LOCAL DEMOCRACY AND BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR

Review of the Electoral Arrangements of the County Borough of the

Draft Proposals Report

February 2020

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

This is our report containing our Draft Proposals for the County Borough of the Vale of Glamorgan.

In September 2013, the Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (the Act) came into force. This was the first piece of legislation affecting the Commission for over 40 years and reformed and revamped the Commission, as well as changing the name of the Commission to the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales.

The Commission published its Council Size Policy for Wales’ 22 Principal Councils, its first review programme and a new Electoral Reviews: Policy and Practice document reflecting the changes made in the Act. A glossary of terms used in this report can be found at Appendix 1, with the rules and procedures at Appendix 4.

This review of the County Borough of the Vale of Glamorgan is the twentieth of the programme of reviews conducted under the new Act and Commission’s policy and practice. The issue of fairness is set out clearly in the legislation and has been a key principle for our Policy and Practice. We are also required to look to the future and have asked the Council to give us predictions of the number of electors in five years’ time. We also look at the number of electors not registered to vote.

In working up our proposals, we have considered local ties and those who wish to retain current boundaries. We have looked carefully at every representation made to us. However, we have had to balance these issues and representations against all the other factors we have to consider, and the constraints set out above. In particular, the requirement for electoral parity, democratic fairness for all electors, is the dominant factor in law and this is what we have tried to apply.

Finally, may I thank the Members and officers of the Principal Council for helping us develop our draft proposals, the Community and Town Councils for their contribution and all those who made representations.

We look forward to receiving any views you may wish to share.

Ceri Stradling Deputy Chair

LOCAL DEMOCRACY AND BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR WALES

REVIEW OF THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS OF THE COUNTY BOROUGH OF THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN

DRAFT PROPOSALS REPORT

Contents Page

Chapter 1 Introduction 1 Chapter 2 Summary of Draft Proposals 2 Chapter 3 Assessment 5 Chapter 4 The Draft Proposals 8 Chapter 5 Summary of Proposed Arrangements 36 Chapter 6 Responses to this Report 38 Chapter 7 Acknowledgements 39

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

1st Edition printed February 2020

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 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

Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION

1. The Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales (the Commission) is conducting a review of the electoral arrangements of the County Borough of the Vale of Glamorgan. This review is being conducted in accordance with the Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (the Act), specifically Sections 29, 30 and 34-36.

2. The Commission has a duty to conduct a review of all 22 of Wales’ Principal Councils every ten years. This ten-year programme was due to commence in January 2014. However, due to the uncertainties in local government at the time the Commission suspended its programme. 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. 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.

3. 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.

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. The Commission is now seeking views on the proposed electoral arrangements identified at Chapter 4 in this report. On receipt of these views the Commission will consider the representations and make final proposals to Welsh Government. It will then be for Welsh Government Ministers to make the Order, if they deem it appropriate, with or without modification.

6. The Commission welcomes representations that are based on evidence and facts which are relevant to the proposals under consideration.

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Chapter 2. SUMMARY OF DRAFT PROPOSALS • The Commission proposes a change to the arrangement of electoral wards that will achieve a significant improvement in the level of electoral parity across the County Borough of the Vale of Glamorgan. • The Commission proposes a council of 53 members, an increase from the current size of 47. This results in a proposed county average of 1,809 electors per member. • The Commission proposes 23 electoral wards. • The largest under-representation (in terms of electoral variance) within the proposals is Plymouth (23% above the proposed county average). At present the greatest under- representation is in Rhoose (50% above the proposed county average). • The largest over-representation (in terms of electoral variance) within the proposals is St Athan (26% below the proposed county average). At present the greatest over- representation is in Llandough (27% below the proposed county average). • The Commission is proposing 19 multi-member wards in the county consisting of: ten two- member electoral wards; seven three-member electoral wards; and, two four-member electoral wards. • The Commission has proposed to retain ten electoral wards. • The Commission proposes to have one electoral ward ( and Llandough) within the county which combines a part of a warded community, along with its neighbouring community. • The Commission received 18 representations from: The Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council, one MP, eight community and town councils, two councillors, three interest groups and three residents. The Commission considered the representations carefully before it formulated its proposals. A summary of these representations can be found at Appendix 5.

