Review of the Boundaries Between the Communities of Dyserth, Prestatyn, Rhuddlan and Rhyl in the County of Denbighshire Report A

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR WALES

REVIEW OF THE BOUNDARIES BETWEEN THE COMMUNITIES OF DYSERTH, PRESTATYN, RHUDDLAN AND RHYL IN THE COUNTY OF DENBIGHSHIRE

REPORT AND PROPOSALS

LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR WALES

REVIEW OF THE BOUNDARIES BETWEEN THE COMMUNITIES OF DYSERTH, PRESTATYN, RHUDDLAN AND RHYL IN THE COUNTY OF DENBIGHSHIRE

REPORT AND PROPOSALS

1. INTRODUCTION

2. DENBIGHSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL’S PROPOSALS

3. THE COMMISSION’S CONSIDERATION

4. PROCEDURE

5. DYSERTH/PRESTATYN/RHUDDLAN BOUNDARY

6. RHUDDLAN/RHYL BOUNDARY

7. CONSIDERATION OF BOUNDARIES

8. ASSESSMENT

9. PROPOSALS

10. CONSEQUENTIAL ARRANGEMENTS

11. RESPONSES TO THIS REPORT

The Local Government Boundary Commission For Wales Caradog House 1-6 St Andrews Place CARDIFF CF10 3BE Tel Number: (029) 20395031 Fax Number: (029) 20395250 E-mail: [email protected] www.lgbc-wales.gov.uk

Edwina Hart AM MBE Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities The National Assembly for Wales

REVIEW OF THE BOUNDARIES BETWEEN THE COMMUNITIES OF DYSERTH, PRESTATYN, RHUDDLAN AND RHYL IN THE COUNTY OF DENBIGHSHIRE

REPORT AND PROPOSALS

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Denbighshire County Council have conducted a review of the boundaries between the Communities of Dyserth, Prestatyn, Rhuddlan and Rhyl under Section 55(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 (the Act).

1.2 We have considered Denbighshire County Council’s report in accordance with Section 55(3) of the Act and submit the following report on the County Council’s recommendations.

2. DENBIGHSIRE COUNTY COUNCIL’S PROPOSALS

2.1 Denbighshire County Council has conducted a review of a number of Town and Community Councils in their area. As part of this review the Council have proposed changes to: the boundary between the Communities of Dyserth and Prestatyn, the boundary between the Communities of Prestatyn and Rhuddlan, the boundary between the Communities of Rhuddlan and Rhyl.

2.2 Denbighshire County Council’s proposals were submitted to the Commission on 21 June 2001.

3. THE COMMISSION’S CONSIDERATION

3.1 We first considered whether the County Council had conducted their review in accordance with the procedure set out in the Act. We then considered whether the proposals recommended were apt for securing effective and convenient local government.

4. PROCEDURE

4.1 We are satisfied that the Denbighshire County Council have conducted the review in accordance with the procedure set out in Section 60 of the Act.

1 4.2 In December 1999, Denbighshire County Council contacted all the 37 Community Councils in their area to ask for their comments on their boundaries or electoral arrangements. Five Community Councils requested that their areas or arrangements be reviewed and the County Council agreed, in May 2000, that a review should be undertaken for these areas.

4.3 Prior to publication of Draft Proposals, County Councillors were invited to comment on the observations of the Communities requesting reviews in their areas. These comments were taken into consideration when proposals were drafted.

4.4 In September 2000, Draft Proposals were circulated to all Community Councils, County Councillors and householders in the areas affected by the proposals. Notices were placed in the press and on the County Council’s web site. The Draft Proposals were also sent to the Commission and Ordnance Survey for comments. The Denbighshire Association of Local Councils also received a copy.

4.5 In total over 430 individual households were sent copies of the report covering the proposals for their property. A two month period for comments was given. All responses to the Draft Proposals were taken into account when preparing Final Proposals.

4.6 In considering this boundary review, the County Council took into consideration Section 54(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, which provides that the guiding principle of reviews shall be “for effecting changes … desirable in the interests of effective and convenient local government”.

