A new political map for Wokingham Borough Council

Wokingham Borough Council is set to have new boundaries for its council wards. 

Proposed wards for Wokingham
Credit: contains Ordnance Survey data (c) Crown copyright and database rights 2023
High resolution map available at https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/wokingham

The Local Government Boundary Commission is the independent body that draws these boundaries. It has reviewed Wokingham 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 published final recommendations for changes in Wokingham. It says residents should be represented by 54 councillors. This is the same as there are currently. 

There will be eighteen three-member wards.

Publishing the recommendations Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, said:

“We are very grateful to people in Wokingham. We looked at all the views they gave us. They helped us improve our earlier proposals. 

We believe the new arrangements will deliver electoral fairness while maintaining local ties.” 

208 people and organisations made comments to help decide the new wards. Changes in response to what local people said include: 

• Following comments we received, we are renaming the wards in Earley and Woodley, reverting to more specifically local names.

• To reflect other comments received, we are also renaming Northern and Southern wards, as Thames and Spencers Wood & Swallowfield, respectively.

The Commission has made further changes to its earlier proposals. Details can be found on its website at https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/wokingham. 

The changes become law once Parliament has approved them. Staff at the council will ensure that the arrangements are in place for the May 2024 elections. 

Ends/

Notes to editors: 

This consultation relates to arrangements for local government elections. It is separate from the review of parliamentary constituencies that is currently taking place.

For further information contact the Commission’s press office on 0330 500 1525 / 1250 or email press@lgbce.org.uk 

An interactive map is available at https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/wokingham

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is an independent body accountable to Parliament. It recommends fair electoral and boundary arrangements for local authorities in England. In doing so, it aims to:

• Make sure that, within an authority, each councillor represents a similar number of electors

• Create boundaries that are appropriate, and reflect community ties and identities

• Deliver reviews informed by local needs, views and circumstances