LOCAL DEMOCRACY AND BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR

Review of the Electoral Arrangements of the of

Final Recommendations Report

November 2018 © LDBCW copyright 2018

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This document is also available from our website at www.ldbc.gov.wales FOREWORD

The Commission is pleased to present this Report to the Cabinet Secretary, which contains its recommendations for revised electoral arrangements for the County Borough of Torfaen. This review is part of the programme of reviews being conducted under the Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013, and follows the principles contained in the Commission’s Policy and Practice document. The issue of fairness is at the heart of the Commission’s statutory responsibilities. The Commission’s objective has been to make recommendations that provide for effective and convenient local government, and which respect, as far as possible, local ties. The recommendations are aimed at improving electoral parity, so that the vote of an individual elector has as equal a value to those of other electors throughout the County Borough, so far as it is possible to achieve. The Commission is grateful to the Members and Officers of Torfaen County Borough Council for their assistance in its work, to the Community and Town Councils for their valuable contributions, and to all who have made representations throughout the process. Owen Watkin OBE DL Chair

LOCAL DEMOCRACY AND BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR WALES REVIEW OF THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS OF THE COUNTY BOROUGH OF TORFAEN FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS REPORT Contents Page Chapter 1 Introduction 1 Chapter 2 Summary of Draft Proposals 2 Chapter 3 Summary of Final Recommendations 3 Chapter 4 Assessment 7 Chapter 5 The Final Recommendations 9 Chapter 6 Summary of Recommended Arrangements 27 Chapter 7 Responses to this Report 28 Chapter 8 Acknowledgements 29

APPENDIX 1 GLOSSARY OF TERMS APPENDIX 2 EXISTING COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP APPENDIX 3 FINAL RECOMMENDED COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP APPENDIX 4 RULES AND PROCEDURES APPENDIX 5 SUMMARY OF DRAFT REPRESENTATIONS APPENDIX 6 CABINET SECRETARY FOR FINANCE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT 23 JUNE 2016 - WRITTEN STATEMENT

1st Edition printed November 2018

The Commission welcomes correspondence and telephone calls in Welsh or English. Mae’r ddogfen ar hon ar gael yn y Gymraeg.

The Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales Hastings House Fitzalan Court CARDIFF CF24 0BL

Tel Number: (029) 2046 4819 Fax Number: (029) 2046 4823

E-mail: [email protected] www.ldbc.gov.wales LOCAL DEMOCRACY AND BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR WALES

Alun Davies, AM Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services Welsh Government

Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION 1. The Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales (the Commission) has conducted a review of the electoral arrangements of the County Borough of Torfaen. This review was conducted in accordance with the Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (the Act), specifically Sections 29, 30 and 34-36. 2. Pursuant to the Act the Commission has completed the review of the electoral arrangements for the County Borough of Torfaen and presents its final recommendations for future electoral arrangements. 3. This programme of reviews has come as a result of the former Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government’s Written Statement of 23 June 2016, where the Commission was asked to start its programme of reviews with an expectation that all 22 electoral reviews be completed in time for the new arrangements to be put in place for the 2022 local government elections. The Written Statement can be found at Appendix 6. 4. The rules and procedures the Commission follows can be found in the Commission’s Electoral Reviews: Policy and Practice [2016] and outlined in Appendix 4. A Glossary of Terms can be found at Appendix 1, providing a short description of some of the common terminology used within this report. 5. Section 35 of the Act lays down the procedural guidelines which are to be followed in carrying out a review. In compliance with Section 35 the Commission wrote to Torfaen County Borough Council, all the community and town councils in the area, the mandatory consultees and other interested parties on 25 July 2017 to inform them of our intention to conduct the review and request their preliminary views. This consultation ran from 1 August 2017 to 23 October 2017. The Commission also made copies of its Electoral Reviews: Policy and Practice [2016] document available. 6. The Commission published its Draft Proposals Report on 3 May 2018, to request views on the proposals. This consultation ran from 10 May 2018 to 1 August 2018. 7. The Commission publicised the review on its website and social media channels and asked Torfaen County Borough Council to publicise the review and provided a number of public notices to display. These were also provided to the community and town councils in the area. In addition, the Commission made a presentation to both county and town and community councillors to explain the review process and the Commission’s policies. The County Council was invited to submit a suggested scheme for new electoral arrangements.

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Chapter 2. SUMMARY OF DRAFT PROPOSALS 1. Prior to the formulation of the draft proposals the Commission received representations from Nick Tomas-Symonds MP (Torfaen), Labour Party Branch, Torfaen County Borough Labour Party Group, and a resident of Pontnewydd. 2. These representations were taken into consideration and summarised in the Draft Proposals Report published on 3 May 2018. The Commission’s draft proposals proposed a change to the arrangement of electoral wards that would have achieved a substantial improvement in the level of electoral parity across the County Borough of Torfaen. 3. The Commission proposed a council of 40 members. This resulted in a proposed county average of 1,769 electors per member. The Commission proposed 19 electoral wards, a reduction from 24 existing wards. 4. The largest under-representation (in terms of electoral variance) was proposed to be in and Upper (22% above the proposed county average). At present the greatest under-representation is in (27% above the proposed county average). 5. The largest over-representation (in terms of electoral variance) was proposed to be in Llantarnam and and (15% below the proposed county average). At present the greatest over-representation is in Cwmyniscoy and (42% below the proposed county average). 6. The Commission proposed 14 multi-member wards in the County Borough consisting of: seven two-member electoral wards, and, seven three-member electoral wards. 7. The Commission proposed no changes to 12 electoral wards. 8. The Commission proposed to have two electoral wards within the county which combined part of a warded community, along with its neighbouring community. These community splits were present within the Communities of Cwmbran Central and .

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Chapter 3. SUMMARY OF FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS • The Commission recommends a council of 40 members, a reduction from the present 44 members. The Commission received representations from Torfaen County Borough Council, Community Council, the Pontypool Labour Party Branch and the Torfaen Council Labour Party Group in response to the Draft Proposals. The Commission considered all of these representations carefully before it formulated its recommendations. A summary of those representations can be found at Appendix 5. • The Commission recommends a change to the arrangement of electoral wards that will achieve a substantial improvement in the level of electoral parity across the County Borough of Torfaen. • The Commission recommends 18 electoral wards, a reduction from 24 existing wards. • The largest under-representation (in terms of variance from the recommended county average) is recommended to be 22% above the proposed county average (Croesyceiliog and ). At present the greatest variance is 27% above the recommended county average (Llantarnam). • The largest over-representation (in terms of variance from the recommended county average) is recommended to be 15% below the proposed county average (Llantarnam and Pontnewynydd and Snatchwood). At present the greatest variance is 42% below the recommended county average (Cwmyniscoy and Greenmeadow). • The Commission recommends 14 multi-member wards in the County consisting of: six two- member electoral wards: Croesyceiliog, Fairwater, Pontnewynydd and Snatchwood, St. Dials, and Penygarn and Upper Cwmbran; and, eight three-member electoral wards: , , Llantarnam, , , Pontnewydd, Pontypool Fawr and . • The Commission recommends no change to 11 electoral wards. • The Commission recommends two electoral wards within the county which combine a part of a warded community, along with its neighbouring community. These community splits are present within the Communities of Cwmbran Central and Llanyrafon. Summary Maps 1. On the following pages are thematic maps illustrating the current and recommended arrangements and their variances from the proposed county average. Those areas in green are within ±10% of the county average; yellow and hatched yellow between ±10% and ± 25% of the county average; and, orange and hatched orange between ±25% and ±50% of the county average. 2. As can be seen from these maps the new arrangements provide for a marked improvement in electoral parity across the county.