Summary Maps 1. On the following pages are thematic maps illustrating the current and proposed arrangements and their variances from the proposed county average of 1,809 electors per member. Those areas in green are within +/-10% of the county average; yellow and hatched yellow between +/-10% and +/-25% of the county average; orange and hatched orange between +/-25% and +/-50% of the county average; and, those in red and hatched red are over +/-50% of the county average. 2. As can be seen from these maps, the proposed arrangements provide for a significant improvement in electoral parity across the county.

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Chapter 3. ASSESSMENT Council size 1. The number of elected members for the County Borough of the Vale of Glamorgan has been determined by the Commission’s Council Size Policy and methodology. This policy can be found in our Electoral Reviews: Policy and Practice document. At present, the size of the council at 47 members is four members below the methodology’s overall aim. The methodology sets out a size of the council of 51 for this review. 2. The Commission reviewed the electoral arrangements for the County Borough of the Vale of Glamorgan, in light of its methodology and took into account the representations which had been made. For the reasons given below, the Commission considers that in the interests of effective and convenient local government, a council of 53 members would be appropriate to represent the County Borough of the Vale of Glamorgan. 3. The Commission has provided a set of arrangements that provides for effective and convenient local government. The Commission is restrained by the building blocks that it can use to create new electoral wards. The current building blocks in the County Borough of the Vale of Glamorgan have led the Commission to creating the proposals as set out in Chapter 4 of this report. Number of electors 4. The numbers shown as the electorate for 2019 and the estimates for the electorate in the year 2024 are those submitted by the County Borough of the Vale of Glamorgan. The forecast figures supplied by the County Borough of the Vale of Glamorgan show a forecasted increase in the electorate of The Vale of Glamorgan from 95,865 to 110,768. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has also provided their estimated number of persons eligible to vote but who are not on the electoral register. This showed an estimated 7,581 fewer people eligible to vote than the 2019 electorate. 5. The Commission is aware that the Welsh Government is legislating 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 the County Borough of the Vale of Glamorgan, they will have been included in the forecasted figures provided by the Council. These figures have 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 2,040 electors per councillor ranging from 27% below (1,490 electors – Llandough) to 50% above (6,111 electors – Rhoose). The determination of the council of 53 members (see paragraph 2) results in an average of 1,809 electors being represented by each councillor. 9. The Commission considered the ratio of local government electors to the number of

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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 size and character of the council was also considered as were a wide range of other factors including local topography, road communications and local ties. Judgement and Balance 10. In producing a scheme of electoral arrangements, the Commission must have regard to a number of issues contained in the legislation. In the proposed scheme, the Commission 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 are an appropriate combination of existing communities and community wards. 11. In some areas, because of the number of electors in a community or community ward, the Commission has considered the retention or creation of multi-member wards in order to achieve appropriate levels of electoral parity. This issue often arises in urban areas where the number of electors is too high to form a single-member ward. It also may arise in more rural wards where the creation of single-member wards would result in substantial variances in electoral parity. 12. 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 the Commission must consider. The Commission recognises that there may be different combinations of communities and community wards that better reflect community ties and it would welcome any alternative suggestions that comply with the legislation. Electoral Ward Names 13. The Commission is naming electoral wards and not the places within the proposed electoral wards. In the creation of these draft proposals, the Commission has considered the names of all the electoral wards proposed in Welsh and English, where appropriate. For these draft proposals we have selected names of either electoral wards or communities that appear in Orders, where they exist, as these are considered to be the existing legal names. Views are welcomed on the proposed names and any alternative names suggested will be considered. 14. The Commission consulted with the Commissioner on the suitability of the names in their draft form prior to the publication of these draft proposals, 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. At each proposal an indication is given of the Welsh Language Commissioner’s recommendation and, where they differ, the specific recommendation and why the Commissioner proposed an alternative to the Commission’s proposed name. It is hoped that this process will encourage debate on the proposed names and will ensure the eventual, final proposals of the Commission are accurate and meet local wishes. Community and Town Council Arrangements 15. The Commission wishes to highlight that this review of electoral arrangements is seeking to make improvements to electoral representation within The Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council. This process is independent from any changes to arrangements concerning community or town councils. Where combinations of communities or their wards are used to

