Written Statement: Local Authority Electoral Boundary Review – Update

On 16 June I wrote to members to set out the current position in respect of the current programme of Electoral Arrangements Reviews. I also set out the process by which I intend to communicate my decisions about each area.

This included my commitment to provide regular updates to members through written statements.  This is the first of these statements.

On 23 June I wrote to the Leader and Chief Executive of the City and County of Swansea to confirm the decision made by the First Minister to accept the recommendations of the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales with modifications in respect of City and County of Swansea, and to progress work to seek to implement such recommendations by order.

The Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales Final Recommendations Report for the City and County of Swansea can be found here. The modifications made to these recommendations are set out in the annex to this statement.

In addition, I wrote to the Leader and Chief Executive of the County Borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf to confirm my decision to accept the recommendations of the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales with   modifications in respect of the County Borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf and to progress work to seek to implement such recommendations by order.

The Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales Final Recommendations Report for the County Borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf can be found here. The modifications made to these recommendations are set out in the annex to this statement.

Further information will be provided once I have made decisions about other areas.

Annex

Modifications made to the Commission’s Final recommendations for electoral arrangements in the following areas.

City and County of Swansea

• The Commission proposed the electoral ward of Fairwood is given the English language name of Fairwood and the Welsh language name of Llwynteg.  The electoral  ward will be given the single name of Fairwood. 
• The Commission proposed the electoral ward of St Thomas be given the English language name of St Thomas and the Welsh language name of Sain Tomos. The electoral ward will be given the single name of St Thomas.
• The Commission proposed the electoral ward of Townhill is given the English language name of Townhill and the Welsh language name of Pen y Graig. The electoral ward will be given the single name of Townhill
• The Commission proposed the electoral ward of Uplands be given the English language name of uplands and the Welsh language name of Tir Uchel. The electoral ward will be given the single name of Uplands.
• The Commission proposed the electoral ward of West Cross be given the English language name of West Cross and the Welsh language name of Y Groesffordd. The electoral ward will be given the single name of West Cross.
• The Commission proposed the electoral ward of Pontlliw and Tircoed be given the English name of Pontlliw and Tircoed and the Welsh language name of Pontlliw a Thir-coed. The electoral ward will have the English language name of Pontlliw and Tircoed and the Welsh language name of Pont-lliw a Thir-coed.

County Borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf

• The Commission proposed the electoral ward of Ynysybwl be give the single name of Ynysybwl. The electoral ward will have the English language name of Ynysybwl and the Welsh language name of Ynys-y-bwl. 
• The Commission proposed the electoral ward of Llwyn-y-pia be given the single name of Llwyn-y-pia.  The electoral ward will be given the English language name of Llwyn-y-pia and the Welsh language name of Llwynypia.
• The Commission proposed the electoral ward of Cwmbach be given the single name of Cwmbach. The electoral ward will have the English language name of Cwmbach and the Welsh language name of Cwm-bach.
• The Commission proposed the single spelling of Pont-y-clun for the electoral wards and community wards which contain Pont-y–clun within the names. Pont-y-clun will have the English language spelling of Pontyclun and the Welsh language spelling of Pont-y-clun where the electoral wards and community wards contain this place name.