Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR WALES

REVIEW OF COMMUNITY BOUNDARIES IN THE COUNTY BOROUGH OF TORFAEN

REPORT AND PROPOSALS

JANUARY 2013

LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR WALES

REVIEW OF COMMUNITY BOUNDARIES IN THE COUNTY BOROUGH OF TORFAEN

REPORT AND PROPOSALS

1. INTRODUCTION

2. TORFAEN COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL’S PROPOSALS

3. THE COMMISSION’S CONSIDERATION

4. PROCEDURE

5. PROPOSALS

6. CONSEQUENTIAL ARRANGEMENTS

7. RESPONSES TO THIS REPORT

The Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales Ground Floor Hastings House Fitzalan Place CARDIFF CF24 0BL Tel Number: (029) 2046 4819 Fax Number: (029) 2046 4823 E-mail: [email protected] www.lgbc-wales.gov.uk

Carl Sargeant AM Minister for Local Government and Communities Welsh Government

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Torfaen County Borough Council have conducted a review of the community boundaries and community electoral arrangements under Sections 55(2) and 57 (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 (the Act). In accordance with Section 55(2) of the Act Torfaen County Borough Council have submitted a report to the Commission of their considerations for changes to a number of community boundaries in their area. A summary of Torfaen County Borough Council’s proposed changes is at Appendix 1.

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

2. TORFAEN COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL’S PROPOSALS

2.1 Torfaen County Borough Council’s proposals were submitted to the Commission on 20 August 2012. As a result of their review the Council have recommended changes to the boundaries of the following communities: Abersychan, Croesyceiliog, Cwmbran Central, Fairwater, Llanyrafon, Pen Tranch, Pontnewydd, New Inn and Upper Cwmbran.

3. THE COMMISSION’S CONSIDERATION

3.1 We first considered whether the County Borough 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 Section 60 of the Act requires the Council to take such steps as they think fit to secure that persons who may be interested in the review are informed of the proposal to conduct the review. Torfaen County Borough Council sought views on their review via the Council’s web site and public notices placed in libraries and community council notice boards throughout the County Borough. The Council also consulted with the community councils in its area and the Local Council’s Partnership Committee.

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

5. PROPOSALS

Croesyceiliog and New Inn

5.1 Torfaen County Borough Council’s recommendation is for the boundary between the Communities of Croesyceiliog and New Inn to be realigned so as to transfer the residential properties at Springfield Close and adjacent land from the Community of New Inn into the Community of Croesyceiliog. We have inspected the relevant maps and made a site visit to the area and consider that the residential properties at Springfield Close are clearly linked to similar adjacent properties in the Community of Croesyceiliog.

We further note that the only access to the properties at Springfield Close is through the Community of Croesyceiliog and that there are no similar adjacent residential areas in the Community of New Inn. We noted that the proposed realignment of the existing boundary shown on the Council’s map did not quite follow the line of the road to the north of Springfield Close and we therefore propose an alternative realignment of the boundary in that area which will follow the line of the road more closely. We are satisfied that the recommended change is of benefit in terms of effective and convenient local government. We therefore propose that the boundary between the Communities of Croesyceiliog and New Inn be realigned so as to transfer the residential properties at Springfield Close and adjacent land from the Community of New Inn into the Community of Croesyceiliog as illustrated on the map at Appendix 2.

5.2 Torfaen County Borough Council’s recommendation is for the boundary between the Communities of Croesyceiliog and New Inn to be realigned so as to transfer the residential properties at Pontrhydyrun House and Chestnut Cottage together with the Metro Mon Industrial Estate from the Community of New Inn into the Community of Croesyceiliog. We have inspected the relevant maps and made a site visit to the area and note that Pontrhydyrun House, Chestnut Cottage and the Metro Mon Industrial Estate are divided from the remainder of the Community of New Inn by Graig-y-felin Wood and open fields with the only access being through the Community of Croesyceiliog. We noted that the proposed realignment of the existing boundary shown on the Council’s map ran through Graig-y-felin wood and we were concerned that this would not be clearly defined on the ground and we therefore propose an alternative realignment of the boundary to the north which appeared to us to follow a more suitable line. We are satisfied that the recommended change is of benefit in terms of effective and convenient local government. We therefore propose that the boundary between the Communities of Croesyceiliog and New Inn be realigned so as to transfer Pontrhydyrun House, Chestnut Cottage and the Metro Mon Industrial Estate from the Community of New Inn into the Community of Croesyceiliog as illustrated on the map at Appendix 3.

