Consultation launched on review of local election boundaries in Colchester
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A public consultation has been launched to help shape new council wards for Colchester City Council. The Local Government Boundary Commission for England wants to hear people’s views on where they live, to help make sure that the new wards reflect the size and shape of local communities.
An electoral review is being carried out to make sure that each local councillor represents about the same number of electors, and that the wards they represent reflect community identities.
Following an earlier consultation with the Council, the Commission concluded that Colchester City Council needs 51 councillors to be able to operate effectively. This is the same number as they have now.
Launching the consultation on the electoral review of Colchester City Council, Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, said:
“We are looking for your views, as local people, on how you think Colchester should be represented in wards that reflect local communities and identities.
“By telling us about where you live and where you access local services, it will help us to create appropriate and meaningful boundaries.
“It might be something as straightforward as where you go for shops, schools or a sporting venue, whether you see a road, park or river as a dividing feature or the heart of a community, or which areas have joint projects.
“Hearing from local residents will give us important evidence to inform our recommendations for a pattern of wards for Colchester that ensures each councillor represents about the same number of electors.”
The consultation on this stage of the electoral review of Colchester City Council lasts for ten weeks and closes on 7 October. The Commission will use local views to help draw up their proposals for new ward boundaries.
Pamela Donnelly, Colchester City Council Chief Executive, said:
“This is a great opportunity for the people of Colchester to let the Local Government Boundary Commission know about their local community and what areas they feel most connected to and why.
Getting involved now will help to make sure that the boundaries they recommend reflect the community identities of our residents and provide a strong foundation for effective and convenient local government in our area.”
There will be a further round of consultation once the Commission has drawn up their proposals. This second stage of the public consultation is expected to start on Tuesday 7 January 2025.
An online community briefing to explain how local people can get involved will be held on Tuesday 13 August at 6pm.
A recording will be made available for those who cannot attend on the day.
Join online:
Local people can provide their views via the Commission website at:
https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/colchester
by emailing reviews@lgbce.org.uk
or by post to:
Review Officer (Colchester)
The Local Boundary Commission for England
7th Floor
3 Bunhill Row
London
EC1Y 8YZ
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The consultation on the electoral review of Colchester City Council is being held by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, an independent body directly accountable to Parliament.
This consultation relates to the arrangements for local government elections. It is separate from consultations that have recently taken place across England on arrangements for parliamentary elections.
An electoral review consultation typically has two stages:
- The first stage asks for views on a broad range of issues affecting the local area, which the Commission then uses to draw a map of proposed local boundaries.
- The second stage of consultation then provides a chance for local people to comment on the Commission’s proposals before they are finalised and laid before Parliament, to be made into law.
For further information and images, please contact the Commission’s press office on 0330 500 1525 / 1250 or email press @lgbce.org.uk
For more information on the work of the Commission, please watch this short film:
Ward boundary map
An interactive map is available at:
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