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create electoral wards, the individual communities in question will retain their existing community council arrangements. These councils will remain independent following the outcome of this review, any precepts generated, or assets contained with a community or town council will remain part of that community council. 16. Changes to community arrangements are dealt with under a separate section of the legislation, as part of a community review led by the Council.

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Chapter 4. THE DRAFT PROPOSALS 1. The Commission’s proposals 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 proposed county average; • Key arguments made during the initial consultation (if any). Although not all representations are mentioned in this section, all representations have been considered and a summary can be found in Appendix 5; • The views of the Commission; • The composition of the proposed electoral ward and the proposed name; • A map of the proposed electoral ward (see key on page 8).

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 proposed 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 proposing to retain.

• Buttrills • • • • Court • Plymouth • Cowbridge • Stanwell • Dyfan • Sully

3. The Commission would welcome any comments on the ward names mentioned in this section.

Proposed Electoral Wards 4. The Commission considered changes to the remaining electoral wards. Details of the current electoral arrangements can be found at Appendix 2. The Commission’s proposed arrangements can be found at Appendix 3.

Proposed Electoral Community Community Ward Ward Boundary Boundaries Boundaries

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St. Augustine’s 5. The existing St Augustine’s electoral ward is comprised of the St Augustine’s ward of the Town of . It has 5,104 electors (6,066 projected) represented by two councillors which is 41% above the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 5,974 eligible voters. 6. The Commission received three representations concerning this ward from: The Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council, and Penarth Marina and Haven Residents Association. 7. The Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council proposed adding an additional member to create a new three-member electoral ward to address the under-representation in the St Augustine’s electoral ward. 8. Penarth Town Council supported an increase in the number of members for the St Augustine’s electoral ward from two to three. 9. Penarth Marina and Haven Residents Association expressed their view that the area around Penarth Marina and Haven is sufficiently large enough to warrant its own councillor. They stated the area has 800 residential units, a number of businesses and restaurants as well as a distinct residents association and neighbourhood watch but did not provide specific mapping or information for the proposed ward. 10. The Commission proposes that the St Augustine’s ward of the Town of Penarth forms an electoral ward of 5,104 electors which, if represented by three councillors (an increase of one councillor), would result in a level of representation that is 6% below the proposed county average. 11. The Commission has given the proposed electoral ward the single name of St Augustine’s. The Welsh Language Commissioner is in agreement with the proposed name. The Commission would welcome any suggestions for alternative names. 12. The Commission agrees with the proposal of The Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council. This proposal provides for a significant improvement in electoral parity and has the support of the town council.

