To submit the report of the Senior Manager (Corporate Support).
Local Members affected by the proposals (that are not members of the Committee) receiving an invitation: Councillors Cai Larsen, Roy Owen, Jason Parry, Ioan Thomas, Steve Collings, Keith Jones, Nigel Pickavance, Mair Rowlands, Catrin Wager, Glyn Daniels, Linda Ann Jones, Anne Lloyd Jones, Dewi Owen, Mike Stevens, Simon Glyn, Sian Wyn Hughes, W. Gareth Roberts, Gareth Williams, Freya Bentham, Eryl Jones-Williams, Annwen Hughes, Elfed Roberts, Elwyn Jones, Peter Garlick, Edgar Wyn Owen, Craig ab Iago, Dilwyn Lloyd, Eric M. Jones, Owain Williams, Anwen Davies, Elwyn Edwards, Louise Hughes, Beth Lawton and Alwyn Gruffydd.
Minutes:
The Senior Corporate Support Manager submitted the report, and noted
that the Full Council at its meeting on 2 March had accepted a report on the
review. He explained that the timetable for the Council to submit draft
proposals to the Boundaries Commission had been extended to mid-June on account
of the election period.
He noted that the
committee had been asked to consider the draft proposals and the possible
options noted in this report and propose recommendations to the Full Council in
its meeting on 15 June, then the Council would submit proposals to the
Boundaries Commission. Furthermore, to recommend to the Full Council that it,
again, pressure the Boundaries Commission to pay attention to effective local
representation needs and the impact of the population that was not on the
electoral register when forming its proposals.
He highlighted that the Boundaries Commission had proposed that the
average number of electors for each member in Gwynedd would be 1,243. He noted
that every constituency was different and it was not practical to adhere too
stringently to this figure in every case. The aim of the draft proposals was to
allow for a variance of up to 25% above or below that figure, based on the type
of variation the Commission had approved in the past.
Another principle at the core of these proposals was to seek to reduce
the number of two -member constituencies in the county. He explained that the
Council's opinion was, where geography and the nature of communities allowed,
that single-member constituencies should be sought in order to simplify
accountability for the electorate.
He reported that
the options had been discussed to varying degrees with the relevant Local
Members and that Community Councils had also been consulted.
He guided the members
through the report and asked them to share their opinions on the proposals and
the Local Members, who were present, were invited to comment.
Dolbenmaen
/ Porthmadog (Tremadog)
It was noted that both
constituencies, although not being suggested for change at present, could be
considered by the Boundaries Commission for change, if not this year, certainly
by the review that would take place after the 2022 elections. Should the need
for change arise, the only possibility that could be considered was to divide
the ward of Porthmadog (Tremadog)
so that some of the community wards in the area merged with the Dolbenmaen constituency and for others to be moved to one
of two other constituencies in Porthmadog, thus
leading to a reduction of one seat. Members were asked for their opinion about
making recommendations for change or leaving it in the hands of the Commission.
The local member for Dolbenmaen noted that any change considered would mean very
little change in the number of electors. Extending the boundary toward Cwmstradllyn would perhaps balance out the numbers but
extending the boundary to Pwllgoleulas would mean too
much movement in one direction for the Dolbenmaen
ward.
The local member
for Porthmadog (Tremadog)
noted that the geographical area of the ward as it currently stood meant a
considerable distance between Penmorfa and Snowdon.
He was of the opinion that the proposal did not consider the pragmatic problems
facing rural people and social movements. He noted, if
change were recommended, Pant Glas would fit in
better with Bryncir than Clynnog.
He explained, because of history/tradition, that Tremadog
would be better linked with Porthmadog and that a Bryncir to Snowdon ward would be too large.
In response to the
observations, the Senior Corporate Support Manager noted that the Commission's
main consideration was elector numbers; but, because local members were
satisfied that no change was necessary and that no other rational change was
forthcoming, a proposal would not be submitted to the Commission.
