review of the electoral arrangements of the county of ......jun 23, 2016 · a marked improvement...

LOCAL DEMOCRACY AND BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR WALES

Review of the Electoral Arrangements of the County of Ceredigion

Final Recommendations Report

May 2019

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FOREWORD

The Commission is pleased to present this Report to the Minister, which contains its recommendations for revised electoral arrangements for the County of Ceredigion.

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 Ceredigion 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.

Owen Watkin OBE DL Chair


REVIEW OF THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS OF THE

COUNTY OF CEREDIGION

FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS REPORT Contents Page

Chapter 1 Introduction 1

Chapter 2 The 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 51

Chapter 7 Responses to this Report 52

Chapter 8 Acknowledgements 53

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 May 2019

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

The Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales Hastings House Fitzalan Court

CARDIFF CF24 0BL

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

E-mail: [email protected]


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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 Ceredigion. This review wasconducted 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 arrangementsfor the County of Ceredigion and presents its final recommendations for future electoralarrangements.

3. This programme of reviews has come as a result of the former Cabinet Secretary for Financeand Local Government’s Written Statement of 23 June 2016, where the Commission wasasked to restart its programme of reviews, with an expectation that all 22 electoral reviewsbe completed in time for the new arrangements to be put in place for the 2022 localgovernment 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 ElectoralReviews: Policy and Practice [2016] and outlined in Appendix 4. A Glossary of Terms can befound at Appendix 1, providing a short description of some of the common terminology usedwithin this report.

5. Section 35 of the Act lays down the procedural guidelines which are to be followed in carryingout a review. In compliance with Section 35 the Commission wrote to Ceredigion CountyCouncil, all the community and town councils in the area, the mandatory consultees and otherinterested parties on 17 January 2017 to inform them of our intention to conduct the reviewand request their preliminary views. This consultation ran from 26 January 2017 to 19 April2017. The Commission also made copies of its Electoral Reviews: Policy and Practice [2016]document available.

6. The Commission published its Draft Proposals Report on 16 January 2018, and requestedviews on the proposals. This consultation ran from 23 January 2018 to 16 April 2018.

7. The Commission publicised the review on its website and social media channels and askedCeredigion County Council to publicise the review and provided the Council with a number ofpublic notices to display. These were also provided to the community and town councils inthe area. In addition, the Commission made a presentation to both county and town andcommunity councillors to explain the review process and the Commission’s policies. TheCounty Council was invited to submit a suggested scheme for new electoral arrangements.

CEREDIGION FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS REPORT

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Chapter 2. THE DRAFT PROPOSALS 1. Prior to the formulation of the draft proposals, the Commission received representations from

Ceredigion County Council, five town and community councils, two county councillors and 44other interested bodies and residents.

2. Ceredigion County Council proposed a full scheme of arrangements (which can be seen in fullin the Commission’s Draft Proposals Report, January 2018), which resulted in a scheme of 39members. They also proposed boundary changes between the Town of Cardigan and theCommunity of Y Ferwig, between the Town of Aberystwyth and the Community of Faenor,between the Town of New Quay and the Community of Llanllwchaiarn, and to restructure thewards within the Communities of Llandysul and Troedyraur. A number of representationsreceived highlighted the differences in the needs of rural and urban communities within theCounty and several of the representations received from community and town councilspresented alternative suggestions to those submitted by the County Council.

3. These representations were taken into consideration and summarised in the Draft ProposalsReport published on 16 January 2018, informing the listed mandatory consultees and otherinterested parties of a period of consultation on the draft proposals which commenced on 23January 2018 and ended on 16 April 2018. The Commission asked Ceredigion County Councilto display copies of the report alongside public notices in the area. The Commission’s draftproposals proposed a change to the arrangement of electoral wards that would have achieveda marked improvement in the level of electoral parity across the County of Ceredigion.

4. The Commission proposed a council of 38 members. This resulted in a proposed countyaverage of 1,384 electors per member. The Commission proposed 33 electoral wards, areduction from 40 existing electoral wards.

5. The largest under-representation (in terms of electoral variance) was proposed to be inLlandysul North and Troedyraur (23% above the proposed county average). At present thegreatest under-representation is in Llansantffraed (34% above the proposed county average).

6. The largest over-representation (in terms of electoral variance) was proposed to be inAberystwyth Penparcau (25% below the proposed county average). At present the greatestover-representation is in Llanbadarn Fawr Sulien (46% below the proposed county average).

7. The Commission proposed five two-member electoral wards in the County.

8. The Commission proposed no changes to 16 electoral wards.

9. The Commission proposed to have eight electoral wards within the county which combinedpart of a warded community or town, along with its neighbouring community. Thesecommunity splits were present within the Town of Aberystwyth and the Communities ofDyffryn Arth, Llandysul, Melindwr and Nantcwnlle.

10. The Commission proposed no boundary changes.


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Chapter 3. SUMMARY OF FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS • The Commission received representations from Ceredigion County Council, 17 town and

community councils, five county councillors, one community committee and 34 members of the public 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 Ceredigion.

• The Commission recommends a council of 38 members, a reduction from the present 42 members. This results in a recommended county average of 1,384 electors per member.

• The Commission recommends 34 electoral wards, a reduction from 40 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 (Llandysul North and Troedyraur). At present the greatest variance is 34% above the recommended county average (Llansantffraed).

• The largest over-representation (in terms of variance from the recommended county average) is recommended to be 25% below the recommended county average (Aberystwyth Penparcau). At present the greatest variance is 46% below the recommended county average (Llanbadarn Fawr Sulien).

• The Commission recommends four two-member electoral wards in the County; Aberporth and Y Ferwig, Aberystwyth Morfa a Glais, Aberystwyth Penparcau and Beulah and Llangoedmor.

• The Commission recommends no change to 19 electoral wards.

• The Commission recommends five electoral wards within the county which combine a part of a warded community, along with its neighbouring community. These community splits are present within the Communities of Dyffryn Arth, Llandysul, and Nantcwnlle.

• The Commission recommends no boundary changes.


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Summary Maps

1. On the following pages are thematic maps illustrating the existing and recommendedarrangements and their variances from the recommended county average. Those areas ingreen are within ±10% of the county average; yellow and hatched yellow between ±10% and± 25% of the county average; and, orange and hatched orange between ±25% and ±50% ofthe county average.

2. As can be seen from these maps, the new arrangements provide for a marked improvementin electoral parity across the county.


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Insert existing thematic


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Insert recommended thematic map


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Chapter 4. ASSESSMENT 1. The Commission has a duty to achieve electoral parity across the council. In order to advance

this we apply the Policy and Practice in the following way.

Council size

2. The council size for the County of Ceredigion has been determined by our council size policyand methodology. This policy can be found in our Electoral Reviews: Policy and Practice [2016]document. The methodology sets out a council size of 38 for the County of Ceredigion. Atpresent the size of the council at 42 members is four members above the methodology’s aim.

3. The Commission reviewed the electoral arrangements for the County of Ceredigion in the lightof our methodology and took account of the representations which had been made. For thereasons given below, we consider that in the interests of effective and convenient localgovernment, a council size of 38 would be appropriate to represent the County of Ceredigion.

Number of electors

4. The numbers shown as the electorate for 2017 and the estimates for the electorate in theyear 2022 are those submitted to us by Ceredigion County Council. The forecast figuressupplied by Ceredigion County Council show a forecasted rise in the electorate of 2,892 from52,598 to 55,490. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has also provided its estimatednumber of persons eligible to vote within the County of Ceredigion. This showed an estimated 9,547 more people eligible to vote than the 2017 electorate.

5. The Commission is aware that there are Welsh Government proposals to legislate to extendthe franchise to include 16 and 17 year olds and foreign nationals, not currently eligible tovote, at the 2022 local government elections. The Commission‘s Council Size Policy utilisesthe entire population to determine council size and these two groups were included in theCouncil Size deliberations.

6. While 16 and 17 year olds are not in the existing electoral figures provided by CeredigionCounty 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 itsrecommendations.

7. Foreign nationals are included in the census data provided by the ONS. Consideration of thisdata 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 widevariation from the current county average of 1,252 electors per councillor ranging from 41%below (742 electors) to 48% above (1,848 electors). The determination of the council sizeabove results in an average of 1,384 electors being represented by each councillor.

9. In its deliberations the Commission considered the ratio of local government electors to thenumber of councillors to be elected, with a view to proposing changes to ensure that thenumber of local government electors shall be, as near as may be, the same in every ward inthe principal area. The Commission considered the size and character of the council and awide 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 anumber 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 emphasison achieving improvements in electoral parity whilst maintaining community ties whereverpossible. 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 andcommunity wards.

11. The Commission has looked at each area and is satisfied that it would be difficult to achieveelectoral arrangements that keep the existing combination of communities and communitywards, without having a detrimental effect on one or more of the other issues that we mustconsider.

Electoral Ward Names

12. In the creation of these final recommendations the Commission has considered the names ofall the electoral wards proposed in Welsh and English, where appropriate. For these finalrecommendations the Commission has considered names of either electoral wards orcommunities that appear in Orders, where they exist; those recommended by the WelshLanguage Commissioner; and, in the representations it has received.

13. The Commission consulted with the Welsh Language Commissioner on the suitability of thenames in their draft form prior to the publication of these final recommendations, with aparticular focus on the Welsh language names. This recognises the Welsh LanguageCommissioner’s responsibility to advise on the standard forms of Welsh place-names andspecialist knowledge in the field. It must be clear that these recommendations are notproposals for changes to any place names. At each recommendation an indication is given ofthe Welsh Language Commissioner’s recommended alternative and, where they differ, thespecific recommendation and why they proposed an alternative to the Commission’srecommended name.

Community and Town Council Arrangements

14. The Commission received a number of representations during the draft proposalsconsultation period which included a misunderstanding as to the scope of the review. TheCommission therefore wishes to highlight that this review of electoral arrangements isseeking to make improvements to electoral representation within Ceredigion CountyCouncil. This process is independent from any changes to arrangements concerningcommunity or town councils. Where combinations of communities are used to create singleelectoral wards, the individual communities in question will retain their existing communitycouncil arrangement. These councils will remain independent following the outcome of thisreview, any precepts generated or assets contained within a community council, will remainpart 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 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 proposed 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 below).

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.