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Cornerswell and Llandough 13. The existing Cornerswell electoral ward is comprised of the Cornerswell ward of the Town of Penarth. It has 3,965 electors (4,409 projected) represented by two councillors which is 10% above the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 4,279 eligible voters. 14. The existing Llandough electoral ward is comprised of the Community of Llandough. It has 1,490 electors (1,681 projected) represented by one councillor which is 18% below the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 1,513 eligible voters. 15. The Commission received three representations with regard to these wards from: The Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council, Penarth Town Council and Llandough Community Council. 16. The Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council proposed to maintain the existing arrangements for these wards. 17. Penarth Town Council expressed their view that the Community of Llandough could be joined with the Town of Penarth to form an additional ward of the council. They additionally proposed changes to combine elements of the Cornerswell and St Augustine’s wards but did not provide any specific proposals. 18. Llandough Community Council wrote to state their view that the current electoral arrangements in the Llandough ward should not be changed. They cited in support of their representation that Llandough is an identifiable and separate community in the Eastern Vale and the Community Council is active in providing a range of facilities and services for residents. 19. The Commission proposes that the Cornerswell ward of the Town of Penarth and the Community of Llandough are combined to form an electoral ward of 5,455 electors (6,090 projected) which, if represented by three councillors, would result in a level of representation that is 1% above the proposed county average. 20. The Commission has given the proposed electoral ward the Welsh language name of Cornerswell a Llandoche; and the English language name of Cornerswell and Llandough. The Welsh Language Commissioner recommended the English language name of Cornerswell and Llandough and the Welsh name of Cornerswell a Llandochau. The Welsh Language Commissioner notes, although Llandoche is the Welsh form recommended in the standard reference book, Gazetteer of Welsh Place-names (University of Wales Press, 1967), Llandochau has become a well-established form. The Commission would welcome any suggestions for alternative names. 21. The projected variance for the existing Llandough electoral ward increases to 29% below the proposed county average and this requires the Commission to consider alternative arrangements for the area. The Commission considers that while this proposal does split the Town of Penarth, combining Cornerswell and Llandough provides the most appropriate option to improve electoral variance. 22. The Commission wishes to be clear that this proposal is for the County Borough Council representation only. The underlying community arrangements will remain the same.

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Dinas Powys 23. The existing Dinas Powys electoral ward is composed of the Communities of Dinas Powys and Michaelston. It has 6,086 electors (7,355 projected) represented by four councillors which is 16% below the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 6,563 eligible voters. 24. The Commission received two representations concerning this ward from The Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council and Dinas Powys Community Council. 25. The Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council proposed to maintain the existing arrangements for this ward 26. Dinas Powys Community Council expressed its view that no changes should be made to Dinas Powys’ electoral arrangements and that it retain its current four members. They stated that any division to the community would be artificial and a detriment to community ties. They also advised that the population of the ward is set to increase significantly with the completion of three new housing developments and that there had been no complaints from the local population that the ward has too many councillors. 27. The Commission proposes the existing electoral ward of Dinas Powys form an electoral ward of 6,086 electors which, if represented by three councillors (a decrease of one councillor), would result in a level of representation that is 12% above the proposed county average. 28. The Commission has given the proposed electoral ward the single name of Dinas Powys. The Welsh Language Commissioner is in agreement with the proposed name. The Commission would welcome any suggestions for alternative names. 29. The Commission considered Dinas Powys Community Council’s representation and agreed that any split would be artificial, however, a reduction in members does provide better electoral parity for the area and is still acceptable on the projected figures.

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Baruc 30. The existing electoral ward is comprised of the Baruc ward of the Town of Barry. It has 5,589 electors (6,680 projected) represented by two councillors which is 54% above the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 5,427 eligible voters. 31. The Commission received four representations concerning this ward from The Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council, the Rt Hon Alun Cairns MP, The Vale of Glamorgan Conservative Group and a member of the public. 32. The Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council proposed adding an additional member to the Baruc electoral ward to increase the number of councillors from two to three in order to improve electoral parity. 33. The Rt. Hon Alun Cairns MP expressed his view that the electoral wards within the Town of Barry do not represent the identity and culture of the communities they represent. The MP suggested that the wards are realigned and made several proposals but did not provide specific mapping or information for these proposals. 34. The Vale of Glamorgan Conservative Council Group proposed creating nine new electoral wards within the Town of Barry in order to correct electoral variance in the area and better represent the distinct community identities within the Town. As part of their representation they proposed: • Splitting the Baruc electoral ward into single member wards for , the Waterfront and the mainland section of Baruc itself. 35. A member of the public proposed a number of changes to the Town of Barry to remove anomalies as well as realign its community ward boundaries along community lines. Specifically, it was suggested: • That the Barry Island and Waterfront areas are split from the current Baruc electoral ward to become separate single-member electoral wards. 36. The Commission proposes that the Baruc ward of the Town of Barry forms an electoral ward of 5,589 electors (6,680 projected) which, if represented by three councillors (an increase of one councillor), would result in a level of representation that is 3% above the proposed county average. 37. The Commission has given the proposed electoral ward the single name of Baruc. The Welsh Language Commissioner is in agreement with the proposed name. The Commission would welcome any suggestions for alternative names. 38. The Commission considered the representation made by The Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council and agreed that the proposal to increase the number of members would improve electoral parity in the ward. 39. The Commission considered the other representations to divide the Baruc ward into three single member wards. However, the Commission considers that the proposed boundaries do not appear to be easily identifiable and have been created arbitrarily. The proposed changes may more appropriately be considered as part of a Community Review conducted by the County Borough Council.

