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Welsh Statutory Instruments

2026 No. 102

LOCAL GOVERNMENT, WALES

The County Borough of Caerphilly (Communities) Order 2026

Made

22 March 2026

Coming into force in accordance with article 1(2) and (3)

The Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru(1) (“ the Commission ”) has, under section 36(5)(a) of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013(2) (“ the 2013 Act ”), submitted to the Welsh Ministers a report dated May 2024 containing its recommendations for change and the details of a review of community arrangements within the County Borough of Caerphilly.

The Welsh Ministers have decided to give effect to the Commission’s recommendations without modification. The Welsh Ministers also make supplemental provision as considered necessary or expedient.

Under section 37(3A) and (3B) of the 2013 Act(3), more than 6 weeks have elapsed since those recommendations were submitted to the Welsh Ministers and the Welsh Ministers have had regard to any representations made during this period.

The Welsh Ministers have published a statement setting out their decision in respect of each recommendation in accordance with section 37(6) of the 2013 Act(4).

The Welsh Ministers make the following Order in exercise of the powers conferred on them by sections 37(1) and 40(1) and (2)(a) of the 2013 Act.

Under section 37(2A) of the 2013 Act(5), the Welsh Ministers make this Order more than 6 months preceding the day of an ordinary council election under section 26 of the Local Government Act 1972(6).

Title and coming into force

1. —(1) The title of this Order is the County Borough of Caerphilly (Communities) Order 2026.

(2) For any purpose set out in regulation 4(1) of the 1976 Regulations(7), this Order comes into force on 6 May 2026.

(3) For all other purposes, this Order comes into force at 23:59 hours on the day before the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2027.

Interpretation

1. —(1) In this Order—

“ the 1972 Act ” (“ Deddf 1972 ”) means the Local Government Act 1972(8);

“ the 1976 Regulations ” (“ Rheoliadau 1976 ”) means the Local Government Area Changes Regulations 1976;

“ electoral ward ” (“ ward etholiadol ”) means any area for which councillors are elected to Caerphilly County Borough Council;

“ existing ” (“ presennol ”) means a community, community ward or community council as it exists immediately before the time and day set out in article 1(3);

“ new ” (“ newydd ”) means a community, community ward or community council established by this Order;

any reference to a map means one of the 19 maps marked “ Map of the County Borough of Caerphilly (Communities) Order 2026 ”, deposited in accordance with regulation 5 of the 1976 Regulations, labelled “ 1 ” to “ 19 ”, and a reference to a numbered map is a reference to the map that bears that number;

where a boundary is shown on a map as running along a road, railway line, footway, watercourse or similar geographical feature, it must be treated as running along the centre line of the feature.

(2) The provisions in this Order take precedence over any conflicting provision in any previous statutory instrument made under section 58(2) of the 1972 Act or order made under sections 37(1), 38(1) or 39(1) of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013.

Risca East and Risca West — abolition of the communities of Risca East and Risca West and consequential changes to community councils

1. The existing community of Risca East is abolished.

2. The existing community council of Risca East is dissolved.

3. The existing community of Risca West is abolished.

4. The existing community council of Risca West is dissolved.

Creation of the new community of Risca

1. A new community is created which is to be known as Risca in the English language and Rhisga in the Welsh language and which comprises the area shown shaded on Map 1.

Creation of the new community ward of Pontymister Tŷ Sign

1. A new community ward is created in the new community of Risca which is to be known as Pontymister Tŷ Sign in the English language and the Welsh language and which—

(a) comprises the area shown shaded and numbered 1 on Map 2;

(b) forms part of the electoral ward of Risca East.

Creation of the new community ward of Pontymister Upper

1. A new community ward is created in the new community of Risca which is to be known as Pontymister Upper in the English language and Pontymister Uchaf in the Welsh language and which—

(a) comprises the area shown shaded and numbered 2 on Map 2;

(b) forms part of the electoral ward of Risca East.

Creation of the new community ward of Trenewydd

1. A new community ward is created in the new community of Risca which is to be known as Trenewydd in the English language and the Welsh language and which—

(a) comprises the area shown shaded and numbered 3 on Map 2;

(b) forms part of the electoral ward of Risca East.

Creation of the new community ward of Pontymister Lower

1. A new community ward is created in the new community of Risca which is to be known as Pontymister Lower in the English language and Pontymister Isaf in the Welsh language and which—

(a) comprises the area shown shaded and numbered 4 on Map 2;

(b) forms part of the electoral ward of Risca West.

Creation of the new community ward of Risca Town and Fernlea

1. A new community ward is created in the new community of Risca which is to be known as Risca Town and Fernlea in the English language and Tref Rhisga a Fernlea in the Welsh language and which—

(a) comprises the area shown shaded and numbered 5 on Map 2;

(b) forms part of the electoral ward of Risca West.

Creation of the new community ward of Risca Dan-y-graig

1. A new community ward is created in the new community of Risca which is to be known as Risca Dan-y-graig in the English language and Rhisga Dan-y-graig in the Welsh language and which—

(a) comprises the area shown shaded and numbered 6 on Map 2;

(b) forms part of the electoral ward of Risca West.

Creation of the new community ward of Tŷ Isaf Fields and Ochrwyth

1. A new community ward is created in the new community of Risca which is to be known as Tŷ Isaf Fields and Ochrwyth in the English language and Caeau Tŷ Isaf ac Ochrwyth in the Welsh language and which—

(a) comprises the area shown shaded and numbered 7 on Map 2;

(b) forms part of the electoral ward of Risca West.

The new community of Risca — establishment of community council and community electoral arrangements

1. A council for the new community of Risca is established.

2. In the new community of Risca the number of councillors to be elected for the—

(a) Pontymister Tŷ Sign ward is 4;

(b) Pontymister Upper ward is 3;

(c) Trenewydd ward is 3;

(d) Pontymister Lower ward is 1;

(e) Risca Dan-y-graig ward is 1;

(f) Risca Town and Fernlea ward is 3;

(g) Tŷ Isaf Fields and Ochrwyth ward is 3.

Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen, and Rudry — abolition of the communities of Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen, and Rudry and consequential changes to community councils

1. The existing community of Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen is abolished.

2. The existing community council of Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen is dissolved.

3. The existing community of Rudry is abolished.

4. The existing community council of Rudry is dissolved.

Creation of the new community of Bedwas, Trethomas, Machen and Rudry

1. A new community is created which is to be known as Bedwas, Trethomas, Machen and Rudry in the English language and Bedwas, Trethomas, Machen a Rhydri in the Welsh language and which comprises the area shown shaded on Map 3.

Creation of the new community ward of Bedwas

1. A new community ward is created in the new community of Bedwas, Trethomas, Machen and Rudry which is to be known as Bedwas in the English language and the Welsh language and which—

(a) comprises the area shown shaded and numbered 1 on Map 4;

(b) forms part of the electoral ward of Bedwas and Trethomas.

Creation of the new community ward of Trethomas

1. A new community ward is created in the new community of Bedwas, Trethomas, Machen and Rudry which is to be known as Trethomas in the English language and the Welsh language and which—

(a) comprises the area shown shaded and numbered 2 on Map 4;

(b) forms part of the electoral ward of Bedwas and Trethomas.

Creation of the new community ward of Machen

1. A new community ward is created in the new community of Bedwas, Trethomas, Machen and Rudry which is to be known as Machen in the English language and the Welsh language and which—

(a) comprises the area shown shaded and numbered 3 on Map 4;

(b) forms part of the electoral ward of Machen and Rudry.

Creation of the new community ward of Rudry

1. A new community ward is created in the new community of Bedwas, Trethomas, Machen and Rudry which is to be known as Rudry in the English language and Rhydri in the Welsh language and which—

(a) comprises the area shown shaded and numbered 4 on Map 4;

(b) forms part of the electoral ward of Machen and Rudry.

The new community of Bedwas, Trethomas, Machen and Rudry — establishment of community council and community electoral arrangements

1. A council for the new community of Bedwas, Trethomas, Machen and Rudry is established.

2. In the new community of Bedwas, Trethomas, Machen and Rudry the number of councillors to be elected for the—

(a) Bedwas ward is 5;

(b) Trethomas ward is 3;

(c) Machen ward is 4;

(d) Rudry ward is 2.

