Plans unveiled for new seat boundaries ahead of next Senedd election

Published

2 years ago

September 4, 2024

PLANS to create 16 “super constituencies” for the 2026 Senedd election have been unveiled.

The Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru has published initial proposals to redraw Wales’ political map, replacing the current 40 constituencies and five regions.

In 2026, the Senedd will expand from 60 to 96 members and adopt a new electoral system, with the 32 constituencies used in July’s Westminster general election paired to create 16.

The new system would use the new constituency boundaries used at the last UK general election.

The initial proposals would see the Caerphilly constituency paired with the Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney seat, while Newport West and Islwyn would join with Newport East.

The boundary commission has proposed the following constituencies which would each be represented by six Senedd members:

Bangor Aberconwy Ynys Môn
Clwyd
Alyn, Deeside and Wrexham
Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr
Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire
Carmarthenshire
Swansea West and Gower
Brecon, Radnor, Neath and Swansea East
Aberafan Maesteg, Rhondda and Ogmore
Merthyr Tydfil, Aberdare and Pontypridd
Blaenau Gwent, Rhymney and Caerphilly
Monmouthshire and Torfaen
Newport and Islwyn
Cardiff East and North
Cardiff West, South and Penarth
Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend

Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr would stretch from the coast to the border, with the commission saying such a large constituency is not ideal but the best option.

In the full 51-page report, the commission sets out the criteria for the 2026 boundary review, including local ties, shared history, the Welsh language and socio-economic considerations.

Ynys Môn and Dwyfor Meirionnydd, for example, was not considered viable because it is not possible to travel by road from one to the other without entering Bangor Aberconwy.

A four-week consultation has opened seeking people’s views on the initial proposals, with suggestions for different pairings and constituency names welcomed.

Following the initial consultation, which ends on September 30, the independent commission will publish revised proposals in December.

Then a second four-week consultation will follow in January, with a final decision expected to be published in March 2025 ahead of the next Senedd election in May 2026.

A further review will be held after the election, with the commission given more leeway to formulate constituencies which could vary in number of voters by as much as 20%.

Shereen Williams, chief executive of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru, said: “The commission is confident our initial proposals represent a very good first step….

“But we know from experience that these processes are always strengthened when we hear from the public.

“So we strongly encourage everyone to share their views with us, whether they support or oppose the proposals, so we can further strengthen the map ahead of the next election.”

Speaking on the Hiraeth podcast about Welsh politics, Ms Williams described the review as a jigsaw, with the commission tasked with ensuring all the pieces fit and make sense.

She cautioned: “You can’t get a perfect map of constituency boundaries across the country.”

Readers can have their say on the proposals by visiting the commission’s website, emailing [email protected] or by post to DBCC, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ.

Darren Millar, the Conservatives’ shadow constitution minister, reiterated his party’s opposition to Senedd expansion, describing electoral reform as the wrong priority.

He said: “More boundary changes will cause further upheaval and confusion for those who have already had to contend with boundary changes in council and Westminster elections.

“We need a Welsh Government that is focused on getting to grips with problems in our NHS, education system and economy – not one that is obsessed with more politicians and constitutional change.”

Mike Hedges, who represents Swansea East, was surprised to see Neath and Swansea East paired with Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe rather than Aberafan Maesteg.

The Labour backbencher raised concerns about the size of the proposed new Brecon, Radnor, Neath and Swansea East constituency.

Mr Hedges said: “It will be a very big constituency from St Thomas Swansea to Presteigne in Radnorshire – over 80 miles and over two hours’ driving.”

Plaid Cymru described the reforms as a long-overdue move to strengthen Welsh democracy.

The party said: “From 2026, the people of Wales will be better represented and the Welsh Government can be more effectively scrutinised

“We look forward to engaging with the commission to ensure new Senedd constituencies take full account of … geographic, historical, and linguistic considerations.”

The Welsh Government welcomed the initial report as an important first step in the public consultation and stressed it has no role in the independent boundary review process.

A spokesperson said: “We encourage interested parties to engage to help shape the new Senedd electoral constituencies.”

When the final report is published, ministers will be required to bring forward regulations and will not be able to deviate from the recommendations which will not need Senedd approval.

The boundary review forms part of wider reforms to Senedd elections.

Under the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act, which was passed in May, a new electoral system will be introduced from 2026, meaning boundaries need to be redrawn.

Proponents of the reforms argue a bigger, more proportional Senedd will make it a more effective parliament, better able to hold the Welsh Government to account.

Meanwhile, those opposed point to the estimated £18m-a-year cost of expanding the Senedd, arguing resources would be better spent on schools and hospitals.

Ultimately, the reforms are happening due to the current parliamentary arithmetic which provides a potentially once-in-a-generation opportunity.

A supermajority was needed to pass the law. Labour and Plaid Cymru did not have the numbers in the five years to 2021 and polls suggest they may fall short of two-thirds in 2026.