• Aberteifi/Cardigan-Mwldan

• Aberystwyth Penparcau

• Aberystwyth Rheidol

• Borth

• Ceulanamaesmawr

• Ciliau Aeron

• Faenor

• Llanarth

• Llandyfriog

• Llanfarian

• Llanfihangel Ystrad

• Llangeitho

• Llangybi

• Llanrhystyd

• Llanwenog

• Melindwr

• Tirymynach

• Trefuerig

• Ystwyth


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3. Whilst the Commission is recommending to preserve the geographical arrangements withinthe electoral wards listed above, it is recommending to introduce new electoral ward namesfor the following (names displayed in bold throughout the remainder of this report denotethe Commission’s recommended electoral ward names):

i) Aberteifi/Cardigan-Mwldan is recommended to have the single name of Mwldan. TheWelsh Language Commissioner agreed with the proposed name. The Commissionreceived one representation from Cardigan Town Council proposing for this ward berenamed Mwldan.

ii) Ceulanamaesmawr is recommended to have the single name of Ceulanamaesmawr. Inthe Draft Proposals the Commission proposed this electoral ward be given the singlename of Ceulanamaesmawr. The Welsh Language Commissioner considered the nameprior to the publication of the Commission’s Draft Proposals and recommended theadoption of the single name of Ceulan a Maesmawr. The Commission received onerepresentation from Ceulanamaesmawr Community Council in support of theCommission’s proposal to apply the single name of Ceulanamaesmawr.

iii) Llanarth is recommended to have the single name of Llanarth. In the Draft Proposals theCommission proposed to change the Welsh name of Llannarth to Llanarth, and to applythis single name across both languages. The Welsh Language Commissioner consideredthe name prior to the publication of the Commission’s Draft Proposals andrecommended the adoption of the single name of Llannarth. The Commission receivedone representation from Ceredigion County Council which supported the Commission’sproposal to have the single name of Llanarth, as opposed to the recommendation fromthe Welsh Language Commissioner.

Proposed Electoral Wards

4. The Commission considered changes to the remaining 21 existing electoral wards. Details ofthe existing electoral arrangements can be found at Appendix 2. The Commission’srecommended arrangements can be found in Appendix 3.


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Aberteifi/Cardigan-Rhyd-y-Fuwch and Aberteifi/Cardigan-Teifi

5. The existing Aberteifi/Cardigan-Rhyd-y-Fuwch electoral ward is composed of the Rhyd y Fuwch ward of the Town of Cardigan. It has 884 electors (911 projected electors) represented by one councillor which is 36% below the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 957 eligible electors.

6. The existing Aberteifi/Cardigan-Teifi electoral ward is composed of the Teifi ward of the Town of Cardigan. It has 762 electors (806 projected electors) represented by one councillor which is 45% below the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 848 eligible electors.

7. In its Draft Proposals the Commission proposed the Town of Cardigan form a two-member electoral ward.

8. The Commission received five representations in response to the Draft Proposals regarding this area from: Ceredigion County Council, Cardigan Town Council, two County Councillors and a resident of Llanon.

9. Ceredigion County Council were opposed to the Commission’s draft proposal to create a two-member ward for the Town of Cardigan, and proposed that two single-member wards were retained for the Town, by retaining the existing Cardigan Mwldan electoral ward and by combining the town wards of Rhyd-y-Fuwch and Teifi to form a new single-member electoral ward. The Council proposed the new single-member ward be called Aberteifi – Teifi in Welsh and Cardigan – Teifi in English.

10. Cardigan Town Council also opposed the Commission’s draft proposal to create a two-member ward for Cardigan. The Town Council support the implementation of two single-member wards within the town; one single-member ward formed of the Mwldan ward, and a single-member ward formed by combining the Rhyd-y-Fuwch and Teifi wards of the town. The town council propose that these electoral wards be named Mwldan, and Teifi, respectively.

11. Councillor John Adams-Lewis (Aberteifi/Cardigan-Mwldan) and Councillor Catrin Miles (Aberteifi/Cardigan-Teifi) both supported the views of Ceredigion County Council and Cardigan Town Council and supported two single-member wards within the Town of Cardigan. Councillor Adams-Lewis proposed the name of Teifi for the new single-member ward.

12. The resident of Llanon also proposed the same single-member arrangements put forward by Ceredigion County Council and Cardigan Town Council and proposed the new single-member ward be named Cardigan Castle.

13. The Commission recommends the Rhyd-y-Fuwch and Teifi wards of the Town of Cardigan are combined to form an electoral ward of 1,646 electors (1,717 projected), which, if represented by one councillor, would result in a level of representation 19% above the proposed county average.

14. The Commission considers that there are good communication links and social ties between the wards of Cardigan and this proposal improves the level of electoral variance while supporting the preferences for single-member arrangements for the Town.

15. The Commission has given the recommended electoral ward the single name of Teifi. The Commission recommends the name as it was supported within representations. The Welsh


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Language Commissioner agreed with the proposed name. Any comments on the recommended name can be sent to the Minister for Housing and Local Government.

16. The Commission considers that this recommendation would be desirable in the interests ofeffective and convenient local government.

17. This recommendation allows the retention of the existing electoral ward of Aberteifi/CardiganMwldan, as described in paragraphs 2 and 3.


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Insert Map of Teifi


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Aberporth and Penparc

18. The existing Aberporth electoral ward is composed of the Community of Aberporth. It has1,756 electors (1,871 projected electors) represented by one councillor which is 27% abovethe proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 1,975eligible electors.

19. The existing Penparc electoral ward is composed of the Communities of Llangoedmor and YFerwig. It has 1,838 electors (1,872 projected electors) represented by one councillor whichis 33% above the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated populationof 1,878 eligible electors.

20. In its Draft Proposals the Commission proposed to create a two-member ward forCommunities of Aberporth and Y Ferwig.

21. The Commission received three representations in response to the Draft Proposals regardingthis area from: Ceredigion County Council, Ferwig Community Council, and a member of thepublic.

22. Ceredigion County Council opposed the Commission’s draft proposals and recommended topreserve the existing arrangements for the electoral wards of Aberporth and Penparc. TheCouncil highlighted that the creation of a multi-member ward within a rural area wasundesirable.

23. Ferwig Community Council supported the Commission’s draft proposals to create a two-member ward for the Communities of Aberporth and Y Ferwig.

24. A resident of Llanon proposed to retain the electoral ward boundaries for Aberporth andPenparc.

25. The Commission recommends the Communities of Aberporth and Y Ferwig are combined toform an electoral ward of 2,683 electors (2,812 projected) which, if represented by twocouncillors, would result in a level of representation 3% below the proposed county average.

26. The Commission noted that to improve the levels of electoral variance in the electoral wardsof Aberporth and Penparc it would be necessary to combine the Community of Aberporthwith a further community area to form an electoral ward. The Commission felt that thisproposal both provided an arrangement with improved electoral variances in thesecommunities and also respected the differences between these rural communities and theurban wards of the Town of Cardigan. This proposed two-member electoral ward combinesthe Communities of Aberporth and Y Ferwig, which are both situated along the coastline andshare communication links along the A487 trunk road.

27. The Commission proposed the Welsh language name of Aberporth a’r Ferwig and the Englishlanguage name of Aberporth and Y Ferwig in the Draft Proposals. The Welsh LanguageCommissioner agreed with the proposed name. The Commission received no representationsin regard to the name.

28. The Commission has given the recommended electoral ward the Welsh language name ofAberporth a’r Ferwig; and the English language name of Aberporth and Y Ferwig. TheCommission recommended this name as it is formed of the existing community ward nameswith which the electoral ward will be coterminous. The Welsh Language Commissionerconsidered the name should be Aber-porth a’r Ferwig in the Welsh language and Aber-porthand Y Ferwig in the English language, as recommended in the Gazetteer of Welsh Place-


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Names, with the inclusion of a hyphen to aid the correct pronunciation of the Welsh Place-name. Any comments on the recommended names can be sent to the Minister for Housing and Local Government.

29. The Commission considers that this recommendation would be desirable in the interests of effective and convenient local government.


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Insert map of Aberporth and Penparc


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Beulah and Penparc

30. The existing Beulah electoral ward is composed of the Community of Beulah. It has 1,333 electors (1,373 projected electors) represented by one councillor which is 4% below the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 1,362 eligible electors.

31. The existing Penparc electoral ward is composed of the Communities of Llangoedmor and Y Ferwig. It has 1,838 electors (1,872 projected electors) represented by one councillor which is 33% above the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 1,878 eligible electors.

32. In its Draft Proposals the Commission proposed to create a two-member ward by combining the Communities of Beulah and Llangoedmor.

33. The Commission received four representations in response to the Draft Proposals regarding this area from: Ceredigion County Council, Beulah and Llangoedmor Community Councils and a member of the public.

34. Ceredigion County Council opposed the Commission’s draft proposals and recommended to preserve the existing arrangements for the electoral wards of Beulah and Penparc. The Council highlighted that the creation of a multi-member ward within a rural area was undesirable.

35. Beulah Community Council and Llangoedmor Community Council opposed the Commission’s draft proposal and recommended to preserve the existing arrangements for the electoral wards of Beulah and Penparc. Beulah Community Council highlighted the differences between the areas of Beulah and Llangoedmor and stated there has been no cooperation between these two communities; with Llangoedmor traditionally linked westward towards Cardigan, and Beulah linked with Newcastle Emlyn (Carmarthanshire) to the south-west.

36. A resident of Llanon proposed to retain the electoral ward boundaries for Beulah and Penparc.

37. The Commission recommends combining the Communities of Beulah and Llangoedmor to form an electoral ward of 2,244 electors (2,304 projected) which, if represented by two councillors, would result in a level of representation that is 19% below the proposed county average.

38. The Commission noted that to improve the levels of electoral variance in the electoral ward of Penparc, the Communities of Llangoedmor and Y Ferwig need to be included with alternative community areas when forming electoral wards. The Commission considered the available alternatives and considered that the most appropriate area to combine with Llangoedmor is the Community of Beulah. This proposed two-member electoral ward respects the rural/urban divide between these communities and the Town of Cardigan and combines areas which are linked via the A484 and B4570 roads.

39. The Commission proposed the Welsh language name of Beulah a Llangoedmor and the English language name of Beulah and Llangoedmor in the Draft Proposals. The Welsh Language Commissioner agreed with the proposed name. The Commission received no representations in regard to the name.

40. The Commission has given the recommended electoral ward the Welsh language name of Beulah a Llangoedmor; and the English language name of Beulah and Llangoedmor. The


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Welsh Language Commissioner agreed with the recommended names. Any comments on the recommended names can be sent to the Minister for Housing and Local Government.



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Insert Map of Beulah and Llangoedmor


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BLANK PAGE


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Capel Dewi and Llandysul Town

42. The existing Capel Dewi electoral ward is composed of the Capel Dewi, Pontshaen andTregroes wards of the Community of Llandysul. It has 1,025 electors (1,056 projected electors)represented by one councillor which is 26% below the proposed county average. The electoralward has an estimated population of 1,090 eligible electors.