RESOLVED to not recommend change to the Full
Council.
Electorates where no changes were proposed
A member noted
that elector numbers in the Gerlan, Ogwen, and Tregarth and Mynydd Llandegai wards were
approximately 30% higher than the 1,243 figure, and he asked whether there was
a danger that the Commission would consider the number of electors to be too
great. The Senior Corporate Support Manager acknowledged that there was a
danger that the Commission would think so, but it was hoped that they would not
suggest change as their main focus was on smaller constituencies.
The Chief
Executive added that the drivers for the work of forming electoral boundaries
should be places that have a natural connection, but that the Commission tended
to be driven by mathematics. He noted that the Council would have to defend
what was suggested to the Commission lest they looked at the mathematics and
formed two- or three-member constituencies, which, in the Council's opinion
clouded accountability. He confirmed that there was a risk but that the Council
was attempting to create a defensible plan.
Bangor City Area
The Senior
Corporate Support Manager reported that he had attended a meeting of Bangor
City Council on 5 June and that they, in principle, accepted that there would
be a reduction in the number of councillors, but that they wanted this
reduction to be minimised. He noted that Bangor City Council would be
submitting an option to divide the city to minimise the suggested reduction
before the meeting of the Full Council.
The local member
for Deiniol suggested merging Garth and Hirael as he had been made aware of a campaign to try to
register a lot of people in the Bangor area. A number of individuals had not
registered to vote in the Deiniol ward but, in the
long term, there could be a substantial increase in the number of electors.
The local member
for Menai (Bangor) noted that Bangor University was
discussing the arrangements for automatically registering all students. In
which case, the number of electors could increase substantially and that we
should be prudent and await a more firm response from the University.
The local member
for Garth noted that it would be an idea to look at the historical figures
since approximately 9,000 students were missing from the current numbers.
A member noted
that he agreed with the local member's observations: the Commission document
referred to the population and electors. From looking at the population, the
existing wards fulfilled the requirements. He added that the proposed change to
comply with the requirements of the Commission in terms of electors would not reflect
the real work councillors did, and local members and the Bangor City Council
should be given the opportunity to submit a proposal.
In response to the
above observations, the Senior Corporate Support Manager noted that the
Commission did not intend extending the closing date and that they were
assessing at a point in time and would review this when carrying out the review
of the electoral boundaries in future. He noted that he did not disagree with
the comments made but an attempt should be made to respond in accordance with
requirements of the Commission.
RESOLVED to give local members and Bangor City Council the opportunity
to submit a proposal before the meeting of the Full Council.
Caernarfon Town Area
The Senior
Corporate Support Manager noted that suggestions to improve the boundaries of
Caernarfon town would be made, using the natural boundaries of the Llanberis Road and the Link Road through the town as
obvious and natural ones. Attention was drawn to the fact that this would leave
the existing Seiont constituency as a two-member
constituency with approximately 2,392 electors. However, in order to implement
the Council's wish of trying to have single-member constituencies, its proposed to split it into two constituencies - the
Caernarfon Town Centre Constituency of approximately 1,177 and the Hendre Constituency, which is mainly a single large housing
estate, of approximately 1,215 electors. It was reported that Councillor Roy
Owen (local member for Seiont) disagreed with the
proposals.
The local member
for Cadnant noted that he supported the proposals
which would improve the town boundaries and be in keeping with the Commission's
requirements.
Councillor Cai Larsen (local member for Seiont) noted that he welcomed the sensible proposals and
that the Seiont ward was extensive with deprived
areas which involved a lot of case work.
In response to an
observation by the local member for Cadnant that the
meeting of the Town Council would be held that evening, the Senior Corporate
Support Officer stated, if comments were received from the Town Council, they
would be incorporated into the report of the Full Council.
RESOLVED to recommend the proposal to the Full Council.
