REVIEW OF PART OF THE BOUNDARY BETWEEN THE COUNTIES OF CEREDIGION AND PEMBROKESHIRE IN THE AREA OF THE COMMUNITY OF ST. DOGMAELS

REPORT AND PROPOSALS

Appendix 2

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

Report by: Chief Executive

Date: 15th February 2001

BOUNDARY REVIEW BETWEEN THE COUNTIES OF CEREDIGION AND PEMBROKESHIRE IN THE AREA OF ST. DOGMAELS

1 A report was presented to this committee on the 13^thApril 2000 informing members that the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales was conducting a review of the above area. At this meeting it was agreed that our response to the consultation should be that:

the part of St. Dogmaels already within Pembrokeshire should remain within this county
in light of the views of St. Dogmaels Community Council, That areas to the North and South East of St. Dogmaels (as marked ‘Area A” on the attached map) should become part of Pembrokeshire
further consultation be undertaken with Cilgerran Community Council and the local County Council Member with regard to the existing county boundary to the north-west of Cilgerran

2 Following consultation with Councillor J T Davies and Cilgerran Community Council, it was agreed to propose that an area of land to the north-west of Cilgerran (marked “Area D”) should also become part of Pembrokeshire based on the support of local residents. A letter was sent to the Boundary Commission to that effect on 27^th July 2000. It was recognised by all parties that “Area B” should remain in Ceredigion, however, “Area C” was also proposed to become part of Pembrokeshire by this Council based on effective and convenient local government

3 The Commission’s report containing its draft proposals was issued on 15^th December on which it has requested observations by 16^th February 2001. The Commission proposed that “Area A” should be within the County of Pembrokeshire. It also invited comments on this Council’s suggestion to include Areas C and D within Pembrokeshire as they felt they had insufficient evidence on which to make a decision.

4 Whilst Area C & D is a sizeable geographical area, in the context of this review, in terms of population it is very small and, therefore, there should be no major financial implications associated with change for any County, Town or Community Councils. There are, however, significant implications in terms of effective and convenient local government for the area. This is particularly relevant to the Briscwm area and also Pant-y-grwndy fach and Troedyrhiw. The same principles that applied to the splitting of St. Dogmaels village also apply here, for the services of refuse collection, minor road maintenance etc.

5 On Area C, St. Dogmaels Community Council, in its letter to us dated 26^th January 2001,expressed the view that it wishes to adhere to its original submission (i.e. Area “A”). Members could see the reasoning behind the bid to include areas C & D but were not prepared to jeopardise their bid. However, they concluded by stating that if the Boundary Commission sees fit to include areas C & D then the St Dogmaels Community Council would be happy to include Area C into the community. The local County Council member, Councillor S Watkins has also confirmed his support for this suggestion (letter dated 31 January to the Commission).

6 On Area D, Cilgerran Community Council, in its letter to the Commission dated 27 January 2001, expressed the view that areas C & D should become part of Pembrokeshire and that Area “D” should be included in the Cilgerran community. This was based on local opinion. The local County Council member, Councillor J T Davies has consulted occupants from all 17 residences in this area of which 15 wish to be included in Pembrokeshire, one held no preference and one was “happy as it is”. Councillor Davies is supportive of this proposal.

7 The next stage, when the Commission has considered the comments to their proposals is to submit its recommendations to the National Assembly.

Recommendations

that this Council expresses strong support for the proposals made by the Boundary Commission to unify the St Dogmaels community within Pembrokeshire, as defined as Area A, on the attached map.
that in the interests of effective and convenient local government and based on very strong local support; that Areas C and D become part of Pembrokeshire, contained within St Dogmaels and Cilgerran Community Councils respectively.

Background Documents

Report of Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales — 15 December 2000
Correspondence dated 26^th, 27^th and 31^st January 2001.