Currently, Wales uses an additional member system – a mix of proportional representation and the first-past-the-post system used in Westminster elections.

Forty constituency Senedd members are elected via first past the post and a further 20 are elected to represent five regions via party lists.

But from 2026 voters will receive one ballot rather than two, with first past the post scrapped and all members elected via a full form of proportional representation.

Wales will use “closed lists”, which will see people voting for parties rather than specific candidates, despite experts describing the new system as dangerous.

Political parties will decide the order of candidates on lists unlike under a flexible-list system or the single transferable vote which would give the electorate a say.

The D’Hondt method, a formula to apportion seats based on votes, will continue to be used over the Sainte-Lague system which would benefit smaller parties.

New facilities at Haverfordwest Target Shooting Club agreed

Published

2 days ago

May 23, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL by a Pembrokeshire shooting club for more disability-friendly facilities has been given the go-ahead by county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Haverfordwest Target Shooting Club, through agent Andrew Sutton Architecture, sought permission for an extension to existing target shooting club building at The Firing Range, Withybush Road, Haverfordwest to improve accessibility and internal facilities, together with associated landscaping works.

A supporting statement said: “The club’s own published history states it was founded in 1968, moved from the Drill Hall to the old wartime airfield butts at Withybush by the early 1970s, and had developed facilities over time, including the clubhouse by 1999. The established leisure/community use has existed on the site for a number of years and the proposal does not seek to intensify the core activity beyond that already authorised/established.”

It added: “The primary objective of the scheme is to improve inclusive access to the club’s facilities for disabled users and those with reduced mobility. The internal arrangement will provide adequate entrance and lobby space, clear accessible routes and appropriately designed sanitary accommodation, including an accessible wetroom/shower and separate WC.”

It also said accessible parking and surfacing designed to provide a firm, even, slip-resistant route from parking to the principal entrance.

It added: “The Equality Act 2010 places duties on service providers to make reasonable adjustments so that people with additional access needs are not placed at a substantial disadvantage.

“The proposal is therefore a positive enhancement to a community/leisure facility and supports wider policy objectives for inclusive environments.”

It went on to say: “The club operates within a highly controlled environment, and the proposed works will maintain and enhance safety and security measures.”

The application was conditionally approved by planners.

News

Watchdog criticises health board over £10m GP contract checks

Published

2 days ago

May 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A HEALTH board has been criticised by Audit Wales after GP contracts worth more than £10m were awarded without sufficient due diligence checks.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board allowed a GP partnership associated with eHarley Street Primary Care Solutions to take on eight GP contracts in south-east Wales, with a combined annual value of around £10.1m.

Audit Wales said the board should have carried out greater scrutiny before approving the arrangements, including checks on financial resilience, workforce plans, business risks and the partnership’s ability to manage several practices at once.

However, the watchdog found no evidence of fraud and noted the board was dealing with significant pressure in general practice, including vacant contracts and limited interest from other bidders.

The report said weaknesses in governance and scrutiny contributed to later disruption and uncertainty for patients and staff when problems emerged.

Concerns included financial and workforce pressures, unpaid invoices, and issues relating to tax and pension payments. Some contracts were later handed back, requiring the health board to step in to protect services.

Natasha Asghar MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Minister for Health and Social Care, said the findings were “deeply concerning”.

She said: “Patients and staff were left facing disruption and uncertainty because proper scrutiny was not carried out before these contracts were awarded.

“The Welsh Conservatives believe lessons must be learned to ensure robust checks are in place, protect frontline services and restore confidence in primary care across Wales.”

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board accepted the recommendations and said it had already strengthened its processes.

Audit Wales said the case highlighted the need for stronger checks before GP contracts are transferred, particularly when a single partnership is taking on multiple practices in a short period.

News

Welsh Conservatives demand clarity over EHRC guidance in schools

Published

2 days ago

May 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH CONSERVATIVES have called on the Welsh Government to clarify whether new Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance will be implemented in schools across Wales.

Shadow education minister Sam Rowlands MS has written to Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language Anna Brychan MS following the UK Supreme Court ruling on the Equality Act.

Mr Rowlands said schools, teachers, governors and parents needed clear answers on how the guidance would apply in practice, including on single-sex spaces, safeguarding, changing facilities and sports participation.

He said: “Parents, teachers and pupils deserve clarity from the Welsh Government.

“Schools cannot be left in limbo while ministers avoid making a decision on such an important safeguarding and legal issue.

“The Equality Act applies in Wales, and schools now need clear guidance on what this means in practice.”

In his letter, Mr Rowlands asks whether updated guidance will be issued to schools in Wales, whether schools will be expected to amend existing policies, and what advice will be given to headteachers on safeguarding and compliance with the Equality Act.

He also asks whether the Welsh Government intends to diverge from the approach set out by the EHRC.

The letter says schools and parents require “clear and consistent guidance” to ensure the rights, dignity and safety of all pupils are respected.