Ffestiniog Area
The Senior Corporate
Support Manager stated, while the Bowydd and Rhiw
area was fine as it was, the Diffwys and Maenofferen constituency with 750 electors was too small,
and the Teigl constituency (1,315) was a little
larger than the average. Further to that which was stated in the report about
the boundary suggested by Ffestiniog Town Council, it
was reported that there had been a misunderstanding as to which old post office
reference had been made. He stated that the Town Council and local members were
unanimous in their support for the amended boundary which complied with the
Commission's requirements.
RESOLVED to recommend the proposal to the
Full Council.
Tywyn Area
The Senior
Corporate Support Manager stated that the Tywyn
constituency was currently a two-member constituency. He highlighted the fact
that there were three community wards in the Tywyn
area. Morfa ward had elector figures close to those
being considered, whilst Tywyn West and Tywyn East collectively had roughly the right number, in
which case a natural boundary existed to create two constituencies. He reported
that local members supported the proposal.
He noted that
there was a risk for the constituencies of Aberdyfi
and Pennal on account of of
a predicted further reduction in elector numbers. For the time being, however,
it was suggested that Tywyn East and Tywyn West merge.
RESOLVED to recommend the proposal to the
Full Council.
Abersoch, Aberdaron, Botwnnog, Tudweiliog, Morfa Nefyn and Llanbedrog Area
The Senior
Corporate Support Manager stated that the three possible options noted in the
report would lead to three fewer members in the area. He reported that
discussions had been held with the local members and concerns had been
expressed that the suggested options would mean a reduction of as many as three
members, and the impact it would have on effective representation for the
population as a whole. He noted that local members should be given the
opportunity to propose an alternative option before the Full Council meeting
which would lead to the most sensible reduction in member numbers.
In response to a
question by a member about the response of community councils, the Senior
Corporate Support Manager stated that the only response had come from Botwnnog Community Council in which they stated their
objection to the Comission's intentions.
A member noted
that Llanengan Community Council would be discussing
the matter at their meeting on Wednesday evening. In response, the Senior
Corporate Support Manager noted that any proposals would have to be delivered a
few days before the Full Council meeting on 15 June in order for them to be
assessed.
The Chief
Executive emphasised that any proposal would have to comply with the
Commission's requirements and, if the mathematics suggested reducing the number
of Members, the Commission would act.
The local member
for Llanengan noted that he would be holding
discussions with the relevant local members in relation to Llanbedrog/Mynytho and Abersoch/Llanengan/part of Llangian, but
that he did not have definite figures. In response, the Senior Corporate
Support Manager noted that he had shared the number of electors in the
community wards with local members in the area following a meeting. He
explained that the information about the division of community wards was not
available, and that officers would count the numbers of electors within
electoral wards after proposals had been submitted.
In response to a
suggestion by the local member for Clynnog that a
special meeting of the Dwyfor Area Committee should
be convened, the Senior Corporate Support Manager noted that the timetable was
tight and that a decision about the proposals would have to be reached at the
Full Council meeting the following week.
The local member for
Llanbedrog stated that there were a number of holiday
homes in the area and, although the owners were not on the electoral register,
the local member also represented them. She added that an attempt would be made
to create a proposal that would divide the constituencies naturally. She was of
the opinion that Llanbedrog was naturally bound to Mynytho. She noted that Llanbedrog
Community Council had discussed the matter and she would contact the clerk so
that they could submit a proposal.
RESOLVED to give local members in the Llŷn area the opportunity to submit a proposal before
the meeting of the Full Council.
A minute's silence
was held at 11.00am as a mark of respect to those who suffered as a result of
the recent terrorism incident in London.
Trawsfynydd, Harlech, Dyffryn Ardudwy and Llanbedr Area
The Senior
Corporate Support Manager stated that there were two possible options. The
second option would redress the balance of numbers across the three
constituencies suggested. Option one would propose the constituency of Harlech, Talsarnau and Llanfair;
it would be a large constituency of 1,820. It was highlighted that the matter
causing tension with respect to creating the constituencies was whether it made
sense to merge Talsarnau/Maentwrog/Trawsfynydd.