43. The existing Llandysul Town electoral ward is composed of the Trefol ward of the Communityof Llandysul. It has 1,022 electors (1,101 projected electors) represented by one councillorwhich is 26% below the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimatedpopulation of 1,081 eligible electors.

44. In its Draft Proposals the Commission proposed to combine the Capel Dewi and Trefol wardsof the Community of Llandysul to form a single-member electoral ward.

45. The Commission received two representations in response to the Draft Proposals regardingthis area from Ceredigion County Council and member of the public.

46. Ceredigion County Council supported the Commission’s draft proposal.

47. A resident of Llanon proposed to retain the existing electoral ward of Llandysul Town and tocombine the Capel Dewi, Pontshaen and Tregroes wards of the Community of Llandysul withthe Llangynllo ward of the Community of Troedyraur to form a new single-member electoralward.

48. The Commission recommends combining the Capel Dewi and Trefol wards of the Communityof Llandysul to form an electoral ward of 1,396 electors (1,488 projected) which, ifrepresented by one councillor, would result in a level of representation 1% above theproposed county average.

49. The Commission notes the high levels of over-representation in the existing electoral wardsof Capel Dewi and Llandysul Town, compared to the proposed county average. In order toimprove the levels of electoral variance in these wards and the surrounding area theCommission has proposed combining neighbouring southern community wards of theCommunity of Llandysul, which share communication links and a common boundary alongthe B4476 road.

50. The Commission proposed the Welsh language name of De Llandysul and the English languagename of Llandysul South in the Draft Proposals. The Welsh Language Commissioner agreedwith the proposed name. The Commission received no representations in regard to the name.

51. The Commission has given the recommended electoral ward the Welsh Language name of DeLlansysul; and the English Language name of Llandysul South. The Welsh LanguageCommissioner agreed with the recommended name. Any comments on the recommendedname can be sent to the Minister for Housing and Local Government.



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Insert map of Llandysul South


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Capel Dewi and Troedyraur

53. The existing Capel Dewi electoral ward is composed of the Capel Dewi, Pontshaen andTregroes wards of the Community of Llandysul. It has 1,025 electors (1,056 projected electors)represented by one councillor which is 26% below the proposed county average. The electoralward has an estimated population of 1,090 eligible electors.

54. The existing Troedyraur electoral ward is composed of the Community of Troedyraur. It has1,047 electors (1,065 projected electors) represented by one councillor which is 24% belowthe proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 1,101eligible electors.

55. In its Draft Proposals the Commission proposed to combine the Pontshaen and Tregroeswards of the Community of Llandysul with the Community of Troedyraur to form a single-member electoral ward.

56. The Commission received three representations in response to the Draft Proposals regardingthis area from: Ceredigion County Council, County Councillor Maldwyn Lewis (Troedyraur) anda member of the public.

57. Ceredigion County Council supported the Commission’s draft proposal.

58. Councillor Maldwyn Lewis (Troedyraur) also supported the Commission’s draft proposal andconfirms the areas proposed to be combined have a great deal in common and share villagehalls, chapels and churches, while the nature of the population and housing are similar.

59. A resident of Llanon proposed to combine the Capel Dewi, Pontshaen and Tregroes wards ofthe Community of Llandysul with the Llangynllo ward of the Community of Troedyraur to forman electoral ward; and to form a further electoral ward by combining the Troedyraur ward ofthe Community of Troedyraur with the Community of Penbryn.

60. The Commission recommends combining the Community of Troedyraur with the Pontshaenand Tregroes wards of the Community of Llandysul to form an electoral ward of 1,698 electors(1,734 projected) which, if represented by one councillor, would result in a level ofrepresentation 23% above the proposed county average.

61. The Commission notes the high level of over-representation in the existing electoral ward ofCapel Dewi, compared to the proposed county average. In order to improve the levels ofelectoral variance in these wards and the surrounding area the Commission has proposedcombining the northern community wards of the Community of Llandysul with theCommunity of Troedyraur, which share similar rural characteristics and recognisablecommunity links either side of the A486 trunk road.

62. The Commission proposed the Welsh language name of Gogledd Llandysul a Throedyraur andthe English language name of Llandysul North and Troedyraur in the Draft Proposals. TheWelsh Language Commissioner agreed with the proposed name. The Commission received norepresentations in regard to the name.

63. The Commission has given the recommended electoral ward the Welsh Language name ofGogledd Llandysul a Throedyraur; and the English Language name of Llandysul North andTroedyraur. The Commission recommended this name as it is uses the existing Communitynames for the areas which form the electoral ward. The Welsh Language Commissionerconsidered the name should be Gogledd Llandysul a Throed-yr-aur in the Welsh language andLlandysul North and Troed-yr-aur in the English language, as recommended in the Gazetteer


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of Welsh Place-Names, with the inclusion of a hyphen to aid pronunciation. Any comments on the recommended names can be sent to the Minister for Housing and Local Government.



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Insert map of Llandysul North and Troedyraur


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Llandysiliogogo and New Quay

65. The existing Llandysiliogogo electoral ward is composed of the Communities ofLlandysiliogogo and Llanllwchaiarn. It has 1,511 electors (1,565 projected electors)represented by one councillor which is 9% above the proposed county average. The electoralward has an estimated population of 1,607 eligible electors.

66. The existing New Quay electoral ward is composed of the Town of New Quay. It has 841electors (880 projected electors) represented by one councillor which is 39% below theproposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 864 eligibleelectors.

67. In its Draft Proposals, the Commission proposed to combine the Town of New Quay with theCommunity of Llanllwchaiarn.

68. The Commission received three representations regarding this area in response to its DraftProposals from: Ceredigion County Council, Llanllwchaearn Community Council and amember of the public.

69. Ceredigion County Council state that, although there are no major or historical links betweenNew Quay and Llanllwchaiarn, they agree with the Commission’s draft proposal. The Councilsuggest the new electoral ward be given the Welsh Language name of Cei Newydd aLlanllwchaearn; and the English language name of New Quay and Llanllwchaearn.

70. Llanllwchaearn Community Council oppose the Commission’s draft proposal and expressedtheir disappointment that the Commission’s proposal ignored the views of the electedmembers submitted within the initial consultation phase of this review. A resident of Llanonsupported the Commission’s draft proposal for this area.

71. The Commission recommends combining the Town of New Quay with the Community ofLlanllwchaiarn to form an electoral ward of 1,527 electors (1,599 projected) which, ifrepresented by one councillor, would result in a level of representation 10% above theproposed county average.

72. The Commission note that in order to improve the level of electoral variance in New Quay,the only viable arrangement based upon the existing community structures would require acombination of these two areas. The Commission identified communication links between the areas of New Quay and Llanllwchaiarn via the A486 and B4342 roads and recognises theseasonal effect that tourism has on both areas.

73. The Commission proposed the Welsh language name of Ceinewydd gyda Llanllwchaiarn andthe English language name of New Quay with Llanllwchaiarn in the Draft Proposals. The WelshLanguage Commissioner considered the name should be Ceinewydd gyda Llanllwchaearn inthe Welsh Language and New Quay with Llanllwchaearn in the English Language, asrecommended in the Gazetteer of Welsh Place-Names, as this follows the national standardof spelling for this area. The Commission received two representations in regard to the namefrom Llanllwchaearn Community Council and a resident of Llanon. Llanllwchaearn CommunityCouncil oppose the use of the existing community name “Llanllwchaiarn” within the name oftheir electoral ward. A resident of Llanon recommended that the ward be named New Quayand Llanllwchaiarn.

74. The Commission recommends giving the electoral ward the Welsh Language name ofCeinewydd a Llanllwchaearn; and the English Language name of New Quay and


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Llanllwchaearn. The Commission recommend these names as proposed by Ceredigion County Council within their representation and in support of the Welsh Language Commissioner’s recommendation to use the form Ceinewydd in the Welsh language. Any comments on the recommended names can be sent to the Minister for Housing and Local Government.



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Insert map of New Quay and Llanllwchaearn


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Llandysiliogogo and Penbryn

76. The existing Llandysiliogogo electoral ward is composed of the Communities of Llandysiliogogo and Llanllwchaiarn. It has 1,511 electors (1,565 projected electors) represented by one councillor which is 9% above the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 1,607 eligible electors.

77. The existing Penbryn electoral ward is composed of the Communities of Llangrannog and Penbryn. It has 1,695 electors (1,755 projected electors) represented by one councillor which is 22% above the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 1,668 eligible electors.

78. In its Draft Proposals the Commission proposed to combine the Communities of Llandysiliogogo and Llangrannog to form a single-member electoral ward.

79. The Commission received two representations in response to the Draft Proposals regarding these areas from Ceredigion County Council and a member of the public.

80. Ceredigion County Council state that, although they were concerned that Community ties would be lost between the areas of Llandysiliogogo and Llanllwchaiarn, they agree with the Commission’s draft proposal. The Council suggest the new electoral ward be given the Welsh Language name of Llandysilio a Llangrannog; and the English language name of Llandysilio and Llangrannog, as these names better reflect those used by the community councils.

81. The Commission recommends combining the Communities of Llandysiliogogo and Llangrannog to form an electoral ward of 1,456 electors (1,495 projected) which, if represented by one councillor, would result in a level of representation 5% above the proposed county average.

82. The Commission proposed the Welsh language name of Llandysiliogogo a Llangrannog and the English language name of Llandysiliogogo and Llangrannog in the Draft Proposals. The Welsh Language Commissioner agreed with the proposed name. The Commission received no representations in regard to the name.

83. The Commission has given the recommended electoral ward the Welsh Language name of Llandysilio a Llangrannog; and the English Language name of Llandysilio and Llangrannog. The Commission recommend these names as proposed by Ceredigion County Council within their representation. The Welsh Language Commissioner agreed with these names. Any comments on the recommended names can be sent to the Minister for Housing and Local Government.

84. Due to the strong communication links along the A487 road between the Communities of Llandysiliogogo and Llangrannog, and their similarities in terms of rurality, the Commission proposes a single-member electoral ward, with an appropriate level of electoral variance be formed of the Community of Penbryn.

85. The Commission, as a consequence, recommends the Community of Penbryn form an electoral ward of 1,064 electors (1,106 projected) which, if represented by one councillor, would result in a level of representation that is 23% below the proposed county average.

86. The Commission proposed the single name of Penbryn in the Draft Proposals. The Welsh Language Commissioner agreed with the proposed name. The Commission received no representations in regard to the name.


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87. The Commission has given the recommended electoral ward the single name of Penbryn. TheWelsh Language Commissioner agreed with this name. Any comments on the recommendedname can be sent to the Minister for Housing and Local Government.

88. The Commission considers that these recommendations would be desirable in the interestsof effective and convenient local government.


