Boundary Commission review of Carmarthenshire

WORK to review Carmarthenshire’s electoral boundaries will officially start in October, councillors have heard.

Representatives of the Boundary Commission for Wales gave a presentation to members at Wednesday’s Full Council meeting, stating that the aim was to implement a new boundary map by 2022.

The review will look at ‘harmonising’ the ratio of electors per councillor, they said.

Here in Carmarthenshire, early indications reveal that the county would be ranked as a category four council owing to its large rural population.

With 143,598 registered electors it is possible that it would meet the threshold for 75 councillors – the maximum per authority in Wales – instead of the 74 it has currently.

It would mean that each councillor would represent on average 1915 electors, compared to the average of 1941 they represent now.

Steve Halsall, chief executive of the Boundary Commission for Wales, said any new boundaries would likely follow natural and man-made ones such as rivers and roads.

He said that representations from communities will be welcomed as part of the process, from those who support or object to the plans.

The review will officially start in October, with draft proposals ready for comment by summer 2018.

Proposals will be finalised by spring 2019, with implementation planned in 2022.

Cllr Emlyn Dole, leader of the council, thanked the Boundary Commission representatives for their presentation.

“We will respond within the framework at a council level and as individuals,” he said.

·         To watch the full debate and access the agenda documents about this discussion at Full Council, visit the council and democracy section of the council’s website – www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk