APPENDIX 1

TORFAEN COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL COMMUNITY REVIEW REPORT

COUNCIL 31 JULY 2012

REVIEW OF COMMUNITY COUNCIL BOUNDARIES

Report Submitted by: Alison Ward, Chief Executive and Returning Officer Report Written by: Lyn Pask, Lead Officer for Elections

1. Area Affected

1.1 Borough-wide

2. Purpose of Report

2.1 To seek the agreement of Council to submit the findings of the review of community council boundaries to the Local Government Boundary Commission for for consideration.

3. Key Messages

3.1 > A review of community council boundaries was undertaken during 2011/12 > Fourteen proposals for change were received from local community councils > Those proposals, along with this Council's views if any, need to be submitted to the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales for their consideration.

4. Background

4.1 It is the duty of the County Borough Council to keep under review the electoral arrangements and boundaries of the communities in its area. "Boundaries" cover the extent of the communities; in effect their boundaries with one another and the overall division of the County Borough into communities. In turn, the community and community electoral division boundaries are used as the building blocks for creating the County Boroughs own electoral divisions, the review of which is the responsibility of the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales and is underway.

4.2 The Council undertook a review of the community electoral division boundaries between 2006 and 2008. The community councils subsequently raised a number of issues that remained outstanding and a subsequent review was proposed as a means of addressing these issues.

4.3 The subsequent review was carried out between 2011 and 2012 by the Lead Officer Elections, working directly with the community councils to establish a comprehensive list of proposed community council boundary changes. The views of the public were also sought at this time via the Council's internet site and a series of public notices placed at each of 's libraries, as well as notices placed on community council notice boards.

4.4 The Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales participated in full with the subsequent review, attending the Local Councils Partnership Committee to discuss the approach and provide guidance. The results of the consultation with the Community Council is outlined in Appendix A.

4.5 A similar report was submitted to the Council on 26 June 2012. The Council deferred consideration of the report to this meeting.

4.6 This Council (Torfaen CBC), as the principal council in the area of Torfaen, has a role in this review, insofar as all the communities affected are within Torfaen. The views of the community councils are crucial in informing the Boundary Commission about local boundaries. However, as the principal council in the area, it is also perfectly possible that Torfaen CBC may have additional or different views to those of the local community councils. Therefore, it is open to Council at this meeting to add its own views to those of the community councils, if it so wishes, before those views are sent to the Boundary Commission. If that is to be done, it is highly advisable that political groups work together if possible to get their views formulated before the meeting (and copies can

1 APPENDIX 1 be circulated at the meeting) so that Council can come to an agreed conclusion as effectively as possible.

5. Issues and Findings

5.1 The Community Council proposals, the product of the review, are attached at Appendix A organised first by Council and subsequently by Ward.

5.2 Appendix A also includes a range of comments that capture the views of the Lead Officer Election on the proposals and the associated implications.

5.3 Views of this Council (to be formulated by political groups if they wish) will be circulated at the meeting if any come forward.

6. Consultation

6.1 Community Councils - The following Community Councils have been consulted and their views are set out in Appendix A:

• • and • • Henllys • •

6.2 Members of the Public - Members of the public were consulted via the torfaen.gov.uk website. One petition was received from members of the public in support of the proposal to move the existing boundary of Henllys CC at the point where Nant-y-Milwr brook meets the boundary of Ashleigh Court (see Appendix A).

6.3 Members of the Council - were consulted via political group leaders by email.

7. Risks

7.1 Not Applicable.

8. Action to be taken following decision

8.1 Should Council be minded to approve the recommendations within this report:

• The Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales will be forwarded the review findings as set out Appendix A - along with any views which the Council itself wishes to add. • The Commission will then, subject to their agreement, apply the findings within the Appendix and make the necessary orders to realise the requests. • It is anticipated that the Commission will communicate with Torfaen County Borough Council informing them of their findings. • It is also anticipated that the necessary amendments will be in force for the next County/Community County Borough elections in May 2017.

9. Conclusion/summary

9.1 The 2011-12 Review of Community Council boundaries has resulted in 14 proposals to amend existing arrangements. Council's permission is sought to submit the views of the community councils (and this Council's views if any) to the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales for their consideration in conjunction with other relevant reviews (such as the County Borough Review, which is currently in train).

10. Recommendation(s)

10.1 That Council:

2 APPENDIX 1 1) notes the views of the community councils concerning community council boundaries, and any other relevant information as set out in appendix A 2) decides at this meeting whether the views of the community councils should be supplemented with any views of Torfaen County Borough Council (and if so what this Council's views are) 3) agrees to formally submit the findings of this review (i.e. 1 and 2 above) to the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales for their consideration 4) notes that the outcomes of the review, as decided by the Local Government Boundary Commission, will in all likelihood take effect at the 2017 Local Government Elections.

Appendices Appendix A - Review of Community Council Boundaries For a copy of the background papers or for further information about this report, please telephone: Lyn Pask, Lead Officer Elections, 01495 766077, [email protected]

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COMMUNITY REVIEW RESPONSES

Request Changes Boundaries/Wards Approx. Comments County Borough Affected No. of Comments Elect. Affected

BLAENAVON COMMUNITY COUNCIL RESPONSES None None

No amendments required. PONTYPOOL COMMUNITY COUNCIL RESPONSES

Amend boundary Move the boundary from rear Parliamentary Boundary 88 Agree in Principle between of between Torfaen and (same proposal as Lower and properties in Chapel Lane, Monmouth/New Inn and Croesyceiliog & Croesyceiliog Croesyceiliog Croesyceiliog North CB Wards Llanyrafon CC) North to the road to the rear of and New Inn Lower and Community Springfield Close Croesyceiliog North CC Council. and Include Springfield Close

Not Accepted. Sebastopol East and Boundary Sebastopol West CC Wards. would be one not Disagree with amend boundary Move boundary between easily proposals. between Sebastopol West recognised by elector Sebastopol East to include Elm Grove and 1- and West 19 Oaklands 257 Road, properties above the and Cwmavon shop on The and Avenue and the area of Snatchwood CC. Agree Pentwyn village Alexandra Park Abersychan and Snatchwood CB wards.

To amend boundary which splits Pentwyn village Into two community wards. amend existing boundary to Union Lane to the Promenade follow the Promenade to meet the cycle track along the unnamed road at the side of the old Jnr School follow track to Riding School (include) follow polling district boundary to Gypsy Road. Include the new boundary into Snatchwood Ward.

CROESYCEILIOG AND LLANYRAFON COMMUNITY COUNCIL RESPONSES Croesyceiliog Move existing northern Monmouth/Torfaen Parl Const. 99 Agree In Principle North Ward boundary to New Inn, Croesy North. (same proposal as Treherbert Road through the Pontypool CC) roundabout CB Wards New Inn Lower, follow the unnamed road Croesy bordering North and Lowlands and Springfield Close to the mini Avondale roundabout CC wards continue on existing boundary to a point where Pontrhydyrun House meets Chapel Lane include Pontrhydyrun House, Chestnut Cottage and Metro Croesyceiliog Mon. Ind. 143 Disagree as opposed South Ward Est into Croesyceiliog North, by Cwmbran CC travel Chapel local members and Lane to where it meets the Monmouth/Torfaen Parl Const. Torfaen CBC members railway line Pontnewydd, and for Pontnewydd. follow railway line south. Croesy- ceiliog South CB Llanyrafon North Move boundary Wards, Lowlands and 0 Ward westerly from river to railway Avondale, Llantarnam and line Croesyceiliog Extend existing southern South CC Wards Agree boundary along Afon Terrace to the railway Monmouth/Torfaen Parl Const. line. Llantarnam and Llanyrafon North CB Wards Llanyrafon South Continue following railway line Llantarnam and Llanyrafon 0 Ward south for North CC Wards westerly boundary, to meet

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end of Agree recreation ground as southern boundary. Monmouth/Torfaen Parl Const. Northern boundary along Afon Llantarnam and Llanyrafon 2075 Good boundary Terrace South CB Wards change Creation of New Include Station Farm in ward. Llantarnam and Llanyrafon Llanyrafon West = Wards South CC Wards 2075 Agree Continue following railway line 574 electors = 2 south from councillor proposed boundary of Croesy South Llanyrafon East = Agree moving boundary from river to 574 railway line electors = 1 Northern boundary as councillors southern boundary Above. Create the A4042 as the easterly boundary.