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Cadoc 40. The existing electoral ward is comprised of the Cadoc ward of the Town of Barry. It has 7,000 electors (7,825 projected) represented by three councillors which is 29% above the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 7,909 eligible voters. 41. The Commission received three representations concerning this ward from The Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council, the Rt Hon Alun Cairns MP and the Vale of Glamorgan Conservative Group and a member of the public. 42. The Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council proposed retaining the current arrangements for this ward. 43. The Rt. Hon Alun Cairns MP expressed his view that the electoral wards within the Town of Barry do not represent the identity and culture of the communities they represent. The MP suggested that the wards are realigned and made several proposals but did not provide specific mapping or information for these proposals. 44. The Vale of Glamorgan Conservative Council Group proposed creating nine new electoral wards within the Town of Barry in order to correct electoral variance in the area and better represent the distinct community identities within the region. As part of their representation they provided a street by street breakdown of their changes. Specifically, they proposed: • The Cadoc electoral ward is split into three single-member wards of Cadoxton, and Palmerstown.

Additionally, the Conservative Group proposed amendments to the boundaries of Cadoc and Gibbonsdown that would remove what they considered to be electoral ward anomalies in those areas where electors are isolated from their electoral ward. 45. The Commission proposes that the Cadoc ward of the Town of Barry form an electoral ward of 7,000 electors which, if represented by four councillors (an increase of one) would result in a level of representation that is 3% below the proposed county average. 46. The Commission has given the proposed electoral ward the Welsh language name of Cadog; and the English language name of Cadoc. The Welsh Language Commissioner recommended the single name of Cadog. The Welsh Language Commissioner notes 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. The Welsh spelling with a -g- is seen in Llangatwg (Cadoxton-juxta-Neath) and in Tregatwg (Cadoxton). Note that Catwg is an often used form in south-east Wales for the name Cadog. The Commission would welcome any suggestions for alternative names. 47. The Commission considered the other representations to divide the Cadoc ward into three single member wards. However, the Commission considers that the proposed boundaries do not appear to be easily identifiable and have been created arbitrarily. The proposed changes may more appropriately be considered as part of a Community Review conducted by the County Borough Council. 48. The Commission considered the existing and projected arrangements for the Cadoc ward and it is the view of the Commission that a three-member ward would return a high level of electoral variance. The Commission has therefore made an exception to its policy to not create any new four-member wards. The Commission is of the view that it is appropriate to do this

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in this instance but would welcome suggestions for alternative arrangements.

