LOCAL DEMOCRACY AND BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR WALES

Review of the Electoral Arrangements of the County of Denbighshire

Final Recommendations Report

June 2019 © LDBCW copyright 2019

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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 Minister for Housing and Local Government, which contains its recommendations for revised electoral arrangements for Denbighshire County Council. 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 community 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, so far as it is possible to achieve. The Commission is grateful to the Members and Officers of Denbighshire County 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. Ceri Stradling Acting Chair

LOCAL DEMOCRACY AND BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR WALES REVIEW OF THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS OF THE COUNTY OF DENBIGHSHIRE 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 28 Chapter 7 Responses to this Report 29 Chapter 8 Acknowledgements 30

APPENDIX 1 GLOSSARY OF TERMS APPENDIX 2 EXISTING COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP APPENDIX 3 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 June 2019

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

The translation of this report was provided by Trosol.

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

Julie James, AM Minister for Housing and Local Government 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 of Denbighshire. 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 of Denbighshire 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 restart 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 Denbighshire County Council, all the community and town councils in the area, the mandatory consultees and other interested parties on 25 October 2017 to inform them of our intention to conduct the review and request their preliminary views. This consultation ran from 1 November 2017 to 23 January 2018. The Commission also made copies of its Electoral Reviews: Policy and Practice [2016] document available. 6. The Commission published its Draft Proposals Report on 14 September 2018 and requested views on the proposals. This consultation ran from 21 September 2018 to 13 December 2018. 7. The Commission publicised the review on its website and social media channels and asked Denbighshire County Council to publicise the review and provided the Council with 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. THE SUMMARY OF THE DRAFT PROPOSALS • Prior to the formulation of the draft proposals, the Commission received representations from Denbighshire County Council, four town and community councils and one County Councillor. • Denbighshire County Council outlined their preferences for the areas of Denbighshire with the highest levels of electoral variance (which can be seen in full in the Commission’s Draft Proposals Report, September 2018). The majority of the representations received stated their preference that the existing arrangements remain with the exception of Rhyl South East. Denbighshire County Council and Rhyl Town Council suggested that the electoral ward be split into two two-member wards. • These representations were taken into consideration and summarised in the Draft Proposals Report published on 14 September 2018, informing the listed mandatory consultees and other interested parties of a period of consultation on the draft proposals which commenced on 21 September 2018 and ended on 13 December 2018. The Commission asked Denbighshire County Council to display copies of the report alongside public notices in the area. The Commission’s draft proposals proposed a change to the arrangement of electoral wards that would have achieved a marked improvement in the level of electoral parity across the County of Denbighshire. • The Commission proposed a council of 48 members. This resulted in a proposed county average of 1,589 electors per member. The Commission proposed 29 electoral wards, a reduction from 30 existing electoral wards. • The largest under-representation (in terms of electoral variance) was proposed to be in Dyserth (23% above the proposed county average). At present the greatest under- representation is in Llanarmon-yn-Ial/Llandegla and Rhyl South East (28% above the proposed county average). • The largest over-representation (in terms of electoral variance) was proposed to be in St Asaph West (17% below the proposed county average). At present the greatest over- representation is in Llandrillo (41% below the proposed county average). • The Commission proposed 16 multi-member wards in the County consisting of: 13 two- member electoral wards and three three-member electoral ward. • The Commission proposed no changes to 23 electoral wards. • The Commission proposed to have one electoral ward (Denbigh Central and Upper with Henllan) within the County which combines a part of a warded community, along with its neighbouring community. This community split is present within the Town of Denbigh.

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Chapter 3. SUMMARY OF FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS • The Commission received representations from Denbighshire County Council, three town and community councils and one county councillor, 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 marked improvement in the level of electoral parity across the County of Denbighshire. • The Commission’s final recommendation is a council of 48 members, an increase of one member from the present 47 members. This results in a recommended county average of 1,589 electors per member. • The Commission recommends 29 electoral wards, a reduction from 30 existing wards.

• The largest under-representation (in terms of variance from the recommended county average) is recommended to be 23% above the recommended county average (Dyserth). At present the greatest under-representation is 28% above the recommended county average (Llanarmon-yn-Ial/Llandegla and Rhyl South East). • The largest over-representation (in terms of variance from the recommended county average) is recommended to be 17% below the recommended county average (St Asaph West). At present the greatest under-representation is 41% below the recommended county average (Llandrillo) • The Commission is proposing 16 multi-member wards in the county consisting of 13 two- member electoral wards; and three three-member electoral wards. • The Commission recommends no change to 23 electoral wards. • The Commission recommends to have one electoral ward (Denbigh Caledfryn Henllan) within the County which combines a part of a warded community, along with its neighbouring community. This community split is present within the Town of Denbigh.

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Summary Maps 1. On the following pages are thematic maps illustrating the current and recommended arrangements and their variances from the recommended 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%. 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 Council size 1. The council size for the County of Denbighshire 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 47 for the County of Denbighshire. At present, the size of the council is 47 members, the same as the methodology aim. 2. The Commission reviewed the electoral arrangements for the County of Denbighshire 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 of 48 members would be appropriate to represent the County of Denbighshire. Number of electors 3. The numbers shown as the electorate for 2017 and the estimates for the electorate in the 2022 are those submitted by Denbighshire County Council. These forecasted figures have been revised by Denbighshire County Council from the forecasted figures published at the start of the review. The forecast figures supplied by Denbighshire County Council show a forecasted increase in the electorate of Denbighshire from 76,292 to 79,098.

4. The Office of National Statistics (ONS) also provided its estimated number of persons eligible to vote but who are not on the electoral register. This showed an estimated 1,094 less 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 Denbighshire County 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 1,623 electors per councillor ranging from 41% below (965 electors) to 28% above (2,072 electors). The determination of the council size above results in an average of 1,589 electors being represented by each councillor. 9. In its deliberations, the Commission 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 near as may be, the same in every ward in the principal area. The Commission considered the size and character of the council and a wide range of other factors including local topography, road communications, and local ties.