Continue following railway line south from proposed boundary of Llanyrafon South to a point where railway meets Cwmbran Brook, follow brook to river and continue along current boundary. Create the A4042 as the easterly boundary.

Merge Llanyrafon North and South wards to the west of A4042 and create new ward namely Llanyrafon West

Merge Llanyrafon North and South wards to the east of A4042 and create new ward namely Llanyrafon East

Henllys Community Council Response Henllys Ward Move existing boundary of Coedeva and Two Locks CB 215 Petition received from Disagree as local Henllys CC Wards Residents of member recommend at a point where Nant-y-Milwr Coedeva and Henllys CC Ashleigh Status quo brook meets Wards Court & incline Farm the boundary of Ashleigh in Court follow in support of this the rear of Ashleigh Court amendment properties to tramway follow tramway to meet Nant-y- Milwr brook.

Cwmbran Community Council Responses Mount Pleasant Move existing boundary of Mt and 232 Possible reduction of Agree Ward Pleasant Ward Pontnewydd CB Ward 1 North to include Greenfield Upper Cwmbran East and Mt CC for U. Cwmbran Close Pleasant CC East and Five Locks Close Wards 1772 Agree Create New Ward - Properties of Thornhill Greenmeadow & Upper Possible reduction of Thornhill Ward currently in Cwmbran West CC 1 Upper Cwmbran West and Ward, Greenmeadow & Upper CC for U Cwmbran Greenmeadow Cwmbran West CC wards be combined and CB Ward. create a new New Thornhill ward Comm council ward. That this new CC ward be creates 1-2 The boundary of the new incorporated Community Agree with proposal to proposed CC ward into Upper Cwmbran CB 162 Councillor. maintain status south of Woodland Jnr Sch, Ward. Quo re: Station Farm Northville Ward Craig Road, (Same effect as to north of Bristol View Close, rejection of rear of Marl- Croesyceiliog South borough Rd to Ty Gwyn Way One member proposal) to junction of Northville, Lowlands and expressed Thornhill Road. Avondale and concern at altering Croesyceiliog South CC the Disagree, thereby Keep the current boundary Wards northern boundary of agreeing with counter between Pontnewydd and Croesyceiliog Northville. It would Proposal by ward Northville Ward and South involve members to maintain Croesyceiliog South CB Wards. residents who Status quo CC ward identified with Pontnewydd Amend northern boundary to being 5 APPENDIX 1

Station Road placed into a ward Upper Cwmbran by bringing properties east of which has East Cwmbran no historical Drive & south of Station Road connection with into 171 the residents. Northville Ward Dwellings which Noted as no action are a fundamental needed unless South Greenmeadow part of Sebastopol Ward Upper Cwmbran East, Pontnewydd Village, development takes Sebastopol East & these place West CC. Upper Cwmbran residents support and and play CB Wards an active part in the Consideration of warding village Agree arrangements life. need to be considered when Greenmeadow, Fairwater and South Seb- Oaksford If the new astopol development and St Dials CC Wards. development commences. Greenmeadow, Fairwater and of Sebastopol South St Dials takes CBC wards. place a further review Amend boundary between of Greenmeadow, St cc and CB wards Dials and Fairwater and takes place. Oaksford CC wards, Extend boundary of St Dials along Fairhill to the point where Dowlais Brook runs under Fairhill follow Dowlais Brook to the point where it meets the current St Dials CC ward. include Fairhill, Ellwood Path and Kingsland Walk from Greenmeadow to St Dials CC Ward.

Ponthir Community Council Responses No amendments required.

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