Explanatory note
(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order gives effect to the recommendations contained in four reports submitted to the Lord President of the Council by the Boundary Commission for Wales, in so far as they relate to the boundaries of constituencies and electoral regions of the National Assembly for Wales (but not parliamentary constituencies). It amends the Parliamentary Constituencies and Assembly Electoral Regions (Wales) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1041) (“the 2006 Order”), which sets out the parliamentary constituencies for Wales and the Assembly electoral regions.
Section 2 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 previously provided that the Assembly constituencies were the same as the parliamentary constituencies. Under the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011 the number of parliamentary constituencies in Wales will be reduced, while the number of Assembly constituencies – and their boundaries - remains as set out in the 2006 Order, subject to any amendments which might subsequently be made under recommendations made by the Boundary Commission for Wales which were pending at the date of the coming into force of Part 2 of the 2011 Act.
This Order implements such recommendations, without modifications, by inserting new provisions into the 2006 Order which fix the Assembly constituencies by reference to local government boundaries as they stood on 1st December 2010 (articles 3 and 4). That date is the latest relevant commencement date in the four instruments referred to below. The Order also makes consequential changes to other provisions of the 2006 Order (articles 5 and 6), and requires electoral registration officers to make such changes to the register of local government electors as are required as a result of the Order (article 7).
The recommendations all reflect changes in the boundaries of local government areas. These changes are contained in—
the Merthyr Tydfil and Powys (Areas) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/889 (W. 78)), which changes the boundaries of the electoral divisions of Talybont-on-Usk and Vaynor, thereby affecting the Assembly constituencies of Brecon and Radnorshire and of Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, and the electoral regions of South Wales East and of Mid and West Wales;
the Rhondda Cynon Taf (Llanharan, Llanharry, Llantrisant and Pont-y-clun Communities) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/3152 (W. 280)), which changes the boundaries of the electoral divisions of Llanharan, Llanharry, Pont-y-clun and Talbot Green, thereby affecting the Assembly constituencies of Ogmore and Pontypridd and the electoral regions of South Wales West and South Wales Central;
the City and County of Cardiff (Old St. Mellons, Rumney and Trowbridge Communities) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3052 (W. 268)), which changes the boundaries of the electoral divisions of Rumney, Trowbridge and Pontprennau/Old St Mellons, thereby affecting the Assembly constituencies of Cardiff South and Penarth and of Cardiff North;
the Vale of Glamorgan (Communities) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1451 (W. 129)), which changes the boundaries of the electoral divisions of Llandough and Dinas Powys, thereby affecting the Assembly constituencies of Cardiff South and Penarth and of Vale of Glamorgan.
An impact assessment has not been prepared for this instrument as it has no impact on business or the private or voluntary sector.