Gelligaer, Llanbradach and Pwll-y-pant, and Nelson — changes in community and community ward boundaries and consequential changes to electoral arrangements

1. The part of the Greenhill ward of the community of Gelligaer shown shaded on Map 5—

(a) is transferred to the Cascade ward of the community of Gelligaer;

(b) forms part of the electoral ward of St Cattwg.

1. The part of the Cefn Hengoed ward of the community of Gelligaer shown shaded on Map 6—

(a) is transferred to the Ystrad Mynach ward of the community of Gelligaer;

(b) forms part of the electoral ward of Ystrad Mynach.

1. The part of the Cefn Hengoed ward of the community of Gelligaer shown shaded on Map 7—

(a) is transferred to the Tir-y-berth ward of the community of Gelligaer;

(b) forms part of the electoral ward of St Cattwg.

1. The part of the Greenhill ward of the community of Gelligaer shown shaded on Map 8—

(a) is transferred to the Llwyncelyn ward of the community of Nelson;

(b) forms part of the electoral ward of Nelson.

1. The part of the Ystrad Mynach ward of the community of Gelligaer shown shaded on Map 9—

(a) is transferred to the Wingfield ward of the community of Llanbradach and Pwll-y-pant;

(b) forms part of the electoral ward of Llanbradach.

Llanbradach and Pwll-y-pant – change of community ward name

1. The Pwll-y-pant ward of the community of Llanbradach and Pwll-y-pant is to be known as Pwll-y-pant in the English language and the Welsh language.

Gelligaer — community electoral arrangements

1. In the community of Gelligaer the number of councillors to be elected for the—

(a) Cascade ward is 3;

(b) Cefn Hengoed ward is 2;

(c) Greenhill ward is 2;

(d) Hengoed ward is 2;

(e) Tir-y-berth ward is 1;

(f) Ystrad Mynach ward is 4.

Caerphilly — changes in community ward boundaries and consequential changes to electoral arrangements

1. The part of the Castle ward of the community of Caerphilly shown shaded on Map 10—

(a) is transferred to the Bryncenydd ward of the community of Caerphilly;

(b) forms part of the electoral ward of Morgan Jones.

1. The part of the Parcyfelin ward of the community of Caerphilly shown shaded on Map 11—

(a) is transferred to the Tonyfelin ward of the community of Caerphilly;

(b) forms part of the electoral ward of Morgan Jones.

1. The parts of the Tonyfelin ward of the community of Caerphilly shown shaded on Map 12—

(a) are transferred to the Parcyfelin ward of the community of Caerphilly;

(b) form part of the electoral ward of Morgan Jones.

Caerphilly — community electoral arrangements

1. In the community of Caerphilly the number of councillors to be elected for the—

(a) Bryncenydd ward is 1;

(b) Castle ward is 2;

(c) Cwrt Rawlins ward is 2;

(d) Parcyfelin ward is 3;

(e) Tonyfelin ward is 2;

(f) Twyn ward is 2;

(g) Watford ward is 2.

Bargoed, and Pengam — changes in community and community ward boundaries and consequential changes to electoral arrangements

1. The part of the Bargoed ward of the community of Bargoed shown shaded on Map 13—

(a) is transferred to the Gilfach ward of the community of Bargoed;

(b) forms part of the electoral ward of Gilfach.

1. The parts of the Gilfach ward of the community of Bargoed shown shaded on Map 14—

(a) are transferred to the Park ward of the community of Bargoed;

(b) form part of the electoral ward of Aberbargoed and Bargoed.

1. The part of the Aberbargoed ward of the community of Bargoed shown shaded on Map 15—

(a) is transferred to the new community of Cefn Fforest and Pengam;

(b) forms part of the electoral ward of Cefn Fforest and Pengam.

Bargoed — community electoral arrangements

1. In the community of Bargoed the number of councillors to be elected for the—

(a) Aberbargoed ward is 5;

(b) Bargoed ward is 6;

(c) Gilfach ward is 3;

(d) Park ward is 2.