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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 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 we 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 has 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. Community and Town Council Arrangements 14. The Commission received a number of representations during the draft proposals consultation period which included a misunderstanding as to the scope of the review. The Commission therefore wishes to highlight that this review of electoral arrangements is seeking to make improvements to electoral representation within Denbighshire County Council. This process is independent from any changes to arrangements concerning community or town councils. Where combinations of communities are used to create single electoral wards, the individual communities in question will retain their existing community council arrangement. These councils will remain independent following the outcome of this review, any precepts generated, or assets contained within a community council, will remain part of that community council. 15. Changes to community arrangements are dealt with under a separate part of the legislation, as part of a community review led by the Denbighshire County Council.

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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 proposed 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; • A map of the recommended electoral ward (please see key at page 13).

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.

• Bodelwyddan • Prestatyn North • Denbigh Lower • Prestatyn South West • Dyserth • Rhuddlan • Efenechtyd • Rhyl East • Llandyrnog • Rhyl South • Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd/ • Rhyl South West Gwyddelwern • Rhyl West • Llangollen • Ruthin • Llanrhaeadr-yng-Nghinmeirch • St. Asaph East • Prestatyn Central • St. Asaph West • Prestatyn East • Trefnant • Prestatyn Meliden • Tremeirchion

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

Page 9 DENBIGHSHIRE FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS REPORT for the following (names displayed in bold throughout the remainder of this report denote the Commission’s recommended electoral ward names): i) Denbigh Lower is recommended to retain the English language name of Denbigh Lower, based on The County of Denbighshire (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1998 (1998 Order), and to be given the Welsh language name of Dinbych Isaf, based on the Welsh language name used by Denbighshire County Council in the 2017 Local Government elections (2017 elections). The Welsh Language Commissioner considered the name and proposed no change to the Commission’s proposed name.

ii) Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd/Gwyddelwern is recommended to be renamed the single name of Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd Gwyddelwern at the suggestion of Denbighshire County Council. In the draft proposal the Commission proposed Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd a Gwyddelwern in the Welsh language and, Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd and Gwyddelwern in the English language. The Commission has decided to apply consistency within ward names across the county by avoiding the use of this type of punctuation within names of wards which combine two, or more, community areas. The Welsh Language Commissioner considered the name and proposed no change to the Commission’s proposed name. The Commission received one representation from Denbighshire County Council which suggested the single name of Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd Gwyddelwern to avoid overly long wording on bilingual documents.

iii) Prestatyn Central is recommended to retain the English language name of Prestatyn Central, based on the 1998 Order, and to be given the Welsh language name of Canol Prestatyn, based on the 2017 elections. The Welsh Language Commissioner considered the name and proposed no change to the Commission’s proposed name.

iv) Prestatyn East is recommended to retain the English language name of Prestatyn East, based on the 1998 Order, and to be given the Welsh language name of Dwyrain Prestatyn, based on the 2017 elections. The Welsh Language Commissioner considered the name and proposed no change to the Commission’s proposed name.

v) Prestatyn Meliden is recommended to retain the English language name of Prestatyn Meliden, based on the 1998 Order, and to be given the Welsh language name of Prestatyn Gallt Melyd, based on the 2017 elections. The Welsh Language Commissioner considered the name and proposed a change to the Commission’s recommended name (see paragraph 4 for further details).

vi) Prestatyn North is recommended to retain the English language name of Prestatyn North, based on the 1998 Order, and to be given the Welsh language name of Gogledd Prestatyn, based on the 2017 elections. The Welsh Language Commissioner considered the name and proposed no change to the Commission’s proposed name.

vii) Prestatyn South West is recommended to retain the English language name of Prestatyn South West, based on the 1998 Order, and to be given the Welsh language name of De Orllewin Prestatyn, based on the 2017 elections. The Welsh Language Commissioner

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considered the name and proposed a change to the Commission’s proposed name (see paragraph 4 for further details).

viii) Rhyl East is recommended to retain the English language name of Rhyl East, based on the 1998 Order, and to be given the Welsh language name of Dwyrain Y Rhyl, based on the 2017 elections. The Welsh Language Commissioner considered the name and proposed a change to the Commission’s proposed name (see paragraph 4 for further details).

ix) Rhyl South is recommended to retain the English language name of Rhyl South, based on the 1998 Order, and to be given the Welsh language name of De Y Rhyl, based on the 2017 elections. The Welsh Language Commissioner considered the name and proposed a change to the Commission’s proposed name (see paragraph 4 for further details).

x) Rhyl South West is recommended to retain the English language name of Rhyl South West, based on the 1998 Order, and to be given the Welsh language name of De Orllewin Y Rhyl, based on the 2017 elections. The Welsh Language Commissioner considered the name and proposed a change to the Commission’s proposed name (see paragraph 4 for further details).

xi) Rhyl West is recommended to retain the English language name of Rhyl West, based on the 1998 Order, and to be given the Welsh language name of Gorllewin Y Rhyl, based on the 2017 elections. The Welsh Language Commissioner considered the name and proposed a change to the Commission’s proposed name (see paragraph 4 for further details).

xii) Ruthin is recommended to retain the English language name of Ruthin, based on the 1998 Order, and to be given the Welsh language name of Rhuthun, based on the 2017 elections. The Welsh Language Commissioner considered the name and proposed no change to the Commission’s proposed name.

xiii) St. Asaph East is recommended to be renamed Dwyrain Llanelwy in the Welsh language and, St Asaph East in the English language, based on the 1998 Order, and the 2017 elections. The Commission’s proposal also applies the current convention to omit a full stop at the end of a contraction which includes the final letter of the word (i.e. ‘St’ for Saint). The Welsh Language Commissioner considered the name and proposed no change to the Commission’s proposed name.

