The number of electoral wards in Neath Port Talbot (NPT) is set to fall after new arrangements were approved by the Welsh Government.
The number of wards will be reduced from 42 to 34, with 20 of those being multi-member wards, as proposed by the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales - a government-sponsored body that sets the boundaries of local councils.
Chief executive of the commission Shereen Williams said: “I’m delighted that the Welsh Government has accepted these recommendations with only minor modifications. These changes will mean greater electoral parity for the people of Neath Port Talbot."
Read more: The big changes that are coming to Wales' electoral map and why they're happening
As part of the new set-up, the number of councillors in NPT will decrease by four, leaving the authority with 60 instead of 64 members. This leaves an average of 1,767 electors per councillor.
The commission has reviewed the boundaries of each of Wales' 22 local authorities in a bid to make them more democratic.
The boundary changes will take place from the 2022 local government elections.
Under the new system in NPT, 14 wards will elect two councillors while six wards will elect three.
The 16 retained wards that will see no changes under the reforms are:
- Aberdulais
- Allt-wen
- Baglan
- Briton Ferry East
- Briton Ferry West
- Bryn and Cwmavon
- Bryncoch North
- Cadoxton
- Coedffranc North
- Godre'r Graig
- Neath East
- Neath North
- Neath South
- Rhos
- Sandfields East
- Sandfields West
Minister for finance and local government Rebecca Evans MS announced the Welsh Government's approval of the final recommendations by the commission on Wednesday July 15.
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