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Chapter 4. ASSESSMENT 1. The Commission has a duty to achieve electoral parity across the Council. In order to advance this we apply the Policy and Practice in the following way. Council Size 2. The council size for the County Borough of Torfaen has been determined by our council size policy and methodology. This policy can be found in our Electoral Reviews: Policy and Practice [2016] document. The methodology sets out a council size of 31 for the County Borough of Torfaen. At present the size of the Council at 44 members is 13 members above the methodology’s aim and four above the aim for this review of 40. 3. The Commission reviewed the electoral arrangements for the County Borough of Torfaen in the light of our methodology and took account of the representations which had been made. For the reasons given below we believe that in the interests of effective and convenient local government a council size of 40 would be appropriate to represent the County Borough of Torfaen. Number of Electors 4. The numbers shown as the electorate for 2017 and the estimates for the electorate in the year 2022 are those submitted to us by Torfaen County Borough Council. The forecast figures supplied by Torfaen County Borough Council show a forecasted increase in the electorate of 3,009 from 70,777 to 73,786. The Office of National Statistics (ONS) have also provided their estimated number of persons eligible to vote but are not on the electoral register. This showed an estimated 2,153 more people eligible to vote than the 2017 electorate. 5. The Commission is aware that there are Welsh Government proposals to legislate to extend the franchise to include 16 and 17 year olds and foreign nationals, not currently eligible to vote, at the 2022 local government elections. The Commission‘s Council Size Policy utilises the entire population to determine Council Size and these two groups were included in the Council Size deliberations. 6. While 16 and 17 year olds are not in the existing electoral figures provided by Torfaen County Borough Council, they will have been included in the forecasted figures provided by the Council. Consideration of these figures has been included in the Commission’s deliberations on its recommendations. 7. Foreign nationals are included in the census data provided by the ONS. Consideration of this data has been included as part of the Commission’s deliberations on its recommendations. Councillor to Electorate Ratio 8. In respect of the number of electors per councillor in each electoral ward there is a wide variation from the current county average of 1,609 electors per councillor ranging from 36% below (1,024 electors) to 40% above (2,255 electors). The determination of the council size above results in an average of 1,769 electors being represented by each councillor. 9. In our deliberations we considered the ratio of local government electors to the number of councillors to be elected, with a view to proposing changes to ensure that the number of local government electors shall be, as nearly as may be, the same in every ward in the

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principal area. We considered the size and character of the council and a wide range of other factors including local topography, road communications, and local ties. Judgement and Balance 10. In producing a scheme of electoral arrangements the Commission must have regard to a number of issues contained in the legislation. It is not always possible to resolve all of these, sometimes conflicting issues. The Commission’s recommended scheme has placed emphasis on achieving improvements in electoral parity whilst maintaining community ties wherever possible. The Commission has made every effort to ensure that the revised electoral wards, in the Commission’s view, are an appropriate combination of existing communities and community wards. 11. The Commission has looked at each area and are satisfied that it would be difficult to achieve electoral arrangements that keep the existing combination of communities and community wards without having a detrimental effect on one or more of the other issues that the Commission must consider. Electoral Ward Names 12. In the creation of these final recommendations the Commission has considered the names of all the electoral wards proposed in Welsh and English, where appropriate. For these final recommendations the Commission have considered names of either electoral wards or communities that appear in Orders, where they exist; those recommended by the Welsh Language Commissioner; and, in the representations it has received. 13. The Commission consulted with the Welsh Language Commissioner on the suitability of the names in their draft form prior to the publication of these final recommendations, with a particular focus on the Welsh language names. This recognises the Welsh Language Commissioner’s responsibility to advise on the standard forms of Welsh place-names and specialist knowledge in the field. It must be clear that these recommendations are not proposals for changes to any place names. At each recommendation an indication is given of the Welsh Language Commissioner’s recommended alternative and, where they differ, the specific recommendation and why they proposed an alternative to the Commission’s recommended name.

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Chapter 5. THE FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS 1. The Commission’s recommendations are described in detail in this chapter. For each new proposal the report sets out: • The name(s) of the existing electoral wards which wholly or in part constitute the recommended ward; • A brief description of the existing electoral wards in terms of the number of electors now and projected and their percentage variance from the recommended county average; • Key arguments made during the draft consultation (if any). Although not all representations are mentioned in this section, all representations have been considered and a summary can be found at Appendix 5; • The views of the Commission; • The composition of the recommended electoral ward and the recommended name; and, • A map of the recommended electoral ward. (See key at page 10) Retained Electoral Wards 2. The Commission has considered the electoral arrangements of the existing electoral wards and the ratio of local government electors to the number of councillors to be elected. It is recommended that the existing arrangements should be retained within the following electoral wards. Names displayed in bold within the list below denote the electoral wards where the existing geography and electoral ward names have been prescribed within Orders, and which the Commission is recommending to retain. • Abersychan • New Inn • Blaenavon • Panteg • • Pontnewydd • Fairwater • St. Dials • Llanyrafon East and • Two Locks • Llanyrafon West 3. Whilst the Commission is recommending to preserve the geographical arrangements within the electoral wards listed above, it is recommending to introduce new electoral ward names for the following (names displayed in bold throughout the remainder of this report denote the Commission’s final recommended electoral ward names): i) Llanyrafon East and Ponthir is recommended to be renamed Llanfrechfa a Phont-hir in the Welsh language, and, Llanfrechfa and Ponthir in the English language. The Welsh Language Commissioner has suggested that the English language name should be Llanfrechfa and Pont-hir, highlighting that Pont-hir is the recognised form in the Rhestr o Enwau Lleoedd/A Gazetteer of Welsh Place Names (University of Wales Press, 1967), and that the hyphen is used to aid the pronunciation. Stating that if the difference is one or two letters, then the use of a single form is recommended, with preference

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given to the Welsh form. Any comments on the recommended name can be sent to the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services. In the Draft Proposals the Commission proposed to retain the existing name of Dwyrain Llanyrafon a Phont-hir in the Welsh language, and Llanyrafon East and Ponthir in the English language, as prescribed in the last electoral order, the County Borough of Torfaen (Electoral Changes) Order 2002 (2002 Order). The Welsh Language Commissioner agreed with the proposed Welsh language name, but considered the English language name should be Llanyrafon East and Pont-hir. The Commission received two representations in regards to the proposed name, stating that it should be Llanfrechfa and Ponthir due to the settlement of Llanyrafon no longer being within the proposed ward. ii) Llanyrafon West is recommended to have the single name of Llanyrafon. The Welsh Language Commissioner agreed with the recommended name. Any comments on the recommended name can be sent to the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services. In the Draft Proposals the Commission proposed to retain the existing name of Gorllewin Llanyrafon in the Welsh language, and Llanyrafon West in the English language, as prescribed in the last electoral order, the 2002 Order. The Welsh Language Commissioner agreed with the proposed names. The Commission received two representations in regards to the proposed name, stating that it should be Llanyrafon as it contains all of the settlement of Llanyrafon within the proposed boundary. Proposed Electoral Wards 4. The Commission considered changes to the remaining 13 electoral wards. Details of the current electoral arrangements can be found at Appendix 2. The Commission’s recommended arrangements can be found at Appendix 3.