Croesyceiliog and Pontnewydd

5.3 Torfaen County Borough Council’s recommendation is for the area to the west of the existing boundary between the Communities of Croesyceiliog and Pontnewydd between the Afon Lwyd and the railway line to be transferred from the Community of Pontnewydd into the Community of Croesyceiliog. We have inspected the relevant maps and note that this proposed change appears to be part of a suggestion made by the Council that the boundary between the Communities of Croesyceiliog, Pontnewydd, Cwmbran Central and Llanyrafon be realigned to follow the length of the railway line, rather than the Afon Lwyd, from the existing boundary between the Communities of Croesyceiliog and New Inn in the north to the existing boundary between the Communities of Llantarnam and Cwmbran Central in the south. We noted, however, that Council Members rejected this proposal where it affected the boundary between the Northville Ward of the Community of Cwmbran Central and the Croesyceiliog South Ward of the Community of Croesyceiliog at Station Farm. This means that the Council’s proposed realignment would only follow the railway line for part of its length southward between Croesyceiliog and Pontnewyd before rejoining the Afon Lwyd southward between Northville and Croesyceiliog South and then rejoining the railway line southward between Llanyrafon and the Southville Ward of the Community of Cwmbran Central. We consider that this proposal would result in an inconsistent boundary switching between the railway line and the Afon Lwyd and also note that the line of the existing boundary following the Afon Lwyd is as clearly defined and recognisable on the ground as the railway line. We further note that there are no electors involved in the proposed realignment of the boundary

between the Communities of Croesyceiliog and Pontnewydd. We are not satisfied that the recommended change is in the interests of effective and convenient local government and therefore do not accept Torfaen County Borough Council’s proposal for the existing boundary between the Communities of Croesyceiliog and Pontnewydd to be realigned to follow the railway line rather than the Afon Lwyd.

Cwmbran Central and Llanyrafon

5.4 Torfaen County Borough Council’s recommendation is for the area to the west of the existing boundary between the Communities of Cwmbran Central and Llanyrafon between the Afon Lwyd and the railway line to be transferred from the Community of Cwmbran Central into the Community of Llanyrafon. As stated in paragraph 5.3 above, we note that this proposed change appeared to be part of a suggestion made by the Council that the boundary be realigned to follow the length of the railway line which was rejected in part by Council Members resulting in what we would consider to be an inconsistent realignment of the existing boundary switching between the railway line and the Afon Lwyd. We also note that there are no electors involved in the proposed realignment of the boundary between the Communities of Cwmbran Central and Llanyrafon. We are not satisfied that the recommended change is in the interests of effective and convenient local government and therefore do not accept Torfaen County Borough Council’s proposal for the existing boundary between the Communities of Cwmbran Central and Llanyrafon to be realigned to follow the railway line rather than the Afon Lwyd.

Llanyrafon

5.5 Torfaen County Borough Council’s recommendation is for the Llanyrafon North and Llanyrafon South Wards of the Community of Llanyrafon to be abolished and for the creation of two new community wards of Llanyrafon West and Llanyrafon East with the community ward boundary following the line of the A4042 north to south. We have inspected the relevant maps and made a site visit to the area and consider that the proposed boundary is clearly defined and better represents the divide within the community between the predominantly residential area in the west and the rural area to the east. We are satisfied that the recommended change is of benefit in terms of effective and convenient local government. We therefore propose that the Llanyrafon Community Wards of Llanyrafon North and Llanyrafon South be abolished and that the new Community Wards of Llanyrafon West and Llanyrafon East be created with the community ward boundary following the line of the A4042 as illustrated on the map at Appendix 4.