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Llandow/Ewenny, Llantwit Major and St. Bride’s Major 49. The existing Llandow/Ewenny electoral ward is composed of the Communities of Colwinston, Ewenny, Llandow and Llangan. It has 2,252 electors (2,211 projected) represented by one councillor which is 25% above the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 2,174 eligible voters. 50. The existing Llantwit Major electoral ward is composed of the Town of Llantwit Major and the Communities of Llanmaes and St. Donats. It has 7,665 electors (9,415 projected) represented by four councillors which is 6% above the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 8,500 eligible voters. 51. The existing St Bride’s Major electoral ward is composed of the Communities of St. Bride's Major and Wick. It has 2,539 electors (2,377 projected) represented by one councillor which is 40% above the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 2,334 eligible voters. 52. The Commission received four representations concerning these wards from: The Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council, Llantwit Major Town Council, Llanmaes Community Council and Llantwit First Independents Group. 53. The Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council proposed to retain the existing arrangements for these wards. 54. Llantwit Major Town Council expressed their support for the existing arrangement of four councillors in the Llantwit Major electoral ward. They state the work of the ward’s councillors warrants four members and that a reduction in their numbers would lead to a reduction in the effectiveness and quality of the service provided to electors. They also state that no changes in representation should be made until a comprehensive review of Town and Community Councils has been made. 55. Llanmaes Community Council expressed their support for the current four-member arrangement in the Llantwit Major electoral ward. They believe that reducing the number of councillors will adversely affect the current service provided by those councillors to the residents of the Llantwit Major electoral ward. They also expressed their preference that in the event of the current electoral ward being divided, that the Llanmaes community ward be part of an electoral ward consisting of mostly rural communities such as St Donats or Sigingstone. 56. Llantwit First Independents Group wrote to express their view that no changes should be made to Llantwit Major’s electoral arrangements on the grounds that the number of electors does not accurately represent the number of residents in the ward and therefore the workload of the councillors themselves. They also express the view that if the Commission wishes to expand Llantwit Major that it should consider adding Sigingstone to the electoral ward of Llantwit Major. 57. The Commission proposes that the Communities of Ewenny, St Bride’s Major, St Donats and Wick combine to form an electoral ward of 3,375 electors (3,209 projected) which, if represented by two councillors, would result in a level of representation that is 7% below the proposed county average. 58. The Commission has given the proposed electoral ward the Welsh language name of Saint-y- brid; and the English language name of St Bride’s Major. The Welsh Language Commissioner recommended the English language name of St Brides Major and the Welsh language name

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of Saint-y-brid. The Welsh Language Commissioner notes the current convention is to omit a full stop at the end of a contraction which includes the final letter of the word (Saint > St) and omit the possessive apostrophe. Therefore, note that there is no need for the apostrophe in the English form. These are the forms recommended in the standard reference book, A Gazetteer of Welsh Place-names (University of Wales Press, 1967). The Commission would welcome any suggestions for alternative names. 59. The Commission proposes, as a consequence, that the Communities of Colwinston, Llandow and Llangan combine to form an electoral ward of 1,649 electors (1,615 projected) which, if represented by one councillor, would result in a level of representation that is 9% below the proposed county average. 60. The Commission has given the proposed electoral ward the Welsh language name of Llandŵ; and the English language name of Llandow. The Welsh Language Commissioner is in agreement with the proposed name. The Commission would welcome any suggestions for alternative names. 61. The Commission proposes that, as a consequence, the Town of Llantwit Major and the Community of Llanmaes form an electoral ward of 7,432 electors (9,179 projected) which, if represented by four councillors, would result in a level of representation that is 3% above the proposed county average. 62. The Commission has given the proposed electoral ward the Welsh language name of Llanilltud Fawr and the English language name of Llantwit Major. The Welsh Language Commissioner is in agreement with the proposed name. The Commission would welcome any suggestions for alternative names. 63. The Commission considered all the representations received with regard to this area. However, it is the view of the Commission that this arrangement best addresses the existing levels of electoral variance whilst maintaining community ties. The Commission considers that the proposed electoral wards have a common identity and combining the areas as proposed would provide for effective electoral wards, which would build on the established community, communication and social links within the area.

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St. Athan 64. The existing St Athan electoral ward is comprised of the Community of St. Athan. It has 2,659 electors (4,124 projected) represented by one councillor which is 47% above the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 3,577 eligible voters. 65. The Commission received one representation regarding this ward from The Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council. 66. The Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council proposed adding an additional member to the St Athan electoral ward to increase the number of councillors from one to two, in order to improve electoral parity. 67. The Commission proposes that the Community of St. Athan forms an electoral ward of 2,659 electors (4,124 projected) which, if represented by two councillors, would result in a level of representation that is 26% below the proposed county average. 68. The Commission has given the proposed electoral ward the Welsh language name of Sain Tathan and the English language name of St Athan. The Welsh Language Commissioner is in agreement with the proposed name. The Commission would welcome any suggestions for alternative names. 69. The Commission agrees with the proposal of The Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council and the improvement in electoral parity. The Commission acknowledge that the proposed ward is marginally above the limit set out for electoral parity, but the projected figure does provide for an appropriate level of electoral variance. However, it is the view of the Commission that this arrangement provides a significant improvement in electoral parity and provides an electoral ward that is identifiable.

