We announce proposals for electoral arrangements in Tyne and Wear
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Final plans for new electoral arrangements in Tyne and Wear are being submitted to The Electoral Commission today. The recommendations from The Boundary Committee for England mark the end of a review which began in May 2002. They include changes to ward boundaries across the area.
Pamela Gordon, Committee Chairman said: 'During spring 2003 a successful public consultation on the draft recommendations was carried out. The responses have lead to us changing some of the proposals. The aim of the review has been to ensure that, as far as possible, one person's vote should have the same value as another's. The improvements in electoral equality we are recommending today meet that objective without disrupting community interests.'
The Electoral Commission is now responsible for deciding the outcome of the Committee's recommendations and all further correspondence should be addressed to The Secretary, The Electoral Commission, Trevelyan House, Great Peter Street, London SW1P 2HW.
Gateshead - We propose broadly confirming our draft recommendations as final. However, in light of evidence received from local people, we are proposing minor amendments to the boundaries of Felling, High Fell and Leam South wards in order to better reflect communities. We also propose to amend the boundary between Lameley and Lobley Hill & Bensham wards in order to provide a clearer boundary. We also propose six new ward names. Our final recommendations are for a council size of 66, the same as at present, representing 22 wards.
Newcastle - We are broadly confirming our draft recommendations as final, subject to some minor modifications. In light of evidence provided by local people we are proposing a change to the boundary between Blakelaw and Wingrove wards. We received a number of further amendments from local people during our consultation period. However, we do not consider that sufficient evidence was provided to enable us to modify our draft recommendations. Our final recommendations are for a council size of 78, the same as at present, representing 26 wards.
North Tyneside - We are broadly confirming our draft recommendations as final, subject to a number of minor boundary amendments to Collingwood, Monkseaton North, Monkseaton South, Preston, St Mary's and Whitley Bay wards in order to better reflect community identities and interests. Our final recommendations are for retaining a council size of 60 members, representing 20 wards.
South Tyneside - We are broadly confirming our draft recommendations as final, subject to boundary amendments between the proposed Horsley Hill and Whitburn & Marsden wards, between the proposed Simonside and Westoe wards, between the proposed Simonside and West Park wards and between the proposed Cleadon Park and West Park wards. We also propose thst Simonside ward be renamed Simonside & Rekendyke ward. Our final recommendations are for a council size of 54, six less than at present, representing 18 wards.
Sunderland - We are substantially confirming our draft recommendations as final, subject to one minor boundary amendment between Shiney Row and St Anne's wards, in order to better reflect community identities and interests. Our final recommendations are for retaining a council size of 75 members, representing 25 wards, as at present.
The Committee's reports are available on its website at www.boundarycommittee.org.uk or at council offices and at public libraries. Copies of the reports can also be obtained by writing to The Boundary Committee for England, Trevelyan House, Great Peter Street, London SW1P 2HW.
Elise Cross on 020 7271 0530 or Gemma Crosland on 020 7271 0527
Out of Office hours 07789 920 414, Fax: 020 7271 0528
www.electoralcommission.org.uk
PDFs of maps are available on The Boundary Committee's website www.boundarycommittee.org.uk For copyright permission, contact Ordnance Survey's helpline on 023 8030 5092.
The present review of Tyne and Wear began on 14 May 2002. Draft recommendations were published on 25 February and are also available on the Committee's web site at www.boundarycommittee.org.uk
The Boundary Committee is a statutory committee of The Electoral Commission.