Abersychan and Pen Tranch

5.6 Torfaen County Borough Council’s recommendation is for the boundary between the Communities of Abersychan and Pen Tranch to be realigned so as to include the whole of the village of Pentwyn together with the adjacent area to the south within the Community of Pen Tranch. We have inspected the relevant maps and made a site visit to the area and consider that the residential properties in Pentwyn village currently in the Community of Abersychan are clearly linked to the adjacent properties in Pentwyn village within the Community of Pen Tranch. We noted that the proposed realignment of the existing boundary shown on the Council’s map divided a sports field and pavilion and we therefore propose an alternative realignment of the boundary in that area which will result in the pavilion remaining with the sports field within the Community of Abersychan. We further noted that the Council’s proposed realignment to the existing boundary at its most southerly point did not follow clearly defined geographic features. We therefore propose

an alternative realignment of the boundary in that area which will follow clearly defined field boundaries. We are satisfied that the recommended change is of benefit in terms of effective and convenient local government. We therefore propose that the boundary between the Communities of Abersychan and Pen Tranch be realigned so as to include the whole village of Pentwyn within the Community of Pen Tranch as illustrated on the map at Appendix 5.

Upper Cwmbran and Pontnewydd

5.7 Torfaen County Borough Council’s recommendation is for the boundary between the Communities of Upper Cwmbran and Pontnewydd to be realigned so as to transfer the residential properties at Greenfield Close and Five Locks Close from the Community of Upper Cwmbran into the Community of Pontnewydd. We have inspected the relevant maps and made a site visit to the area and consider that the residential properties at Greenfield Close and Five Locks Close are clearly linked to similar adjacent properties in the Community of Pontnewydd. We further note that the only access to the properties at Greenfield Close and Five Locks Close is through the Community of Pontnewydd and that there are no similar adjacent residential areas in the Community of Upper Cwmbran. We are satisfied that the recommended change is of benefit in terms of effective and convenient local government. We therefore propose that the boundary between the Communities of Upper Cwmbran and Pontnewydd be realigned so as to transfer the residential properties at Greenfield Close and Five Locks Close from the Community of Upper Cwmbran into the Community of Pontnewydd as illustrated on the map at Appendix 6.

Cwmbran Central and Fairwater

5.8 Torfaen County Borough Council’s recommendation is for the boundary between the Communities of Fairwater and Cwmbran Central to be realigned so as to transfer the residential properties at Ellwood Path, together with the Fairhill Methodist Church, from the Community of Fairwater into the Community of Cwmbran Central. We have inspected the relevant maps and made a site visit to the area and consider that the properties at Ellwood Path are similar to the adjacent properties at Kingsland Walk in the Community of Cwmbran Central. We are satisfied that the recommended change is of benefit in terms of effective and convenient local government. We therefore propose that the boundary between the Communities of Fairwater and Cwmbran Central be realigned so as to transfer the residential properties at Ellwood Path, together with the Fairhill Methodist Church, from the Community of Fairwater into the Community of Cwmbran Central as illustrated on the map at Appendix 7.

Upper Cwmbran and Fairwater

5.9 Torfaen County Borough Council’s recommendation is for the boundary between the Communities of Upper Cwmbran and Fairwater to be realigned so as to include the whole of the Thornhill area within the Community of Upper Cwmbran. In addition, the Council propose that the area of Thornhill should form a new community ward within the Community of Upper Cwmbran which will incorporate part of the existing Upper Cwmbran West Ward of the Community of Upper Cwmbran. We have inspected the relevant maps and made a site visit to the area and note that the area of Thornhill currently in the Community of Fairwater can only be accessed through the Community of Upper Cwmbran. We also consider that the residential properties in the area of Thornhill currently in the Community of Fairwater clearly have an affinity with the adjacent area of Thornhill within the Community of Upper Cwmbran. We noted that a small section of the Council’s proposed boundary did not follow a feature on the ground but could be

changed slightly to follow a nearby path. This would constitute a very minor change to the Council’s proposal and we therefore consider that the Council’s proposal should be altered to follow the path for this small section. We are satisfied that the recommended change is of benefit in terms of effective and convenient local government. We therefore propose that the boundary between the Communities of Fairwater and Upper Cwmbran be realigned so as to include the whole of the area of Thornhill within the Community of Upper Cwmbran as illustrated on the map at Appendix 8.

