The County of Gwynedd (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021

Welsh Statutory Instruments

2021 No. 1223 (W. 307)

Local Government, Wales

The County of Gwynedd (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021

Made

1 November 2021

Coming into force in accordance with article 1(2) and (3)

The Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales(1) has, in accordance with section 36(5) of the Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013(2) (“the 2013 Act”), submitted to the Welsh Ministers a report dated November 2018 containing its recommendations for change and the details of its review of the electoral arrangements for the County of Gwynedd.

The Welsh Ministers have, after consideration of the matters referred to and set out in sections 37(2)(a) and (c) of the 2013 Act, decided to give effect to those recommendations with modification.

In accordance with section 37(3) of the 2013 Act, more than 6 weeks have elapsed since those recommendations were submitted to the Welsh Ministers.

The Welsh Ministers make the following Order in exercise of their powers conferred by section 37(1) of the 2013 Act.

Title and commencement

1.—(1) The title of this Order is the County of Gwynedd (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021.

(2) For any purpose set out in regulation 4(1) of the Regulations, this Order comes into force on the second after the day on which it is made.

(3) For all other purposes, this Order comes into force on the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2022(3).

Interpretation

2.  In this Order—

“electoral ward” (“ward etholiadol”) means any area for which members are elected to Gwynedd Council;

“the Regulations” (“y Rheoliadau”) means the Local Government Area Changes Regulations 1976(4);

any reference to a map means one of the 11 maps marked “Map of the County of Gwynedd (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021” deposited in accordance with regulation 5 of the Regulations, labelled “1” to “11”, and a reference to a numbered map is a reference to the map that bears that number;

where a boundary is shown on a map as running along a road, railway line, footway, watercourse or similar geographical feature, it is to be treated as running along the centre line of the feature;

words and expressions used in this Order have the same meaning as they have in Part 3 of the Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013, except so far as a contrary intention appears.

Electoral arrangements for the County of Gwynedd

3.—(1) The electoral wards of the County of Gwynedd, as they exist immediately before the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2022, are abolished.

(2) The County of Gwynedd is divided into 65 electoral wards each bearing the English language name listed in column 1 and the Welsh language name listed in column 2 of the Table in the Schedule to this Order.

(3) Each electoral ward comprises the areas specified in relation to that electoral ward in column 3 of the Table in the Schedule to this Order.

(4) The number of members of the council to be elected for each electoral ward is the number specified in column 4 of the Table in the Schedule to this Order.

(5) The provisions in this Order take precedence over any conflicting provision in any previous statutory instrument made under section 58(2) of the Local Government Act 1972(5).

The community of Bangor: abolition of the community ward of Deiniol and changes to community wards

4.  The Deiniol ward of the community of Bangor, as it exists immediately before the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2022, is abolished and—

(a) the part of that ward shown hatched on Map 1 is transferred to the Hendre ward of the community of Bangor;

(b) the part of that ward shown hatched on Map 2 is transferred to the Hirael ward of the community of Bangor.

The community of Bangor: changes to electoral arrangements

5.  In the community of Bangor—

(a) the number of members to be elected for the Garth ward is 1;

(b) the number of members to be elected for the Hendre ward is 3;

(c) the number of members to be elected for the Hirael ward is 3;

(d) the number of members to be elected for the Marchog ward is 4.

The community of Bethesda: changes to community wards

6.  In the community of Bethesda—

(a) the part of the Ogwen ward shown hatched on Map 3 is transferred to the Rachub ward;

(b) the part of the Ogwen ward shown hatched on Map 4 is transferred to the Gerlan ward.

The community of Bethesda: consequential changes to electoral arrangements

7.  In the community of Bethesda—

(a) the number of members to be elected for the Gerlan ward is 5;

(b) the number of members to be elected for the Ogwen ward is 4;

(c) the number of members to be elected for the Rachub ward is 4.

The community of Caernarfon: abolition and creation of community wards

8.  The Dwyrain, Gogledd, Deheuol and Gorllewin wards of the community of Caernarfon, as they exist immediately before the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2022, are abolished.

