Forest of Dean residents: have your say on new ward boundaries
The independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England is asking people across Forest of Dean to comment on its draft proposals for new council ward boundaries.
A ten-week public consultation on the recommendations begins today and will end on 6 November 2017. The consultation is open to anyone who wants to have their say on new council wards, ward boundaries and ward names across Forest of Dean.
The Commission’s draft recommendations propose that the Forest of Dean should have 38 councillors in the future, ten fewer than the current arrangements. The recommendations also outline how those councillors should represent five three-councillor wards, seven two-councillor wards and nine one-councillor wards across the district.
The full recommendations and detailed interactive maps are available on the Commission’s website at consultation.lgbce.org.ukand www.lgbce.org.uk. Hard copies of the Commission’s report and maps will also be available to view at council buildings.
Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, said: “We are publishing proposals for a new pattern of wards across Forest of Dean and we are keen to hear what local people think of the recommendations.
“Over the next ten weeks, we are asking local people to tell us if they agree with the proposals or if not, how they can be improved.
“Our review aims to deliver electoral equality for local voters. This means that each councillor represents a similar number of people so that everyone’s vote in council elections is worth roughly the same regardless of where you live.
“We also want to ensure that our proposals reflect the interests and identities of local communities across Forest of Dean and that the pattern of wards can help the council deliver effective local government to local people.
“We will consider all the submissions we receive whoever they are from and whether your evidence applies to the whole district or just part of it.”
The Commission wants to hear as much evidence as possible to develop final recommendations for Forest of Dean. If you would like to make a submission to the Commission, please write or email us by 6 November 2017:
The Review Officer (Forest of Dean)
Local Government Boundary Commission for England
14th floor, Millbank Tower
London
SW1P 4QP
Email: reviews@lgbce.org.uk
Follow us on Twitter @LGBCE
Have your say directly through the Commission’s consultation portal: https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/9253
Link to the dedicated web page for the Forest of Dean electoral review: www.lgbce.org.uk/current-reviews/south-west/gloucestershire/forest-of-dean
For further information contact:
Press Office: 0330 500 1250 / 1525