The Local Government Boundary Review

New political map for Stratford-on-Avon District Council

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has completed a review of the electoral ward boundaries across Stratford-on-Avon, to make sure Councillors represent about the same number of electors and that ward arrangements will help the council work effectively. It has published its final recommendations.

What has changed?

There will now be 41 Councillors representing 39 wards (37 single-councillor wards and two two-councillor wards). This is 5 more councillors and three more wards than there are now. The boundaries of most wards have been changed in the final recommendations; two will stay the same.

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

“We are very grateful to people in Stratford-on-Avon. We looked at all the views they gave us. They helped us improve our earlier proposals.
“We believe the new arrangements will guarantee electoral fairness while maintaining local ties."
163 submissions from local residents and organisations helped decide the new wards. Changes in response to what local people said include:
• Creating single councillor wards in the parishes of Bidford-on-Avon, Shipston-on-Stour, and Sambourne and Studley, reflecting preferences we received for single-councillor wards.
• Amended proposals for Stratford Shottery after local feedback, in order to avoid separating communities.

Parliament now needs to agree the changes which will come into force at the District and Parish Elections on 4 May 2023.

Why was an electoral ward boundary review taking place?

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is an independent body. They conduct a rolling programme of electoral reviews across the country.

The 2 main benefits of an electoral review are to provide for 'electoral equality':

• Fair representation of all electors in a council's area
• Equal access of elected councillors to their electorate.

This means each councillor should represent approximately the same number of electors in each ward.

What is included in an electoral ward boundary review?

Reviews look at whether the boundaries of wards or divisions within the local authority need to be changed. This is to ensure effective local government and electoral equality.

Reviews include:

• The total number of councillors elected to the local authority.
• The number of boundaries and wards.
• The number of councillors for any ward.
• The name of any ward.

Ward boundaries may change resulting in changes to who the electorate can vote for in some areas.