Electorial Review of Local Government Wards

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has formally commenced an electoral review of Cheshire West and Chester and is seek your views on future ward boundaries for the council.

The Commission is carrying out a review to deliver electoral equality for voters across Cheshire West and Chester. At present, some councillors represent many more, or many fewer, electors than their colleagues elsewhere in Cheshire West and Chester. The review aims to correct those imbalances.

The electoral review will recommend new electoral arrangements for Cheshire West and Chester Council based on three criteria:

To deliver electoral equality where each councillor represents roughly the
same number of electors as others across Cheshire West and Chester.

That the pattern of wards should, as far as possible, reflect the interests and
identities of local communities.

That the electoral arrangements should provide for effective and convenient
local government.

It will propose:

The total number of councillors elected to the council in the future. The Commission is minded to recommend that 69 councillors (six fewer than now) should be elected to Cheshire West and Chester Council in the future.

The number of wards.

The number of councillors representing each ward.

Ward boundaries.

Names of wards.

The Commission is inviting proposals from individuals and organisations on the best pattern of wards. The consultation will close on 5 June 2017. After considering all representations, the Commission intends to publish draft recommendations in September 2017. There will then be a further period of consultation on the draft recommendations. Final recommendations are expected to be published in January 2018. The new electoral arrangements will come into effect at the local elections in 2019.

Any suggestions for where your ward boundaries should be must be supported by evidence such as which area do you identify with your local community and where do people in the area go to access local facilities like shops, services and leisure activities? To find out more about the review go to www.lgbce.org.uk. You can also view interactive maps of Cheshire West and Chester, draw your own boundaries, and have your say at the specialist consultation portal, www.consultation.lgbce.org.uk.