Review Proposes Two Less Councillors For Wandsworth Borough
As residents are being consulted on plans to redraw local ward boundaries
Current ward boundaries within Wandsworth Council
The independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England is set to draw up a new pattern of council wards for Wandsworth Council, and is asking local people for their help.
The consultation is the first part of an electoral review which will re-draw ward boundaries across the borough. The Commission has also announced that it is likely to recommend that the Council should have 58 councillors in the future - currently there are 60 councillors: 'We are now drawing up a new pattern of wards to accommodate 58 councillors. We need your help to tell where the new boundaries should be drawn'.
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is responsible for reviewing local authority electoral arrangements, and defining boundaries for local elections and the number of councillors to be elected, as well as conducting reviews of councils’ external boundaries and structures.
The Commission says in drawing up new boundaries, the aim is to deliver electoral equality for voters in council elections so that each councillor represents roughly the same number of voters.
The review also aims to ensure that the new council wards reflect, as far as possible, the interests and identities of communities across the borough. The types of questions the Commission is asking residents at this stage are:
Do you have suggestions about where your ward boundaries should be?
Which areas do you identify as your local community?
Where do people in your area go to access local facilities such as shops and leisure activities?
The commission plans to develop the recommendations, taking into account local community identities as well as ensuring electoral equality for voters.
A spokesperson said: "If you have a view about which communities or neighbourhoods should be part of the same council ward, then we want to hear from you. And if you think a road, river or railway makes for a strong boundary between communities in your part of Putney, then this consultation is for you. If you’re interested in the way the council is run, just log on to our website to explore our interactive maps and have your say. Your views will make a difference."
Residents have until 12 August 2019 to submit their views in this consultation. Further information on the review and interactive maps of the existing wards can be found at the consultation website and the Local Government Boundary Commission for England's website.
Residents will then have a further chance to have their say after the draft recommendations are published in December.
June 14, 2019