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St. Cadocs and Penygarn, and Trevethin 5. The existing St. Cadocs and Penygarn electoral ward is comprised of the St. Cadocs and Penygarn ward of the Community of Trevethin. It has 1,335 electors (1,272 projected) represented by one councillor which is 25% below the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 1,260 eligible electors. 6. The existing Trevethin electoral ward is comprised of the Trevethin ward of the Community of Trevethin. It has 2,502 electors (2,736 projected) represented by two councillors which is 29% below the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 2,727 eligible electors. 7. In its Draft Proposals the Commission, at the suggestion of the Torfaen County Borough Council Labour Party Group, proposed to combine the St. Cadocs and Penygarn, and Trevethin wards into a single, two-member electoral ward representing the whole of the Community of Trevethin. 8. The Commission received two representations in response to the Draft Proposals regarding this area from Torfaen County Borough Council and the Torfaen County Borough Council Labour Party Group. Both supported the Draft Proposals. 9. The Commission recommend the Community of Trevethin is used to form an electoral ward of 3,837 electors (4,008 projected), which, if represented by two councillors, would result in a level of representation 8% above the recommended county average. 10. The Commission notes that the recommended electoral ward ensures the entire Community of Trevethin is included in one electoral ward, whilst improving the overall levels of electoral parity for the area in addition to respecting the overall Council Size for the area. The Commission also notes the agreement from the representations received regarding the area. 11. The Commission proposed the Welsh language name of Trefddyn a Phen-y-garn, and the English language name of Trevethin and Penygarn in the Draft Proposals. The Welsh Language Commissioner suggested the Welsh language name of Trefddyn a Phen-y-garn and the English language name of Trefethin and Pen-y-garn. The Commission received no representations in regards to the name. 12. The Commission has given the recommended electoral ward the Welsh language name of Trefddyn a Phen-y-garn and the English language name of Trevethin and Penygarn. The Commission recommends these names as they are the two existing names which form the recommended ward, as prescribed in the most recent electoral order (2002 Order). 13. The Commission considers that this recommendation would be desirable in the interests of effective and convenient local government.

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Pontnewynydd and Snatchwood 14. The existing Pontnewynydd electoral ward is comprised of the Pontnewynydd ward of the Community of . It has 1,134 electors (1,156 projected) represented by one councillor which is 36% below the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 1,153 eligible electors. 15. The existing Snatchwood electoral ward is comprised of the Snatchwood ward of the Community of Pen Tranch. It has 1,877 electors (1,973 projected) represented by one councillor which is 6% above the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 1,670 eligible electors. 16. In its Draft Proposals the Commission proposed to create a single, two-member ward by combining the Pontnewynydd and Snatchwood wards together. The Commission felt that the atypical level of variance in the existing arrangements was too marked to propose retaining the arrangements, therefore by creating a single, two-member electoral ward for the two wards ensured an appropriate level of variance. 17. The Commission received two representations in response to the Draft Proposals regarding this area from Torfaen County Borough Council and the Torfaen County Borough Council Labour Party Group. Both representations supported the Draft Proposals. 18. The Commission recommends that the Pontnewynydd and Snatchwood wards of the Community of Pen Tranch be combined, to form an electoral ward of 3,011 electors (3,129 projected) which, if represented by two councillors, would result in a level of representation 15% below the recommended county average. 19. The Commission acknowledges the existing arrangement for Snatchwood has an appropriate level of variance. However, to improve the overall electoral parity in the area, without breaking community ties the Pontnewynydd electoral ward needs to be combined with an adjacent area. The Commission notes that the improvement in electoral parity between these two, well-connected wards, both of which form part of the wider Pontypool Community Council, will ensure an effective electoral ward. 20. The Commission proposed the Welsh language name of Pontnewynydd a Snatchwood, and the English language name of Pontnewynydd and Snatchwood in the Draft Proposals. The Welsh Language Commissioner agreed with the proposed names. The Commission received no representations in regards to the name. 21. The Commission recommends the Welsh language name of Pontnewynydd a Snatchwood and the English language name of Pontnewynydd and Snatchwood. The Commission recommended these names as they are the existing names of the two wards that will form the recommended electoral ward, as prescribed in the 2002 Order. 22. The Commission considers that this recommendation would be desirable in the interests of effective and convenient local government.

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Brynwern, Cwmyniscoy, Pontypool and 23. The existing Brynwern electoral ward is comprised of the Brynwern ward of the Community of . It has 1,324 electors (1,397 projected) represented by one councillor which is 25% below the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 1,393 eligible electors. 24. The existing Cwmyniscoy electoral ward is comprised of the Cwmyniscoy ward of the Community of Pontymoile. It has 1,032 electors (1,181 projected) represented by one councillor which is 42% below the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 1,146 eligible electors. 25. The existing Pontypool electoral ward is comprised of the Pontypool ward of the Community of Pontymoile. It has 1,442 electors (1,455 projected) represented by one councillor which is 18% below the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 1,451 eligible electors. 26. The existing Wainfelin electoral ward is comprised of the Wainfelin ward of the Community of Pen Tranch. It has 1,838 electors (1,525 projected) represented by one councillor which is 4% above the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 1,896 eligible electors. 27. In its Draft Proposals the Commission proposed to create a two-member ward from the entire Community of Pontymoile (Brynwern, Cwmyniscoy and Pontypool), whilst retaining the existing single-member ward for Wainfelin. 28. The Commission has received four representations in response to the Draft Proposals regarding this area from: Torfaen County Borough Council, Pontypool Community Council, the Pontypool Labour Party Branch and the Torfaen County Borough Council Labour Party Group. 29. Torfaen County Borough Council and the Torfaen County Borough Council Labour Party Group suggested two alternatives for this area. Firstly retaining the existing Pontypool electoral ward and combining the Brynwern and Cwmyniscoy into a further single-member ward. They both stated that this was because Pontypool had a different outlook to the other two wards. 30. Alternatively, they and Pontypool Community Council and the Pontypool Labour Party Branch, proposed to combine the entire community – Brynwern, Cwmyniscoy and Pontypool and the Wainfelin ward from the Community of Pen Tranch. They highlighted that the boundary between Brynwern and Wainfelin was not clearly defined and that the properties along the boundary were all interconnected. 31. The Commission recommend, that the Community of Pontymoile and the Wainfelin ward of the Community of Pen Tranch be combined, to form an electoral ward of 5,636 electors (5,558 projected) which, if represented by three councillors, would result in a level of representation 6% above the recommended county average. 32. The Commission recognised the suggestion put forward by all the representations for this area, and although the existing Pontypool electoral ward has an appropriate level of variance, the Brynwern and Cwmyniscoy electoral ward had too wide a level of variance to retain, or be combined together into a single-member ward. By combining all three wards of the Community of Pontymoile, along with the Wainfelin ward from the Community of Pen