The local member
for Llanbedr stated that the first option was best and that merging the wards
of Harlech and Talsarnau
made more sense than merging the community wards of Trawsfynydd
and Maentwrog.
In response to the
comments, the Senior Corporate Support Manager stated that option one made more
sense geographically.
It was noted that
observations had been received from the local member for Dyffryn
Ardudwy who expressed his concern that Dyffryn Ardudwy and Talybont with Llanbedr would create a large constituency
with Talybont on the periphery, but that he
acknowledged the need to reduce the number of constituencies. He proposed 'Dyffryn Ardudwy, Llanbedr and Talybont' as a name for the new constituency.
RESOLVED to recommend option 1 to the Full
Council.
Llanrug Area
The Senior
Corporate Support Manager stated the need to neaten the Llanrug
boundaries of the area in order to improve the state of constituencies by
dealing with the communities of Cwm y Glo (438), Brynrefail (224) and Ceunant
(305) and also Penisarwaun (560) and Rhiwlas (533).
It was noted that
a proposal had been made for two revised constituencies namely one for Cwm y Glo, Brynrefail and Ceunant (967) and one for Penisarwaun
and Rhiwlas (1,093). It was reported that there was a
difference of opinion among local members.
The local member
stated his wish to retain the community of Brynrefail
with Penisarwaun and Rhiwlas
with the total number of electors at 1,317, which was a little higher than the
average noted by the Commission. He added that Afon Rhyddallt was a natural boundary.
The local member
for Llanrug noted that a two-member constituency was
unnecessary and that he was of the opinion that this proposal should be
acceptable to the Commission. He added that the Brynrefail
community had stronger links with Cwm y Glo than with
Rhiwlas. He noted that Llanrug
Community Council was in favour of the proposal.
The local member
for Cwm y Glo stated that there was a danger that a
two-member constituency could be created if the Council did not submit a
proposal. He added that the new Cwm y Glo, Brynrefail and Ceunant
constituency would be in keeping with the school's catchment area.
The local member
for Penisarwaun added that Brynrefail
and Cwm y Glo naturally went together but that a
constituency needed to be formed around a natural boundary.
In response to the
observation, the Senior Corporate Support Manager stated,
if changes were not made, that there was a danger that the Commission might
create a two-member constituency.
The local member
for Penisarwaun enquired whether Llanddeiniolen
Community Council had responded. It was stated that they had not responded.
RESOLVED to recommend the proposal to the
Full Council.
Bontnewydd, Llanfaglan and Caeathro / Waunfawr, Betws Garmon and Rhyd Ddu
The Senior
Corporate Support Manager stated that these proposals for these areas had been
created with the local community links and school catchment areas in mind.
RESOLVED to recommend the proposals to the
Full Council.
Dinas and Dinas Dinlle Area
The Senior
Corporate Support Manager stated that this proposal to an extent attempted to
respond to the change to the Bontnewydd area, but
that it also attempted to use the communities around and below the A499 trunk
road as a relatively natural boundary between communities.
The local member
for Llanwnda stated that it would be unwise to create
such a small constituency made up of two community councils, namely Llanwnda and Llandwrog. He was of
the opinion that the Llanwnda constituency should
remain as it was as it met the elector number requirements of the Commission,
and it was within the area of one community council.
In response, the
Senior Corporate Support Manager noted that he would keep the constituency of Llanwnda as it was, but it did raise the question of where
to place Dinas Dinlle.
The local member
added, if a decision was made to create a Dinas and Dinas Dinlle constituency, it
would be necessary to consider a combination of Rhostryfan/Rhosgadfan/Carmel and Fron.