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Insert map of Llandysilio and Llangrannog


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Insert map of Penbryn


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Aberaeron and Llansantffraed

89. The existing Aberaeron electoral ward is composed of the Town of Aberaeron. It has 1,070 electors (1,105 projected electors) represented by one councillor which is 23% below the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 1,147 eligible electors.

90. The existing Llansantffraed electoral ward is composed of the Communities of Dyffryn Arth and Llansantffraed. It has 1,848 electors (1,922 projected electors) represented by one councillor which is 34% above the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 1,970 eligible electors.

91. In its Draft Proposals the Commission proposed to combine the Town of Aberaeron and the Llanddewi Aberarth ward of the Community of Dyffryn Arth to form a single-member electoral ward; and to form a further single-member electoral ward by combining the Community of Llansantffraed with the Llandbadarn Trefeglwys ward of the Community of Dyffryn Arth.

92. The Commission received four representations in response to the Draft Proposals regarding these areas from: Ceredigion County Council, Aberaeron Town Council, Llansantffraed Community Council and a member of the public.

93. Ceredigion County Council supports the Commission’s proposals for the proposed electoral wards of Aberaeron and Llansantffraed.

94. Aberaeron Town Council submitted a representation to state that they did not oppose the Commission’s draft proposal for Aberaeron. Llansantffraed Community Council submitted a representation to state that they did not oppose the Commission’s draft proposal for Llansantffraed.

95. A resident of Llanon proposed to combine the Town of Aberaeron and the Community of Dyffryn Arth to form an electoral ward. The resident also recommended to form a further electoral ward by combining the Community of Llansantffraed with the Haminiog ward of the Community of Llanrhystyd.

96. The Commission recommends combining the Town of Aberaeron with the Llanddewi Aberarth ward of the Community of Dyffryn Arth to form an electoral ward of 1,408 electors (1,452 projected) which, if represented by one councillor, would result in a level of representation 2% above the proposed county average.

97. The Commission proposed the single name of Aberaeron in the Draft Proposals. The Welsh Language Commissioner agreed with the proposed name. The Commission received a representation from Ceredigion County Council in regard to the name. The Council recommended the Commission’s draft proposal for Aberaeron be given the Welsh Language name of Aberaeron ac Aberarth; and the English Language name of Aberaeron and Aberarth.

98. The Commission has given the recommended electoral ward the Welsh Language name of Aberaeron ac Aber-arth; and the English Language name of Aberaeron and Aberarth. The Commission recommend these names as proposed by Ceredigion County Council within their representation. The Welsh Language Commissioner recommends the use of the hyphenated form of Aber-arth in the English Language, as recommended in the Gazetteer of Welsh Place names, and to aid pronunciation. Any comments on the recommended names can be sent to the Minister for Housing and Local Government.


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99. The Commission, as a consequence, recommends combining the Community ofLlansantffraed with the Llandbadarn Trefeglwys ward of the Community of Dyffryn Arth toform an electoral ward of 1,510 electors (1,575 projected) which, if represented by onecouncillor, would result in a level of representation 9% above the proposed county average.

100. The Commission proposed the Welsh language name of Llansanffraid and the Englishlanguage name of Llansantffraed in the Draft Proposals. The Welsh Language Commissionerconsidered the name should be Llansanffraid, as recommended within the Gazetteer of WelshPlace-Names and in support of the use of a single form for both languages. The WelshLanguage Commissioner also highlighted that this is the recommended spelling for this, andseveral other places across Wales which share the same name. The Commission received onerepresentation in regard to the name from Llansantffraed Community Council. TheCommunity Council stated their belief that the single name of Llansanffraid would beacceptable in both languages.

101. The Commission has given the recommended electoral ward the single name of Llansanffraid.The Commission recommend this name as recommended by Llansantffraed CommunityCouncil. The Welsh Language Commissioner agrees with this name. Any comments on therecommended names can be sent to the Minister for Housing and Local Government.

102. The Commission acknowledges that this recommendation, adopted from the initial proposalsof Ceredigion County Council, incorporates an area which currently forms part of the existingelectoral ward of Llansantffraed, and the Community of Dyffryn Arth, with the Town ofAberaeron. However, the Commission recognises the improvement this proposal has uponthe level of electoral variances for both electoral wards. The Commission considers that theproposal will maintain the shared community identity between the community ward ofLlanbadarn Trefeglwys and the Community of Llansantffraed.

103. The Commission considers that these recommendations would be desirable in the interestsof effective and convenient local government.


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Insert map of Aberaeron and Aberarth


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Insert map of Llansanffraid


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Lampeter

104. The existing Lampeter electoral ward is composed of the Town of Lampeter. It has 1,657electors (1,790 projected electors) represented by two councillors which is 40% below theproposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 2,448 eligibleelectors.

105. In the Draft Proposals the Commission proposed to form a single-member electoral ward fromthe Town of Lampeter.

106. The Commission received two representations in response to the Draft Proposals regardingthis area from Ceredigion County Council and member of the public. Both representationssupported the Commission’s draft proposal to reduce the number of elected members to one,forming a single-member electoral ward for the town.

107. The Commission recommends the Town of Lampeter forms an electoral ward of 1,657electors (1,790 projected) which, if represented by one councillor, would result in a level ofrepresentation 20% above the proposed county average.

108. This recommendation retainins the existing electoral ward boundary for the Town ofLampeter whilst it reduces the number of elected members for the ward to one and improvesthe levels of electoral variance to allow for an appropriate level of variance within the town.

109. The Commission proposed the Welsh language name of Llanbedr Pont Steffan and the Englishlanguage name of Lampeter in the Draft Proposals. The Welsh Language Commissioner agreedwith the proposed name. The Commission received no representations in regard to the name.

110. The Commission has given the recommended electoral ward the Welsh Language name ofLlanbedr Pont Steffan; and the English Language name of Lampeter. The Welsh LanguageCommissioner agreed with the recommended name. Any comments on the recommendednames can be sent to the Minister for Housing and Local Government.



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Insert Map of Lampeter


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Lledrod and Tregaron

113. The existing Lledrod electoral ward is composed of the Communities of Lledrod, Ysbyty Ystwyth, Ystrad Fflur and Ystrad Meurig. It has 1,744 electors (1,784 projected electors) represented by one councillor which is 26% above the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 1,715 eligible electors.

114. The existing Tregaron electoral ward is composed of the Town of Tregaron. It has 899 electors (944 projected electors) represented by one councillor which is 35% below the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 955 eligible electors.

115. In its Draft Proposals the Commission proposed to combine the Town of Tregaron with the Community of Llangeitho to form an electoral ward which resolved the inappropriate level of over-representation in the Town. In addition, the Commission proposed to resolve the level of under-representation in the Community of Lledrod by forming one electoral ward from the Communities of Lledrod, Ystrad Fflur and Ystrad Meurig and by combining the Community of Ysbyty Ystwyth with the Communities of Blaenrheidol, Pontarfynach and the Goginan and Penllwyn wards of the Community of Melindwr to form an electoral ward. The Commission considered this proposal best addressed the inappropriate levels of electoral variance in this region whilst also taking account of the strong opposition, within representations, to combining the Town of Tregaron with the Blaepennal ward of the Community of Lledrod.

116. The Commission received 31 representations regarding this area in response to the Draft Proposals from: Ceredigion County Council, Tregaron Town Council, Llangeitho, Lledrod, Tregaron and Ystwyth Community Councils, County Councillor Ifan Davies (Lledrod), County Councillor Rhodri Evans (Llangeitho), the Committee of Blaenpennal and Bontnewydd Community Group (CBBCG), 26 members of the public and a submission of 260 signed letters from Llangeitho Community Council.

117. Ceredgion County Council opposed the Commission’s draft proposals and recommended to retain the existing arrangements for Lledrod and Tregaron.

118. Llangeitho Community Council opposed the Commission’s draft proposal and stated their unanimous opposition to the initial representation from CBBCG which recommended to combine the Community of Llangeitho with the Town of Tregaron. The Community Council highlighted the similarities between the Communities of Llanddewi Brefi and Llangeitho, and recommended to retain the current arrangement. They suggest that it would make more sense to combine the Blaenpennal ward of the Community of Lledrod with the Town of Tregaron.

119. Llangeitho Community Council also submitted a collection of 260 signed letters which opposed the Commission’s draft proposal to combine Llangeitho and Tregaron, and to recommend that the existing Llangeitho electoral ward is retained. These letters highlight the differences in rurality that exist between the Community of Llangeitho and the Town of Tregaron.

120. Lledrod Community Council agreed with the Commission’s draft proposal for Lledrod and submitted several reasons as to why they remain opposed to Ceredigion County Council’s initial representation to combine the Town of Tregaron with the Blaenpennal ward of the Community of Lledrod.


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121. Tregaron Town Council opposed the Commission’s draft proposal and recommended to forman electoral ward with appropriate levels of electoral variance by combining the Town ofTregaron with the Blaenpennal ward of the Community of Lledrod.

122. Ystwyth Community Council opposed the Commission’s draft proposal to include theCommunity of Ysbyty Ystwyth within the proposed electoral ward of Melindwr. TheCommunity Council’s representation also included two representations from residents of theCommunity who also opposed the Commission’s draft proposal. The Community Councilstated there are strong links between the communities within the existing Lledrod electoralward, however, they highlighted the improvement in electoral representation which wouldresult from combining the Blaenpennal ward of the Community of Lledrod with the Town ofTregaron.

123. Councillor Rhodri Evans (Llangeitho) opposed the Commission’s draft proposal for theelectoral wards of Tregaron with Llangeitho, and, Llangybi and Llanddewi Brefi. The Councillorhighlighted the incompatibility between Llangybi (which has stronger connections to theTown of Lampeter) and Llanddewi Brefi, suggesting it would be preferential to retain theexisting electoral ward of Llangeitho.

124. Councillor Ifan Davies (Lledrod) opposed the Commission’s draft proposals for the electoralwards of Lledrod and Melindwr and recommended to retain the electoral ward of Lledrod.The Councillor highlights the natural boundary that exists between Ysbyty Ystwyth and therest of the proposed Melindwr electoral ward, and how the community has stronger linkstowards its service centre of Pontrhydfendigaid, within the existing Lledrod electoral ward.

125. CBBCG supported the Commission’s draft proposal for Lledrod.

126. 19 residents of the Blaenpennal ward of the Community of Lledrod supported theCommission’s draft proposals for Lledrod.

127. Five residents from the Community of Llangeitho opposed the Commissions draft proposal tocombine the Community of Llangeitho with the Town of Tregaron, expressing differences inrurality between the two areas. They supported the retention of the existing Llangeithoelectoral ward.

