Today ALISON SANDERS takes a look at the area and the issues that will be hot topics in Blaenau Gwent ahead of the council elections on May 3.

THE battle between Labour and the Independents will be as fierce as ever next month when Labour try to take back their former stronghold in Blaenau Gwent.

Before 2008 Labour had comfortably held onto the Valleys authority, winning the 1995, 1999 and 2004 elections.

But the party lost eight of its seats at the polling stations in 2008 and everything changed.

The Independents gained eight seats – securing 23 of the 42 seats available.

They took control of Wales’ smallest local authority and its population of around 69,000.

Tensions have been particularly high over the last 12 months with some political shake-ups and finger-pointing.

In July last year an Estyn report landed the council’s education department in special measures and a Wales Audit Office investigation was carried out into the running of the council.

In October council leader Des Hillman resigned following two votes of no confidence.

He went on to form the Blaenau Gwent Real Independents.

The steelworks town of Ebbw Vale is currently undergoing a major transformation through regeneration project The Works.

This 200-acre site, on the former steelworks, will be home to a leisure centre, the historic General Offices and the Learning Zone.

Post-16 education will transfer to the Learning Zone and this will replace sixthform provision at Brynmawr, Ebbw Vale and Tredegar schools.

But this decision led to some protests from pupils and parents, and the council faced a judicial review brought by governors at Brynmawr Foundation School, which the council won.

Next month’s election will see 42 members elected in Blaenau Gwent across the 16 wards.