[4][5] Riverside is bounded by the wards of Cathays to the east, Grangetown to the south; Canton and Llandaff to the west.

[9] Plaid Cymru councillor Gwenllian Lansdown resigned her seat in January 2011 after six years representing Riverside, because she had moved from Cardiff to live in Powys.

[11] The resulting by-election took place on 3 March 2011, which was won unexpectedly by the Labour candidate, Iona Gordon.

Both elections saw the Liberal Party gain seats from the Conservatives, by small majorities.

Noah Rees won Cllr Smith's seat and Dr James defeated sitting councillor, Mr R.