The further limited draft consultation on electoral arrangements in the rural east, central and southern areas of Lancaster City Council closes on Tuesday, 15th March 2022.
The Local Government Boundary Commission is proposing new boundaries for council wards in rural east, central and southern areas of Lancaster. The Commission is satisfied that it has received sufficient evidence in earlier rounds of consultation to finalise new ward boundaries for the rest of Lancaster.
The Commission wants to hear what residents and local organisations think about the new proposals, and a seven-week consultation on the proposals closes on Tuesday 15th March 2022.
A full set of final recommendations for the council will then be published in April 2022.
Don’t miss out on having your say – visit this page to register your views
The Commission is the independent body that draws these boundaries. It is reviewing Lancaster to make sure councillors will represent about the same number of electors, and that ward arrangements will help the council work effectively.
The Commission has previously published draft recommendations for Lancaster. Its new proposals include changes such as a two-councillor ward for the University all of its own, to reflect persuasive evidence of local communities. While the proposed electoral variance of -16% is high, the Commission says it has been persuaded that there are unique circumstances related to the University that justify it.
The Commission is no longer proposing a three-member Halton-with-Aughton & Lower Lune Valley ward. They received persuasive evidence that this ward would not reflect communities or provide for convenient and effective local government. Instead, they are proposing an alternative arrangement which links Halton with parishes to the north of the river.
“These two combined changes provide for both strong community identity and electoral equality,” the Commission states.
“We are publishing further proposals for a new pattern of wards in certain areas of Lancaster, and we are keen to hear what local people think of the recommendations,” said Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, when the further consultation was launched last month.
“We want people in Lancaster to help us.
“We have drawn up further proposals for new wards in the rural east, central and southern areas of the city. We want to make sure these new electoral arrangements reflect communities. We also want them to be easy to understand and convenient for local people.
“Residents and local organisations can help us do that. We would like them to let us know whether they agree with our proposals before we take final decisions.
“It’s easy to get involved. Go to our website. Or you can e-mail or write to us.
“Just tell us what you think and give us some details why you think that. It’s really simple, so do get involved”
• People can also give their views by e-mail at reviews@lgbce.org.uk, and by post: Review Officer (Lancaster), LGBCE, PO Box 133, Blyth NE24 9FE