Gwynedd Council Boundary Reforms Confirmed
Welsh Government accepts LDBCW recommendations
Reforms to Gwynedd Council’s ward boundaries are to go ahead after the Welsh Government decided to accept the recommendations of the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales with minor modifications only made to 2 recommended Welsh language ward names.
The Commission’s Final Recommendations were submitted to the Welsh Government 6 November 2018 and Minister for Finance and Local Government, Rebecca Evans MS, has today confirmed that the decision has been made to accept the recommendations.
The changes accepted by the Welsh Government mean that Gwynedd’s number of councillors will reduce by 6, taking the council from 75 to 69 members. This results in an average of 1,208 electors per councillor.
Meanwhile the number of wards will be reduced from 71 to 65, with 4 wards electing 2 councillors.
27 current wards will see no change under these reforms.
2 recommendations on Welsh language ward names were not accepted by Welsh Government.
Responding to the Welsh Government’s decision, Shereen Williams MBE OStJ, Chief Executive of the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales said:
“I’m delighted that the Welsh Government has accepted these recommendations with only minor modifications.
“These changes will mean greater electoral parity for the people of Gwynedd.
“I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to the review, the members of the public, councillors, Gwynedd Council, and everyone else who sent us a representation or contributed in any other way.”
The boundary changes are expected to take effect from the 2022 local government elections.
The full list of retained wards:
- Aberdovey
- Dolbenmaen
- Nefyn
- Abererch
- Dyffryn Ardudwy
- Penygroes
- Abermaw
- Efail-newydd/Buan
- Porthmadog East
- Bala
- Glyder
- Porthmadog West
- Bowydd and Rhiw
- Groeslon
- Pwllheli North
- Brithdir and Llanfachreth/Ganllwyd/ Llanelltyd
- Llanaelhaearn
- Pwllheli South
- Corris/Mawddwy
- Llanberis
- Trawsfynydd
- Criccieth
- Llanrug
- Tregarth & Mynydd Llandygai
- Deiniolen
- Llanystumdwy
- Dewi
Recommendation not accepted by Welsh Government:
- The Commission recommended the single name of Brithdir, Llanfachreth, Y Ganllwyd a Llanelltyd. The electoral ward will be given the English name of Brithdir and Llanfachreth/Ganllwyd/Llanelltyd and the Welsh name of Brithdir a Llanfachreth/Y Ganllwyd/ Llanelltud. This means the electoral ward names remain as at present.
- The Commission recommended the single ward name Cwm-y-Glo. The electoral ward will be given the English name of Cwm-y-Glo and the Welsh name of Cwm-y-glo. This means the electoral ward names remain as at present.
The Welsh Government Written Statement announcing the decision can be found here.