xiv) St. Asaph West is recommended to be renamed Gorllewin Llanelwy in the Welsh language and, St Asaph West in the English language, based on the 1998 Order, and the 2017 elections. The Commission’s proposal also applies the current convention to omit a full stop at the end of a contraction which includes the final letter of the word (i.e. ‘St’ for Saint). The Welsh Language Commissioner considered the name and proposed no change to the Commission’s proposed name. 4. The Commission has consulted the Welsh Language Commissioner with regards to the names of the retained electoral wards, and the Welsh Language Commissioner has recommended the following changes:

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i) Efenechtyd to have the single name of Efenechdyd. The Welsh Language Commissioner notes that Efenechdyd is the standard Welsh language form recommended by the reference book, Rheste o Enwau Lleoedd/A Gazetteer of Welsh Place-Names (University of Wales Press, 1967). The Commissioner’s Place-names Standardisation Panel's Guidelines state that if the difference between the Welsh form and the 'English' form consists of only one or two letters, the use of a single form is recommended, with preference being given to the Welsh form. However, the Commission has decided to retain the single name of Efenechtyd for this electoral ward based on the last Order for this ward, namely the 1998 Order and the 2017 elections. The Commission received one representation from Denbighshire County Council which supported the Commission’s proposal to retain the existing single name of Efenechtyd. ii) Prestatyn Meliden to be named Prestatyn Alltmelyd in the Welsh language. The Welsh Language Commissioner notes that Allt Melyd is the standard Welsh form recommended by the reference book, A Gazetteer of Welsh Place-Names. However, the Commissioner's Place-names Standardisation Panel favours the name as one word, Alltmelyd. The name of a settlement is usually written as one word in order to distinguish between settlements and topographical features. However, the Commission has decided to retain the Welsh language name of Prestatyn Gallt Melyd for this electoral ward based on the 2017 elections. iii) Prestatyn South West to be named De-orllewin Prestatyn in the Welsh language. The Welsh Language Commissioner believes that compass points that combine two elements are usually written in Welsh as one word with a hyphen. However, the Commission has decided to retain the Welsh language name of De Orllewin Prestatyn for this electoral ward based on the 2017 elections. iv) Rhyl East to be named Dwyrain y Rhyl in the Welsh language. The Welsh Language Commissioner believes that there is no need to capitalise the Welsh definite article ‘y’ here. However, the Commission has decided to retain the Welsh language name of Dwyrain Y Rhyl for this electoral ward based on the 2017 elections. v) Rhyl South to be named De’r Rhyl in the Welsh language. The Welsh Language Commissioner believes that there is no need to capitalise the Welsh definite article ‘y’ here. However, the Commission has decided to retain the Welsh language name of De Y Rhyl for this electoral ward based on the 2017 elections. vi) Rhyl South West to be named De-orllewin y Rhyl in the Welsh language. The Welsh Language Commissioner believes that compass points that combine two elements are usually written in Welsh as one word with a hyphen and there is no need to capitalise the Welsh definite article ‘y’ here. However, the Commission has decided to retain the Welsh language name of De Orllewin Y Rhyl for this electoral ward based on the 2017 elections. vii) Rhyl West to be named Gorllewin y Rhyl in the Welsh language. The Welsh Language Commissioner believes that there is no need to capitalise the Welsh definite article ‘y’ here. However, the Commission has decided to retain the Welsh language name of Gorllewin Y Rhyl for this electoral ward based on the 2017 elections. 5. Any comments on the recommended name can be sent to the Minister for Housing and Local Government.

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6. The Commission received a representation from Councillor G. Davies (Prestatyn South West) asking the Commission to look into the possibility of creating a three-member electoral ward by combining the South West and North West wards of Prestatyn Town. The Commission did consider this proposal and recommended that the existing arrangements remain. The Commission considers that there are acceptable levels of electoral parity within the existing arrangements and that changes to this area would not have been subject to consultation.

Proposed Electoral Wards 7. The Commission considered changes to the remaining eight electoral wards. Details of the current electoral arrangements can be found at Appendix 2. The Commission’s recommended arrangements can be found in Appendix 3.

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Rhyl South East 8. The existing Rhyl South East electoral ward is composed of the Trellewelyn and Ty Newydd wards of the Town of Rhyl. It has 6,216 electors (6,467 projected electors) represented by three councillors which is 30% above the recommended county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 5,818 eligible electors. 9. In its Draft Proposals the Commission agreed with Denbighshire County Council and Rhyl Town Council that the existing electoral ward be split into two electoral wards based on the existing town wards of Trellewelyn and Ty Newydd each represented by two councillors. 10. The Commission received two representations in response to the Draft Proposals regarding this area from Denbighshire County Council and Rhyl Town Council who here both in support of the Commission’s Draft Proposals. 11. The Commission recommends that the Trellewelyn ward of the Town of Rhyl forms an electoral ward of 2,827 electors (3,078 projected electors) which, if represented by two councillors, would result in a level of representation that is 11% below the proposed county average. 12. Following advice from the Welsh Language Commissioner the Commission proposed the Welsh language name of Trellewelyn Y Rhyl, and the English language name of Rhyl Trellewelyn in its Draft Proposals. The Commission received no representations regarding the recommended name. 13. The Commission has given the recommended electoral ward the Welsh language name of Trellewelyn Y Rhyl, and the English language name of Rhyl Trellewelyn. The Commission recommends the name as it is the names of the community wards that form the recommended electoral ward. Any comments on the recommended name can be sent to the Minister for Housing and Local Government 14. The Commission, as a consequence, recommends that the Ty Newydd ward of the Town of Rhyl forms an electoral ward of 3,389 electors (3,389 projected electors) which, if represented by two councillors, would result in a level of representation that is 7% above the proposed county average. 15. Following advice from the Welsh Language Commissioner the Commission proposed the Welsh language name of Tŷ Newydd Y Rhyl, and the English language name of Rhyl Tŷ Newydd in its Draft Proposals. The Commission received no representations regarding the recommended name. 16. The Commission has given the recommended electoral ward the Welsh language name of Tŷ Newydd Y Rhyl, and the English language name of Rhyl Tŷ Newydd. The Commission recommends the name as it is the names of the community wards that form the recommended electoral ward. Any comments on the recommended name can be sent to the Minister for Housing and Local Government. 17. The Commission considers that these recommendations would be desirable in the interests of effective and convenient local government.