128. Two residents of Ysbyty Ystwyth opposed the Commission’s draft proposals for Lledrod andMelindwr and felt the draft proposal for Melindwr would leave residents of the Communityof Ysbyty Ystwyth isolated. The resident highlighted that their community is linked withPontrhydfendigaid.

129. A resident of Llanon supported the Commission’s draft proposal for the electoral ward ofLledrod and proposed to form an electoral ward by combining the Communities ofPontarfynach, Trawsgoed and Ysbyty Ystwyth.

130. The Commission recommends combining the Town of Tregaron with the Community of YstradFflur to form an electoral ward of 1,469 electors (1,548 projected) which, if represented byone councillor, would result in a level of representation 6% above the proposed countyaverage.

131. The Commission has given the recommended electoral ward the Welsh Language name ofTregaron ac Ystrad-fflur; and the English Language name of Tregaron and Ystrad Fflur. TheCommission recommends this name as it identifies with the community names for the area.The Welsh Language Commissioner considered the name should be Tregaron and Ystrad-fflur


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in the English Language, as recommended in the Gazetteer of Welsh Place-Names. Any comments on the recommended names can be sent to the Minister for Housing and Local Government.

132. The Commission, as a consequence, recommends combining the Communities of Lledrod, Ystrad Meurig and Ysbyty Ystwyth to form an electoral ward of 1,174 electors (1,180 projected) which, if represented by one councillor, would result in a level of representation 15% below the proposed county average.

133. The Commission has given the recommended electoral ward the single name of Lledrod. The Commission recommends this name as all three communities are included within the existing electoral ward of Lledrod. The Welsh Language Commissioner agrees with this name. Any comments on the recommended names can be sent to the Minister for Housing and Local Government.

134. The Commission has considered all the representations it has received concerning this area. The Commission considers that the two recommended wards of Lledrod and Tregaron provide an appropriate level of electoral variance; are formed from whole community areas; provide for arrangements that would provide the greatest level of support in the wider area; and, the least amount of disruption to the existing arrangements in the area.

135. In consideration of the recommended electoral wards of Lledrod and Tregaron, described above, and in acknowledgement of the large number of representations received in opposition to the Commission’s draft proposals for neighbouring electoral wards, the Commission is recommending to retain the existing electoral ward arrangements for Llanfarian, Llangeitho, Llangybi and Melindwr. This supports the views submitted within the representations we received and retains the existing arrangements which have appropriate levels of electoral variance.

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


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Insert map of Tregaron and Ystrad Fflur


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Insert Map of Lledrod


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Llanbadarn Fawr Padarn and Llanbadarn Fawr Sulien

137. The Llanbadarn Fawr Padarn electoral ward is composed of the Padarn ward of theCommunity of Llanbadarn Fawr. It has 771 electors (815 projected electors) represented byone councillor which is 44% below the proposed county average. The electoral ward has anestimated population of 776 eligible electors.

138. The Llanbadarn Fawr Sulien electoral ward is composed of the Sulien ward of the Communityof Llanbadarn Fawr. It has 742 electors (846 projected electors) represented by one councillorwhich is 46% below the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimatedpopulation of 2,090 eligible electors.

139. In its Draft Proposals the Commission proposed to combine the Community of LlanbadarnFawr with the Bronglais ward of the Town of Aberystwyth to form a two-member electoralward.

140. The Commission received six representations in response to the Draft Proposals regarding thisarea from: Ceredigion County Council, Aberystwyth Town Council, Llanbadarn FawrCommunity Council and three members of the public.

141. Ceredigion County Council agreed with the Commission’s draft proposal.

142. Aberystwyth Town Council opposed the Commission’s draft proposal and were against anychanges to the electoral ward boundaries until after a review of community boundaries takesplace. The Town Council felt that the Bronglais ward of the Town would not function well withthe Community of Llanbadarn Fawr and highlighted differences between the two areas.Subsequent to the Town Council’s initial consultation response, they submitted suggestionsfor altering the ward boundaries within the Town of Aberystwyth to address the imbalance ofelectors within the Town, which supported the notion of keeping the wards of Aberystwythseparate from the Community of Llanbadarn Fawr.

143. Llanbadarn Fawr opposed the Commission’s draft proposal and recommended a single-member electoral ward for the whole Community of Llanbadarn Fawr.

144. One resident of Ceredigion opposed the Commission’s draft proposals, stating their concernregarding the accountability in multi-member wards, considering that members in the draftproposal would be responsible for a ward of the Town of Aberystwyth and the Community ofLlanbadarn Fawr. The resident also put forward a proposed boundary amendment within theTown of Aberystwyth.

145. One resident of Ceredigion opposed the Commission’s draft proposal and recommended theretention of the electoral wards of Aberystwyth Bronglais and Llanbadarn Fawr Padarn. Theresident explains that, in the Commission’s draft proposal, elected members may have to dealwith conflicting issues.

146. A resident of Llanon opposed the Commission’s draft proposal and recommends forming anelectoral ward from the whole of the Community of Llanbadarn Fawr.

147. The Commission recommends that the Community of Llanbadarn Fawr forms an electoralward of 1,513 electors (1,661 projected) which, if represented by one councillor, would resultin a level of representation 9% above the proposed county average.

148. The Commission considers that the recommended electoral ward provides an appropriateway to resolve the existing levels of electoral variance within the Community of Llanbadarn


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Fawr by creating a single-member arrangement and avoiding any combination with wards of the Town of Aberystwyth.

149. The Commission has given the recommended electoral ward the single name of Llanbadarn Fawr. The Commission recommends this name as it is name of the Community with which it is coterminous. The Welsh Language Commissioner agreed with the proposed name. Any comments on the recommended names can be sent to the Minister for Housing and Local Government.



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Insert Map of Llanbadarn Fawr


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Aberystwyth Bronglais, Aberystwyth Canol/Central and Aberystwyth Gogledd/North

151. The existing Aberystwyth Bronglais electoral ward is composed of the Bronglais ward of the Town of Aberystwyth. It has 909 electors (1,025 projected electors) represented by one councillor which is 34% below the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 1,803 eligible electors.

152. The existing Aberystwyth Canol/Central electoral ward is composed of the Canol/Central ward of the Town of Aberystwyth. It has 1,165 electors (1,422 projected electors) represented by one councillor which is 16% below the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 2,326 eligible electors.

153. The existing Aberystwyth Gogledd/North electoral ward is composed of the Gogledd/North ward of the Town of Aberystwyth. It has 1,115 electors (1,206 projected electors) represented by one councillor which is 19% below the proposed county average. The electoral ward has an estimated population of 2,477 eligible electors.

154. In its Draft Proposals the Commission proposed to combine the Bronglais ward of the Town of Aberystwyth with the Community of Llanbadarn Fawr to form a two-member electoral ward. There were no changes proposed for the Aberystwyth Central/Gogledd and Aberystwyth Gogledd/North electoral wards.

155. The Commission received six representations in response to the Draft Proposals regarding this area from: Ceredigion County Council, Aberystwyth Town Council, Llanbadarn Fawr Community Council and three members of the public.

156. Ceredigion County Council agreed with the Commission’s draft proposal.

157. Aberystwyth Town Council opposed the Commission’s draft proposal and were against any changes to the electoral ward boundaries until after a review of community boundaries takes place. The Town Council felt that the Bronglais ward of the Town would not function well with the Community of Llanbadarn Fawr and highlighted differences between the two areas. Subsequent to the Town Council’s initial consultation response, they submitted suggestions for altering the ward boundaries within the Town of Aberystwyth to address the imbalance of electors within the Town, which involved transferring areas from the Canol/Central and Rheidol wards into the Bronglais ward.

158. Llanbadarn Fawr opposed the Commission’s draft proposal for Bronglais and Llanbadarn Fawr.

159. One resident of Ceredigion opposed the Commission’s draft proposals, stating their concern regarding the accountability in multi-member wards, considering that members in the draft proposal would be responsible for a ward of the Town of Aberystwyth and the Community of Llanbadarn Fawr. The resident also put forward a proposed boundary amendment within the Town of Aberystwyth. However, the number of electors proposed in the transfer would still result in an inappropriate level of electoral variance to retain a single-member Bronglais ward.

160. One resident of Ceredigion opposed the Commission’s draft proposal and recommended to retain the electoral wards of Aberystwyth Bronglais and Llanbadarn Fawr Padarn. The resident explained that, with the Commission’s draft proposal, elected members may have to deal with conflicting issues.

161. A resident of Llanon opposes the Commission’s draft proposal and recommended forming an electoral ward by combining the Aberystwyth Bronglais and Aberystwyth Canol/Central wards


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of the Town. Furthermore, the resident proposed to form an electoral ward by combining the Aberystwyth Gogledd/North ward of the Town with the Waunfawr ward of the Community of Faenor.

162. The Commission recommends combining the Aberystwyth Bronglais, AberystwythCanol/Central and Aberystwyth Gogledd/North wards of the Town of Aberystwyth to form anelectoral ward of 3,189 electors (3,653 projected), which, if represented by two councillors,would result in a level of representation 15% above the proposed county average.

163. The Commission considers that this recommendation better reflects the majority of the viewssubmitted within representations, which propose to keep the Community of Llanbadarn Fawrand the Town of Aberystwyth separate.

164. The Commission also considered the recommendations for ward boundary changes includedwithin the representations and identified that the proposed boundary changes would requirefurther revisions to produce arrangements which create wards with appropriate levels ofelectoral variance. In producing final recommendations for the electoral wards of Ceredigionthe Commission felt they were unable to support new recommendations for boundary changeproposals which had not been made available for public consultation.

165. This recommendation reduces the overall number of elected members serving the Town ofAberystwyth to five. The Commission considered a range of options within the Town, andwider area, and concluded that the retention of six members for the Town, without combiningwith neighbouring areas, would have detrimental effects upon the levels of electoral variancewithin other recommended electoral wards in other parts of the County. Therefore, theCommission recommends the Town be served by five councillors;to produce effectivearrangements which maintain and support appropriate levels of electoral variance across theregion.

166. The Commission has given the proposed electoral ward the single name of AberystwythMorfa a Glais. The Welsh Language Commissioner agrees with this proposed name. Anycomments on the recommended names can be sent to the Minister for Housing and LocalGovernment.



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Insert Map of Aberystwyth Morfa a Glais


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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 of Ceredigion:

• Electoral variance ranges from 41% below the current county average (Llanbadarn FawrSulien) to 48% above the current county average (Llansantffraed) of 1,252 electors percouncillor.

• 16 electoral wards have a level of representation in excess of 25% above or below thecurrent county average of 1,252 electors per councillor.

• 16 electoral wards have a level of representation between 10% and 25% above or belowthe current county average of 1,252 electors per councillor.

• 8 electoral wards have a level of representation less than 10% above or below thecurrent county average of 1,252 electors per councillor.