4.7 The County Council agreed their Final Proposals at their meeting on 15 May 2001.

5. DYSERTH/PRESTATYN/RHUDDLAN BOUNDARY

5.1 The review of these boundaries was instigated by a request by Prestatyn Town Council for a review of the boundary between the South West Ward of the Community and the Community of Dyserth. The area of land proposed for inclusion within the Community of Prestatyn includes an area that is being developed for housing which will also include a school and a community centre. Access to these new properties is via the Community of Prestatyn and the affinity of the area is with that Community. There is no direct contact with the Community of Dyserth for the new properties. One property has already had its postal address changed by Royal Mail to Prestatyn.

5.2 To give clear definition to the boundary between the South West Ward of the Community of Prestatyn and the Community of Dyserth, the County Council proposed that the boundary be redrawn to follow the centre line of Ffordd Ffynnon at the current boundary between the South West Ward and Dyserth, following the road to the junction on the B5119 where the boundaries between the Communities of Rhyl and Rhuddlan meet. It is proposed, that as the main access to Four Winds Farm is onto Ffordd Ffynnon and its postal address is Prestatyn, that the boundary then follows the B5119 to a line North of Four Winds Farm and then around the northern edge of the farm to the existing boundary.

2 5.3 The proposed boundary can be seen on the map at Appendix 2.

5.4 The County Council considered the effects of these proposals as follows:

i. In addition to the new development off Ffordd Pantycelyn other properties would be moved from the Community of Dyserth to the Community of Prestatyn. These would be Pydew Farm, Pydew Bungalow, Little Pydew farm, Plas Newydd farm and Bungalow and 52 Ffordd Ffynnon.

ii. This would have a minimal effect on the number of electors in the Community of Dyserth, with approximately 10 electors transferring to the Community of Prestatyn.

iii. One property, Four Winds Farm, would transfer from the Community of Rhuddlan to the Community of Prestatyn.

5.5 In response to Denbighshire County Council’s Draft Proposals, Dyserth Community Council objected on the grounds that “in the past Dyserth boundaries extended down to the beach and a considerable amount of electoral area has already been lost. There is a strong feeling in the village of Dyserth against this proposal as there is the potential for a large increase in the electoral roll of Dyserth.” A petition of 270 names has been received against the proposal, from electors in the village of Dyserth. It was noted that these electors were not from the area affected by the proposal.

5.6 Prestatyn Town Council requested a joint consultation exercise by the Town Council and County Council with the residents of the South West Ward. As the County Council had directly consulted all the households affected by the proposals they considered that there would be no benefit gained by a further consultation.

5.7 Rhuddlan Town Council had no objections to the County Council’s Draft Proposals. In addition, two householders telephoned the County Council to say that they had no objections to the proposals. It was noted that the local County Councillors made no representations.

5.8 When the County Council’s Draft Proposals were published, the properties being developed on the land concerned were not occupied. The residents of those properties that were subsequently occupied were consulted by the County Council before they considered their Final Proposals. No objections to the proposals were received.

5.9 Following consideration of responses to their Draft Proposals, the County Council agreed to recommend to the Commission that the boundary between the Community of Dyserth and Prestatyn and the boundary between the Communities of Prestatyn and Rhuddlan be changed as set out in their Draft Proposals.

6. RHUDDLAN/RHYL BOUNDARY

6.1 Rhyl Town Council requested that the County Council review the boundaries of the Community to take into account the expanding housing developments, holiday parks and industrial developments associated with the Community of Rhyl but located in other Communities.

6.2 The County Council’s Draft proposals suggested changes to the boundary between the Communities of Rhuddlan and Rhyl as follows:

i. On the South eastern side by redrawing the boundary south of Rhydorddwy Wen Covert, along the stream to meet the track on the North eastern perimeter of Aberkinsey, then follow the track at Aberkinsey to the proposed boundary of the Communities of Dyserth and Prestatyn.

ii. On the Southern side, the boundary be redrawn to follow the centre line of the A525 at the existing boundary between the South Ward of the Community of Rhyl and the Community of Rhuddlan, continuing along the drainage channel running westwards to the River Clwyd to the current boundary between the Communities of Rhuddlan and Rhyl at the centre point of the River Clwyd.

iii. The boundary along Bryn Cwnin Road be redrawn to the south of the properties Hailwood and Hafod Wen to include them in the Community of Rhyl rather than the Community of Rhuddlan.