Cefn Fforest and Pengam — abolition of the communities of Cefn Fforest and Pengam

1. The existing community of Cefn Fforest is abolished.

2. The existing community of Pengam is abolished.

Creation of the new community of Cefn Fforest and Pengam

1. A new community is created which is to be known as Cefn Fforest and Pengam in the English language and Cefn Fforest a Phengam in the Welsh language and which—

(a) comprises the area shown shaded on Map 16;

(b) forms part of the electoral ward of Cefn Fforest and Pengam.

The new community Cefn Fforest and Pengam —establishment of community council and community electoral arrangements

1. A council for the new community of Cefn Fforest and Pengam is established.

2. In the new community of Cefn Fforest and Pengam the number of councillors to be elected is 3.

Maesycwmmer, Pontllanfraith, and Llanbradach and Pwll-y-pant — changes in community boundaries and consequential changes to electoral arrangements

1. The part of the community of Maesycwmmer shown shaded on Map 17—

(a) is transferred to the community of Pontllanfraith;

(b) forms part of the electoral ward of Pontllanfraith.

1. The part of the community of Maesycwmmer shown shaded on Map 18—

(a) is transferred to the Wingfield ward of the community of Llanbradach and Pwll-y-pant;

(b) forms part of the electoral ward of Llanbradach.

Maesycwmmer — community ward electoral arrangements

1. In the community of Maesycwmmer the number of councillors to be elected is 8.

Rhymney — combination of community wards and consequential changes to electoral arrangements

1. In the community of Rhymney, the area of the community wards of St David’s, and Moriah are combined and—

(a) comprise a new community ward which is to be known as St David’s and Moriah in the English language and Dewi Sant a Moriah in the Welsh language and is shown shaded on Map 19;

(b) form part of the electoral ward of Moriah and Pontlottyn.

Rhymney — community electoral arrangements

1. In the community of Rhymney the number of councillors to be elected for the—

(a) Abertysswg ward is 3;

(b) St David’s and Moriah ward is 3;

(c) Pontlottyn ward is 3;

(d) Twyn Carno ward is 5.

Initial expenses etc. of new community councils

1. —(1) In this article—

“ the 1992 Act ” (“ Deddf 1992 ”) means the Local Government Finance Act 1992(9);

“ the prospective billing authority ” (“ yr awdurdod bilio arfaethedig ”) means Caerphilly County Borough Council;

“ the relevant financial year ” (“ y flwyddyn ariannol berthnasol ”) means the financial year beginning 1 April 2027.

(2) For the relevant financial year, section 32 of the 1992 Act (calculation of budget requirements by billing authorities) applies to the new community councils and the prospective billing authority but as if—

(a) in making a calculation under section 32(2)(a) of the 1992 Act—

(i) the amount notified under paragraph (6) of this article were an item mentioned in section 35(1) of the 1992 Act (special items) relating to the new community, and

(ii) the area of the prospective billing authority included the new community;

(b) subsection (6) were omitted.

(3) For the relevant financial year, section 41 of the 1992 Act (issue of precepts by local precepting authorities) applies to the new community councils and the prospective billing authority but as if the prospective billing authority, in making calculations under section 32 of the 1992 Act (originally or by way of substitution) in its estimate under section 32(2)(a), were required to take into account an amount equal to that notified to it under paragraph (6) of this article.

(4) For the relevant financial year, sections 52X(1) (calculations to be net of precepts) and 52Y(2) (information for purposes of Chapter 4A) of the 1992 Act apply to the new community councils and the prospective billing authority but as if the aggregate amount of precepts anticipated by the prospective billing authority under regulations made under section 41 of the 1992 Act included the amounts notified to the new community councils under paragraph (6) of this article.

(5) In relation to the relevant financial year, section 50 of the 1992 Act (calculation of budget requirement by local precepting authorities) applies to the new community councils and the prospective billing authority as if each of the new community councils were required to secure that the amount calculated as its budget requirement for that year does not exceed the amount notified to that new community council under paragraph (6) of this article.

(6) The appropriate amount to be notified to each of the new community councils under this paragraph, must be notified by the Welsh Ministers in writing to the prospective billing authority and to each of the new community councils.

(7) For the relevant financial year, the Local Authorities (Precepts) (Wales) Regulations 1995(10) apply to the new community councils and the prospective billing authority as if—

(a) regulation 5 (information on schedules of payment) were omitted;

(b) in paragraph 8 of the Schedule (rules for determination of schedules in instalments)—

(i) in sub-paragraphs (1), (2) and (3), the words after the first reference to “that financial year” were omitted;

(ii) in sub-paragraph (1)(a), the reference to “ April ” were a reference to “ May ”.

New community councils

1. The proper officer of Caerphilly County Borough Council must convene the first meeting of each of the new community councils established by articles 15, 26 and 46.

New community councils — residuary successors

1. For the purposes of any provision of the 1976 Regulations which refers to the residuary successor of a dissolved authority—

(a) for the existing community councils of Risca East and Risca West, the new community council of the new community of Risca is specified as the residuary successor;

(b) for the existing community councils of Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen, and Rudry, the new community council of the new community of Bedwas, Trethomas, Machen and Rudry is specified as the residuary successor;

(c) for the existing community councils of Cefn Fforest, and Pengam, the new community council of the new community of Cefn Fforest and Pengam is specified as the residuary successor.

Eluned Morgan

First Minister, one of the Welsh Ministers

22 March 2026

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order implements the recommendations of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (“ the Commission ”), which reported in May 2024 on its review of the community electoral arrangements in the County Borough of Caerphilly. The Commission’s report recommended changes to the existing boundaries of communities within the area of Caerphilly County Borough and consequential changes to electoral arrangements, and this Order implements the Commission’s recommendations without modification. This Order also makes supplemental provision as considered necessary or expedient by the Welsh Ministers in relation to some community names.

The effect of this Order is to make changes to a number of community areas and consequential changes to electoral arrangements. This Order abolishes a number of communities and dissolves their community councils, creates new communities and new community councils, and makes administrative provision for the operation of, and setting of precepts relating to, those new community councils.

The Local Government Area Changes Regulations 1976 referred to in article 2 of this Order contain incidental, consequential, transitional and supplementary provisions about the effect and implementation of orders such as this.

The Welsh Ministers’ Code of Practice on the carrying out of Regulatory Impact Assessments was considered in relation to this Order. As a result, it was not considered necessary to carry out a regulatory impact assessment as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with this Order.

Prints of the maps labelled “1” to “19” to which this Order relates are deposited in the office of the Welsh Government at Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ (Elections Division), and with Caerphilly County Borough Council. Prints deposited with Caerphilly County Borough Council are open to inspection by anyone affected by the provisions of this Order.

(1) The Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales was established by section 53 of, and Schedule 8 to, the Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70). Section 53 and Schedule 8 were repealed by section 73(2) of, and Schedule 2 to, the Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 4) (“ the 2013 Act ”). The 2013 Act renamed the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales as the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales (see section 2(2)). The Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024 (asc 4) renamed the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales as the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (see section 12).

(2) 2013 anaw 4. Section 11 of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024 renamed the short title of the 2013 Act as the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013.

(3) Section 37(3A) and (3B) was substituted for section 37(3) of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013 by section 43(2) of the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Act 2024 (asc 5).

(4) Section 37(6) was inserted by section 49(2)(b) of the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Act 2024.

(5) Section 37(2A) was inserted by section 47(3) of the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Act 2024.

(6) Section 26 was substituted by section 4 of the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 (c. 19). Section 26 was amended by S.I. 2019/1269 (W. 220) to provide that the year in which the ordinary elections of councillors of local authorities must take place is 2022 instead of 2021. Section 26(1) was further amended by section 14(1) of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1) to provide that elections must take place every fifth year after 2022.

(7) S.I. 1976/246. Section 74(3) of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013 (“ the 2013 Act ”) provides that the Regulations continue to have effect in relation to orders made under Part 3 of the 2013 Act, as if those orders were made under Part 4 of the Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70).

(8) 1972 c. 70.

(9) 1992 c. 14. Sections 32 and 35 were amended, in relation to Wales, by paragraphs 4 and 6 respectively of Schedule 12 to the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 (c. 19). Section 50 was amended by Part 1 of Schedule 8 to the Local Government Act 2003 (c. 26). Sections 52X and 52Y were inserted by Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Local Government Act 1999 (c. 27).

(10) S.I. 1995/2562 to which there are amendments not relevant to this Order.

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