Caerphilly Council Boundary Reforms Confirmed
Welsh Government announces decisions on LDBCW recommendations
Reforms to Caerphilly 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 modifications made to five recommendations.
The Commission’s Final Recommendations were submitted to the Welsh Government 05 November 2020 and Minister for Finance and Local Government, Rebecca Evans MS, has today confirmed that the decision has been made to accept the majority of the recommendations.
The changes accepted by the Welsh Government mean that Caerphilly’s number of councillors will reduce by 4, taking the council from 73 to 69 members. This results in an average of 1,886 electors per councillor.
Meanwhile the number of wards will be reduced from 33 to 31, with 25 of those being multi-member wards.
13 wards will elect 2 councillors, 11 wards will elect 3 councillors, and one ward will elect 4 councillors.
24 current wards will see no change under these reforms.
Writing in the Written Statement, the Minister stated she was satisfied the Commission had met the requirements of the Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013, and the detailed arrangements within its agreed Policy and Practice document in conducting the Electoral Review for Caerphilly.
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 the majority of the Commission’s recommendations.
“These changes will mean greater electoral parity for the people of Caerphilly.
“I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to the review, the members of the public, councillors, Caerphilly 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:
- Abercarn
- Aber Valley
- Crosskeys
- Crumlin
- Gilfach
- Hengoed
- Llanbradach
- Maesycwmmer
- Nelson
- New Tredegar
- Penmaen
- Pontllanfraith
- Risca West
- Argoed
- Blackwood
- Darran Valley
- Morgan Jones
- Newbridge
- Penyrheol
- Risca East
- St. Cattwg
- St. Martin
- Ynysddu
- Ystrad Mynach
Modifications made by Welsh Government:
Electoral ward arrangements
The electoral wards of Crosskeys, Hengoed, Llanbradach, St Cattwg, Ynysddu and Ystrad Mynach will retain their existing arrangements.
Electoral ward names
The Commission recommended retaining the single electoral name of Abercarn. The electoral ward will be given the Welsh language name of Aber-carn.
The Commission recommended retaining the single electoral name of Maesycwmmer. The electoral ward will be given the Welsh language name of Maesycwmwr.
The Commission recommended the single name of Pontllan-fraith. The electoral ward will be given the Welsh language name of Pontllan-fraith and the English language name of Pontllanfraith.
The Welsh Government Written Statement announcing the decision can be found here.