6.3 The proposed boundaries can be seen on the maps at Appendices 1 and 2.

6.4 The County Council considered the effects of these proposals as follows:

i. The housing developments along Dyserth Road would transfer from the Community of Rhuddlan to the Community of Rhyl, along with properties at – Rhyd Wen, Rhydorddwy Fawr, Rhydorddwy fawr Cottage, Rhydorddwy Goch, and Rhydorddwy Wen, electors would otherwise travel through the Community of Rhyl to their polling station in the Community of Rhuddlan.

ii. The realignment of the boundary to take in these properties will result in a large increase in the electorate of the South East Ward of the Town Council. The total number of electors that would transfer from the Community of Rhuddlan to Rhyl would be approximately 256 in the following streets; Maes y Gog, Llys Aderyn Du, Llys Alarch, Llys Robin Goch, Llys Colomen, Llys Gwennol, Llys Gwylan, Llys Eos and along Dyserth Road. This would increase the South East electorate to over 5,000 (1998 figures).

iii. There are currently 4 Councillors for the South East Ward of the Town Council serving an electorate of 4,900. In the South Central Ward there are 2 Councillors serving 1,350 electors and in the West Central Ward, 2 councillors serving 1,395 electors. It is NOT proposed to increase the number of Councillors for the South East Ward, but that in consultation with the Town Council, the internal boundaries be reviewed at a later date to adjust any imbalances.

iv. Properties along Ffordd Derwen, Blaen Y Coed, Llanon, Ynys Farm and I Ffordd Derwen, including part of Ysgol Tir Morfa, currently in the Community of Rhuddlan, would transfer into the Community of Rhyl.

v. Properties on Rhyl Road – The Crown Bard, 1,2,3&4 Cwybr Country House, 1&2 Cwybr Villas, 5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13&14 Cwybr Cottages, 1&2 Cwybr Ucha Farmhouse, Maisonette Cwybr Fawr, Glan Yr Afon, Llacia Fawr

4 Cottage, Morfa Cwybr Farm, Pen Y Bryn Farm, Tan Y Bryn Farm would transfer from the Community of Rhuddlan to the Community of Rhyl.

vi. Hafod Wen and Hailwood on Bryn Cwnin Road currently in the Community of Rhuddlan would transfer into the Community of Rhyl.

Proposal iv, v and vi would affect approximately 40 electors (1998 Register of Electors).

6.5 In response to the Draft Proposals Rhuddlan Town Council had no objection to the large new housing developments along Dyserth Road transferring to the Community of Rhyl, but requested that the individual properties in this area, along with those on Rhyl Road, Bryn Cwnin Road and Ffordd Derwen remain in Rhuddlan.

6.6 Rhyl Town Council had no objection to the proposals. Two letters of objection and one letter passing comment were been received. No comments were received from local County Councillors.

6.7 Following consideration of responses to their Draft Proposals, the County Council agreed to recommend to the Commission that the boundary between the Community of Rhuddlan and Rhyl be changed as set out in their Draft Proposals.

7. CONSIDERATION OF BOUNDARIES

7.1 We agreed that as part of our consideration of Denbighshire County Council’s recommendations it would be necessary to make a site visit to the area to inspect the proposed boundaries.

7.2 Accordingly, officers of the Commission, in conjunction with Ordnance Survey, made a visit to the area in November 2001. As a result of this visit we found that all the proposed boundaries followed features that could be clearly identified. We did however identify a small area of the existing boundary between the Communities of Rhyl and Prestatyn that had become defaced. We identified an alternative boundary that follows the centre of the track and this is shown in green on the map at Appendix 3.

7.3 We consulted with Denbighshire County Council who had no objections to our proposed amendment.

8. ASSESSMENT

8.1 We have noted the general support for Denbighshire County Council’s proposals from the Community Councils and residents involved.