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Tranch – all of which form part of the wider Pontypool Community Council area – will ensure that there is an appropriate level of variance across this well-connected area focused along the valley floor. 33. In the Draft Proposals the Commission recommended the Welsh language name of Llanfihangel Pont-y-moel and the English language name of Pontymoile. The Welsh Language Commissioner suggested having a single name of Pont-y-moel or Llanfihangel Pont-y-moel. The Commission received four representations in regards to the name. All of the representations stated that the name Pontymoile meant very little to people outside of the small village of Pontymoile and that the name Pontypool is more widely understood, within Torfaen and throughout the wider area, therefore its name needed to be maintained. The name of Pontypool or Pontypool Fawr had been suggested depending on whether a single-member ward for just Pontypool or the wider area was considered appropriate by the Commission. 34. The Commission has given the proposed electoral ward the Welsh language name of Pont-y- pŵl Fawr, and the English name of Pontypool Fawr. The Welsh Language Commissioner agreed with the recommended name. Any comments on the recommended name can be sent to the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services. 35. The Commission considers that this recommendation would be desirable in the interests of effective and convenient local government.

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Upper Cwmbran 36. The existing Upper Cwmbran electoral ward is comprised of the Community of Upper Cwmbran. It has 4,322 electors (4,544 projected) represented by three councillors which is 19% below the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 4,020 eligible electors. 37. In its Draft Proposals the Commission proposed to reduce the number of members from a three-member ward down to a two-member ward. This ensured that the overall Council Size aim was realised across the County Borough, as well as ensuring all wards were within appropriate levels of variance. 38. The Commission has received two representations in response to the Draft Proposals regarding this area from Torfaen County Borough Council and the Torfaen County Borough Council Labour Party Group. 39. Both representations suggest that the existing three-member ward for Upper Cwmbran needs to be retained as there is a large development planned in the north of the area which will add several hundred additional electors over the next few years. 40. The Commission recommends that the Community of Upper Cwmbran forms an electoral ward of 4,322 electors (4,544 projected) which, if represented by two councillors – a reduction of one councillor – would result in a level of representation 22% above the recommended county average. 41. The Commission acknowledge the representations for this area. The Commission notes the forecasted figures provided by Torfaen County Borough Council do not support the assertion that a large development will increase the electorate within Upper Cwmbran to the extent that a two-member ward would provide an inappropriate level of electoral parity. 42. In the Draft Proposals the Commission proposed the Welsh language name of Cwmbrân Uchaf, and the English language name of Upper Cwmbran. The Welsh Language Commissioner suggested that Cwmbran in both the English and the Welsh forms should be Cwmbrân, highlighting that if the differences between the English and the Welsh forms are minor, preference should be given to the Welsh form – in this instance Cwmbrân. 43. The Commission has given the proposed electoral ward the Welsh language name of Cwmbrân Uchaf and the English language name of Upper Cwmbran. The Commission has recommended this name as it is the name prescribed in the Torfaen (Communities) Order 2013 (2013 Order). 44. The Commission considers that this recommendation would be desirable in the interests of effective and convenient local government.

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Greenmeadow 45. The existing Greenmeadow electoral ward is comprised of the Greenmeadow ward of the Community of Fairwater. It has 2,048 electors (2,250 projected) represented by two councillors which is 42% below the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 2,993 eligible electors. 46. In its Draft Proposals the Commission proposed to reduce the number of members from two-members to one-member for the Greenmeadow ward. 47. The Commission received two representations in response to the Draft Proposals regarding this area from Torfaen County Borough Council and the Torfaen County Borough Council Labour Party Group. Both representations supported the Draft Proposals for the Greenmeadow ward. 48. The Commission recommends that the Greenmeadow ward of the Community of Fairwater forms an electoral ward of 2,048 electors (2,250 projected), which, if represented by one councillor – a reduction of one – would result in a level of representation 16% above the recommended county average. 49. The Commission notes that the improvement in electoral parity in the area, as well as maintaining existing electoral geographies means that existing local ties can be maintained and developed. 50. The Commission proposed the name Greenmeadow in the Draft Proposals. The Welsh Language Commissioner agreed with the proposed name. The Commission received no representations in regards to the name. 51. The Commission has given the recommended electoral ward the single name of Greenmeadow. The Commission recommended this name as it is the name of the existing electoral ward, as prescribed in the 2002 Order. 52. The Commission considers that this recommendation would be desirable in the interests of effective and convenient local government.

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Llantarnam 53. The existing Llantarnam electoral ward is composed of the Community of Llantarnam and the Southville ward of the Community of Cwmbran Central. It has 4,509 electors (4,904 projected) represented by two councillors which is 27% above the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 4,704 eligible electors. 54. In its Draft Proposals the Commission proposed to increase the number of members for the area from a two-member electoral ward to a three-member electoral ward. 55. The Commission received two representations regarding this area in response to its Draft Proposals from Torfaen County Borough Council and the Torfaen County Borough Council Labour Party Group. 56. Both representations suggested retaining the existing two-member electoral ward, highlighting that the change is merely to improve electoral parity, with the most under- represented ward now becoming one of the most over-represented wards, at the expense of the proposed Upper Cwmbran, without taking account of a large housing development planned for the area. 57. The Commission recommends retaining the existing geography of the Llantarnam electoral ward (the Community of Llantarnam and the Southville ward of the Community of Cwmbran Central) with 4,509 electors (4,904 projected), represented by three councillors – an increase of one member – resulting in a level of representation that is 15% below the recommended county average. 58. The Commission notes that the improvement in electoral parity in the area, as well as maintaining existing electoral geographies mean that existing local ties can be maintained and developed. The Commission considers that the existing level of variance is inappropriate and the proposed increase in electorate would exacerbate this variance. 59. The Commission proposed the name of Llantarnam in its Draft Proposals. The Welsh Language Commissioner agreed with the proposed name. The Commission received no representations regarding the proposed name. 60. The Commission recommends the single name of Llantarnam. The Commission recommend the name as it is the existing name of the electoral ward as prescribed in the 2002 Order. 61. The Commission considers that this recommendation would be desirable in the interests of effective and convenient local government.

