Jayne Bryant MS, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government
On 11 March 2025 the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru published the names and boundaries of the 16 Senedd Constituencies for the 2026 Senedd Elections. As required by Schedule 2 to the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act, I have now made an Order giving effect to those determinations, and I have today laid that Order before the Senedd. The Order will come into force on 18 July, and is an important milestone in delivering the reformed Senedd.
Subject to the Senedd approving the Senedd Cymru (Representation of the People) Order 2025 (the Conduct Order) on 8 July, I will be using my powers under Article 18 of the Conduct Order to formally designate the 16 Constituency Returning Officers ahead of the 2026 Senedd elections. This is necessary because there is typically more than one Returning Officer within each new constituency.
I am therefore pleased to announce that, in principle, the newly appointed Constituency Returning Officers for the 16 Senedd Constituencies for the 2026 Senedd elections will be:
| Bangor Conwy Môn | Rhun ap Gareth – Conwy County Borough Council |
|---|---|
| Clwyd | Neal Cockerton – Flintshire County Council |
| Fflint Wrecsam | Alwyn Jones – Wrexham County Borough Council |
| Gwynedd Maldwyn | Dafydd Gibbard – Cyngor Gwynedd |
| Ceredigion Penfro | Eifion Evans – Ceredigion County Council |
| Sir Gaerfyrddin | Wendy Walters – Carmarthenshire County Council |
| Gŵyr Abertawe | Martin Nicholls – Swansea Council |
| Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd | Emma Palmer – Powys County Council |
| Afan Ogwr Rhondda | Frances O'Brien – Neath Port Talbot Council |
| Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr | Andy Wilkins – Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council |
| Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni | Ed Edmunds – Caerphilly County Borough Council |
| Sir Fynwy Torfaen | Paul Matthews – Monmouthshire County Council |
| Casnewydd Islwyn | Beverly Owen – Newport City Council |
| Caerdydd Penarth | Paul Orders – Cardiff Council |
| Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf | Paul Orders – Cardiff Council |
| Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg | Rob Thomas – Vale of Glamorgan Council |
I will formally make these designations if the Conduct Order is approved by the Senedd, and has come into force.
Designated CROs must ensure that the election is administered effectively and will be assisted by Returning Officers from any other Local Authorities within the new Senedd constituencies. I would like to thank all Returning Officers in advance for their assistance and cooperation, which help ensure the election is undertaken as smoothly as possible.
Due to an imminent retirement, I intend to use my powers under Article 18 of the National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) Order 2007 to designate a Returning Officer for the South West Wales electoral region.
I am pleased to announce the Senedd Regional Returning Officer (RRO) shall be Martin Nicholls at Swansea Council. In the other regions, the current Regional Returning Officers will continue in their roles. I would like to thank Mark Shephard, the outgoing officer, for his service.
RROs are responsible for co-ordinating arrangements for the regional poll, and where a vacancy arises, in their respective Senedd electoral region. This will of course be a temporary position until May 2026, when RROs will no longer be required for the new arrangements for Senedd elections.