9.  The community of Caernarfon is to be divided into the following wards—

(a) the Cadnant ward shown hatched on Map 5;

(b) the Canol Tref ward shown hatched on Map 6;

(c) the Hendre ward shown hatched on Map 7;

(d) the Menai ward shown hatched on Map 8;

(e) the Peblig ward shown hatched on Map 9.

The community of Caernarfon: consequential changes to electoral arrangements

10.  In the community of Caernarfon—

(a) the number of members to be elected for the Cadnant ward is 3;

(b) the number of members to be elected for the Canol Tref ward is 3;

(c) the number of members to be elected for the Hendre ward is 3;

(d) the number of members to be elected for the Menai ward is 4;

(e) the number of members to be elected for the Peblig ward is 4.

The community of Dolgellau: changes to community wards

11.  The part of the Southern ward of the community of Dolgellau shown hatched on Map 10 is transferred to the Northern ward of the community of Dolgellau.

The community of Ffestiniog: changes to community wards

12.  The part of the Conglywal ward of the community of Ffestiniog shown hatched on Map 11 is transferred to the Diffwys and Maenofferen ward of the community of Ffestiniog.

The community of Ffestiniog: consequential changes to electoral arrangements

13.  In the community of Ffestiniog—

(a) the number of members to be elected for the Conglywal ward is 2;

(b) the number of members to be elected for the Diffwys and Maenofferen ward is 5.

