The number of councillors in Torfaen will be cut from 44 to 40. The reduction is one of a number of changes that have been accepted by the Welsh Government following recommendations from the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales.
The changes also include some wards being combined. The full changes are to:
- reduce the number of councillors from 44 to 40
- reduce the number of wards from 24 to 18
- reduce the number of councillors in the Greenmeadow ward from 2 to 1
- reduce the number of councillors in the Upper Cwmbran ward from 3 to 2
- combine the wards of Croesyceiliog North and Croesyceiliog South and reduce the number of councillors from 3 to 2
- combine the wards of Brynwern, Wainfelin, Pontypool and Cwmynyscoy and reduce the number of councillors from 4 to 3
- combine the wards of Trevethin & Penygarn are reduce the number of councillors from 3 to 2
- increase the number of councillors in the Llantarnam ward from 2 to 3
The Commission’s final recommendations were submitted to the Welsh Government in November 2018 and Minister for Finance and Local Government, Rebecca Evans MS, has confirmed that the decision has been made to accept the recommendations.
Shereen Williams, chief executive of the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales, said: “I’m delighted that the Welsh Government has accepted these recommendations with only minor modifications. These changes will mean greater electoral parity for the people of Torfaen.
“I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to the review, the members of the public, councillors, Torfaen Council, and everyone else who sent us a representation or contributed in any other way.”
The boundary changes are expected to take effect from the 2022 local government elections.
The full list of retained wards:
- Abersychan
- Blaenavon
- Coed Eva
- Fairwater
- Llanyrafon East and Ponthir
- Llanyrafon West
- New Inn
- Panteg
- Pontnewydd
- St. Dials
- Two Locks
Recommendations not accepted by Welsh Government:
The Commission proposed the single name of Panteg. The electoral ward will be given the Welsh language name of Pan-teg. The English form will remain Panteg.