5.10 In respect of the Council’s proposal that the new community ward of Thornhill be created within the Community of Upper Cwmbran we are satisfied that the recommended change is of benefit in terms of effective and convenient local government. We therefore propose that the new community ward of Thornhill be created within the Community of Upper Cwmbran and that the boundary of the Thornhill Ward will be those shown on the map at Appendix 8.

6. CONSEQUENTIAL ARRANGEMENTS

6.1 In considering the various changes to the community boundaries it was also necessary for us to take account of the consequential effects on the electoral arrangements for community councils and the principal authority, which would result from these changes. This section of our report details our proposals for consequential changes to the electoral arrangements. The electoral statistics used in this report were provided by Torfaen County Borough Council.

Community Council Electoral Arrangements

6.2 The existing community electoral arrangement in this part of the report are those brought into effect by The Torfaen (Communities) Order 1985 and the Torfaen County Borough Council Review of Community Council Electoral Arrangements Order 2011. The electorate figures used are those supplied by Torfaen County Borough Council as at December 2012.

Croesyceiliog and Llanyrafon

6.3 The Communities of Croesyceiliog and Llanyrafon belong to the Croesyceiliog and Llanyrafon Community Council group which is divided, for community electoral purposes, into the community wards of Croesyceiliog North, Croesyceiliog South, Llanyrafon North and Llanyrafon South. The following table shows the existing number of electors and councillors for each ward.

Community Council Ward Electors Cllrs E/C* Croesyceiliog and Llanyrafon Croesyceiliog North 2,774 6 462 Croesyceiliog South 1,477 3 492 Llanyrafon North 1,612 4 403 Llanyrafon South 1,017 2 509 6,880 15 459 *E/C – electors per councillor

Under the Council’s proposals:

• the Croesyceiliog North Ward will increase by 99 electors to 2,873; • the Community of Llanyrafon will be re-warded into West and East Wards; and • The Llanyrafon West Ward will be allocated 2 community councillors and the Llanyrafon East Ward will be allocated 1 community councillor.

The following table shows the proposed number of electors and councillors for each ward.

Community Council Ward Electors Cllrs E/C* Croesyceiliog and Llanyrafon Croesyceiliog North 2,873 6 479 Croesyceiliog South 1,477 3 492 Llanyrafon West 2,055 2 1,028 Llanyrafon East 574 1 574 6,979 12 582 *E/C – electors per councillor

6.4 We consider that this proposal would leave Llanyrafon West Ward under-represented and that this ward should be represented by 3 community councillors not 2. We also consider that, given the new levels of representation for Llanyrafon West and East under these new electoral arrangements, the Croesyceiliog North Ward would be slightly over represented and that the number of councillors for that ward should be reduced from 6 to 5. The following table shows the proposed electoral arrangements for Croesyceiliog and Llanyrafon which we consider provides the appropriate level of representation:

Community Council Ward Electors Cllrs E/C* Croesyceiliog and Llanyrafon Croesyceiliog North 2,873 5 575 Croesyceiliog South 1,477 3 492 Llanyrafon West 2,055 3 685 Llanyrafon East 574 1 574 6,979 12 582 *E/C – electors per councillor

6.5 We note that the level of representation in the Croesyceiliog and Llanyrafon Community Council Group is considerably higher than the other Community Council Groups in the County Borough. We are unable to address this disparity as part of our report we propose that Torfaen County Borough Council should give consideration to reviewing the level of community council representation in the Croesyceiliog and Llanyrafon Community Council Group with a view to bringing it more in line with the level of representation in the other Community Council Groups within the County Borough.

