REVIEW OF PART OF THE BOUNDARY BETWEEN THE COUNTY BOROUGHS OF BRIDGEND AND RHONDDA CYNON TAFF REPORT AND PROPOSALS 1. INTRODUCTION 2. SCOPE AND OBJECT OF THE REVIEW 3. DRAFT PROPOSALS 4. SUMMARY OF REPRESENTATIONS RECEIVED IN RESPONSE TO THE DRAFT PROPOSALS 5. BALLOT OF ELECTORS 6. REPRESENTATIONS RECEIVED FOLLOWING THE BALLOT OF ELECTORS 7. ASSESSMENT 8. PROPOSALS 9. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 10.RESPONSES TO THIS REPORT H Rhodri Morgan Esq MP AM First Secretary The National Assembly for Wales 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 We, the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales (the Commission), have completed the review of part of the boundary between the County Boroughs of Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taff in the area of the Communities of Gilfach Goch and Ogmore Valley and present our proposals. 2. SCOPE AND OBJECT OF THE REVIEW 2.1 The section of boundary under review separates the County Boroughs of Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taff in the area of the Communities of Ogmore Valley and Gilfach Goch, in particular where it divides the settlements of Evanstown and Gilfach Goch. We have undertaken the review following requests to us that suggested that the existing boundary is unsatisfactory. Historically the boundary separated the districts of Ogwr and Taff Ely, both of which were within the former county of Mid Glamorgan. The purpose of the review was to consider whether, in the interests of effective and convenient local government, the Commission should propose changes to the present boundary. The review was conducted under the provisions of Section 55(1) of the Local Government Act 1972. 2.2 Section 54(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 (the Act) provides that the Commission may in consequence of a review conducted by them make proposals to the National Assembly for Wales for effecting changes appearing to the Commission desirable in the interests of effective and convenient local government. Procedure 2.3 Section 60 of the 1972 Act lays down procedural guidelines which are to be followed in carrying out a review. In line with that guidance we wrote, on 7th July 1998, to Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Councils, Ogmore Valley and Gilfach Goch Community Councils, the Members of Parliament for the local constituencies, the local authority associations, the police authority for the area and political parties to inform them of our intention to conduct the review and to request their preliminary views. We invited the County Borough Councils to submit suggestions for changes to the boundary. We also publicised our intention to conduct the review in local newspapers circulating in the area and asked the councils to display public notices. 3. DRAFT PROPOSALS 3.1 We received representations from Bridgend County Borough Council; Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council; Ogmore Valley Community Council; Gilfach Goch Community Council; South Wales Police Authority; and the Headteacher of the Primary School in Evanstown. These representations were taken into consideration and summarised in our Draft Proposals published on 12 March 1999. 3.2 Our Draft Proposals recommended that the boundary between the County Boroughs of Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taff be realigned so as to include the community ward of Evanstown within the area of Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough. The proposed change to the boundary was shown on the map within the report. 3.3 Copies of the Draft Proposals were sent to all the councils, bodies and individuals referred to in paragraph 2.3 seeking their views. A copy was also sent to anyone who had submitted preliminary comments. By public notice we also invited any other organisation or person with an interest in the review to submit their views. Copies of the Draft Proposals were made available for inspection at the offices of Bridgend County Borough Council, Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council and the Commission and were also deposited at the offices of the South Wales Police Authority. 4. SUMMARY OF REPRESENTATIONS RECEIVED IN RESPONSE TO THE DRAFT PROPOSALS 4.1 We received representations from Bridgend County Borough Council; Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council; Gilfach Goch Community Council; Ogmore Valley Community Council; Sir Raymond Powell MP; four councillors; and six other interested bodies and residents. All of these representations were considered carefully before formulating our proposals. 4.2 Bridgend County Borough Council was concerned that any proposals to define the boundary at this stage of the review were premature and that there had been no detailed investigation of public opinion within the areas affected. The Council urged the Commission to undertake such an exercise at the earliest opportunity and that this exercise should include both public meetings and a referendum. 4.3 Gilfach Goch Community Council reported that they had attended public meetings and met with delegates from the Ogmore Valley Community Council, and Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Councils. The Community Council understood that when this process started the wishes of the people in Gilfach Goch and Evanstown would be sought and given consideration. Indeed this was seen as a main priority. It would seem that the Commission in reaching its proposals had given its priorities to a local organisation e.g. South Wales Police, in what would be convenient for them for effective local government. The Community Council believed that there were no problems or obstacles that unity might bring, that could not be overcome by either Bridgend or Rhonnda Cynon Taff County Borough Councils in what could possibly be considered to be effective and convenient of this small community. In reaching an unanimous decision on the proposals as set by the Commission, the Community Council concluded that: ‘The democratic wishes of the people of Gilfach Goch and Evanstown, under which local authority they wish to be governed, must be sought by a ballot and given priority over other establishments. Failure to do this would mean that the status quo remains, and the Communities of Gilfach Goch and Evanstown should remain exactly as they are.’ In a later letter, the Council said that they had received reports from residents in Evanstown that the Commission intended to obtain informed questionnaires from them prior to preparation of their final proposals. The Council hoped that the Commission would consider giving the residents within Rhondda Cynon Taff the same consideration before reaching their final decision. 4.4 Ogmore Valley Community Council had considered the draft proposals report and had held two meetings of the residents of Evanstown to seek public opinion. The meetings were well attended and indicated that residents would wish to remain within Bridgend County Borough. The residents had an affinity with Bridgend as a town for shopping and many other essential services. The town is considered to be easily accessible by a linked bus service. The Community Council felt that Rhondda Cynon Taff was already an extremely large borough and that further extension may put greater strain on the resources available. The Community Council suggested that the wishes of the residents of Evanstown be taken into account by a referendum, or other consultation process deemed appropriate by the Commission. 4.5 Sir Raymond Powell MP for Ogmore wrote to advise the Commission that following consultation with the residents of the Evanstown area he had been informed that the majority were not happy with the change to the boundary and were even more unhappy that there will be no referendum to decide the matter. He said that a referendum had been talked about some time ago but appeared not to be forthcoming. He mentioned that the residents of Evanstown were organising a petition. Sir Raymond urged the Commission to review the proposals and offer the residents a referendum so that they will have a voice in the decision making. 4.6 County Borough Councillor H Clive Davies and three community councillors, the elected representatives of Evanstown, said that they had consulted with the community at two public meetings about the review of the boundary. The result being "that the status quo remains", because of the failure of public consultation by the Commission, until adequate public consultation takes place, this is the view of both public meetings. 4.7 South Wales Police Authority noted that the Commission had taken account of their initial comments and had no further observations. 4.8 Ordnance Survey had no comments to make about the Commission’s draft proposals. 4.9 A resident submitted a petition with 477 signatures, which demanded a referendum in Evanstown. 4.10 A resident supported the draft proposals. He said it was overdue that Evanstown and Gilfach Goch should be united under one local authority preferable Rhondda Cynon Taff. 4.11 A resident protested at the lack of consultation with residents about the review of the boundary and listed the following points of view:- agreed that one authority should cover the whole area and all residents of Gilfach Goch (Evanstown is a part of Gilfach Goch) should be consulted on which authority that should be. He wished to draw the Commission’s attention to the fact that not all residents are happy with levels of services provided by current authorities and perhaps his suggestions would reflect residents’ opinions. 4.12 A resident described the historical problems encountered by the people of Evanstown and also referred to the current financial problems of Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council. He said Gilfach Goch had always been on the shirt-tail of whatever authority served it, and no matter which authority it ends up in the situation will not change dramatically. Never the less the residents would like the opportunity to choose whose shirt-tail they are on. 4.13 A public meeting was held on 24 March 1999 at the Community Hall in Evanstown to discuss the Commission’s Draft Proposals.