The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has adopted Wealden District Council’s proposal to reduce the number of its councillors.—Wealden District Council, 28 September 2016
Following a year-long consultation process, the LGBCE has published its final recommendations, which if approved by Parliament, will mean there will be 45 seats up for election to Wealden District Council in 2019.
“We are pleased that the Boundary Commission has adopted the Council’s proposal to reduce the number of Councillors representing the District from 55 to 45,” said Councillor Bob Standley, Leader of Wealden District Council.
“Our Overview and Scrutiny Committee worked hard to find a proposal that increased the number of single member wards while ensuring communities were properly represented. The final recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission mean there will be 41 electoral wards in the District. Four of these will still be two member wards. All the ward boundaries will be changed but the proposal should ensure that electors do not lose a sense of belonging. Parish Council boundaries are not affected by these changes.
“The predominance of one councillor wards is a less complicated arrangement with residents having a clearer line of communication with their local councillor. Fewer councillors will also help to reduce administrative costs which have to be met by the local taxpayer.”
The recommendations are the result of a review of electoral arrangements across the whole of East Sussex. Under the LBGCE’s final recommendation, the estimated average number of electors per councillor in Wealden in 2021 will be 2,894.
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s recommendations, including the new boundary maps, can be found on its website: https://www.lgbce.org.uk/current-reviews/south-east/east-sussex/wealden
