A new political map for Shropshire Council

Shropshire Council is set to have new boundaries for its council divisions.  

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

The Local Government Boundary Commission is the independent body that draws these boundaries. It has reviewed Shropshire to make sure councillors will represent about the same number of electors, and that division arrangements will help the council work effectively.  

The Commission has published final recommendations for changes in Shropshire. It says residents should be represented by 74 councillors. This is the same as under current arrangements.  

There will be 70 single-councillor divisions and two two-councillor divisions.  

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

“We are very grateful to people in Shropshire. 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.”  

We received 312 comments from local people and organisations to help decide the new divisions. Changes in response to what local people said include:  

Proposing an exceptional variance for a single-councillor Bayston Hill division, in response to very strong evidence of community identity 

• Reverting to a two-councillor division for Wem and surrounding areas, based on evidence that the draft recommendations did not reflect community identity. 

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

The changes become law once Parliament has approved them. Staff at the council will ensure that the arrangements are in place for the 2025 elections.  

Ends/ 

Notes to editors:  

This consultation relates to arrangements for local government elections. It is separate from the review of parliamentary constituencies that has recently concluded. 

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 www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/shropshire 

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