Residents and organisations are being offered a further opportunity to join the conversation about proposals for the number of councillors and ward boundaries in Newham.
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has today (1 Sept) announced further consultation on draft recommendations for the north of the borough. The affected proposed wards are Forest Gate North, Forest Gate South, Maryland (a proposed new ward), Forest Gate Green Street (a proposed new ward replacing Green Street West), Green Street East, Little Ilford, Manor Park, and Plashet (a proposed new ward).
A six-week consultation on the proposals will run until 12 October. The Commission believes it has sufficient evidence relating to the rest of the borough to finalise its recommendations. The Commission will publish final recommendations for the Council in December.
The Boundary Commission is reviewing Newham to make sure councillors represent about the same number of electors, and that ward arrangements will help the Council work effectively. Subject to Parliamentary scrutiny, the new electoral arrangements are scheduled to come into effect at the borough elections in 2022, where 66 councillors will be elected to represent Newham’s residents – an increase of six councillors, reflecting the significant population increase in the borough.
Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Boundary Commission, said: “We are publishing further recommendations for a new pattern of wards in the north of Newham and we are keen to hear what local people think of the recommendations. We want to make sure these new electoral arrangements reflect communities. We also want them to be easy to understand and convenient for local people. It’s easy to get involved. Go to our website, or you can e-mail or write to us.”
Existing boundaries will remain in place until 2022 and residents will continue to be represented by their current ward councillors until the next local elections. The Boundary Commission’s recommendations will not affect whether or not Newham has an elected Mayor. Any elections before 2022 are unaffected, for example, the London Mayoral and Greater London Assembly elections and the East Ham Central by-election on 6 May 2021.
Althea Loderick, Newham Council’s Chief Executive and Returning Officer, said: “The proposals were developed by the Commission following consultation with residents and organisations, the Council, and other stakeholders. The Council is required by law to implement the new boundaries.
“We will start work to review polling stations and areas to align with the proposed new ward boundaries and also align the electoral register to the new wards ready for 2022. We fully appreciate the Commission’s wish to ensure local voices are heard on its further recommendations, but we are concerned at the limited time we will have to introduce significant changes across the borough at a time when we are still responding to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
The Boundary Commission has a dedicated section on its website where people can see the detail of the proposals and comment on the names of wards, boundaries and the number of councillors per ward. Check The Local Government Boundary Commission for Englad website for further details.
People can also give their views by email at reviews@lgbce.org.uk and by post to LGBCE, c/o Cleardata, Innovation House, Coniston Court, Riverside Business Park, Blyth, NE24 4RP.