2. In comparison with the existing electoral arrangements shown above, the recommendedelectoral arrangements (as shown in Appendix 3) illustrate the following improvements to theelectoral representation across the County:

• Electoral variance ranges from 25% below the recommended county average(Aberystwyth Penparcau) to 23% above the recommended county average (LlandysulNorth and Troedyraur) of 1,384 electors per councillor.

• None of the electoral wards have a level of representation in excess of 25% above orbelow the proposed county average of 1,384 electors per councillor.

• 19 electoral wards have a level of representation between 10% and 25% above or belowthe proposed county average of 1,384 electors per councillor.

• 15 electoral wards have a level of representation less than 10% above or below theproposed county average of 1,384 electors per councillor.

3. As described in Chapter 4 and Appendix 4, in producing a scheme of electoral arrangementswe must have regard to a number of issues contained in the legislation. It is not alwayspossible to resolve all of these, sometimes conflicting, issues. In the Commission’srecommended scheme we have placed emphasis on achieving improvements in electoralparity whilst maintaining community ties wherever possible. The Commission recognises thatthe creation of electoral wards which depart from the pattern which now exists wouldinevitably bring some disruption to existing ties between communities and may straddlecommunity council areas. The Commission has made every effort to ensure that the revisedelectoral wards do reflect logical combinations of existing communities and communitywards.

4. The Commission has looked at each area and is satisfied that it would be difficult to achieveelectoral arrangements that keep the existing combination of communities and communitywards without having a detrimental effect on one or more of the other issues that it mustconsider.


Page 51

Chapter 7. RESPONSES TO THIS REPORT 1. Having completed the review of the County of Ceredigion 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 52

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 thecourse of developing these final recommendations. We, the undersigned, commend thisrecommendations report.

OWEN WATKIN OBE DL (Chair)

CERI STRADLING (Deputy Chair)

DAVID POWELL (Member)

JULIE MAY (Member)

THEODORE JOLOZA (Member)

SHEREEN WILLIAMS (Chief Executive)

May 2019

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 ward

An area within a Community Council created for community electoral 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 Population of Eligible Voters

The estimated number of eligible persons (18+) within a local government area who are eligible to vote. These figures have been 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-representation

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

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

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 electorate

The five-year forecast of the 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-representation

Where there are more electors per councillor in a ward compared to the county average.

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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 uponthe Commission the duty, at least once in every review period of ten years, to review theelectoral arrangements for every principal area in Wales, for the purpose of consideringwhether or not to make proposals to the Welsh Government for a change in those electoralarrangements. In conducting a review the Commission must seek to ensure effective andconvenient local government (Section 21 (3) of the Act).

2. The former Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government of the Welsh Governmentasked the Commission to submit a report in respect of the review of electoral arrangementsfor the County of Ceredigion 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 itappropriate; and

(b) in consequence of such changes:

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

(ii) Such community council changes and changes to the electoral arrangements forsuch 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 Actas:

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.

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 makerecommendations 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 membersof the council to be elected is, as near as may be, the same in every electoral ward ofthe principal area;

(b) have regard to:

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

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

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

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

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

Local government changes

7. Since the last review of electoral arrangements there have been no changes to localgovernment boundaries in Ceredigion.

Procedure

8. Chapter 4 of the Act lays down procedural guidelines which are to be followed in carryingout a review. In compliance with this part of the Act, the Commission wrote on 18 January2017 to Ceredigion County Council, all the Community Councils in the area, the Members ofParliament for the local constituencies, the Assembly Members for the area, and otherinterested parties to inform them of our intention to conduct the review and to requesttheir preliminary views. The Commission invited the County Council to submit a suggestedscheme or schemes for new electoral arrangements. The Commission also requestedCeredigion County Council display a number of public notices in their area. The Commissionalso made available copies of the Electoral Reviews: Policy and Practice document. Inaddition, the Commission made a presentation to both County and Community councillorsexplaining the review process. The initial consultation period closed on 19 April 2017.

2

APPENDIX 4

9. In line with Section 35 of Chapter 4 of the Act, the Commission published its Draft ProposalsReport on 16 January 2018, notifying the listed mandatory consultees and other interestedparties of a period of consultation on the draft proposals would commence on 23 January2018 and end on 16 April 2018. The Commission met with Ceredigion County Council GroupLeaders and Chief Executive to discuss the Draft Proposals and the process of developing theFinal Recommendations. The Commission invited the County Council and other interestedparties to submit comments on the Draft Proposals and how they could be improved. TheCommission also asked Ceredigion County Council to display copies of the report alongsidepublic notices in the area.

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

Policy and Practice

11. The Commission published the Electoral Reviews: Policy and Practice document in October2016. This document details the Commission’s approach to resolving the challenge ofbalancing electoral parity and community ties; it sets out the issues to be considered andgives some understanding of the broad approach which the Commission takes towards eachof the statutory considerations to be made when addressing a review’s particularcircumstances. However, because those circumstances are unlikely to provide for the idealelectoral pattern, in most reviews compromises are made in applying the policies in order tostrike the right balance between each of the matters the Commission must consider.

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

Crown Copyright

13. The maps included in this report, and published on the Commission’s website, wereproduced by the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales under licence fromOrdnance Survey. These maps are subject to © Crown Copyright. Unauthorisedreproduction 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 draftproposals should first contact the copyright office at Ordnance Survey.

3

http://ldbc.gov.wales/reviews/electoralreviews/currreviews/?lang=en

- 1 -

SUMMARY OF REPRESENTATIONS RECEIVED FOR THE COMMISSIONS DRAFT PROPOSALS CONSULTATION ON THE REVIEW OF ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS

IN THE COUNTY OF CEREDIGION

1. Ceredigion County Council wrote on the 16 April 2018 outlining their response to theCommission’s Draft Proposals in respect of Electoral Arrangements in Ceredigion.

Ceredigion County Council agreed with 25 (76%) of the Commission’s draft proposals,as listed below:

• Aberaeron• Aberystwyth Central• Aberystwyth North• Aberystwyth Penparcau• Aberystwyth Rheidol• Bronglais and Llanbadarn Fawr• Ceulanamaesmawr• Ciliau Aeron• Faenor• Lampeter• Llanarth• Llandyfriog• Llandysiliogogo & Llangrannog

• Llandysul North and Troedyraur• Llandysul South• Llanfihangel Ystrad• Llanrhystud• Llansantffraed• Llanwenog• New Quay with Llanllwchaearn• Penbryn• Tirymynach• Trefeurig• Y Borth• Ystwyth

Ceredigion County Council opposed eight (24%) of the Commission’s draft proposals, as listed below:

• Aberporth and Y Ferwig• Beulah and Llangoedmor• Cardigan• Llanfarian

• Llangybi and Llanddewi Brefi• Lledrod• Melindwr• Tregaron with Llangeitho

The County Council proposed alternative arrangements for eight of the Commission’s proposals (listed directly above), which involved retaining the existing electoral arrangements of Aberporth, Beulah, Cardigan-Mwldan, Pen-parc, Llanfarian, Llangeitho, Llangybi, Lledrod, Melindwr and Tregaron; and proposing to form a single-member electoral ward by combining the Rhyd-y-Fuwch and Teifi wards of the Town of Cardigan.

The Council also commented upon the proposed electoral ward names and/or the views of the Welsh Language Commissioner for the names of the following wards:

• Aberaeron• Cardigan Teifi (CCC proposed)• Ceulanamaesmawr• Llanarth

• Llandyfriog• Llandysiliogogo & Llangrannog• New Quay with Llanllwchaearn• Y Borth

APPENDIX 5

- 1 -

Further details concerning the responses provided by Ceredigion County Council, in response to the Commissions Draft proposals can be seen in the following table.

APPENDIX 5

APPENDIX 5

- 2 -

APPENDIX 5

- 3 -

APPENDIX 5

- 4 -

APPENDIX 5

- 5 -

APPENDIX 5

- 6 -

APPENDIX 5

- 7 -

2. Aberaeron Town Council wrote on the 16 March 2018 to inform the Commission thatthey did not oppose the proposal for the electoral ward of Aberaeron.

3. Aberystwyth Town Council wrote on the 8 March 2018 to oppose any changes toelectoral ward boundaries within the town of Aberystwyth, preferring to await the nextreview of community boundaries where a rebalancing of boundaries within Aberystwythcould be examined.

The town council do not feel that Aberystwyth and Llanbadarn will function welltogether (Bronglais and Llanbadarn Fawr) and highlights the contrast betweenrepresentation for urban and rural areas within the county council, stating their beliefthat forming an electoral ward by combing Bronglais with Llanbadarn Fawr wouldcompromise the voice of Aberystwyth residents even further. The Council believe theCommission’s proposal would result in an erosion of democracy in highly populatedand continuously developing urban areas.

Aberystwyth Town Council also wrote on the 12 April 2018 and submitted the followingsuggestions for altering the ward boundaries within the town of Aberystwyth, in order toaddress the imbalance in voter numbers within the town:

• Move the boundary between the Bronglais and Central wards of the Town fromStanley Road, to Plas Crug Avenue. This would transfer 43 properties (and 78electors) from the Central ward into the Bronglais ward, which would addressthe level of over representation which exists within the current Bronglaiselectoral ward.

• Transfer the area demarcated by Mill Street, Park Avenue, the Football Club andthe River from the Rheidol ward into the Bronglais ward. This would, transfer anadditional 171 electors into the Bronglais ward, and reduce the Rheidol ward bythe same amount.

4. Beulah Community Council wrote on the 7 February 2018 to oppose the Beulah andLlangoedmor electoral ward proposal and to recommend the retention of the existingarrangements for Beulah. The Council highlighted the differences between the areas ofBeulah and Llangoedmor, stating that there has been no cooperation between the twocommunities.

The community council also recommend the community of Llangoedmor shouldcombine with Ferwig to form an electoral ward, highlighting that the location ofLlangoedmor activities and links are traditionally with the Town of Cardigan, comparedthe links that exist between the Beulah region and Newcastle Emlyn.

5. Cardigan Town Council wrote on the 11 April 2018 to oppose the Commission’sproposal to create a two-member ward for Cardigan. The town council support theimplementation of two single-member wards within the town; one single-member wardformed of the Mwldan ward, and a single-member ward formed by combining the Rhyd-y-Fuwch and Teifi wards of the town.

- 8 -

The town council propose that these electoral wards be names Mwldan, and Teifi, respectively.

6. Ceulanamaesmawr Community Council wrote on the 28 March 2018 to support theCommission’s proposal for the electoral ward name. The Council states that the nameof Ceulanamaesmawr is the form used by the Community Council in both languages,and it would be good to ensure consistency.

