Have your say on a new political map for Rossendale Borough Council

New boundaries are being proposed for council wards in Rossendale Borough Council.

The Local Government Boundary Commission wants to hear what residents and local organisations think about the proposals. A 10-week consultation on the proposals will run until 15 May 2023.

Proposed wards for Rossendale
Click map for high resolution version
Credit: contains Ordnance Survey data (c) Crown copyright and database rights 2023

The Commission is the independent body that draws these boundaries. It is reviewing Rossendale 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 proposals for changes to Rossendale. It is proposing that there should be 30 councillors. This is a decrease of six from the current arrangements. There will be 10 wards, four fewer than there are now. Each ward will be represented by three councillors. The boundaries of all wards should change.

Proposed changes include:

• Moving to a uniform pattern of three-member wards to reflect the electoral cycle
• Unifying Whitworth parish in a single ward, in response to community evidence

Launching the consultation Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, said:

"We want people in Rossendale to help us.

We have drawn up proposals for new wards in Rossendale. 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”

The Commission has a dedicated section on its website where people can see the detail of the proposals and comment on the names of wards and their boundaries.

People can also give their views by e-mail at reviews@lgbce.org.uk, and by post:

Review Officer (Rossendale)
LGBCE
PO Box 133
Blyth
NE24 9FE

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 here.

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