asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a list of the community councils which exist in Wales, together with a list of those communities that have chosen not to have community councils.
Of the 1,004 communities in Wales, 800 are administered by community councils. I shall send a list to the hon. Member. The Local Government Act 1972 automatically established a community council where, prior to April 1974, there had been a parish council. Except for the former county boroughs and boroughs of Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Newport, Port Talbot, Rhondda and Swansea, all boroughs and urban district councils had the option of applying to the Secretary of State to establish a community council. The following did not exercise that option: Abercarn, Aberdare, Bedwellty, Caerleon, Caerphilly, Colwyn Bay, Ebbw Vale, Llwchwr, Mynyddislwyn, Mountain Ash, Pontypool, Risca and Wrexham.