Neath Port Talbot Council publishes proposed boundary changes

Neath Port Talbot Council has published its proposals from a review of community areas and electoral arrangements.

Following the review, which included a public consultation, the Council is proposing changes to the internal warding arrangements or councillor numbers for 15 wards and to the boundaries of 11 communities across the county borough.

One of the proposals is the creation of a new community of Baglan Moors, within the existing community boundary of Aberavon. This proposal has come about as a result of a number of new housing developments in the area over recent years and reflects the emergence of two distinct communities in ‘Old’ Aberavon and Baglan Moors, which are physically separated by the dual carriageway.

Elsewhere in the county borough there are proposals for minor adjustments to the community boundaries at Margam, Margam Moors, Taibach, Port Talbot, Baglan, Briton Ferry, Blaenhonddan, Neath, Onllwyn and Cilybebyll. There are also recommendations to reduce the number of community councillors in four wards, whilst increasing the number in four others.

The Council has a legal obligation to undertake a boundary review every 15 years or so to ensure that the ratio between the number of electors and the number of councillors remains comparable across the county borough. The balance can be affected by new housing developments or population growth patterns.

The Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales will now consider the Council’s proposals and undertake further consultation before making recommendations to the Council and Welsh Ministers.

More information can be found by visiting the Council’s website www.npt.gov.uk/elections and selecting the ‘Community Review’ button.