8.2 We have noted Dyserth Community Council’s objection to the proposal to transfer part of their Community to the South West Ward of the Community of Prestatyn. We consider however that, as the affinity of the new housing development off Ffordd Pantycelyn and the other properties included within the proposal are with the

5 Community of Prestatyn, the change would be of benefit in terms of effective and convenient local government.

8.3 We have also noted Rhuddlan Town Council’s objection to the transfer of certain properties to the Community of Rhyl. We consider, however, that, as the main access routes to these properties are through the Community of Rhyl, they have a greater affinity with that Community than the Community of Rhuddlan. We consider that the County Council’s proposals best meet the aims of including within Rhyl properties that are associated with the Community of Rhyl but are located currently within Rhuddlan, and at the same time imposing boundaries that follow identifiable physical features.

9. PROPOSALS

9.1 We have considered Denbighshire County Council’s proposals and have decided that they are apt for securing effective and convenient local government in the area. We have modified the proposals to define an amendment to the boundary between the Community of Rhyl and the Community of Rhuddlan. Accordingly, we make the proposals as modified, to the National Assembly for Wales. Maps showing the areas under review can be found at Appendices 1 and 2.

10. CONSEQUENTIAL ARRANGEMENTS

10.1 Under Section 54(1) (e) of the Act, the Commission may make proposals for change of electoral arrangements for any local government area, which is consequential on any proposed change in local government areas. We considered the effects of the proposals on the electoral arrangements of the communities involved and then considered the effects on the electoral divisions of the county council.

Community Electoral Arrangements

10.2 The area of the Community of Rhuddlan to be transferred to the Community of Rhyl (shown on the map at Appendix 1) is adjacent to and has close ties to the existing South Ward of the Community of Rhyl which currently has 2,998 electors represented by 3 community councillors (January 2002 figures). The transfer would effect an increase of approximately 40 electors in the South Ward. We propose that, as the addition of this small number of electors will only increase the councillor/electorate ratio by approximately 1.3%, no change be made to the electoral arrangements for the South Ward of the Community of Rhyl.

10.3 The further area of the Community of Rhuddlan to be transferred to the Community of Rhyl (shown on the map at Appendix 2) is adjacent to and has close ties to the existing South East Ward of the Community of Rhyl which currently has 5,202 electors represented by 4 community councillors (January 2002 figures). The transfer would effect an increase of approximately 256 electors in the South East Ward. These additional electors will increase the councillor/electorate ratio by approximately 5% which we consider an insufficient increase to warrant any change to the electoral arrangements for the Rhyl South Ward of the Community of Rhyl. Denbighshire

6 County Council have however drawn our attention to the fact that across the Wards of the Community of Rhyl there is an imbalance in the councillor/electorate ratios. This imbalance can only be addressed by changes to the electoral arrangements of the Community of Rhyl. Denbighshire County Council have, in conjunction with Rhyl Town Council, agreed to review the Community Ward boundaries following the next ordinary elections. As Rhyl Town Council are content with this proposal we are content to propose no change to the electoral arrangements for the Community of Rhyl.

10.4 The Community of Rhuddlan currently has 3,206 electors represented by 11 community councillors. The proposed transfer of the two areas of land from the Community of Rhuddlan to the Community of Rhyl (shown on the maps at Appendices 1 and 2) will effect a reduction of approximately 296 electors in the Community of Rhuddlan. This reduction in the number of electors will decrease the councillor/electorate ratio by approximately 9% which we consider an insufficient increase to warrant any change to the electoral arrangements for the Community of Rhuddlan.

10.5 The area of the Community of Dyserth to be transferred to the Community of Prestatyn (shown on the map at Appendix 2) is adjacent to and has close ties to the existing South West Ward of the Community of Prestatyn which currently has 2,485 electors represented by 3 community councillors (January 2002 figures). The transfer would affect an increase of approximately 44 electors in the South West Ward (34 from the new development). We propose that, as the addition of this small number of electors would have only a minimal effect on the councillor/electorate ratio, no change be made to the electoral arrangements for the South West Ward of the Community of Prestatyn.

10.6 The Community of Dyserth has 1,907 electors represented by 11 community councillors (January 2002 electoral figures). As the transfer would only decrease the number of electors in Dyserth by approximately 44 (34 from the new development) we propose that no change be made to the electoral arrangements of the Community of Dyserth.

