BLAENAU Gwent council has given its support to plans which would see the number of councillors cut from 42 to 33.

The proposals come as the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales reviews electoral arrangements in the borough.

It is planned for the new set up to be in place in time for the next local elections in 2022.

Under the plans the number of electoral wards would also be reduced, from 16 to 14.

If the proposals are approved by the commission, Abertillery and Six Bells would be merged into one new ward.

Badminton, Beaufort and Rassau would be merged into two wards, with the proposed new wards Beaufort and Rassau and Garnlydan.

The plans would leave a county average of 1,545 electors per member.

Leader of the council, Cllr Nigel Daniels, said the authority had listened to public opinion which wanted to see a reduction in the number of councillors.

The proposals were given cross party support at a full meeting of the council on Thursday.

A council report says the proposals meet the aims of a review by a task and finish group and agreed by councillors on the democratic services committee.

It says: "These were to reduce the number of councillors and gain improved electoral parity.

"In this option there are only a small number of boundary changes and hence this poses less risk of breaking any community ties.

"There will also be less additional work for electoral registration and council tax in the movement of electors/properties to other wards."

The plans will also bring larger financial savings for the council than an alternative proposal which would have seen the number of councillors reduced to 34.

A letter will now be sent to the boundary commission supporting the change as part of a consultation on the electoral arrangements review.