Rebecca Evans

Minister for Finance and Local Government, one of the Welsh Ministers

1 November 2021

Article 3

SCHEDULE NAMES AND AREAS OF ELECTORAL WARDS AND NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL

Table

Column (1)	Column (2)	Column (3)	Column (4)
English language name of electoral ward	Welsh language name of electoral ward	Area of electoral ward	Number of members of the council
Aberdyfi	Aberdyfi	The communities of Aberdovey and Pennal	1
Abererch	Abererch	The Abererch and Y Ffôr wards of the community of Llannor	1
Abermaw	Abermaw	The community of Barmouth	1
Abersoch gyda Llanengan	Abersoch gyda Llanengan	The Abersoch and Llanengan wards of the community of Llanengan	1
Arllechwedd	Arllechwedd	The communities of Aber and Llanllechid, the Llandygái ward of the community of Llandygái and the Glasinfryn ward of the community of Pentir	1
Arthog a Llangelynnin	Arthog a Llangelynnin	The communities of Arthog and Llangelynnin	1
Bethel a’r Felinheli	Bethel a’r Felinheli	The community of Y Felinheli and the Bethel ward of the community of Llanddeiniolen	2
Bowydd a’r Rhiw	Bowydd a’r Rhiw	The Bowydd and Rhiw, and Tanygrisiau wards of the community of Ffestiniog	1
Brithdir and Llanfachreth/Ganllwyd/Llanelltyd	Brithdir a Llanfachreth/Y Ganllwyd/Llanelltud	The communities of Brithdir and Llanfachreth, Ganllwyd and Llanelltyd	1
Bro Dysynni	Bro Dysynni	The communities of Bryn-crug, Llanegryn and Llanfihangel-y-Pennant	1
Cadnant	Cadnant	The Cadnant ward of the community of Caernarfon	1
Canol Bangor	Canol Bangor	The Garth, Menai and Hendre wards of the community of Bangor	2
Canol Bethesda	Canol Bethesda	The Ogwen ward of the community of Bethesda	1
Canol Tref Caernarfon	Canol Tref Caernarfon	The Canol Tref ward of the community of Caernarfon	1
Clynnog	Clynnog	The community of Clynnog and the Nebo ward of the community of Llanllyfni	1
Corris a Mawddwy	Corris a Mawddwy	The communities of Corris and Mawddwy	1
Criccieth	Criccieth	The community of Criccieth	1
Cwm-y-glo	Cwm-y-glo	The Brynrefail ward of the community of Llanddeiniolen and the Ceunant and Cwm-y-Glo wards of the community of Llanrug	1
De Dolgellau	De Dolgellau	The Southern ward of the community of Dolgellau	1
De Pwllheli	De Pwllheli	The South ward of the community of Pwllheli	1
Deiniolen	Deiniolen	The Clwt y Bont, Deiniolen and Dinorwic wards of the community of Llanddeiniolen	1
Dewi	Dewi	The Dewi ward of the community of Bangor	1
Diffwys a Maenofferen	Diffwys a Maenofferen	The Diffwys and Maenofferen ward of the community of Ffestiniog	1
Dolbenmaen	Dolbenmaen	The Bryncir, Garn, Golan, Penmorfa and Treflys wards of the community of Dolbenmaen	1
Dwyrain Bangor	Dwyrain Bangor	The Marchog and Hirael wards of the community of Bangor	2
Dwyrain Porthmadog	Dwyrain Porthmadog	The East and Ynys Galch wards of the community of Porthmadog	1
Dyffryn Ardudwy	Dyffryn Ardudwy	The community of Dyffryn Ardudwy	1
Efailnewydd a Buan	Efailnewydd a Buan	The community of Buan and the Efail-newydd and Pentre-uchaf wards of the community of Llannor	1
Gerlan	Gerlan	The Gerlan ward of the community of Bethesda	1
Glaslyn	Glaslyn	The communities of Beddgelert and Llanfrothen, the Pren-teg ward of the community of Dolbenmaen and the Tremadog ward of the community of Porthmadog	1
Glyder	Glyder	The Glyder ward of the community of Bangor	1
Gogledd Dolgellau	Gogledd Dolgellau	The Northern ward of the community of Dolgellau	1
Gogledd Pwllheli	Gogledd Pwllheli	The North ward of the community of Pwllheli	1
Gorllewin Porthmadog	Gorllewin Porthmadog	The Gest, Morfa Bychan and West wards of the community of Porthmadog	1
Gorllewin Tywyn	Gorllewin Tywyn	The East and West wards of the community of Tywyn	1
Harlech a Llanbedr	Harlech a Llanbedr	The communities of Harlech, Llanbedr, Llanfair and Talsarnau	2
Hendre	Hendre	The Hendre ward of the community of Caernarfon	1
Llanbedrog gyda Mynytho	Llanbedrog gyda Mynytho	The community of Llanbedrog and the Llangian ward of the community of Llanengan	1
Llanberis	Llanberis	The community of Llanberis	1
Llandderfel	Llandderfel	The communities of Llandderfel and Llangywer	1
Llanllyfni	Llanllyfni	The Llanllyfni, Nantlle and Talysarn wards of the community of Llanllyfni	1
Llanrug	Llanrug	The Llanrug ward of the community of Llanrug	1
Llanuwchllyn	Llanuwchllyn	The communities of Llanuwchllyn and Llanycil	1
Llanwnda	Llanwnda	The Dinas and Rhostryfan wards of the community of Llanwnda	1
Llanystumdwy	Llanystumdwy	The community of Llanystumdwy	1
Menai	Menai	The Menai ward of the community of Caernarfon	1
Morfa Nefyn a Thudweiliog	Morfa Nefyn a Thudweiliog	The community of Tudweiliog and the Edern and Morfa Nefyn wards of the community of Nefyn	1
Morfa Tywyn	Morfa Tywyn	The Morfa ward of the community of Tywyn	1
Nefyn	Nefyn	The Nefyn ward of the community of Nefyn	1
Peblig	Peblig	The Peblig ward of the community of Caernarfon	1
Pen draw Llŷn	Pen draw Llŷn	The communities of Aberdaron and Botwnnog	1
Penisa’r-waun	Penisa’r-waun	The Penisarwaun and Rhiwlas wards of the community of Llanddeiniolen	1
Penrhyndeudraeth	Penrhyndeudraeth	The community of Penrhyndeudraeth	1
Pen-y-groes	Pen-y-groes	The Penygroes ward of the community of Llanllyfni	1
Rachub	Rachub	The Rachub ward of the community of Bethesda	1
Teigl	Teigl	The Cynfal and Teigl, and Conglywal wards of the community of Ffestiniog	1
Trawsfynydd	Trawsfynydd	The communities of Maentwrog and Trawsfynydd	1
Tre-garth a Mynydd Llandygái	Tre-garth a Mynydd Llandygái	The St. Ann’s and Tregarth wards of the community of Llandygái	1
Tryfan	Tryfan	The Carmel and Cesarea wards of the community of Llandwrog and the Rhosgadfan ward of the community of Llanwnda	1
Waunfawr	Waunfawr	The community of Betws Garmon and the Waunfawr ward of the community of Waunfawr	1
Y Bala	Y Bala	The community of Bala	1
Y Bontnewydd	Y Bontnewydd	The community of Bontnewydd and the Caeathro ward of the community of Waunfawr	1
Y Faenol	Y Faenol	The Vaynol ward of the community of Pentir	1
Y Groeslon	Y Groeslon	The Dinas Dinlle and Groeslon wards of the community of Llandwrog	1
Yr Eifl	Yr Eifl	The communities of Llanaelhaearn and Pistyll	1