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Croesyceiliog North and Croesyceiliog South 62. The existing Croesyceiliog North electoral ward is comprised of the Croesyceiliog North ward of the Community of Croesyceiliog. It has 2,824 electors (2,882 projected) represented by two councillors which is 20% below the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 2,763 eligible electors. 63. The existing Croesyceiliog South electoral ward is comprised of the Croesyceiliog South ward of the Community of Croesyceiliog. It has 1,491 electors (1,497 projected) represented by one councillor which is 16% below the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 1,492 eligible electors. 64. In the Draft Proposals, the Commission proposed to combine the Croesyceiliog North and Croesyceiliog South wards into a single, two-member electoral ward. 65. The Commission received two representations in response to the Draft Proposals regarding this area from Torfaen County Borough Council and the Torfaen County Borough Council Labour Party Group. Both representations supported the Draft Proposals. 66. The Commission recommend the Croesyceiliog North and Croesyceiliog South wards are combined to form an electoral ward of 4,315 electors (4,379 projected) which, if represented by two councillors, would result in a level of representations that is 22% above the recommended county average. 67. The Commission considers the improvement in electoral parity in the area, as well as utilising the whole of the Community of Croesyceiliog will enable existing community and social ties to ensure an effective electoral ward is developed. 68. The Commission proposed the name Croesyceiliog in the Draft Proposals. The Welsh Language Commissioner agreed with the proposed name. The Commission received no representations regarding the proposed name. 69. The Commission has given the recommended electoral ward the single name of Croesyceiliog. The Commission recommends the name as it is the existing name of the community as prescribed in the 2013 Order. 70. The Commission considers that this recommendation would be desirable in the interests of effective and convenient local government.

Page 25 TORFAEN FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS REPORT

Page 26 LOCAL DEMOCRACY AND BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR WALES

Chapter 6. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ARRANGEMENTS 1. The existing electoral arrangements (as shown at Appendix 2) provide for the following levels of electoral representation within the County Borough of Torfaen: • Electoral variance ranges from 36% below the current county average (Cwmyniscoy and Greenmeadow) to 40% above the current county average (Llantarnam) of 1,609 electors per councillor. • Six electoral wards have a level of representation in excess of 25% above or below the current county average of 1,609 electors per councillor. • 11 electoral wards have a level of representation between 10% and 25% above or below the current county average of 1,609 electors per councillor. • Seven electoral wards have a level of representation less than 10% above or below the current county average of 1,609 electors per councillor. 2. In comparison with the existing electoral arrangements shown above, the recommended electoral arrangements (as shown in Appendix 3) illustrate the following improvements to the electoral representation across the County Borough: • Electoral variance ranges from 15% below the recommended county average (Llantarnam and Pontnewynydd and Snatchwood) to 22% above the recommended county average (Croesyceiliog and Upper Cwmbran) of 1,769 electors per councillor. • None of the electoral wards have a level of representation in excess of 25% above or below the proposed county average of 1,769 electors per councillor. • Ten electoral wards have a level of representation between 10% and 25% above or below the proposed county average of 1,769 electors per councillor. • Eight electoral wards have a level of representation less than 10% above or below the proposed county average of 1,769 electors per councillor. 3. As described in Chapter 4 and Appendix 4, in producing a scheme of electoral arrangements we must have regard to a number of issues contained in the legislation. It is not always possible to resolve all of these, sometimes conflicting issues. In the Commission’s recommended scheme we have placed emphasis on achieving improvements in electoral parity whilst maintaining community ties wherever possible. The Commission recognises that the creation of electoral wards which depart from the pattern which now exists would inevitably bring some disruption to existing ties between communities and may straddle community council areas. The Commission has made every effort to ensure that the revised electoral wards do reflect logical combinations of existing communities and community wards. 4. The Commission has looked at each area and is satisfied that it would be difficult to achieve electoral arrangements that keep the existing combination of communities and community wards without having a detrimental effect on one or more of the other issues that it must consider.

Page 27 TORFAEN FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS REPORT

Chapter 7. RESPONSES TO THIS REPORT 1. Having completed the review of the County Borough of Torfaen and submitted the Commission’s recommendations to the Welsh Government on the future electoral arrangements for the principal authority, the Commission has fulfilled its statutory obligations under the Act. 2. It now falls to the Welsh Government, if it thinks fit, to give effect to these recommendations either as submitted, or with modifications. The Welsh Government may also direct us to conduct a further review. 3. Any further representations concerning the matters in this report should be addressed to the Welsh Government. They should be made as soon as possible and, in any event, not later than six weeks from the date the Commission’s recommendations are submitted to the Welsh Government. Representations should be addressed to:

Local Government Democracy Team Democracy, Diversity and Remuneration Division Welsh Government Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3NQ

Or by email to:

[email protected]

Page 28 LOCAL DEMOCRACY AND BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR WALES

Chapter 8. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 1. The Commission wishes to express its gratitude to the principal council, all the community councils and other interested bodies and persons who made representations to us for their assistance during the course of developing these final recommendations. We, the undersigned, commend this recommendations report.

OWEN WATKIN OBE DL (Chair)

CERI STRADLING (Deputy Chair)

DAVID POWELL (Member)

JULIE MAY (Member)

THEODORE JOLOZA (Member)

STEVE HALSALL (Chief Executive)

November 2018

Page 29 APPENDIX 1

APPENDIX 1 – GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Commission The Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales.

Community (area) The unit of local government that lies below the level of the Principal Council.

Community Council An elected council that provides services to their particular community area. A Community Council may be divided for community electoral purposes into community wards. Community / Town An area within a Community Council created for community electoral ward purposes.

Directions Directions issued by Welsh Ministers under Section 48 of the Act.

Electoral wards The areas into which Principal Councils are divided for the purpose of electing county councillors, previously referred to as electoral divisions. Electoral review A review in which the Commission considers the electoral arrangements for a Principal Council.

Electoral variance How far the number of electors per councillor in a ward varies from the county average; expressed as a percentage.

Electorate The number of persons registered to vote in a local government area.

Estimated The estimated number of eligible persons (18+) within a local Population of government area who are eligible to vote. These figures have been Eligible Voters sourced from the Office of National Statistics’ 2015 Ward population estimated for Wales, mid-2015 (experimental statistics). Interested party Person or body who has an interest in the outcome of an electoral review such as a community or town council, local MP or AM or political party. Order Order made by an implementing body, giving effect to proposals made by the Principal Council or the Commission.

Over- Where there are fewer electors per councillor in a ward compared to representation the county average.

Principal area The area governed by a Principal Council: in Wales a county or county borough.

Page 1 APPENDIX 1

Principal council The single tier organ of local government, responsible for all or almost all local government functions within its area. A county or county borough council. Projected The five-year forecast of the electorate. electorate

Split Community A Community which is divided between two, or more, Electoral Wards.

The Act The Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013.

Town Council A Community Council with the status of a town are known as Town Councils. A Town Council may be divided for community electoral purposes into wards. Under- Where there are more electors per councillor in a ward compared to representation the county average.

Page 2 TORFAEN COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL APPENDIX 2 EXISTING COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP

% % variance variance Population No. OF ELECTORATE 2017 ELECTORATE 2022 No. NAME DESCRIPTION from County from Eligible to COUNCILLORS 2017 RATIO 2022 RATIO average County Vote average 1 Abersychan The Community of Abersychan 3 5,059 1,686 5% 5,303 1,768 5% 5,566 2 Blaenavon The Community of Blaenavon 3 4,586 1,529 -5% 4,865 1,622 -3% 4,786 3 Brynwern The Brynwern ward of the Community of Pontymoile 1 1,324 1,324 -18% 1,397 1,397 -17% 1,393 4 Coed Eva The Coed Eva ward of the Community of Fairwater 1 1,910 1,910 19% 1,926 1,926 15% 1,920 5 Croesyceiliog North The Croesyceiliog North ward of the Community of Croesyceiliog 2 2,824 1,412 -12% 2,882 1,441 -14% 2,763 6 Croesyceiliog South The Croesyceiliog South ward of the Community of Croesyceiliog 1 1,491 1,491 -7% 1,497 1,497 -11% 1,492 7 Cwmyniscoy The Cwmyniscoy ward of the Community of Pontymoile 1 1,032 1,032 -36% 1,181 1,181 -30% 1,146 The Fairwater (1,591) [1,653] and Ty Canol (2,416) [2,466] wards of the 8 Fairwater 2 4,007 2,004 25% 4,119 2,060 23% 4,091 Community of Fairwater 9 Greenmeadow The Greenmeadow ward of the Community of Fairwater 2 2,048 1,024 -36% 2,250 1,125 -33% 2,993 The Community of Llantarnam (3,259) [3,512] and the Southville ward 10 Llantarnam 2 4,509 2,255 40% 4,904 2,452 46% 4,704 (1,250) [1,392] of the Community of Cwmbran Central The Community of Ponthir (1,250) [1,228] and the Llanyrafon East ward 11 Llanyrafon East and Ponthir 1 1,839 1,839 14% 1,821 1,821 9% 1,932 (589) [593] of the Community of Llanyrafon 12 Llanyrafon West The Llanyrafon West ward of the Community of Llanyrafon 1 2,006 2,006 25% 2,184 2,184 30% 2,134 13 New Inn The Community of New Inn 3 4,921 1,640 2% 5,081 1,694 1% 5,031 14 Panteg The Community of Panteg 3 5,934 1,978 23% 6,139 2,046 22% 6,091 The Community of Pontnewydd (3,917) [3,995] and the Northville ward 15 Pontnewydd 3 4,882 1,627 1% 5,382 1,794 7% 4,940 (965) [1,387] of the Community of Cwmbran Central 16 Pontnewynydd The Pontnewynydd ward of the Community of Pen Tranch 1 1,134 1,134 -30% 1,156 1,156 -31% 1,153 17 Pontypool The Pontypool ward of the Community of Pontymoile 1 1,442 1,442 -10% 1,455 1,455 -13% 1,451 18 Snatchwood The Snatchwood ward of the Community of Pen Tranch 1 1,877 1,877 17% 1,973 1,973 18% 1,670 19 St. Cadocs and Penygarn The St. Cadocs and Penygarn ward of the Community of Trevethin 1 1,335 1,335 -17% 1,272 1,272 -24% 1,260 20 St. Dials The St. Dials ward of the Community of Cwmbran Central 2 3,114 1,557 -3% 3,303 1,652 -1% 2,895 21 Trevethin The Trevethin ward of the Community of Trevethin 2 2,502 1,251 -22% 2,736 1,368 -18% 2,727 The Community of Henllys (2,104) [2,093] and the Two Locks ward 22 Two Locks 3 4,841 1,614 0% 4,891 1,630 -3% 4,876 (2,737) [2,798] of the Community of Cwmbran Central 23 Upper Cwmbran The Community of Upper Cwmbran 3 4,322 1,441 -10% 4,544 1,515 -10% 4,020 24 Wainfelin The Wainfelin ward of the Community of Pen Tranch 1 1,838 1,838 14% 1,525 1,525 -9% 1,896 TOTAL: 44 70,777 1,609 73,786 1,677 72,930 Ratio is the number of electors per councillor Electoral figures supplied by Torfaen County Borough Council Population figures supplied by the Office for National Statistics

2017 2022 Greater than + or - 50% of County average 0 0% 0 0.0% Between + or - 25% and + or - 50% of County average 6 25% 5 20.8% Between + or - 10% and + or - 25% of County average 11 46% 10 41.7% Between 0% and + or - 10% of County average 7 29% 9 37.5% TORFAEN COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL APPENDIX 3 FINAL RECOMMENDED COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP

% variance % variance No. OF ELECTORATE 2017 ELECTORATE 2022 No. NAME DESCRIPTION from County from County COUNCILLORS 2017 RATIO 2022 RATIO average average

1 Abersychan The Community of Abersychan 3 5,059 1,686 -5% 5,303 1,768 -4% 2 Blaenavon The Community of Blaenavon 3 4,586 1,529 -14% 4,865 1,622 -12% 3 Coed Eva The Coed Eva ward of the Community of Fairwater 1 1,910 1,910 8% 1,926 1,926 4% 4 Croesyceiliog The Community of Croesyceiliog 2 4,315 2,158 22% 4,379 2,190 19% The Fairwater (1,591) [1,653] and Ty Canol (2,416) [2,466] wards of the 5 Fairwater 2 4,007 2,004 13% 4,119 2,060 12% Community of Fairwater 6 Greenmeadow The Greenmeadow ward of the Community of Fairwater 1 2,048 2,048 16% 2,250 2,250 22% The Community of Ponthir (1,250) [1,228] and the Llanyrafon East ward 7 Llanfrechfa and Ponthir 1 1,839 1,839 4% 1,821 1,821 -1% (589) [593] of the Community of Llanyrafon The Community of Llantarnam (3,259) [3,512] and the Southville ward 8 Llantarnam 3 4,509 1,503 -15% 4,904 1,635 -11% (1,250) [1,392] of the Community of Cwmbran Central 9 Llanyrafon The Llanyrafon West ward of the Community of Llanyrafon 1 2,006 2,006 13% 2,184 2,184 18% 10 New Inn The Community of New Inn 3 4,921 1,640 -7% 5,081 1,694 -8% 11 Panteg The Community of Panteg 3 5,934 1,978 12% 6,139 2,046 11% The Community of Pontnewydd (3,917) [3,995] and the Northville ward 12 Pontnewydd 3 4,882 1,627 -8% 5,382 1,794 -3% (965) [1,387] of the Community of Cwmbran Central The Pontnewynydd (1,134) [1,156] and Snatchwood (1,877) [1,973] 13 Pontnewynydd and Snatchwood 2 3,011 1,506 -15% 3,129 1,565 -15% wards of the Community of Pen Tranch The Community of Pontymoile (3,798) [4,033] and the Wainfelin (1,838) 14 Pontypool Fawr 3 5,636 1,879 6% 5,558 1,853 0% [1,525] ward of the Community of Pen Tranch 15 St. Dials The St. Dials ward of the Community of Cwmbran Central 2 3,114 1,557 -12% 3,303 1,652 -10% 16 Trevethin and Penygarn The Community of Trevethin 2 3,837 1,919 8% 4,008 2,004 9% The Community of Henllys (2,104) [2,093] and the Two Locks ward of 17 Two Locks 3 4,841 1,614 -9% 4,891 1,630 -12% the Community of Cwmbran Central (2,737) [2,798] 18 Upper Cwmbran The Community of Upper Cwmbran 2 4,322 2,161 22% 4,544 2,272 23% TOTAL: 40 70,777 1,769 73,786 1,845 Ratio is the number of electors per councillor Electoral figures supplied by Torfaen County Borough Council