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Denbigh Central and Denbigh Upper/Henllan 18. The existing Denbigh Central electoral ward is comprised of the Central ward of the Town of Denbigh. It has 1,610 electors (1,610 projected electors) represented by one councillor which is 1% above the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 1,688 eligible electors. 19. The existing Denbigh Upper/Henllan electoral ward is composed of the Upper ward of the Town of Denbigh and the Community of Henllan. It has 2,407 electors (2,547 projected electors) represented by two councillors which is 24% below the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 2,496 eligible electors. 20. In its Draft Proposals the Commission proposed to combine the Central and Upper wards of the Town of Denbigh with the Community of Henllan to form a three-member ward. 21. The Commission received one representation in response to the Draft Proposals regarding this area from Denbighshire County Council. The Council noted the members Working Group’s initial support for the Commission’s proposal, however, the Council was unable to agree a preferred position to recommend to the Commission. The Council did in its first representation suggest retaining the existing electoral wards due to the proposed multi- member electoral ward. They considered the incorporation of Denbigh Central with Denbigh Upper/Henllan would result in the loss of a single member ward and would detrimentally affect the representation of rural Henllan. 22. The Commission recommends combining the Central and Upper wards of the Town of Denbigh with the Community of Henllan to form an electoral ward of 4,017 electors (4,157 projected electors) which, if represented by three councillors, would result in a level of representation that is 16% below the recommended county average. 23. The Commission recognised that this recommended electoral ward combines a part of a warded community, along with its neighbouring community. This community split is within the Town of Denbigh. However, the Commission noted that the existing arrangements also contain this community split. 24. The Commission considers that the Community of Henllan has ties to the Town of Denbigh in the existing arrangements. The Commission considers that the Town Wards of Central and Upper Denbigh together with the Community of Henllan will be able to provide for an effective electoral ward due to the presence of community, communication and social ties which already exist. 25. The Commission proposed the Welsh language name of Canol Dinbych a Dinbych Uchaf gyda Henllan, and the English language name of Denbigh Central and Upper with Henllan in its Draft Proposals. The Welsh Language Commissioner considered the name and proposed no change to the Commission’s proposed name. The Commission received one representation regarding the name from Denbighshire County Council. Denbighshire County Council suggested the single name of Denbigh Caledfryn/Henllan. 26. The Commission has given the recommended electoral ward the single name of Denbigh Caledfryn Henllan as suggested by Denbighshire County Council. The Welsh Language Commissioner considered the name and proposed no change to the Commission’s recommended name. The Commission recommends the name as recommended to it by the

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Council. Any comments on the recommended name can be sent to the Minister for Housing and Local Government 27. The Commission considers that this recommendation would be desirable in the interests of effective and convenient local government.

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Llanarmon-yn-Ial/Llandegla and Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd/Llangynhafal 28. The existing Llanarmon-yn-Ial/Llandegla electoral ward is composed of the Communities of Llanarmon-yn-Ial, Llandegla and Llanferres. It has 2,070 electors (2,149 projected electors) represented by one councillor which is 30% above the recommended county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 2,021 eligible electors. 29. The existing Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd/Llangynhafal electoral ward is composed of the Communities of Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd and Llangynhafal. It has 1,213 electors (1,292 projected electors) represented by one councillor which is 24% below the recommended county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 1,229 eligible electors. 30. In its Draft Proposals the Commission proposed to create two single-member wards. One from the Communities of Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd, Llanferres and Llangynhafal and the other from Communities of Llanarmon-yn-Ial, and Llandegla. 31. The Commission received two representations in response to the Draft Proposals regarding this area from Denbighshire County Council and Llanferres Community Council. 32. Denbighshire County Council considered the existing arrangements for Llanarmon-yn- Ial/Llandegla electoral ward should remain unchanged due to the geographical and historical links. They also highlighted that this was the preference of the Community Councils of Llanarmon-yn-Ial, Llandegla and Llanferres. They stated that the existing arrangements for Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd/Llangynhafal electoral ward should remain unchanged. They felt that the proposed electoral ward Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd, Llanferres and Llangynhafal was well above the desired county average, which largely negated the advantages of the proposal. 33. The Llanferres Community Council reiterated their views that the existing electoral ward of Llanarmon-yn-Ial/Llandegla remain unchanged due to the strong historical, social and cultural ties of the three communities including the shared school catchment area. They also highlighted the natural boundary between Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd and Llanferres. 34. The Commission recommends combining the Communities of Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd, Llanferres and Llangynhafal to form an electoral ward of 1,871 electors (1,969 projected electors) which, if represented by one councillor, would result in a level of representation that is 18% above the recommended county average. 35. The Commission noted the electoral variance for the existing Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd/Llangynhafal electoral ward. The Commission recognised representations regarding the changes in this area and their preference for the existing arrangements to remain. However, the Commission is of the view that both the current and projected statistics do not justify such an atypical level of variance. 36. The Commission proposed the Welsh language name Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd, Llanferres a Llangynhafal and the English language name Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd, Llanferres and Llangynhafal in the Draft Proposals. The Welsh Language Commissioner agreed with the proposed name. The Commission received one representation regarding the proposed name from Denbighshire County Council. The Council highlighted their concerns of the practical implications of the length of the proposed name. The Council suggested the single name of Moel Famau. 37. The Commission has given the recommended electoral ward the single name of Moel Famau as suggested by Denbighshire County Council. The Welsh Language Commissioner noted that

Page 21 DENBIGHSHIRE FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS REPORT

Moel Fama (without the final -u-) would be the preferred spelling as it better reflects the original meaning and local pronunciation. The Welsh Language Commissioner recognised that Moel Famau is well-established and more widely adopted and therefore agreed with the recommended name. 38. Any comments on the recommended name can be sent to the Minister for Housing and Local Government. 39. The Commission recommends, as a consequence, to combine the Communities of Llanarmon- yn-Ial and Llandegla to form an electoral ward of 1,412 electors (1,472 projected electors) which, if represented by one councillor, would result in a level of representation that is 11% below the recommended county average. 40. The Commission noted the electoral variance for the Llanarmon-yn-Ial/Llandegla existing electoral ward; Llanarmon-yn-Ial/Llandegla and is one of the most under-represented electoral wards in Denbighshire. The Commission recognised representations regarding the changes in this area and their preference for the existing arrangements to remain. However, the Commission is of the view that both the current and projected statistics do not justify such an atypical level of variance 41. The Commission proposed the Welsh language name Llanarmon-yn-Iâl a Llandegla, and the English language name Llanarmon-yn-Iâl and Llandegla in the Draft Proposal. The Welsh Language Commissioner agreed with the recommended name. The Commission received two representations regarding the name from Denbighshire County Council and Llanferres Community Council. 42. Denbighshire County Council highlighted their concerns of the practical implications of the length of the proposed name. The Council suggested the Welsh language name of Dyffryn Alun and the English language name of Alyn Valley. Llanferres Community Council suggested the name Alyn Valley due to the communities being linked by the River Alyn. 43. The Commission has given the recommended electoral ward Welsh language name of Dyffryn Alun and the English language name of Alyn Valley as suggested by Denbighshire County Council and Llanferres Community Council. The Welsh Language Commissioner notes that Alun is the form recommended in the national standard reference work, Rhestr o Enwau Lleoedd/A Gazetteer of Welsh Place-Names (University of Wales Press, 1967). The Welsh Language Commissioner suggested omitting the 'Valley/Dyffryn' element would enable the adoption of a single form for both languages. Any comments on the recommended name can be sent to the Minister for Housing and Local Government. 44. The Commission believes that the recommended electoral wards improve the electoral parity in these areas, whilst limiting disruption to the existing arrangements in the surrounding areas. The Commission considered alternative proposals which would maintain the ties in the existing wards and improve electoral parity. However, these proposals resulted in significant negative consequential effects to the existing arrangements from Tremeirchion in the north to Llanrhaeadr-Yng-Nghinmeirch in the east and Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd/Gwyddelwern to the south. 45. The Commission considers that these recommendations would be desirable in the interests of effective and convenient local government.

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Page 24 LOCAL DEMOCRACY AND BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR WALES

Corwen and Llandrillo 46. The existing Corwen electoral ward is comprised of the Town of Corwen. It has 1,872 electors (1,922 projected electors) represented by one councillor which is 18% above the recommended county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 1,886 eligible electors. 47. The existing Llandrillo electoral ward is composed of the Communities of Cynwyd and Llandrillo. It has 965 electors (1,024 projected electors) represented by one councillor which is 39% below the recommended county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 996 eligible electors. 48. In its Draft Proposals the Commission proposed to combine the Communities of Cynwyd and Llandrillo and the Town of Corwen to form a two-member electoral ward. 49. The Commission received one representation in response to the Draft Proposals regarding this area from Denbighshire County Council. 50. Denbighshire County Council noted the level of electoral variance in Llandrillo and how the geography of the area presented little scope for change that did not involve the Corwen electoral ward. They highlighted their concerns in combining an urban area with a rural one; the size of the proposed multi-member electoral ward; and, the loss of two single-member wards. They stated their preference that the existing arrangements for this area remain. 51. The Commission recommends combining the Communities of Cynwyd and Llandrillo and the Town of Corwen to form an electoral ward of 2,837 electors (2,946 projected electors) which, if represented by two councillors, would result in a level of representation that is 11% below the recommended county average. 52. The existing Llandrillo ward is the most over-represented electoral ward in Denbighshire. In creating this multi-member ward of the Commission acknowledges the recommendation combines urban and rural communities. However, the Commission believes this recommendation is appropriate due to effective communication links and shared geographies across the two areas, resulting in an electoral ward with appropriate levels of electoral variance. 53. The Commission recognised the representations regarding the changes in this area and their preference for the existing arrangements to remain. However, the Commission is of the view that both the current and projected statistics do not justify such an atypical level of variance. 54. The Commission proposed the Welsh language name of Corwen a Llandrillo, and the English language name of Corwen and Llandrillo in the Draft Proposals. The Welsh Language Commissioner agreed with the proposed names. The Commission received one representation regarding the proposed name from Denbighshire County Council. 55. Denbighshire County Council suggested the single name of Edeirnion for the recommended ward as this is a historically significant name for the area. 56. The Commission has given the recommended electoral ward single name of Edeirnion as suggested by Denbighshire County Council. The Welsh Language Commissioner agreed with the recommended name. Any comments on the recommended name can be sent to the Minister for Housing and Local Government.

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57. The Commission considers that these recommendations would be desirable in the interests of effective and convenient local government.

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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: • Electoral variance ranges from 41% below the current county average (Llandrillo) to 28% above the current county average (Llanarmon-yn-Ial/Llandegla and Rhyl South East) of 1,623 electors per councillor. • Five electoral wards have levels of representation more than 25% above or below the current county average of 1,623 electors per councillor. • Eleven electoral wards have levels of representation between 10% and 25% above or below the current county average of 1,623 electors per councillor. • Fourteen electoral wards have levels of representation less than 10% above or below the current county average of 1,623 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: • Electoral variance ranges from 17% below the recommended county average (St Asaph West) to 23% above the recommended county average (Dyserth) of 1,589 electors per councillor. • 15 electoral wards have a level of representation between 10% and 25% above or below the recommended county average of 1,589 electors per councillor. • 14 electoral wards have a level of representation less than 10% above or below the recommended county average of 1,589 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.

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Chapter 7. RESPONSES TO THIS REPORT 1. Having completed the review of the County of Denbighshire 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 29 DENBIGHSHIRE FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS REPORT

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 during the course of developing these final recommendations. We, the undersigned, commend this recommendations report.

CERI STRADLING (Acting Chair)

DAVID POWELL (Member)

JULIE MAY (Member)

THEODORE JOLOZA (Member)

SHEREEN WILLIAMS (Chief Executive)

June 2019

Page 30 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 DENBIGHSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL EXISTING COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Page1 APPENDIX 2

% variance % variance Population No. OF ELECTORATE 2017 ELECTORATE 2022 No. NAME DESCRIPTION from County from County Eligible to COUNCILLORS 2017 RATIO 2022 RATIO average average Vote 1 Bodelwyddan The Community of Bodelwyddan 1 1,635 1,635 1,828 1,828 1,734

1% 9% 2 Corwen The Town of Corwen 1 1,872 1,872 15% 1,922 1,922 14% 1,886 3 Denbigh Central The Central Ward of the Town of Denbigh 1 1,610 1,610 -1% 1,610 1,610 -4% 1,688 4 Denbigh Lower The Lower Ward of the Town of Denbigh 2 3,606 1,803 11% 3,830 1,915 14% 3,671 The Community of Henllan 689 (752) and the Upper Ward of 5 Denbigh Upper/Henllan 2 2,407 1,204 2,547 1,274 2,496 the Town of Denbigh 1,718 (1,795) -26% -24% 6 Dyserth The Community of Dyserth 1 1,957 1,957 21% 2,149 2,149 28% 1,862

The Communities of Betws Gwerfil Goch 283 (283), Clocaenog 7 Efenechtyd 1 1,369 1,369 1,528 1,528 1,253 196 (196), Derwen 375 (412) and Efenechtyd 515 (637) -16% -9%

The Communities of Llanarmon-yn-Ial 900 (960), Llandegla 512 8 Llanarmon-yn-Ial/Llandegla 1 2,070 2,070 2,149 2,149 2,021 (512) and Llanferres 658 (677). 28% 28% Llanbedr Dyffryn The Communities of Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd 669 (727) and 9 1 1,213 1,213 -25% 1,292 1,292 -23% 1,229 Clwyd/Llangynhafal Llangynhafal 544 (565) 10 Llandrillo The Communities of Cynwyd 468 (494) and Llandrillo 497 (530) 1 965 965 -41% 1,024 1,024 -39% 996 The Community of Aberwheeler 269 (269), Llandyrnog 869 11 Llandyrnog 1 1,761 1,761 1,836 1,836 1,689 (944) and Llanynys 623 (623) 8% 9%

Llanfair Dyffryn The Community of Bryneglwys 307 (364), Gwyddelwern 403 12 1 1,840 1,840 13% 2,056 2,056 22% 1,889 Clwyd/Gwyddelwern (432), Llanelidan 282 (282) and Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd 848 (978)

The Community of Llantysilio 348 (382) and Llangollen 3,060 13 Llangollen 2 3,408 1,704 3,588 1,794 3,410 (3,206) 5% 7% The Community of Cyffylliog 416 (416), Llanrhaeadr-Yng- 14 Llanrhaeadr-Yng-Nghinmeirch 1 1,534 1,534 1,591 1,591 1,566 Nghinmeirch 846 (903) and Nantglyn 272 (272) -5% -5% 15 Prestatyn Central The Central Ward of the Town of Prestatyn 2 2,932 1,466 -10% 2,973 1,487 -12% 2,843 16 Prestatyn East The East Ward of the Town of Prestatyn 2 3,280 1,640 1% 3,280 1,640 -3% 3,219 17 Prestatyn Meliden The Meliden Ward of the Town of Prestatyn 1 1,562 1,562 -4% 1,666 1,666 -1% 1,542 The North 3,438 (3,507) and North West 1,413 (1,413) Wards 18 Prestatyn North 3 4,851 1,617 4,920 1,640 4,592 of the Town of Prestatyn 0% -3% 19 Prestatyn South West The South West Ward of the Town of Prestatyn 2 2,883 1,442 -11% 2,883 1,442 -14% 2,871 20 Rhuddlan The Town of Rhuddlan 2 2,928 1,464 -10% 2,977 1,489 -12% 3,064 The Brynhedydd 1,683 (1,683) and Plastirion 2,099 (2,176) 21 Rhyl East 2 3,782 1,891 3,859 1,930 3,521 Wards of the Town of Rhyl 16% 15% 22 Rhyl South The Derwen Ward of the Town of Rhyl 2 2,989 1,495 -8% 2,989 1,495 -11% 2,972 The Trellewelyn 2,827 (3,078) and Ty Newydd 3,389 (3,389) 23 Rhyl South East 3 6,216 2,072 6,467 2,156 5,818 Wards of the Town of Rhyl 28% 28% The Cefndy 2,478 (2,499) and Pendyffryn 1,383 (1,396) Wards 24 Rhyl South West 2 3,861 1,931 3,895 1,948 3,804 of the Town of Rhyl 19% 16% The Bodfor 1,537 (1,537) and Foryd 2,038 (2,082) Wards of the 25 Rhyl West 2 3,575 1,788 3,619 1,810 3,496 Town of Rhyl 10% 8% 26 Ruthin The Town of Ruthin 3 4,457 1,486 -8% 4,661 1,554 -8% 4,460 DENBIGHSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL EXISTING COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP

% variance % variance Population No. OF ELECTORATE 2017 ELECTORATE 2022 No. NAME DESCRIPTION from County from County Eligible to COUNCILLORS 2017 RATIO 2022 RATIO average average Vote

27 St. Asaph East The East Ward of the City of St Asaph 1 1,480 1,480 -9% 1,684 1,684 0% 1,391 28 St. Asaph West The West Ward of the City of St Asaph 1 1,319 1,319 -19% 1,319 1,319 -22% 1,326 The Communities of Cefnmeiriadog 319 (319) and Trefnant 29 Trefnant 1 1,561 1,561 1,561 1,561 1,574 1,242 (1,242) -4% -7% The Community of Bodfari 307 (333), Cwm 282 (282), 30 Tremeirchion 1 1,369 1,369 1,395 1,395 1,315 Tremeirchion 590 (590) and Waen 190 (190) -16% -17% TOTAL: 47 76,292 1,623 79,098 1,683 75,198 Ratio is the number of electors per councillor Electoral figures supplied by Denbighshire County Council Population figures supplied by the Office for National Statistics

2017 2022 Greater than + or - 50% of County average 0 0% 0 0% Between + or - 25% and + or - 50% of County average 5 17% 4 13% Between + or - 10% and + or - 25% of County average 11 37% 13 43% Between 0% and + or - 10% of County average 14 47% 13 43% APPENDIX 2 Pa ge 2 DENBIGHSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL FINAL RECOMMENDED COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Page1 APPENDIX 3

% variance % variance No. OF ELECTORATE 2017 ELECTORATE 2022 No. NAME DESCRIPTION from County from County COUNCILLORS 2017 RATIO 2022 RATIO average average The Communities of Llanarmon-yn-Ial 900 (960) and Llandegla 512 1 Alyn Valley 1 1,412 1,412 -11% 1,472 1,472 -11% (512) 2 Bodelwyddan The Community of Bodelwyddan 1 1,635 1,635 3% 1,828 1,828 11% The Community of Henllan 689 (752) and the Central 1,610 (1,610) and 3 Denbigh Caledfryn Henllan 3 4,017 1,339 -16% 4,157 1,386 -16% Upper 1,718 (1,795) Wards of the Town of Denbigh 4 Denbigh Lower The Lower Ward of the Town of Denbigh 2 3,606 1,803 13% 3,830 1,915 16% 5 Dyserth The Community of Dyserth 1 1,957 1,957 23% 2,149 2,149 30% The Communities of Cynwyd 468 (494) and Llandrillo 497 (530) and the 6 Edeirnion 2 2,837 1,419 -11% 2,946 1,473 -11% Town of Corwen 1,872 (1,922) The Communities of Betws Gwerfil Goch 283 (283), Clocaenog 196 7 Efenechtyd 1 1,369 1,369 -14% 1,528 1,528 -7% (196), Derwen 375 (412) and Efenechtyd 515 (637) The Community of Aberwheeler 269 (269), Llandyrnog 869 (944) and 8 Llandyrnog 1 1,761 1,761 11% 1,836 1,836 11% Llanynys 623 (623) Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd The Community of Bryneglwys 307 (364), Gwyddelwern 403 (432), 9 1 1,840 1,840 16% 2,056 2,056 25% Gwyddelwern Llanelidan 282 (282) and Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd 848 (978) The Town of Llangollen 3,060 (3,206) and the Community of Llantysilio 10 Llangollen 2 3,408 1,704 7% 3,588 1,794 9% 348 (382) The Community of Cyffylliog 416 (416), Llanrhaeadr-Yng-Nghinmeirch 11 Llanrhaeadr-yng-Nghinmeirch 1 1,534 1,534 -3% 1,591 1,591 -3% 846 (903) and Nantglyn 272 (272) The Communities of Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd 669 (727), Llanferres 658 12 Moel Famau 1 1,871 1,871 18% 1,969 1,969 19% (677) and Llangynhafal 544 (565) 13 Prestatyn Central The Central Ward of the Town of Prestatyn 2 2,932 1,466 -8% 2,973 1,487 -10% 14 Prestatyn East The East Ward of the Town of Prestatyn 2 3,280 1,640 3% 3,280 1,640 0% 15 Prestatyn Meliden The Meliden Ward of the Town of Prestatyn 1 1,562 1,562 -2% 1,666 1,666 1% The North 3,438 (3,507) and North West 1,413 (1,413) Wards of the 16 Prestatyn North 3 4,851 1,617 2% 4,920 1,640 0% Town of Prestatyn 17 Prestatyn South West The South West Ward of the Town of Prestatyn 2 2,883 1,442 -9% 2,883 1,442 -13% 18 Rhuddlan The Town of Rhuddlan 2 2,928 1,464 -8% 2,977 1,489 -10% The Brynhedydd 1,683 (1,683) and Plastirion 2,099 (2,176) Wards of the 19 Rhyl East 2 3,782 1,891 19% 3,859 1,930 17% Town of Rhyl 20 Rhyl South The Derwen Ward of the Town of Rhyl 2 2,989 1,495 -6% 2,989 1,495 -9% The Cefndy 2,478 (2,499) and Pendyffryn 1,383 (1,396) Wards of the 21 Rhyl South West 2 3,861 1,931 21% 3,895 1,948 18% Town of Rhyl 22 Rhyl Trellewelyn The Trellewelyn Ward of the Town of Rhyl 2 2,827 1,414 -11% 3,078 1,539 -7% 23 Rhyl Tŷ Newydd The Ty Newydd Ward of the Town of Rhyl 2 3,389 1,695 7% 3,389 1,695 3% The Bodfor 1,537 (1,537) and Foryd 2,038 (2,082) Wards of the Town of 24 Rhyl West 2 3,575 1,788 12% 3,619 1,810 10% Rhyl 25 Ruthin The Town of Ruthin 3 4,457 1,486 -7% 4,661 1,554 -6% 26 St Asaph East The East Ward of the City of St Asaph 1 1,480 1,480 -7% 1,684 1,684 2% 27 St Asaph West The West Ward of the City of St Asaph 1 1,319 1,319 -17% 1,319 1,319 -20% DENBIGHSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL 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 The Communities of Cefnmeiriadog 319 (319) and Trefnant 1,242 28 Trefnant 1 1,561 1,561 -2% 1,561 1,561 -5% (1,242) The Community of Bodfari 307 (333), Cwm 282 (282), Tremeirchion 590 29 Tremeirchion 1 1,369 1,369 -14% 1,395 1,395 -15% (590) and Waen 190 (190) TOTAL: 48 76,292 1,589 79,098 1,648 Ratio is the number of electors per councillor Electoral figures supplied by Denbighshire County Council Population figures supplied by the Office for National Statistics

2017 2022 Greater than + or - 50% of County average 0 0% 0 0% Between + or - 25% and + or - 50% of County average 0 0% 1 3% Between + or - 10% and + or - 25% of County average 15 52% 13 45% Between 0% and + or - 10% of County average 14 48% 15 52% APPENDIX 3 Pa ge 2 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 asked the Commission to submit a report in respect of the review of electoral arrangements for the County of Denbighshire 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 2013 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 near 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 1998 there has been a number of changes to local government boundaries in Denbighshire.

• The Denbighshire County Council (Bodelwyddan and Ruthin) Town Councils Community Ward Review Order 1999. • The Denbighshire County Council (Llanrhaeadr Yng Nghinmeirch) Community Council Ward Review Order 2003. • The Denbighshire County Council (Denbigh) Community Council Ward Review Order 2003. • The Denbighshire (Rhuddlan, Rhyl, Dyserth and Prestatyn) Order 2003 • The Community of Rhyl Order 2006. • The Denbighshire (Prestatyn Community) Order 2016.

8. City status was bestowed upon St Asaph on the 1 June 2012.

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Procedure

9. 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, the Commission wrote on 25 October 2017 to Denbighshire County Council, all the Community 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 our intention to conduct the review and to request their preliminary views. The Commission invited the County Council to submit a suggested scheme or schemes for new electoral arrangements and also requested Denbighshire County Council display a number of public notices in their area. The Commission also made available copies of the Electoral Reviews: Policy and Practice document. In addition, the Commission made a presentation to both County and Community Councillors explaining the review process. The initial consultation period closed on 23 January 2018.

10. In line with Section 35 of Chapter 4 of the Act, the Commission published its Draft Proposals Report on 14 September 2018, notifying the listed mandatory consultees and other interested parties of a period of consultation on the draft proposals would commence on 21 September 2018 and end on 13 December 2018. The Commission met with Denbighshire County Council Group Leaders and Chief Executive to discuss the Draft Proposals and the process of developing the Final Recommendations. The Commission invited the County Council and other interested parties to submit comments on the Draft Proposals and how they could be improved. The Commission also asked Denbighshire County Council to display copies of the report alongside public notices in the area.

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

Policy and Practice

12. The Commission published the Electoral Reviews: Policy and Practice document in November 2016. This document details the Commission’s 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 is taken 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 the Commission must consider.

13. 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.

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Crown Copyright

14. The maps included in this report, and published on the Commission’s 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.

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SUMMARY OF REPRESENTATIONS RECEIVED FOR THE COMMISSIONS DRAFT CONSULTATION ON THE REVIEW OF ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS IN THE COUNTY OF DENBIGHSHIRE

1. Denbighshire County Council emailed on 4th December 2018 outlining the Council’s recommendations and summary of discussions of a Member Working Group to the Commission. Below is the response and recommendations sent to the Commission.

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2. Denbigh Town Council emailed on 16 November to state their objection to the Commission’s draft proposal. They considered that it the proposed electoral ward Denbigh Central and Upper with Henllan would be a mix of urban and rural communities which was in contradiction of the Commission’s guidelines that they had received. They declared their preference for the existing arrangements.

3. Llanferres Community Council wrote on 3 November 2018 to reiterate their views that they submitted as joint response from Llanarmon yn Iâl, Llandegla and Llanferres Community Councils in the initial consultation. They unanimously agree that they want to retain the existing electoral ward of Llanarmon-yn-Iâl/ Llangegla as it is, unchanged. They highlighted the historical ties of the area and the natural boundary created by the mountain range between Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd and Llanferres; the shared school catchment area; the social and cultural links e.g. Cor Dewi Sant. They suggested the electoral ward name be changed to Alyn Valley Ward as all three communities are linked by the River Alyn.

4. Rhyl Town Council wrote on 21 November 2018 to state their support for the draft proposal that the electoral ward of Rhyl South East be split into two electoral wards based on the existing town wards of Trellewelyn and Ty Newydd, with each electoral ward represented by two councillors. They also suggested a boundary change between the existing electoral wards of Rhyl South and Rhyl South East. This boundary change was not considered by the Commission as it did not meet within the remit of the electoral review and would need to be considered under a community review.

5. Councillor G Davies (Prestatyn South West) emailed on 11 October 2018 to recommend the looking into the possibility of the South West and the North West ward of the Town of Prestatyn being amalgamated to create a Prestatyn West ward represented by three councillors. He stated that there was a lot of confusion amongst residents of the North West town ward as it is a separate town council ward to the North town ward and feel a move to a ‘Prestatyn West’ Ward would lessen the confusion bring more direct democracy to that area of the town. He stated that there would be a bigger possibility of the same Councillors representing that ward on the Town and County Council Level. He also felt that it would make geographical sense and create better simplicity for residents.

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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.

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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, Monmouthshire, 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.

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