Gazette News
Somerset - council boundary change consultation
3:20pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012
THE independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England is asking people across Somerset to comment on its draft proposals for new electoral arrangements for the county council.
A seven-week public consultation on the recommendations began yesterday and ends on April 9.
The consultation is open to anyone in Somerset who wants to have their say on new electoral divisions, division boundaries and division names across the county.
The Commission’s draft recommendations propose that Somerset County Council should have 55 county councillors – three fewer than at present.
The proposals would mean those councillors would represent 51 single-member and two two-member electoral divisions across Somerset.
The full recommendations and detailed maps are available on the Commission’s website - click on the link on this story - or to view at council buildings and libraries.
Max Caller, LGBCE chairman, said: “We are publishing proposals for a new pattern of electoral divisions across Somerset and we’re keen to hear what local people think of the recommendations.
"Over the next few weeks, we are asking local people to tell us if they agree with the proposals or if not, how they can be improved.
“Having fair electoral boundaries for your council is important.
"Our review aims to deliver electoral equality for Somerset’s voters.
"This means that each county councillor represents a similar number of people so that everyone’s vote in county council elections is worth roughly the same regardless of where you live.
“We will consider all the submissions we receive whoever they are from and whether your evidence applies to the whole county or just a part of it.
“In many parts of Somerset, our recommendations are based on proposals put to us by Somerset County Council.
"In others we have relied on suggestions presented to us by other local organisations and there are several parts of the county where we have devised our own pattern of divisions.
"We have an open mind about further suggestions from local people to change and improve these recommendations.
“There are three key factors you should consider when making submissions to us during the consultation.
"They are the rules, set out in law, which the Commission has to abide by when making our recommendations.
"Firstly, proposals must ensure electoral equality for voters with each councillor representing around the same number of electors.
"Second, the new divisions should – as far as possible – reflect the communities of Somerset.
"And finally, the proposals should help the council deliver effective and convenient local government.”
The Commission wants to hear as much evidence as possible in order to develop final recommendations for Somerset County Council.
If you would like to make a submission to the Commission, write or e-mail by April 9 to The Review Officer (Somerset), Local Government Boundary Commission for England, Layden House, 76-86 Turnmill Street, London EC1M 5LG - e-mail reviews@lgbce.org.uk