CHANGES which will see the number of councillors in Torfaen reduced from 44 to 40 have been formally confirmed.

The Welsh Government has made an order giving effect to the changes, after it accepted the recommendations of the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales with one minor modification last month.

The number of electoral wards within the county borough will also be cut from 24 to 18, with 14 of those being multi-member.

Six wards will elect two councillors while eight wards will elect three councillors.

Under the changes, the Pontypool ward will combine with Cwmynyscoy, Brynwern and Wainfelin to create the Pontypool Fawr ward, which will be represented by three councillors – a reduction of one.

Croesyceiliog North and Croesyceiliog South wards will be combined into a single two-member ward – a reduction of one councillor – while Pontnewynydd and Snatchwood will merge into a single two-member ward.

Trevethin and Penygarn wards will be combined, with the number of members reducing from three to two.

One councillor will be cut from Upper Cwmbran and Greenmeadow, while the number of councillors representing Llantarnam will rise from two to three.

Eleven current wards – Abersychan, Blaenavon, Coed Eva, Fairwater, Llanyrafon East and Ponthir, Llanyrafon West, New Inn, Panteg, Pontnewydd, St. Dials, Two Locks – will not be changed.

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The reforms are aimed at improving the level of electoral parity.

Shereen Williams, chief executive of the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales 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 Torfaen.”

A single recommendation on a Welsh language ward name was not accepted by Welsh Government.

The boundary changes will take effect from the local government elections in May.

An order giving effect to the arrangements has now been signed.