10.7 The area of the Community of Rhuddlan to be transferred to the Community of Prestatyn (shown on the map at Appendix 2) consists of the property of Four Winds Farm. The transfer of the small number of electors at this address would have no significant effect on the electoral arrangements of either Community. We therefore propose no change to these arrangements.

County Electoral Arrangements

10.8 The South Ward of the Community of Rhyl forms the Rhyl South electoral division of the County Council with 2,998 electors represented by 2 county councillors (January 2002 figures). The proposed transfer of approximately 40 electors from the Community of Rhuddlan to the Community of Rhyl will have little consequential effect on the electoral arrangements of the Rhyl South electoral division due to the small number of electors involved.

7 10.9 The South East Ward of the Community of Rhyl forms the Rhyl South East electoral division of the County Council with 5,202 electors represented by 3 county councillors (January 2002 figures). The proposed transfer of approximately 256 electors from the Community of Rhuddlan to the Community of Rhyl would increase the councillor/electorate ratio by approximately 1.6% to 1:1,819. We noted that the current councillor/electorate ratios for Rhyl East and Rhyl South West at 1:1,801 and 1:1,805 respectively are similar to the ratio for Rhyl South East that would result from the proposed boundary change. We therefore propose no change to the Rhyl South East electoral division.

10.10 The existing electoral division of Rhuddlan consists of the Community of Rhuddlan with 3,206 electors represented by 2 county councillors (January 2002 figures). The proposed transfer of approximately 300 electors from Rhuddlan to the Rhyl South, Rhyl South East and Prestatyn electoral divisions would decrease the councillor/electorate ratio from 1:1,603 to approximately 1:1,453 (a change of approximately 9%). We consider that this reduction is insufficient to warrant any change in the number of councillors, the resultant ratio being within the range contemplated by the guidelines.

10.11 The existing electoral division of Prestatyn South West consists of the South West Ward of the Community of Prestatyn with 2,485 electors represented by 2 county councillors (January 2002 figures). The proposed transfer of approximately 48 electors from the Dyserth and Rhuddlan electoral divisions would not produce a significant change to the councillor/electorate ratio in the Prestatyn South West electoral division.

10.12 The existing electoral division of Dyserth consists of the Community of Dyserth with 1,907 electors represented by 1 county councillor (January 2002 figures). The proposed transfer of approximately 44 electors to the Prestatyn South West electoral division would not produce a significant change to the councillor/electorate ratio in the Dyserth electoral division.

10.13 We consider that the proposed transfers would not have a significant effect on the electoral arrangements for the County of Denbighshire. We therefore propose no change to these arrangements.

10.14 Denbighshire County Council have indicated their intention to review the electoral arrangements of the Communities of Rhyl and Prestatyn following the next ordinary County and Community Council elections. It should be noted that a change to the electoral divisions covering Rhyl and Prestatyn to bring them in line with any change to the Community warding arrangements made by the Council would require a subsequent review of the electoral arrangements of the County of Denbighshire by the Commission. Under Section 57 (3) of the Act, a local authority may, at any time, request the Commission to carry out such a review.

11. RESPONSES TO THIS REPORT

11.1 Having completed our consideration of the review of the boundaries between the Communities of Dyserth, Prestatyn, Rhuddlan and Rhyl in the County of Denbighshire

8 and submitted our recommendations to the National Assembly for Wales, we have fulfilled our statutory obligation under the Act.

11.2 It now falls to the National Assembly for Wales, if it thinks fit, to accept them or to direct the Commission to conduct a further review.

11.3 Any further representations concerning the matters in the report should be addressed to the National Assembly for Wales. They should be made as soon as possible, and in any event not later than six weeks from the date that the Commission’s recommendations are submitted to the National Assembly for Wales. Representations should be addressed to:

Local Government Modernisation 2 Division National Assembly for Wales Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3NQ

MRS S G SMITH LLB (Chair)

J E DAVIES ICSA IPFA (Deputy Chair)

D H ROBERTS BSc DMS MBCS MIMgt (Member)

E H LEWIS BSc. DPM FRSA FCIPD (Secretary)

April 2002