7. Ferwig Community Council wrote on the 12 April 2018 to support the Commission’sproposal to create a two-member electoral ward by combining the Communities ofAberporth and Y Ferwig.

8. Llanbadarn Fawr Community Council wrote on the 4 April 2018 to oppose theproposal to create the Bronglais and Llanbadarn Fawr electoral ward and torecommend forming a single-member electoral ward from the Community ofLlanbadarn Fawr.

9. Llanddewi Brefi Community Council wrote on the 11 April 2018 to oppose theCommission’s draft proposal to combine the Communities of Llangybi and LlanddewiBrefi, based upon the lack of community ties between the areas of Llanddewi Brefi andLlangybi.

The community council highlighted that the Communities of Llanddewi Brefi andLlangeitho are both linked settlements to the Town of Tregaron, whereas the areaswhich form the existing Llangybi electoral ward are have stronger connections to theTown of Lampeter.

The Community council believe Llanddewi Brefi’s community ties, economy andgeography are more aligned with Tregaron. However, the council also recommend that,if the combination of Llanddewi Brefi with Tregaron would require further revision of thesurrounding wards, then they would be best served and represented by the existingarrangements, which combine the Communities of Llanddewi Brefi and Llangeitho.

10. Llangeitho Community Council wrote on the 8 April 2018 to state their unanimousopposition to the proposal made by the Blaenpennal and Bontnewydd CommunityGroup to combine the Community of Llangeitho with the Town of Tregaron to form asingle-member electoral ward.

The community council explains the similarities that exist between the Communities ofLlanddewi Brefi and Llangeitho in terms of rurality, and suggest that the A485 road linkbetween the areas of Tregaron and Blaenpennal provide a better communicationpathway than those between Llangeitho and Tregaron, and the combination ofBlaenpennal and Tregaron within an electoral ward would therefore make more sense.

APPENDIX 5

- 9 -

Llangeitho Community Council also wrote on the 12 April 2018 and provided the Commission with 260 letters from the area’s residents expressing their opposition to the Commission’s proposal to combine the Community of Llangeitho with the Town of Tregaron.

These letters highlight the differences of rurality between the two areas and support the retention of the existing Llangeitho electoral ward arrangements.

11. Llangoedmor Community Council wrote on the 12 March 2018 to oppose theproposal to create the Beulah and Llangoedmor electoral ward and to recommend theretention of the status quo.

12. Llangybi Community Council wrote on the 4 April 2018 to oppose the Commission’sproposal for Llangybi and Llanddewi Brefi, citing differences in rurality between the twoareas and proposing to retain the existing arrangements for Llangybi.

13. Llanllwchaearn Community Council wrote on the 4 April 2018 to oppose theCommission’s proposals relating to the Community of Llanllwchaiarn, and highlightedtheir comments raised in response to the Commissions previous review in 2010, and inthe initial consultation phase of this review.

The community council expressed their disappointment that the Commission’s proposalignored the views of elected members for the area, and the recommendation from theCounty Council. The community council implore the Commission to reconsider theirrecommendation concerning the electoral arrangements for the Community ofLlanllwchaiarn, based upon their previous arguments.

The community council also oppose the use of the existing community name“Llanllwchaiarn” within the name of their electoral ward. Although “Llanllwchaiarn” is thelegal Welsh and English name for the Community within the 2002 Order (The County ofCeredigion (Electoral Changes) Order 2002), the community council support theproposal of the Welsh Language Commissioner to use the form “Llanllwchaearn” inboth Welsh and English.

The community council suggest that any merged name the Commission uses in futureshould recognise that historical context and put Llanllwchaearn first: e.g.“Llanllwchaearn including New Quay”.

14. Llansantffraed Community Council wrote on the 16 March 2018 to inform theCommission that they did not oppose the proposal for the electoral ward ofLlansantffraed.

However, the Council states their belief that there is no need to give the ward anEnglish name, as the Welsh name (Llansanffraid) would be sufficient.

APPENDIX 5

APPENDIX 5

- 10 -

15. Lledrod Community Council wrote on the 14 April 2018 to support the Commission’sproposals for the electoral ward of Lledrod.

The community council also submitted several reasons why they remain opposed tothe County Council’s initial proposal which recommended forming a single-memberelectoral ward by combining the Blaenpennal ward of the Community of Lledrod withthe Town of Tregaron, citing the negative impact it would have upon physical, political,historical and cultural connections the area of Blaenpennal has with the remainder ofLledrod.

16. Pontarfynach Community Council wrote on the 12 April 2018 with no objection withthe Commission’s proposals, however did question whether the current Melindwr wardwould be a viable partnership with Ysbyty Ystwyth as the suggested ward would be asparsely populated area.

The community council highlighted that Pontarfynach village is a rural centre and theneeds are diverse to those of the surrounding area.

17. Tregaron Town Council wrote on the 23 March 2018 to oppose the Commissionsdraft proposals and to recommend combining the Blaenpennal ward of the Communityof Lledrod with the Town of Tregaron to form a single-member electoral ward, basedupon Ceredigion County Council’s response to the Commission’s initial consultation.

18. Ystwyth Community Council wrote on the 15 April 2018 to oppose the Commissionsdraft proposals to recommend combining the Community of Ysbyty Ystwyth within theMelindwr electoral ward.

The community council state that there are strong links between the communitieswithin the existing Lledrod electoral ward and the needs of these communities aresimilar.

The community council highlighted the improved level of electoral representation in theLledrod electoral ward that would result from the County Council’s proposal to combinethe Blaenpennal ward from the Community of Lledrod with the Town of Tregaron.

The community council also attached two objections from residents of the Communityof Ysbyty Ystwyth.

19. Councillor John Adams-Lewis (Cardigan-Mwldan) wrote on the 15 April 2018 tooppose the Commission’s proposal to create a two-member ward for Cardigan.Councillor Adams supports the views of Ceredigion County Council, and CardiganTown Councils, proposal to create two electoral wards within the Town; with Mwldanretaining its existing single-member arrangement and Rhyd-y-Fuwch and Teifi beingcombined to form a single-member ward, called Teifi.

APPENDIX 5

- 11 -

20. Councillor Ifan Davies (Lledrod) wrote on the 16 April 2018 to oppose the Commission’s proposals for Lledrod and Melindwr, and to recommend the retention of the existing arrangements for Lledrod.Councillor Davies highlights the natural boundary between the Communities of Ysbyty Ystwyth (Lledrod) and Pontarfynach (Melindwr) known as ardal Rhos Y Gell (known by locals as Siberia Fach).The councillor noted that when the LDP of the Council was restructured 8-9 years previous, residents within the Community of Ysbyty Ystwyth strongly opposed that their service centre should be the village of Devil’s Bridge, and fought for the natural catchment fall of Pontrhydfendigaid in the Community of Ystrad Fflur (Lledrod) to be their service centre.With regards to the County council’s initial proposal to join the Blaenpennal ward of the Community of Lledrod with the Town of Tregaron, Councillor Davies acknowledges the views expressed by Lledrod Community Council and the Blaenpennal and Bontnewydd Community Group, and as their councillor, confirms that he fully respects, understands and agrees with their reasoning, and has no further comments to add.

21. Councillor Rhodri Evans (Llangeitho) wrote on the 15 April 2018 to oppose the proposal to combine the Community of Llangeitho with the Town of Tregaron to form a single-member electoral ward.Councillor Evans states that Llanddewi Brefi and Llangybi are not a natural fit, and that Llanddewi Brefi’s community, geographical and economic ties are more aligned to Llangeitho, as per the existing arrangement. The councillor highlighted that the Communities of Llanddewi Brefi and Llangeitho are both linked settlements to the Town of Tregaron, whereas the areas which form the existing Llangybi electoral ward have stronger connections to the Town of Lampeter.Councillor Evans explained that a large number of his constituents have phoned and approached him regarding the Commission’s draft proposals, all of whom are against the proposals and supportive of retaining the existing arrangement for Llangeitho.

22. Councillor Maldwyn Lewis (Troedyraur) wrote on the 17 February 2018 to support the proposal to combine the north area of Llandysul with the Community of Troedyraur to form a single-member electoral ward, in order to balance the ratio of councillors to electors.Councillor Lewis confirms that the areas of north Llandysul and Troedyraur have a great deal in common and also share village halls, chapels and churches, while the nature of the population and houses are also similar.

- 12 -

Councillor Lewis accepts the ward name proposed by the Commission, however questions the need to include a mutation within the Welsh version “Gogledd Llandysul a Throed-yr-aur”.

23. Councillor Catrin Miles (Aberteifi/Cardigan-Teifi) wrote on the 13 April 2018 inopposition to the Commission’s proposal for the two-member ward of Cardigan.

Councillor Miles favours the creation of two single-member wards within the town, bycombining the Rhyd-y-Fuwch and Teifi wards, and retaining the existing arrangementsfor Aberteifi/Cardigan-Mwldan.

Councillor Miles states her view that the figures within the Draft Proposals Report donot reflect the level of impact on the Teifi ward, outlining the various aspects ofresponsibility that would be required of the elected member if the Rhyd-y-Fuwch andTeifi were combined into a single-member ward.

24. Blaenpennal and Bontnewydd Community Group wrote on the 14 April 2018,following a public meeting held in the village of Blaenpennal on 21 February 2018 andconfirmed their unanimous support for the Commission’s Draft proposal for Lledrod.

25. A resident of Llanon wrote on the 03 March 2018 to provide a scheme ofarrangements for the County of Ceredigion, which results in 30 single-member, andfour two-member, electoral wards.

A breakdown of the residents proposed scheme of electoral arrangements is providedin the table below, against the recommended electoral ward name.

