Agenda Item No. 7

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

Cabinet Meeting: 16 July, 2018

Report of the Electoral Registration Officer

Community Review - Catalina, Cei Dafydd, Barry - Baruc and Castleland Wards (Vale of Glamorgan Council and Barry Town Council)

Purpose of the Report

1. To seek Cabinet's endorsement of the Electoral Registration Officer's (ERO) final proposal  to move the boundary line bisecting the property Catalina, Cei Dafydd, Barry which is currently between Baruc and Castleland Wards in the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Barry Town Council.

Recommendations

1.        T H A T Cabinet considers and endorses the Electoral Registration Officer's final proposal as set out in Appendix A to this report.

2. T H A T the Electoral Registration Officer be authorised to report to Council the final proposal to move the ward boundary line bisecting the property Catalina, Cei Dafydd, Barry in line with Recommendation 1 above.

Reasons for the Recommendations

1. To inform and seek approval of Cabinet on the final proposal of the ERO.
2. In line with the Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013.

Background

3. The Council has a duty under s25 of the Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act   2013 ("the Act") to conduct a review of the community boundary for a community in its area either of its own initiative or at the request of the community council for the community.
4. A request was received from the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales, for a review to be undertaken of the community boundary at Catalina, Cei Dafydd, Barry between Baruc and Castleland wards for the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Barry Town Council.
5. The boundary line is historic and was established prior to the residential development on the Waterfront which included the property 'Catalina' which consists of 21 apartments.
6. The request highlights that the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales considers that the property has an anomaly whereby electors would be recorded in one polling district yet this does not correspond with the county and community ward (in this case residents of a Baruc polling district; but voting in a Casteland polling district). The Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales highlights the need to adjust the community ward boundary to address this anomaly ensuring that the entire property is contained within one polling district and community ward. 
7. Consequently, Cabinet received a report at its meeting on 18 September 2017 when it resolved (in part):

"(1)   T H A T delegated authority be granted to the Electoral Registration Officer to conduct a review of the community boundary at Catalina, Cei Dafydd, Barry between Baruc and Castleland Wards of the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Barry Town Council in accordance with the Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013".  (minute no. C71)

Relevant Issues and Options

8. In line with the terms of reference for the review:

• The review was brought to the attention of the mandatory consultees and such other persons the ERO considered likely to be interested in the review;
• The ERO consulted the mandatory consultees on the intended procedure and methodology for the review;
• The ERO conducted investigations as considered appropriate;
• The ERO, following both the initial and second consultation, prepared a report containing the proposal to change the community boundary line.
• The review has been published electronically and continues to be available for public inspection.
• Copies of the report were sent to the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales and the mandatory consultees.
• No further submissions were received during the second stage of the consultation.
• Appendix A is the ERO's final proposal.  The proposed changes will be submitted to the Local Democracy Boundary Commission for Wales for consideration to proceed with an Order for authorisation by the Welsh Ministers subject to approval by Cabinet and Council.

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

9. The publishing and administrative costs of the review will be met from the Electoral Registration Services existing budget. 

Sustainability and Climate Change Implications

10. There are no direct implications arising from this report.

Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)

11. Sections 23 - 38 of the Act places the Council under a legal duty to conduct a review of electoral arrangements for a community in its area.

Crime and Disorder Implications

12. There are no direct implications arising from this report.

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

13. There are no direct implications arising from this report.  Electors will continue to vote in the same Polling Station in the Castleland Ward at the Docks Offices. 

Corporate/Service Objectives

14. Electoral Registration has links to the following corporate priority:

'Citizens of the Vale of Glamorgan can easily access efficiently managed services that are focused around their needs, have confidence in how decisions are made and are proud to live in the Vale.'

Policy Framework and Budget

15. This report is a matter for Executive decision by Cabinet.  A report detailing the outcome of the review will be presented to Council in due course for consideration and approval.

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

16. Consultation has taken place as part of the review with the relevant ward Councillors.

Relevant Scrutiny Committee

17. Corporate Performance and Resources

Background Papers

Letter received from Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales dated 21 January 2016

Contact Officer

Rebecca Light (Electoral Services Manager, Legal Services)

Officers Consulted

Rob Thomas (Managing Director)

Responsible Officer:

Debbie Marles (Electoral Registration Officer)