Wrexham set to elect more councillors than ever in upcoming local government election

The number of councillors Wrexham elects and the amount of wards in the county borough that they represent are to increase at May’s election.

Thursday May 5 will be the first council election to have taken place since the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission review took place.

In November 2020 Wrexham.com reported that the Commission put forward its final recommendation for the county borough, which included a change in the existing boundaries – leading to the creation of new wards – and name changes.

As a result the number of wards in Wrexham has increased from 47 to 49.

More wards will also be represented by two councillors for the first time, with the overall total of councillors Wrexham will elect rising from 52 to 56.

At the time the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission said the changes would “fix a representation issue” by either increasing or reducing the amount of residents represented in each ward.

It argued that some constituencies were too large and being underserved while others were too small.

As a result many voters in Wrexham will find that when they go to vote the ward they’re in may have changed name or they are voting in a different constituency than in previous elections.

For example Acton and Maesydre have been merged together to create one big ward, which will elect two councillors.

Gwersyllt is now made up of four wards, which will each elect one councillors whilst Brymbo will be represented two councillors for the first time.

These changes can be found in full below:

Acrefair North: This is the previous Plas Madoc ward and will be represented by one councillor.
Acton and Maesydre: A combination of the previous Acton and Maesydre wards and will be represented by two councillors.
Bangor Is-y-Coed: This is a part of the previous Bronington ward and will be represented by one councillor.
Bronington and Hanmer: A combination of part of the previous Bronington ward and part of the Overton ward and will be represented by one councillor.
Brymbo ward: This ward will now be represented by 2 councillors.
Brynyffynnon: Properties have been moved from the Brynyffynnon ward to the Offa ward and properties have been moved from the Offa ward to the Brynyffynnon ward. However the ward will remain represented by one councillor.
Cefn East: This is part of the previous Cefn ward and will be represented by one councillor.
Cefn West: Part of the previous Cefn ward and will be represented by one councillor.
Erddig: Properties have been moved from the Offa ward to the Erddig ward and the ward will remain represented by one councillor.
Gwersyllt East: Part of the previous Gwersyllt East and South ward, properties have been moved from the Gwersyllt South ward to the Gwersyllt East ward and the ward will be represented by one councillor.
Gwersyllt South: Comprises of the previous Gwersyllt East and South ward. Properties have been moved from the Gwersyllt South ward to the Gwersyllt East: The ward will be represented by one councillor.
Overton and Maelor South: This is part of the previous Overton ward and will be represented by one councillor.
Pant and Johnstown: This is a combination of the previous Pant and Johnstown wards and will be represented by two councillors.
Rhosnesni: This ward will now be represented by two councillors.
Rossett: This ward will now be represented by two councillors.
Smithfield: Properties have been moved from the Whitegate ward and will remain represented by one councillor.

Below is a full list of the number of wards in Wrexham and the number of councillors voters will elect:

Acrefair North: One
Acton and Maesydre: Two
Bangor Is-y-coed: One
Borras: One
Bronington and Hanmer: One
Brymbo: One
Bryn Cefn: One
Brynyffynnon: One
Cartrefle: One
Cefn East: One
Cefn West: One
Chirk North: One
Chirk South: One
Coedpoeth: Two
Dyffryn Ceiriog: One
Erddig: One
Esclusham: One
Garden Village: One
Gresford East and West: One
Grosvenor: One
Gwenfro: One
Gwersyllt East: One
Gwersyllt North: One
Gwersyllt South: One
Gwersyllt West: One
Hermitage: One
Holt: One
Little Acton: One
Llangollen Rural: One
Llay: Two
Marchwiel: One
Marford and Hoseley: One
Minera: One
New Broughton: One
Offa: One
Overton and Maelor South: One
Pant and Johnstown: Two
Penycae: One
Penycae and Ruabon South: One
Ponciau: One
Queensway: One
Rhos: One
Rhosnesni: Two
Ruabon: One
Smithfield: One
Stansty: One
Whitegate: One
Wynnstay: One

An interactive map of the new boundaries and wards can be viewed in full here. More information can also be found on the Wrexham Council website.

*We’ve invited all candidates to take part in a Q&A on our website, so if you want to find out who wants to represent your local community you can keep checking our page to see if your local candidates have filled theirs in!

Picture: Local Democracy and Boundary Commission