Name of proposed ward community wards Councillor/s

Aberaeron and Llanerchaeron Aberaeron Ciliau Aeron Llanddewi Aberarth

1

Aberporth Aberporth 1

Aberystwyth University Aberystwyth Bronglais Aberystwyth Canol / Central 2

Aberystwyth, Penglais Aberystwyth Gogledd / North Waunfawr 2

Aberystwyth, Penparcau Aberystwyth Penparcau 2 Aberystwyth, Rheidol Aberystwyth Rheidol 2

Aeron Valley

Cilcennin Llanbadarn Trefeglwys Nantcwnlle Penuwch Trefilan

1

APPENDIX 5

APPENDIX 5

- 13 -

Beulah and Cenarth Falls

Bettws Evan Beulah Brongwyn Llandygwydd

1

Blaenplwyf, Capel Seion and Llanrhystud

Deiniol Llanbadarn y Creuddyn Llanychaiarn Mefenydd

1

Borth and Taliesin Borth Llangynfelyn 1

Capel Dewi and Tre-groes

Capel Dewi Llangynllo Pontshaen Tregroes

1

Cardigan Castle Rhyd y Fuwch Teifi 1

Cardigan Rural Llangoedmor Y Ferwig 1

Cardigan, Mwldan Mwldan 1

Ceulanamaesmawr Ceulanamaesmawr Geneu'r Glyn Ysgubor-y-Coed

1

Clarach and Bow Street Llangorwen Tirymynach 1

Hafod Ithel Llangwyryfon Llanilar 1

Lampeter Lampeter 1

Llanarth and Henfynyw Henfynyw Llanarth 1

Llanbadarn Fawr Padarn Sulien 1

Llandyfriog and Aber-banc Llandyfriog Orllwyn Teifi 1

Llandysul Town Trefol 1

Llanfihangel Ystrad Dihewid Llanfihangel Ystrad Mydroilyn

1

Llangeitho and Llangybi

Cellan Gartheli Gwynfil Llanfair Clydogau Llangybi

1

Llangrannog and Talgarreg Llandysiliogogo Llangrannog 1

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Llanwenog Llanwenog Llanwnnen Silian

1

New Quay and Llanllwchaiarn Llanllwchaiarn New Quay 1

Penbryn and Troedyraur Penbryn Troedyraur 1

Rhiedol Valley and Faenor

Blaenrheidol Faenor Goginan Llanbadarn y Creuddyn Uchaf Penllwyn

1

Sant Non, Sant Ffraed a Rhyd Rosser Haminiog Llansantffraed 1

Strata Florida

Blaenpennal Caron-Uwch-Clawdd Gwnnws Isaf Gwnnws Uchaf Lledrod Isaf Lledrod Uchaf

1

Trefeurig Trefeurig 1

Tregaron and Llandewi Brefi Llanbadarn Odwyn Llanddewi Brefi Tregaron

1

Ystwyth Valley

Llanafan Llanfihangel y Creuddyn Pontarfynach Ysbyty Ystwyth

1

The resident also suggests that if the Sant Non ward proposal is taken up then the name submitted is the formal Welsh language name of the electoral ward, to recognise the saints whose churches are in the ward.

26. A resident of Ysbyty Ystwyth wrote on the 16 March 2018 to oppose theCommission’s draft proposals for Lledrod and Melindwr, stating that the Community ofYsbyty Ystwyth is linked much more closely to Pontrhydfendigaid, and the proposal forthe Lledrod electoral ward will still result in an electoral ward which is too large.

The resident believes the draft proposal for Melindwr would leave residents of theYsbyty Ystwyth Community feeling isolated and potentially forgotten by theirrepresentative.

27. A resident of Ceredigion wrote on the 02 April 2018 to oppose the Commission’sdraft proposals for Bronglais and Llanbadarn Fawr, stating their concern regarding theaccountability of councillors in multi-member wards, considering that members in this

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proposal would be accountable to Aberystwyth Town Council (Bronglais) and Llanbadarn Fawr Community Council.

The Resident highlighted that wards are not always reflective of voter turnout, and highlighted that, in 2017, more electors voted in the Bronglais ward, than they did in the Central ward of the Town.

The resident also highlighted that electoral registers don’t always reflect populations.

The resident recommended a better solution would be to move Stanley Road and Elm Tree Avenue to Bronglais ward, from the Central ward of the town.

28. A resident of Ceredigion wrote on the 02 April 2018 to state their view that theCommission’s proposal for Llanfarian does not reflect the geographical nature of thecommunity.

The resident suggests the rural areas to the south of the existing Ystwyth electoralward link closely to the villages of Llanfarian and Blaenplwyf, and recommends creatingan electoral ward by combining the Llanfarian and Llanilar communities.

Furthermore, the resident believes the above proposal would allow the Llanbadarn yCreuddyn Uchaf ward of the Community of Melindwr to combine with the community ofTrawsgoed to form an electoral ward, stating that these areas are closely linked.

29. A resident of Llangeitho wrote on the 05 April 2018 expressing opposition to theCommission’s proposal to combine the Community of Llangeitho with the Town ofTregaron.

The resident highlighted the differences of rurality between the two areas andsupported the retention of the existing Llangeitho electoral ward arrangements.





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33. A resident of Blaenpennal wrote on the 11 April 2018 to support the Commission’sdraft proposal for Lledrod.

The resident also authorised the Committee of the Blaenpennal and BontnewyddCommunity Group to submit a letter on their behalf, to support this view.

34. Two residents of Blaenpennal wrote on the 11 April 2018 to support theCommission’s draft proposal for Lledrod.

The residents also authorised the Committee of the Blaenpennal and BontnewyddCommunity Group to submit a letter on their behalf, to support this view.




37. Three residents of Blaenpennal wrote on the 13 April 2018 to support theCommission’s draft proposal for Lledrod.


38. A resident of Blaenpennal wrote on the 13 April 2018 to inform the Commission ofthe outcome of a public meeting held in Blaenpennal on 21 February 2018.

The resident stated that, those present at the meeting, were unanimous in their supportof the Commissions draft proposal for Lledrod, and strong opinions had been voiced inthe area to oppose the recommendations of the County Council.


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44. A resident of Llanddewi Brefi wrote on the 14 April 2018 to oppose the Commission’sdraft proposal concerning the Community of Llanddewi Brefi.

The resident believes, foremost, that the existing arrangements for Llangeitho shouldbe retained and stands by the view that the Community of Llanddewi Brefi is linked toLlangeitho.

However, if there is a requirement to change, the resident supports Llanddewi BrefiCommunity Council’s view that the Community of Llanddewi Brefi has more in commonwith Tregaron, rather than with Llangybi.

The resident also goes on to include Lledrod, Llanddewi Brefi and Llangeitho as part ofTregaron.

45. A resident of Llanddewi Brefi wrote on the 14 April 2018 to oppose the Commission’sdraft proposals concerning the Community of Llanddewi Brefi.

The resident would prefer that the existing arrangements for Llangeitho are retained.

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However, if there is a requirement to change, the resident would choose to join with Tregaron for all the same reasons that Llanddewi Brefi Community Council have raised to the Commission.


The residents believe the Commission’s proposal to be an improvement on the currentarrangements for the ward because it provides a better balance between east andwest, and improve representation from the county councillor.

47. A resident of Llanddewi Brefi wrote on the 15 April 2018 to oppose the Commission’sdraft proposal for Llangybi and Llanddewi Brefi due to the negative impacts the residentbelieves would have upon social cohesion and social capital.

The resident believes that the Commission has placed too great an emphasis upon thedesire to achieve electoral parity within this area, and fails to successfully consider theimpact the proposal would have upon social cohesion and rural infrastructures withinthe Community of Llanddewi Brefi, and the knock-on effects this would have for thearea and its population.

The resident cites the findings of a case study document “The Rural Challenge:Empowering Rural Communities to Achieve Growth and Sustainability”, and considersthat many of the same issues discovered in rural County Kerry (Republic of Ireland) areapplicable to Mid-Wales, highlighting several issues which they believe theCommission’s proposal fails to consider in Llanddewi Brefi.

The resident also suggests there is a lack of commonality between the Communities ofLlanddewi Brefi and Llangybi and highlights that the council representative for the areawould therefore have divided interests; the resident suggests this would dramaticallyreduce the level involvement and social interaction of people in the area.

The resident considers the Community of Llanddewi Brefi to have pre-existing linkswith the Town of Tregaron and, along with the Community of Llangeitho, is a linkedsettlement to the Rural Service Centre in Tregaron, whereas, the Community ofLlangybi is linked to the Urban Service centre of Lampeter.

The resident concludes that the remaining social capital within the Community ofLlanddewi Brefi can only be retained by protecting its social cohesion, and the presentproblems within Ceredigion will not be resolved by ‘number games’ with electoralboundaries.

48. A resident of Ysbyty Ystwyth wrote on the 15 April 2018 to oppose the Commission’sdraft proposals concerning the Community of Ysbyty Ystwyth.

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The resident explains that, both historically and currently, the Ysbyty Ystwyth community is more culturally, socially and linguistically aligned with the people of Pontrhydfendigaid (Community of Ystrad Fflur).

The resident feels the Communities within the existing Melindwr electoral ward are naturally drawn to the main service centre of Aberystwyth, and they are far less rural that Ysbyty Ystwyth.

The resident requests that the Community of Ysbyty Ystwyth remain part of the Lledrod electoral ward, as per the existing arrangement.

49. A resident of Ceredigion wrote on the 15 April 2018 to oppose the Commission’sdraft proposals for Bronglais and Llanbadarn Fawr.

The resident explained that by combining the part of the Town of Aberystwyth with theCommunity of Llanbadarn Fawr, the elected members may have to deal with conflictedissues.

The resident also highlights that there will be an increase in the population of Bronglaisbefore 2022 when Aberystwyth university reopens the Pantycelyn halls of residence,suggesting there will be a significantly higher number of voters in the Bronglais ward bythe next round of elections.

The resident pleads with the Commission to keep the wards of Aberystwyth Bronglaisand Llanbadarn Fawr Padarn as they current are.

50. A resident of Llanddewi Brefi wrote on the 15 April 2018 to oppose the Commission’sdraft proposal to combine the Communities of Llangybi and Llanddewi Brefi, and tosupport the views submitted by Llanddewi Brefi Community Council.

The resident feels their representation would shift from a rural to a town-centric point ofview in all matters and this would be disastrous to their micro-economy and communitystructure.




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APPENDIX 6

WRITTEN STATEMENT BY

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT

TITLE LOCAL ELECTIONS AND ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS

DATE Thursday 23rd JUNE 2016

BY MARK DRAKEFORD, CABINET SECRETARY FOR FINANCE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The Local Authority Elections (Wales) Order 2014 provided for local elections in Wales to be

delayed for a year, from May 2016 to May 2017. This allowed the elections to be separated

from the Assembly elections.

At the present time, the Local Government Act 1972 provides that ordinary elections to local

government in Wales take place on the first Thursday of May every four years. Therefore,

the next local government elections would normally take place in May 2021. Since the

implementation of the provisions of the Wales Act 2014, elections to the National Assembly

take place on a five-yearly cycle. The policy of the Welsh Government is that elections at

local level should also be placed on a five year cycle. It is intended that councillors elected

next May will therefore hold office until May 2022.

The Wales Bill, currently before Parliament, includes provisions which would enable the

Assembly to legislate to determine the term of office for local government. As the Bill is

currently in draft form and should these provisions, for any reason, not come into force, the

Welsh Government could use the same powers under the Local Government Act 2000 as

we did in 2014 to delay the elections by a year. This statement therefore provides clarity to

local government as to the length of office of those to be elected next year.

1

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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APPENDIX 6

review of the electoral arrangements of the county of ......jun 23, 2016 · a marked improvement...

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