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order implements the recommendations of the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales (“the Commission”), which reported in November 2018 on its review of the electoral arrangements for the County of Gwynedd. The Commission’s Report proposed a reduction in the number of electoral wards from 71 to 65, and in the number of members from 75 to 69.

This Order implements the Commission’s recommendations with modifications.

Article 3 of this Order abolishes the existing electoral arrangements for the County of Gwynedd, and introduces the Schedule, which sets out the new electoral arrangements for the County of Gwynedd.

This Order also implements recommendations for changes to the electoral arrangements for some communities within the County of Gwynedd.

Article 4 abolishes the community ward of Deiniol within the community of Bangor and transfers parts of that ward to the Hendre and Hirael wards of the community of Bangor. Article 5 makes changes to the number of members to be elected for the Garth, Hendre, Hirael and Marchog wards of the community of Bangor.

Article 6 makes changes to the boundaries between the community wards of Ogwen, Rachub and Gerlan within the community of Bethesda. Article 7 makes changes to the number of members to be elected for these wards.

Article 8 abolishes the community wards of Dwyrain, Gogledd, Deheuol and Gorllewin within the community of Caernarfon. Article 9 creates the new community wards of Cadnant, Canol Tref, Hendre, Menai and Peblig within the community of Caernarfon. Article 10 sets out the number of members to be elected for these new community wards.

Article 11 makes changes to the boundary between the community wards of Southern and Northern within the community of Dolgellau.

Article 12 makes changes to the boundary between the community wards of Conglywal, and Diffwys and Maenofferen within the community of Ffestiniog. Article 13 makes changes to the number of members to be elected for these wards.

The Welsh Ministers’ Code of Practice on the carrying out of Regulatory Impact Assessments was considered in relation to this Order. As a result, it was not considered necessary to carry out a regulatory impact assessment as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with this Order.

Prints of the boundary maps “1” to “11” to which this Order relates are deposited in the office of the Welsh Government at Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ (Local Government Democracy Division), and with Gwynedd Council. Prints deposited with Gwynedd Council are open to inspection by anyone affected by the provisions of this Order.

(1)

The Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales was established by section 53 of, and Schedule 8 to, the Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70) (“the 1972 Act”). Section 53 and Schedule 8 were repealed by section 73(2) of, and Schedule 2 to, the Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 4) (“the 2013 Act”). The 2013 Act re-names the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales as the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales (see section 2).

(2)

2013 anaw 4.

(3)

The Local Authorities (Change to the Years of Ordinary Elections) (Wales) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/1269 (W. 220)) amends section 26(1) of the 1972 Act to provide that the year in which the ordinary elections of councillors of local authorities shall take place is 2022 instead of 2021.

(4)

S.I. 1976/246. Section 74(3) of the 2013 Act provides that the Regulations continue to have effect in relation to orders made under Part 3 of the 2013 Act, as if those orders were made under Part 4 of the 1972 Act.

(5)

1972 c. 70; section 58 of the 1972 Act was repealed by section 73(2) of, and Schedule 2 to, the 2013 Act, subject to savings provisions specified in section 74 of the 2013 Act.