Abersychan and Pen Tranch

6.6 The Communities of Abersychan and Pen Tranch belong to the Pontypool Community Council group which is divided, for community electoral purposes, into the community wards of Abersychan and Cwmavon, Garndiffaith and Varteg, New Inn Lower, New Inn Upper, Griffithstown East, Griffithstown West, Sebastopol East, Sebastopol West, Pontnewynydd, Snatchwood, Wainfelin, Brynwern, Cwmyniscoy, Pontypool, St. Cadocs and Penygarn and Trevethin. The following table shows the existing number of electors and councillors for each ward:

Community Council Ward Electors Cllrs E/C* Pontypool Abersychan and Cwmavon 2,875 2 1,438 Garndiffaith and Varteg 2,320 2 1,160 New Inn Lower 2,326 2 1,163 New Inn Upper 2,532 2 1,266 Griffithstown East 1,554 1 1,554 Griffithstown West 898 1 898 Sebastopol East 2,045 1 2,045 Sebastopol West 1,221 1 1,221 Pontnewynydd 1,107 1 1,107

Snatchwood 1,605 1 1,605 Wainfelin 1,902 1 1,902 Brynwern 1,343 1 1,343 Cwmyniscoy 1,066 1 1,066 Pontypool 1,436 1 1,436 St. Cadocs and Penygarn 1,165 1 1,165 Trevethin 2,390 2 1,195 27,785 21 1,323 *E/C – electors per councillor

6.7 Under the Council’s proposals:

• the New Inn Lower Ward will decrease by 99 electors to 2,227 • the Abersychan and Cwmavon Ward will decrease by 257 electors to 2,618; and • the Snatchwood Ward will increase by 257 electors to 1,862.

The following table shows the proposed number of electors and councillors for each ward:

Community Council Ward Electors Cllrs E/C* Pontypool Abersychan and Cwmavon 2,618 2 1,309 Garndiffaith and Varteg 2,320 2 1,160 New Inn Lower 2,227 2 1,114 New Inn Upper 2,532 2 1,266 Griffiths Town East 1,554 1 1,554 Griffiths Town West 898 1 898 Sebastopol East 2,045 1 2,045 Sebastopol West 1,221 1 1,221 Pontnewynydd 1,107 1 1,107 Snatchwood 1,862 1 1,862 Wainfelin 1,902 1 1,902 Brynwern 1,343 1 1,343 Cwmyniscoy 1,066 1 1,066 Pontypool 1,436 1 1,436 St. Cadocs and Penygarn 1,165 1 1,165 Trevethin 2,390 2 1,195 27,686 21 1,318 *E/C – electors per councillor

We consider that the existing number of councillors for each of the Wards in the Pontypool Community Council Group provides an appropriate level of representation and therefore we do not propose any change to the existing electoral arrangements.

Upper Cwmbran, Pontnewydd and Fairwater

6.8 The Communities of Upper Cwmbran, Pontnewydd and Fairwater belong to the Cwmbran Community Council group which is divided, for community electoral purposes, into the community wards of Northville, Southville, St. Dials, Two Locks, Coed Eva, Fairwater and Oaksford, Greenmeadow, Ty Canol, Llantarnam, Lowlands and Avondale, Mount Pleasant, Upper Cwmbran East and Upper Cwmbran West. The following table shows the existing number of electors and councillors for each ward.

Community Council Ward Electors Cllrs E/C* Cwmbran Northville 1,001 1 1,001 Southville 1,085 1 1,085

St. Dials 2,853 2 1,427 Two Locks 2,654 2 1,327 Coed Eva 1,736 1 1,736 Fairwater and Oaksford 1,589 1 1,589 Greenmeadow 2,888 2 1,444 Ty Canol 2,487 2 1,244 Llantarnam 3,096 2 1,548 Lowlands and Avondale 2,615 2 1,308 Mount Pleasant 1,148 1 1,148 Upper Cwmbran East 1,415 2 708 Upper Cwmbran West 2,639 2 1,320 27,206 21 1,296 *E/C – electors per councillor

6.9 Under the Council’s proposals:

• the Upper Cwmbran East Ward will decrease by 232 electors to 1,183; • the Greenmeadow Ward will decrease by 756 electors to 2,132; • the St. Dials Ward will increase by 171 electors to 3,024; • the Mount Pleasant Ward will increase by 232 electors to 1,380; • the Upper Cwmbran West Ward will decrease by 1,187 electors to 1,452; and • a new ward of Thornhill is created with an electorate of 1,772 represented by either 1 or 2 community councillors.

In respect of the Council’s proposal for the new Community Ward of Thornhill we consider that the allocation of 1 community councillor would provide the most appropriate level of representation. The following table shows the proposed number of electors and councillors for each ward:

Community Council Ward Electors Cllrs E/C* Cwmbran Northville 1,001 1 1,001 Southville 1,085 1 1,085 St. Dials 3,024 2 1,512 Two Locks 2,654 2 1,327 Coed Eva 1,736 1 1,736 Fairwater and Oaksford 1,589 1 1,589 Greenmeadow 2,132 2 1,066 Ty Canol 2,487 2 1,244 Llantarnam 3,096 2 1,548 Lowlands and Avondale 2,615 2 1,308 Mount Pleasant 1,380 1 1,380 Upper Cwmbran East 1,183 2 592 Upper Cwmbran West 1,452 2 726 Thornhill 1,772 1 1,772 27,206 22 1,237 *E/C – electors per councillor

6.10 We consider that this proposal would leave Upper Cwmbran East and West significantly over-represented and note that the Council’s report suggested that consideration could be given to reducing the number of community councillors for these wards from 2 to 1. We consider that this suggestion would result in the appropriate level of representation for the Community Wards of Upper Cwmbran East and Upper Cwmbran West and we therefore propose that under the new arrangements the Upper Cwmbran East Ward be represented by 1 councillor and the Upper Cwmbran West Ward be represented by 1

councillor. The following table shows the proposed electoral arrangements for Cwmbran which we consider provides the appropriate level of representation:

Community Council Ward Electors Cllrs E/C* Cwmbran Northville 1,001 1 1,001 Southville 1,085 1 1,085 St. Dials 3,024 2 1,512 Two Locks 2,654 2 1,327 Coed Eva 1,736 1 1,736 Fairwater and Oaksford 1,589 1 1,589 Greenmeadow 2,132 2 1,066 Ty Canol 2,487 2 1,244 Llantarnam 3,096 2 1,548 Lowlands and Avondale 2,615 2 1,308 Mount Pleasant 1,380 1 1,380 Upper Cwmbran East 1,183 1 1,183 Upper Cwmbran West 1,452 1 1,452 Thornhill 1,772 1 1,772 27,206 20 1,360 *E/C – electors per councillor

County Borough Council Electoral Arrangements

6.11 The Croesyceiliog North electoral division, which is coterminous with the Croesyceiliog North Ward of the Community of Croesyceiliog, currently has 2,774 electors represented by 2 councillors resulting in a councillor to elector ratio of 1:1,387. The proposed amendment to the boundary of the Communities of Croesyceiliog would result in a rise in the number of electors in the Croesyceiliog North electoral division to 2,873 resulting in a councillor to elector ratio of 1:1,437.

6.12 The New Inn electoral division, which is coterminous with the Community of New Inn, currently has 4,858 electors represented by 3 councillors resulting in a councillor to elector ratio of 1:1,619. The proposed amendments to the boundary of the Community of New Inn would result in a fall in the number of electors in the New Inn electoral division to 4,759 resulting in a councillor to elector ratio of 1:1,586.

6.13 The Llanyrafon North electoral division, which is coterminous with the Llanyrafon North Ward of the Community of Llanyrafon, currently has 1,612 electors represented by 1 councillor. The Llanyrafon South electoral division, which is comprised of the Llanyrafon South Ward of the Community of Llanyrafon and the Community of Ponthir, currently has 2,282 electors represented by 1 councillor. The proposed abolition of the North and South Wards of the Community of Llanyrafon and the creation of the new Wards of Llanyrafon East and Llanyrafon West means that the current county borough electoral arrangements cannot continue. We propose that a new electoral division of Llanyrafon West be formed coterminous with the new Llanyrafon West Ward with 2,075 electors represented by 1 councillor and that a new electoral division of Llanyrafon East and Ponthir be formed comprising the Llanyrafon East Ward of the Community of Llanyrafon and the Community of Ponthir with 1,819 electors represented by 1 councillor.

6.14 The Abersychan electoral division, which is coterminous with the Community of Abersychan, currently has 5,195 electors represented by 3 councillors resulting in a councillor to elector ratio of 1:1,732. The proposed amendments to the boundary of the Community of Abersychan would result in a fall in the number of electors in the Abersychan electoral division to 4,938 resulting in a councillor to elector ratio of 1:1,646.

6.15 The Snatchwood electoral division, which is coterminous with the Snatchwood Ward of the Community of Pen Tranch, currently has 1,605 electors represented by 1 councillor. The proposed amendment to the boundary of the Community of Pen Tranch would result in a rise in the number of electors in the Snatchwood electoral division to 1,862.

6.16 The Pontnewydd electoral division comprises the Community of Pontnewydd and the Northville Ward of the Community of Cwmbran Central and currently has 4,764 electors represented by 3 councillors resulting in a councillor to elector ratio of 1:1,588. The proposed amendment to the boundary of the Community of Pontnewydd would result in a rise in the number of electors in the Pontnewydd electoral division to 4,996 resulting in a councillor to elector ratio of 1:1,665.

6.17 The Greenmeadow electoral division, which is coterminous with the Greenmeadow Ward of the Community Fairwater, currently has 2,888 electors represented by 2 councillors resulting in a councillor to elector ratio of 1:1,444. The proposed amendment to the boundary of the Community of Fairwater would result in a fall in the number of electors in the Greenmeadow electoral division to 2,132 resulting in a councillor to elector ratio of 1:1,066.

6.18 The St. Dials electoral division, which is coterminous with the St. Dials Ward of the Community of Cwmbran Central, currently has 2,853 electors represented by 2 councillors resulting in a councillor to elector ratio of 1:1,427. The proposed amendment to the boundary of the Community of Cwmbran Central would result in a rise in the number of electors in the St. Dials electoral division to 3,024 resulting in a councillor to elector ratio of 1:1,512.

6.19 The Upper Cwmbran electoral division, which is coterminous with the Community of Upper Cwmbran, currently has 4,054 electors represented by 3 councillors resulting in a councillor to elector ratio of 1:1,351. The proposed amendment to the boundary of the Community of Upper Cwmbran would result in a rise in the number of electors in the Upper Cwmbran electoral division to 4,407 resulting in a councillor to elector ratio of 1:1,469.

6.20 We are of the view that for all of the above electoral divisions the changes to the number of electors as a consequence of the proposed boundary changes are not so significant as, at this time, to require either an increase or a decrease in the number of councillors representing each electoral division. We were in the process of undertaking a review of the electoral arrangements for the County Borough of Torfaen when we received the Council’s Report of their community review. We considered that, in the interests of effective and convenient local government, the Council’s proposed changes to the community boundaries should be implemented before we proceeded with the review of Torfaen County Borough Council’s electoral arrangements. Accordingly we wrote to the Welsh Government Minister for Local Government and Communities, Carl Sargeant, on 22 October 2012 to inform him of our decision. We will now await the issue of an Order by Welsh Government in respect of the changes proposed in this report before proceeding with our review of electoral arrangements for Torfaen County Borough which will take into account any changes that arise from these proposed changes to community boundaries.

6.21 We have proposed changes to the boundaries of the Communities of Croesyceiliog and New Inn which crosses the parliamentary constituency boundaries of Monmouth CC and Torfaen CC. This proposal will be reported to the parliamentary Boundary Commission for Wales in due course.

7. RESPONSES TO THIS REPORT

7.1 Having completed our consideration of the review of the community boundaries in the County Borough of Torfaen and submitted our recommendations to the Welsh Government, we have fulfilled our statutory obligation under the Act.

7.2 It now falls to the Welsh Government, if it thinks fit, to give effect to these proposals, either as submitted by the Commission or with modifications, and if the Welsh Government decides to give effect to these proposals with modifications, it may direct the Commission to conduct a further review.

7.3 Any further representations concerning the matters in the 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 that the Commission’s recommendations are submitted to the Welsh Government. Representations should be addressed to:

Scrutiny, Democracy & Participation Team Department for Local Government & Public Service Welsh Assembly Government Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3NQ

Email: [email protected]

MR O WATKIN OBE DL (Chairman)

MR C STRADLING (Deputy Chairman)

MR D POWELL (Member)

MR I WILLIAMS (Secretary)

January 2013