devil's Bridge by-election
Llanddewi Brefi by-election
Llanilar by-election
Llanwenog by-election
Troedyraur by-election
References