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The Boundary Committee announced its ‘final recommendations’ on Friday 14 November 2008 for the new electoral arrangements in Wiltshire and has confirmed the number of councillors to be elected to the new unitary authority. The final recommendations are available as follows:

Background 1

Following the County Council’s consideration of the Boundary Committee’s Draft Recommendations on 15 July, the Council’s final response to the Boundary Committee during Stage Three of the Boundary Review is now available as follows:

In summary, the County Council remains committed to its original Stage One submission based on a council size of 98, coterminosity with community areas and single-member divisions, all of which had cross-party and multi-authority support. The County Council accepted the changes proposed by the Boundary Committee and suggested some further minor changes relating to division names and the correction of some mapping errors which reflect a further consultation process with local members and town and parish councils.

Background 2

After a period of consultation with town, parish and district councils, the County Council met on 18 April to agree the submission to the Boundary Committee. The Council’s recommendations for the new electoral divisions were then submitted to the Boundary Committee on 21 April. The submission is available below:

Representatives of the Boundary Review Working Party met with members of the Boundary Committee on 13 May to clarify some issues around our justification for a Council size of 98. All parties agreed that this was a very useful meeting.

Subsequent requests have been received for further information and clarity on several issues but in particular on:

  • composition and role of area boards
  • devolution of powers to area boards and parish and town councils
  • functions and responsibilities of unitary councillors within this framework

The Boundary Committee met again on 27 May and we are at the time of writing still awaiting their formal response. We do know however that officers of the Boundary Committee are already working on the detail of the submission as we are responding to requests for further details.

The County Council re-emphasised how its original submission provides a county-wide solution for future electoral arrangements as the basis for unitary local government in Wiltshire. The proposals reflect identities and interests of local communities, secure effective and convenient local government and provide high levels of electoral equality.

The next stage of the Boundary Review, Stage Four, commences on 26 August during which the Boundary Committee will analyse all submissions received during Stage Three and subsequently formulate and publish their Final Recommendations in late October or early November. The Electoral Commission will then receive their Final Recommendations and will make the Implementation Order not less than six weeks afterwards. It is anticipated that the revised electoral arrangements will be in place for the elections to Wiltshire Council in 2009.

Timeline

26th Feb - 21 April 2008Stage 1: Commencement of review and submission of proposals for future electoral arrangements.
21st April – early July 08Stage 2: The Boundary Committee considers proposals and prepares draft recommendations report.
Early July - late August Stage 3: The Boundary Committee publishes draft recommendations report and invites representations - 8 week consultation process on draft recommendations
Sept – 31 October 2008Stage 4: The Boundary Committee considers representations, reaches conclusions on final recommendations and submits a final report to the Electoral Commission.
Dec 08Final Decision of the Electoral Commission.

If you have any queries about Wiltshire’s boundary review, please contact John Quinton, head of Democratic and Member services on 01225 71 3054 or johnquinton@wiltshire.gov.uk