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Peterston-super-Ely, Rhoose and Wenvoe 70. The existing Peterston-super-Ely electoral ward is composed of the Communities of Pendoylan, Peterston-Super-Ely, St. Georges-super-Ely and Welsh St. Donats. It has 1,840 electors (1,804 projected) represented by one councillor which is 2% above the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 1,784 eligible voters. 71. The Rhoose electoral ward is composed of the Communities of Llancarfan and Rhoose. It has 6,111 electors (6,436 projected) represented by two councillors which is 69% above the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 5,637 eligible voters. 72. The existing Wenvoe electoral ward is composed of the Communities of St. Nicholas and Bonvilston and, Wenvoe. It has 2,650 electors (2,941 projected) represented by one councillor which is 46% above the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 2,362 eligible voters. 73. The Commission received three representations concerning these wards from: The Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council, Wenvoe Community Council and a member of the public. 74. The Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council proposed adding an additional member to the Rhoose electoral ward. 75. Wenvoe Community Council proposed that the Community of St. Nicholas and Bonvilston could be transferred either wholly or in part to the Peterson-Super-Ely electoral ward in order to improve electoral parity in the area. 76. The member of the public stated their view that the electorate in Wenvoe had sufficiently increased that the area could be split into two electoral wards. 77. The Commission proposes that the Communities of Llancarfan, St. Georges-super-Ely and St. Nicholas and Bonvilston combine to form an new electoral ward with 1,621 electors (1,880 projected) which, if represented by one councillor, would result in a level of representation that is 10% below the proposed county average. 78. The Commission has given the proposed electoral ward the Welsh language name of Sain Nicolas a Thresimwn and the English language name of St Nicholas and Llancarfan. The Welsh Language Commissioner is in agreement but noted that Llancarfan in the English name does not correspond to Tresimwn in the Welsh name. You could use Llancarfan instead of Tresimwn in the Welsh name or use Bonvilston (English form for Tresimwn) instead of Llancarfan in the English name. The Commission would welcome any suggestions for alternative names 79. The Commission, as a consequence, proposes that the Communities of Pendoylan, Peterston- Super-Ely and Welsh St. Donats combine to form a new electoral ward with 1,515 electors (1,491 projected) which, if represented by one councillor, would result in a level of representation that is 16% below the proposed county average. 80. The Commission has given the proposed electoral ward the Welsh language name of Llanbedr- y-fro and the English language name of Peterston-Super-Ely. The Welsh Language Commissioner is in agreement with the proposed name. The Commission would welcome any suggestions for alternative names. 81. The Commission proposes, as a consequence, the Community of Wenvoe forms an electoral ward of 1,957 electors (1,930 projected) which, if represented by one councillor, would result in a level of representation that is 8% above the proposed county average.

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82. The Commission has given the proposed electoral ward the Welsh language name of Gwenfô and the English language name of Wenvoe. The Welsh Language Commissioner is in agreement with the proposed name. The Commission would welcome any suggestions for alternative names. 83. The Commission proposes that the Community of Rhoose forms an electoral ward of 5,508 electors (5,880 projected) which, if represented by three councillors, would result in a level of representation that is 2% above the proposed county average. 84. The Commission has given the proposed electoral ward the Welsh language name of Y Rhws and the English language name of Rhoose. The Welsh Language Commissioner is in agreement with the proposed name. The Commission would welcome any suggestions for alternative names. 85. The Commission considered the County Borough Council’s representation and agrees that the additional member for the Rhoose electoral ward would be appropriate. However, the existing ward of Wenvoe has significant under-representation with respect to the existing electorate and the projected electorate which needs to be addressed. 86. The Commission considered the other representations and agreed that the Community of St. Nicholas and Bonvilston should be transferred and that the Community of Wenvoe could form its own electoral ward. 87. The Commission considers that the rural identities of the Communities of Llancarfan and St. Nicholas and Bonvilston would be better served being combined with other, more rural, communities. 88. It is the view of the Commission that these arrangements best address the existing levels of electoral variance within the area and are supported by all representations received.