2017 2022 Greater than + or - 50% of County average 0 0% 0 0% Between + or - 25% and + or - 50% of County average 0 0% 0 0% Between + or - 10% and + or - 25% of County average 10 56% 11 61% Between 0% and + or - 10% of County average 8 44% 7 39% APPENDIX 4

RULES AND PROCEDURES

Scope and Object of the Review

1. Section 29 (1) of the Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (the Act) lays upon the Commission the duty, at least once in every review period of ten years, to review the electoral arrangements for every principal area in Wales for the purpose of considering whether or not to make proposals to the Welsh Government for a change in those electoral arrangements. In conducting a review the Commission must seek to ensure effective and convenient local government (Section 21 (3) of the Act).

2. The former Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government of the Welsh Government has asked the Commission to submit a report in respect of the review of electoral arrangements for the County Borough of Torfaen before the 2022 local government elections.

Electoral Arrangements

3. The changes that the Commission may recommend in relation to an electoral review are:

(a) such changes to the arrangements for the principal area under review as appear to it appropriate; and

(b) in consequence of such changes:

(i) Such community boundary changes as it considers appropriate in relation to any community in the principal area;

(ii) Such community council changes and changes to the electoral arrangements for such a community as it considers appropriate; and

(iii) Such preserved county changes as it considers appropriate.

4. The “electoral arrangements” of a principal area are defined in section 29 (9) of the Act as:

i) the number of members for the council for the principal area;

ii) the number, type and boundaries of the electoral wards;

iii) the number of members to be elected for any electoral ward in the principal area; and

iv) the name of any electoral ward.

Page 1 APPENDIX 4

Considerations for a review of principal area electoral arrangements

5. Section 30 of the Act requires the Commission, in considering whether to make recommendations for changes to the electoral arrangements for a principal area, to:

(a) seek to ensure that the ratio of local government electors to the number of members of the council to be elected is, as nearly as may be, the same in every electoral ward of the principal area;

(b) have regard to:

(i) the desirability of fixing boundaries for electoral wards which are and will remain easily identifiable;

(ii) the desirability of not breaking local ties when fixing boundaries for electoral wards.

6. In considering the ratio of local government electors to the number of members account is to be taken of:

(a) any discrepancy between the number of local government electors and the number of persons that are eligible to be local government electors (as indicated by relevant official statistics); and

(b) any change to the number or distribution of local government electors in the principal area which is likely to take place in the period of five years immediately following the making of any recommendation.

Local government changes

7. Since the last local government Order in 2002 there has been a number of changes to local government boundaries in Torfaen:

• The Torfaen County Borough Council Review of Community Electoral Arrangements Order 2011 • The Torfaen (Communities) Order 2013

Procedure

8. Chapter 4 of the Act lays down procedural guidelines which are to be followed in carrying out a review. In compliance with this part of the Act, we wrote on 25 July 2017 to Torfaen County Borough Council, all the community and town councils in the area, the Members of Parliament for the local constituencies, the Assembly Members for the area, and other interested parties to inform them of the Commission’s intention to conduct the review and to request their preliminary views. The Commission invited the County Borough Council to submit a suggested scheme or schemes for new electoral arrangements. The Commission also asked Torfaen County

Page 2 APPENDIX 4

Borough Council to display a number of public notices in their area. The Commission also made available copies of our Electoral Reviews: Policy and Practice document. In addition the Commission made a presentation to both County Borough and Community councillors explaining the review process.

9. In line with Section 35 of Chapter 4 of the Act, the Commission published its Draft Proposals Report on 3 May 2018, notifying the listed mandatory consultees and other interested parties that a period of consultation on the draft proposals would commence on 10 May 2018 and end on 1 August 2018. The Commission met with officers of Torfaen County Borough Council to discuss the Draft Proposals and the process of developing final recommendations. The Commission invited the County Borough Council and other interested parties to submit comments on the Draft Proposals and how they could be improved. The Commission also asked Torfaen County Borough Council to display copies of the report alongside public notices in the area.

10. The boundaries of the recommended electoral wards are shown by continuous blue lines on the map placed on deposit with this Report at the Offices of Torfaen County Borough Council and the Office of the Commission in Cardiff as well as on the Commission’s website (http://ldbc.gov.wales).

Policy and Practice

11. The Commission published its Electoral Reviews: Policy and Practice document in November 2016. This document details its approach to resolving the challenge of balancing electoral parity and community ties; it sets out the issues to be considered and gives some understanding of the broad approach which the Commission takes towards each of the statutory considerations to be made when addressing a review’s particular circumstances. However, because those circumstances are unlikely to provide for the ideal electoral pattern, in most reviews compromises are made in applying the policies in order to strike the right balance between each of the matters we must consider.

12. The document also provides the overall programme timetable, and how this was identified, and the Commission’s Council Size Policy. The document can be viewed on the Commission’s website or are available on request.

Crown Copyright

13. The maps included in this report and published on the Commissions website were produced by the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales under licence from Ordnance Survey. These maps are subject to © Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction will infringe Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Any newspaper editor wishing to use the maps as part of an article about the draft proposals should first contact the copyright office at Ordnance Survey.

Page 3 APPENDIX 5

SUMMARY OF REPRESENTATION RECEIVED FOR THE COMMISSION’S DRAFT PROPOSALS CONSULTATION ON THE REVIEW OF ELECTORAL ARRANGMENTS IN THE COUNTY BOROUGH OF TORFAEN

1. Torfaen County Borough Council emailed on 24 July 2018 with comments as agreed in their Full Council meeting on the same day. Below is the full text of the report sent to the Commission by the Council:

TORFAEN COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL RESPONSE - JULY 2018 THE BOUNDARY COMMISSION PROPOSALS REVIEW OF THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS OF THE COUNTY BOROUGH OF TORFAEN Proposal Comments

We do not support the timing of this review and suggest the status quo is maintained until the Welsh Government has considered and resolved its Reduce number of plans for the future of local government in Wales. 1 councillors and electoral wards If however, the review goes ahead the Council wishes to make the following comments on each of the proposals.

We are against the retention of single member wards. There is no cover for absence in holiday time or during periods of sickness Retention of existing potentially leading to a reduction in service to the public. Single member ward arrangements in: wards also pose a safety risk to members as any ward surgeries and contact Abersychan with the public would be conducted alone Blaenavon Coed Eva Fairwater We do not support the proposal to retain the ward names of Llanyrafon East & Ponthir 2 Llanyrafon East and Ponthir, and Llanyrafon West. Llanyrafon West New Inn We suggest Llanyrafon East and Ponthir is renamed to Llanfrechfa and Panteg Ponthir; and Llanyrafon West is renamed to Llanyrafon. Pontnewydd St. Dials The ward named Llanyrafon East and Ponthir currently has no part of the Two Locks settlement known as Llanyrafon within its boundary. The name caused Wainfelin confusion and anger in the 2017 election.

