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More boundary changes for Vale Council?

Friday, 6 June 2025 at 09:01

By Gareth Joy X @lookoutwales2

Vale of Glamorgan Council could see more boundary changes ahead of the next local elections in two years time.

Eight community councils will be abolished by 2027 after the Welsh Government accepted recommendations from the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (DBCC).

Now, the commission is turning its attention to the county council as it launches a public consultation as part of an electoral review.

The DBCC says it will look to bring all wards in the Vale of Glamorgan to within 20% of the council average rate of electors to councillors.

Currently, five wards fall outside of that range - with the Cosmeston ward being over 50% below the average, meaning it has few fewer voters per councillor than most.

The last electoral review of the Vale took place in 2021.

Shereen Williams, DBCC chief executive, said: "The Commission looks forward to working with people in the Vale of Glamorgan, and its partners in local government, as it seeks to ensure that people across the Vale are represented equally, that people’s votes carry the same strength, and that councillors are able to share a more equal workload."

The commission says it may look to make boundary changes to wards even if they are already within the 20% target - which may be due to knock-on effects of changing neighbouring wards or because local residents and stakeholders have identified a need to change boundaries to better match community ties.

The upcoming review will also take other factors into account, such as deprivation and the rural nature of wards.

Draft proposals for a new map of council wards will be published later in the year before a second consultation is held.

Shereen Williams added: "The previous electoral review for the Vale of Glamorgan was the first in several years, meaning that the Commission had to recommend significant changes to wards across the county."

"With reviews now happening more regularly, we’re glad to be in a position where the vast majority of wards are already within the target ratio of electors to councillors."

"There will still be some changes to the map however, so the commission strongly recommends that those with views on the shape of their ward respond to our consultations to make their voices heard."

The last round of boundary changes at Vale of Glamorgan Council saw the introduction of seven new seats, taking the total number of county councillors to 54.

Already, it's been confirmed the number of community councils in the Vale will be reduced from 27 to 19 in time for the next local elections - including the merger of neighbouring councils in Colwinston and Llangan.

The DBCC argued that changes will be crucial in ensuring local residents receive the best representation - but some councillors have raised fears that it will "dilute" local voices.

Separately, last year's UK general election saw voters in Dinas Powys moved from the Vale of Glamorgan constituency to neighbouring Cardiff South and Penarth.

And Senedd reforms will see the Vale of Glamorgan merged with Bridgend to form a new 'super constituency' electing six members at next year's elections - with the Cardiff South and Penarth seat being merged with Cardiff West.

The initial public consultation on the latest electoral review runs until Wednesday 16th July - for more information and to take part, visit the DBCC website.

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