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Chapter 5. SUMMARY OF PROPOSED ARRANGEMENTS 1. The existing electoral arrangements (as shown in Appendix 2) provide for the following levels of electoral representation within the County Borough of the Vale of Glamorgan: • Electoral variance ranges from 27% below the current county average (Llandough) to 50% above the current county average (Rhoose) of 2,040 electors per councillor. • None of the electoral wards had levels of representation more than 50% above or below the current county average of 2,040 electors per councillor. • Seven electoral wards have levels of representation between 25% and 50% above or below the current county average of 2,040 electors per councillor. • Nine electoral wards have levels of representation between 10% and 25% above or below the current county average of 2,040 electors per councillor. • Seven electoral wards have levels of representation less than 10% above or below the current county average of 2,040 electors per councillor. 2. In comparison with the existing electoral arrangements shown above, the proposed electoral arrangements (as shown in Appendix 3) illustrate the following improvements to the electoral representation across the County Borough of the Vale of Glamorgan: • Electoral variance ranges from 26% below the proposed county average (St Athan) to 23% above the proposed county average (Plymouth) of 1,809 electors per councillor. • One of the electoral wards (St Athan) has levels of representation marginally more than 25% above or below the proposed county average of 1,809 electors per councillor. • 10 electoral wards have levels of representation between 10% and 25% above or below the proposed county average of 1,809 electors per councillor. • 12 electoral wards have levels of representation less than 10% above or below the proposed county average of 1,809 electors per councillor. 3. As described in Appendix 4, 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. In the Commission’s proposed scheme, it has placed emphasis on achieving improvements in electoral parity whilst maintaining community ties wherever possible. 4. The Commission recognises that the creation of electoral wards which depart from the pattern which now exists may impact upon existing ties between communities and straddle multiple community councils. As such, the Commission has made every effort to ensure that the revised electoral wards are appropriate combinations of existing communities and community wards. 5. 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. The Commission recognises however that there may be different combinations of communities and community wards that better reflect community ties and it would welcome any alternative suggestions that comply with the legislation.

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6. In this document the proposed electoral wards have been given working names which are intended to represent an area rather than particular settlements, villages, or towns. The Commission recognises that there may be names that are more appropriate, it would welcome alternative suggestions. The Commission would request that these suggested names should not merely consist of listed communities and villages but, instead, should reflect the character of the areas involved as well as being effective in either Welsh or English. 7. This draft scheme represents the Commission’s preliminary views on the electoral arrangements for the County Borough of the Vale of Glamorgan. It welcomes any representations in respect of these proposals. The Commission will consider carefully all representations made to it before formulating our final proposals and submitting them to the Welsh Government.

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Chapter 6. RESPONSES TO THIS REPORT 1. All observations on these draft proposals should be sent to: The Chief Executive Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales Hastings House Fitzalan Court Cardiff CF24 0BL

Or by email to:

[email protected]

no later than 26 May 2020.

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Chapter 7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 1. The Commission wishes to express its gratitude to the principal council, the Community Councils and other interested bodies and persons for their assistance during the course of developing these draft proposals. The Commission commend the draft proposals contained within this report.

CERI STRADLING (Deputy Chair)

DAVID POWELL (Member)

JULIE MAY (Member)

THEODORE JOLOZA (Member)

SHEREEN WILLIAMS (Chief Executive)

February 2020

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