We support the retention of all multi-member wards

Page 1 APPENDIX 5

TORFAEN COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL RESPONSE - JULY 2018 THE BOUNDARY COMMISSION PROPOSALS REVIEW OF THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS OF THE COUNTY BOROUGH OF TORFAEN Proposal Comments

Combine Croesyceiliog North / South wards Support is given Reduce from 3 councillors to 2 3

Croesyceiliog North and South to be named Support is given Croesyceiliog

Combine Cwmnsycoy / We do not support this proposal. Brynwern / Pontypool Our suggestion is to combine Cwmnyscoy & Brynwern only and reduce by wards one councillor; and retain the ward of Pontypool with one councillor. Reduce from 3 The ward of Pontypool provides the commercial centre for the greater area councillors to 2 known as Torfaen and does not have synergy with Cwmnyscoy & Brynwern 4 If the Commission considers the proposal submitted regarding the Brynwern / Cwmnyscoy / combination of Brynwern & Cwmnyscoy only, our ward name suggestion Pontypool wards to be would be Brynwern & Cwmnyscoy. named either Pont-y- moel or Llanfighangel If the Commission is not minded to accept this suggestion, then the ward Pont-y-moel name Pontypool should be retained for the combined wards, or renamed Pontypool Fawr

Combine Trevethin / St Cadocs & Penygarn wards Support is given Reduce from 3 councillors to 2 5

Trevethin / St Cadocs & Penygarn wards to be Support is given named Trevethin and Pen-y-garn

Page 2 APPENDIX 5

TORFAEN COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL RESPONSE - JULY 2018 THE BOUNDARY COMMISSION PROPOSALS REVIEW OF THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS OF THE COUNTY BOROUGH OF TORFAEN Proposal Comments

Combine Pontnewynydd and Snatchwood Wards Support is given Retain same number of councillors 6

Pontnewynydd and Snatchwood wards to be Support is given named Pontnewynydd and Snatchwood

Reduce number of councillors representing 7 the Greenmeadow ward Support is given Reduce from 2 councillors to 1

Increase number of councillors representing Unanimous support is not given 8 the Llantarnam ward Individual responses will be provided by political groups Increase from 2 councillors to 3

Reduce number of We do not support this proposal. councillors representing This proposal will make the ward under represented by 22% the Upper Cwmbran 9 ward Consideration must be taken into account that 1,200 housing units are in the process of being built north of the existing boundary and will become part of Reduce from 3 the Upper Cwmbran Ward. councillors to 2

2. Pontypool Community Council wrote in on 6 July 2018, stating that the Council were concerned that no ward would have the name Pontypool. Also they suggested combining Wainfelin with the proposed Pontymoile electoral ward as proposed by the Commission, into a two-member ward.

Page 3 APPENDIX 5

3. Pontypool Labour Party Branch emailed on 8 July 2018, stating that they were concerned about the name Pontymoile, stating that “…the new ward should reflect what nearly everyone in the area refers to it as which is ‘Pontypool’...Pontymoile …is a name that is not well known outside of these three wards and even not well known by some who live in them.”

They also highlighted that there is no significant boundary between Brynwern and Wainfelin and that the streets are all interconnected, as well as all sharing a Pontypool postal address. They felt that it would be appropriate to include the Wainfelin ward with the combined Brynwern, Cwmyniscoy and Pontypool wards into a single three-member ward.

4. Torfaen County Borough Council Labour Group emailed on 27 July 2018, stating a number of reservations regarding the timing and scope of the review and that it would be better suited to wait until the issues are resolved within Welsh Government regarding local government reform.

Nonetheless, they did support a number of the Draft Proposals, as well as suggesting a number of alternatives; • Combining the Brynwern and Cwmyniscoy electoral wards into a single-member ward. • Retaining the existing two-member Llantarnam electoral ward. • Retaining the existing three-member Upper Cwmbran electoral ward. • Changing the name of Llanyrafon East and Ponthir to Llanfrechfa and Ponthir, and Llanyrafon West to Llanyrafon.

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WRITTEN STATEMENT BY THE WELSH GOVERNMENT

TITLE LOCAL ELECTIONS AND ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS

DATE Thursday 23rd JUNE 2016

MARK DRAKEFORD, CABINET SECRETARY FOR FINANCE AND BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The Local Authority Elections (Wales) Order 2014 provided for local elections in Wales to be delayed for a year, from May 2016 to May 2017. This allowed the elections to be separated from the Assembly elections.

At the present time, the Local Government Act 1972 provides that ordinary elections to local government in Wales take place on the first Thursday of May every four years. Therefore, the next local government elections would normally take place in May 2021. Since the implementation of the provisions of the Wales Act 2014, elections to the National Assembly take place on a five-yearly cycle. The policy of the Welsh Government is that elections at local level should also be placed on a five year cycle. It is intended that councillors elected next May will therefore hold office until May 2022.

The Wales Bill, currently before Parliament, includes provisions which would enable the Assembly to legislate to determine the term of office for local government. As the Bill is currently in draft form and should these provisions, for any reason, not come into force, the Welsh Government could use the same powers under the Local Government Act 2000 as we did in 2014 to delay the elections by a year. This statement therefore provides clarity to local government as to the length of office of those to be elected next year.

1 APPENDIX 6 In the light of this, I have considered the decision made last year in relation to the electoral arrangements of some principal councils. It was determined that reviews conducted by the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales in relation to nine principal areas would not be implemented, given the intention that councils elected in 2017 would only serve a short term prior to mergers.

However, even though the elections in May next year will now result in a full term, due to their proximity, the arrangements which would be required and the disruption for potential candidates, I do not intend to implement any changes to current electoral arrangements in advance of the 2017 elections resultant from those reviews. The councils concerned are Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd, , Pembrokeshire, Powys and Torfaen.

The decision that councils will be elected for a full term also means that the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission (the Commission) will return to its normal ten-year cycle of reviews of electoral arrangements. I expect the Commission to publish a new, prioritised programme as soon as possible which takes into account the age of the current arrangements in some areas and the amount of change since the last review was undertaken. I will ask the Commission, in planning their work, to start by revisiting the nine outstanding reviews, with a view to presenting fresh reports on these at the very start of their programme.

It is my intention that reviews of electoral arrangements in principal councils will be conducted against a set of common criteria to be agreed through the Commission. I also expect electoral reviews to have been completed for all 22 authorities within the next local government term.

These arrangements provide clarity for those considering standing for election in 2017 and also set out a long term planning horizon for local authorities and their public service partners. However, I want to be clear that discussions on the reform agenda are on-going with local authorities and other stakeholders. I will be proposing a way forward on local government reform in the Autumn.

2