By Isle of Wight Observer
The independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England is asking Island residents to help draw up a new pattern of council wards for the Isle of Wight Council.
The consultation is the first part of an electoral review which will re-draw electoral ward boundaries across the Island.
The commission has also announced that the Isle of Wight Council should have 40 councillors in future: no change from the current arrangements.
In drawing up new boundaries, the commission aims 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 the new council wards reflect, as far as possible, the interests and identities of communities across the Isle of Wight.
‘Equality for voters’
Professor Colin Mellors, chair of the commission, said: “We are asking local people and organisations to help us draw up new wards for the Isle of Wight. As we develop the recommendations, we will take into account local community identities as well as ensuring electoral equality for voters.
“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 the Isle of Wight, this consultation is for you.
“If you’re interested in the way the Isle of Wight is run, just log on to our website to explore our interactive maps and have your say. Your views will make a difference.
“We will carefully consider all evidence that is provided during this phase of the review, whoever it is from and whether it applies to the whole of the Isle of Wight or just a small part of the council area.
“Residents will then have a further chance to have their say after we publish our draft recommendations in September.”
Local people have from the start of May until 9 July 2018 to submit their views in this consultation.
The commission will then publish its draft recommendations in September 2018 and open a further phase of consultation with local people. New wards are scheduled to come into effect at the 2021 council elections.
More information on the review and interactive maps of the existing wards can be found at www.consultation.lgbce.org.uk and www.lgbce.org.uk
How to have your say
You can have your say on the new electoral arrangements by:
- writing to: The Review Officer (Isle of Wight), LGBCE, 14th floor, Millbank Tower, London SW1P 4QP;
- emailing: reviews@lgbce.org.uk
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is responsible for reviewing local authority electoral arrangements, 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 electoral review of Isle of Wight Council is a separate undertaking from the review of parliamentary constituency boundaries, which is being carried out by a separate body (Boundary Commission for England) under different rules and legislation.
