Talks on Northumberland polling day boundaries

Posted by The Journal on Aug 27, 09 09:13 AM in Councils

Ballot box A major review of local government boundaries in Northumberland is entering its second phase.

The Boundary Committee for England has started a second round of public consultation on future arrangements for the county's new unitary council.

The main purpose of the review is to ensure "electoral equality" following the restructuring of local government last year.

The number of county councillors and the names, numbers and boundaries of wards or divisions are all being examined to ensure that the number of voters represented by each councillor is approximately the same across the county.

The review is being undertaken by the Boundary Committee for England, an independent statutory body, at the request of the Electoral Commission.

The Commission has looked at community identities, communication links and geographic factors, as well as a projected increase in the electorate over a five-year period, as it tries to fix the boundaries.

It has mainly adopted Northumberland County Council's own proposals, with a few minor modifications.

One of the key draft recommendations is for a council size of 67 councillors, covering 66 electoral divisions with one two-member division.

The report containing the recommendations will now be presented to the council's area committees for their comments.

Parish councils will also have an opportunity to comment on the draft recommendations.

The report can be viewed on the Boundary Committee website at http://www.boundarycommittee.org/.

The Committee would particularly welcome local views backed up by demonstrable evidence.

People can email their views to reviews@boundarycommittee.org.uk or write to Review Officer, Northumberland Review, Boundary Committee for England, Trevelyan House, Greater Peter Street, London SW1P 2HW.

The deadline for submissions is November 16.

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