Siân Gwenllian MS has slammed the Boundary Commission for Wales’ decision that cuts Bangor’s number of councillors by 4. The final proposals were approved by the Welsh Government last week,
The proposals mean getting rid of the one-member Garth and Deiniol wards, and the two-member Menai ward to create a two-member Canol Bangor ward, as well as getting rid of the one-member Hirael ward and the two-member Marchog ward to create the Dwyrain Bangor ward. It also means getting rid of the current Pentir and Hendre wards, with parts moving to the Dewi ward, and the creation of a new Faenol ward.
The current 75 Gwynedd councillors will be cut down to 69, with 4 of the 6 being lost in Bangor.
Siân Gwenllian MS, the area’s representative in the Senedd has slammed the approval of the Boundary Commission for Wales’ proposals for Bangor, branding them as “short-sighted” and “solely based on numbers”;
She said; “I am very disappointed at the Welsh Government’s decision to approve the Commission’s proposals.
“The proposals are short-sighted and solely based on numbers. Behind the numbers are real people with real and unique circumstances.
“As I expressed in my letter to Rebecca Evans, the Welsh Government Minister with responsibility over the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales, the proposals for Bangor failed to take in to account the complex and outlying factors that exist in Bangor.
“Bangor is a highly populated student city. A city with a unique socioeconomic context and a ward where a higher percentage of low-income and disadvantaged residents live.
“That’s before taking in to account the distinctive education, housing, health, environment and language issues that arise in Bangor.
“Legitimate concerns haven’t been listened to.”