The Chief
Executive emphasised that any combination was possible but that the mathematics
had to be in keeping with requirements. He added that a discussion ought to be
held with local members about the area.
RESOLVED to hold discussions with relevant
local members to draw up a proposal for the constituencies in the area prior to
the meeting of the Full Council.
Llanllyfni, Talysarn, Nantlle and Nebo Area
The Senior
Corporate Support Manager suggested merging Llanllyfni
(513) Talysarn (714) Nantlle
(152) and Nebo (253) to create one new constituency of 1,612 (the entire Llanllyfni Community Council with the exception of Penygroes).
He reported that
the local member for Talysarn did not object to this
proposal despite stating that the new (Groeslon,
Carmel and Cesarea) constituency varied greatly in
its demography.
RESOLVED to recommend the proposal to the
Full Council.
Groeslon, Carmel and Ceserea Area
/ Rhostryfan and Rhosgadfan
Area
The Senior
Corporate Support Manager stated, following the discussion about the Dinas and Dinas Dinlle area, that discussions would be held with local
members.
Clynnog, Trefor, Llithfaen and Ffôr Area
The Senior
Corporate Support Manager highlighted the fact that the existing Clynnog constituency numbers were substantially below the
elector number threshold.
He noted that the
favoured option was option three, as suggested by the local member for Llanaelhaearn, namely to retain the existing Llanaelhaearn constituency (1,151) as it was; calling it 'Yr Eifl' would, however, be more
sensible. The Nebo ward (233) would then be added to Clynnog
to create a new constituency of 946 electors (which would be a very small
constituency in the Commission’s terms), thus, removing it from the Llanllyfni ward which would reduce the size of that ward to
1,369 which was more logical. This would address concerns expressed by Pistyll Community Council about small rural communities
merging with larger and very different areas.
The local member
for Clynnog noted that he agreed that option 3 was
the best.
RESOLVED to recommend option 3 to the Full
Council.
Abererch, Efailnewydd, Pentre Uchaf and Buan Area
It was noted that
the proposal for this area had been mistakenly included and it was recommended
that no changes should be made and for the Committee to dismiss it.
The local member
for Abererch stated that he was happy with the
recommendation that the constituencies remain the same.
Penllyn Area
The Senior
Corporate Support Officer stated that a recommendation had been made to swap
the wards in the two existing constituencies but that two seats should be
retained so that there would be three seats in the entire area, namely Bala and Penllyn West – Llanuwchllyn (494), Cwm y Glyn (83) and Llanycil
(323) (constituency of 900) and Penllyn East – Gwalia
(125), Llan y Betws (456)
and Llanfor (347) (constituency of 928). It was noted that the constituencies were small, looking toward the future, but that it was
unavoidable in such a rural area.
It was noted that
local members were concerned, if changes were not suggested, that a large
constituency or a two-member constituency would be created.
RESOLVED to recommend the proposal to the
Full Council.
Llanegryn, Bryncrug and Friog Area
The Senior
Corporate Support Officer suggested moving the ward of Llanegryn
from one constituency to the other in order to create two reorganised
constituencies:-
Llanegryn, Bryncrug and Llanfihangel = 1,000
(three Community Council areas)
Y Friog, Islaw’r Dre and Llangelynnin = 1,332 (two Community Council areas)
RESOLVED to recommend the proposal to the
Full Council.
General Observations
The members noted
the following main points:-
·
The consultation period, which coincided with the
election period, was entirely inadequate for any meaningful local discussion
and this had affected the ability to provide details on some proposals.
·
The Boundaries Commission should focus on the
requirements of effective local representation and the impact of the population
rather than on the electoral register, at a specific point in time, in forming
its proposals. Specifically, the demands and workload which arise as a result
of the presence of students, tourists, second home owners and others who are
not on the local electoral register, means that this must be addressed when
determining the size of constituencies.
The Senior Corporate Support Manager confirmed that the observations would be submitted in the report to the Full Council.
Supporting documents: