Graig Community Council began life as a Parish Council in December 1894, becoming a Community Council in 1974. The Council is made up of 15 Councillors representing the three wards of Lower Machen, Rhiwderin (inc. part of Afon Village) and Bassaleg. These Councillors are volunteers who care about the community in which they live and commit their time freely to enhance the ward for the benefit of all local residents. The ward has around 3,500 homes and well over 6,000 residents.
The main remit of the Council is to make the Graig Ward a better place for residents to live and enjoy. It is responsible for overseeing the running of the community centres in Bassaleg and Rhiwderin, jointly running the community council cemetery on Penylan Road in Bassaleg together with Rogerstone Community Council and oversees the running of the Bassaleg Allotment Site. It is also responsible for the upkeep of the equipment in the play areas in Bassaleg and Rhiwderin.
Council is a statutory consultee on planning applications in the ward, is able to lobby Newport City Council on important local issues and liaises with Graig’s Newport City Councillors to ensure the best interests of the ward are represented. It becomes involved with issues such as adopting footpaths, making improvements to the surroundings, supporting local groups and carrying out projects to enhance the local area for all to enjoy.
The Council prides itself in being non-political and all inclusive.