Rebecca Evans MS, Minister for Finance and Local Government
On 16 June I wrote to members to set out the current position in respect of the programme of Electoral Arrangements Reviews. I also set out the process by which I intended to communicate my decisions about each area.
This included my commitment to provide regular updates to members through written statements. This is the eleventh of these statements.
On 1 October as part of my statements setting out my decisions in respect of Cardiff and Caerphilly I set out the requirements placed on the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales (the Commission) in respect of the arrangements for electoral reviews in Wales. This statement can be found here
In the case of the review for the County of Flintshire, the previous Minister for Housing and Local Government sought additional information from the Commission because of significant numbers of representations received relating to particular recommendations.
I have now considered all of the information available to me, including the additional information. I have decided to implement the Commission’s recommendations with modifications.
I consider the Commission has complied with the legislation and its published Policy and Practice document. However, having considered the representations received in respect of a number of the recommendations, I consider these modifications are in the best interest of effective and convenient government.
I have therefore decided not to implement the recommendations in respect of the following areas:
- Higher Kinnerton and Hope
- Caergwrle, Llanfynydd and Treuddyn
On 13 October I wrote to the Leader and Chief Executive of the County of Flintshire to confirm my decision to implement the Commission’s recommendations with modifications.
The Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales Final Recommendations Report for the County of Flintshire can be found here.
The modifications made to these recommendations is set out in the annex to this statement.
I have now made decisions for all 22 electoral reviews across Wales. The first nine of the electoral arrangements Orders have been made and work is ongoing to ensure all remaining Orders are made as soon as possible and can be implemented in time for the local government elections in May next year.
Annex
Modifications made to the Commission’s Final recommendations for electoral arrangements in the following area.
County of Flintshire
The following will be applied:
Higher Kinnerton and Hope
The Commission recommends the Community of Higher Kinnerton and the Hope ward of the Community of Hope are combined to form an electoral ward represented by two councillors with the Welsh language name of Kinnerton Uchaf a’r Hôb and the English language name of Higher Kinnerton and Hope. The electoral ward will be Higher Kinnerton represented by one councillor with the Welsh name of Kinnerton Uchaf and the English name of Higher Kinnerton. There will also be an electoral ward comprised of the Hope ward of the Community of Hope represented by one councillor with the Welsh Language name of Hôb and the English language name of Hope.
Caergwrle, Llanfynydd and Treuddyn
The Commission recommends an electoral ward be created by combining the Communities of Llanfynydd and Treuddyn and the Caergwrle community ward of the Community of Hope to form an electoral ward represented by two councillors with the Welsh language name of Welsh language name of Caergwrle, Llanfynydd a Threuddyn and the English language name of Caergwrle, Llanfynydd and Treuddyn. There will be three electoral wards - The electoral ward composed of the Caergwrle ward of the Community of Hope represented by one councillor with the single name of Caergwrle; The electoral ward composed of the Community of Llanfynydd represented by one councillor with the single name of Llanfynydd, and; The electoral ward of Treuddyn comprised of the Community of Treuddyn represented by one councillor with the single name of Treuddyn.
Electoral ward names
- The Commission recommended the retention of the English language name of Greenfield and recommended the Welsh language name of Maes Glas. The electoral ward will be given the English language name of Greenfield and be given the Welsh language name of Maes-glas.
- The Commission recommended the Welsh language name of Gwernaffield a Gwernymynydd and the English language name of Gwernaffield and Gwerymynydd. The electoral ward will be given the Welsh language name of Y Waun a Gwernymynydd and the English language name of Gwernaffield and Gwerymynydd.
- The Commission has recommended the name of the electoral ward of Ewloe remains the same. The electoral ward will be given the Welsh name of Penarlâg: Ewloe and the English name of Hawarden: Ewloe.