Local electoral arrangements for Central Bedfordshire finalised

Posted on October 25, 2010

The independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) has published its final recommendations for new local government electoral arrangements for Central Bedfordshire Council.

Today's publication follows months of public consultation and draws boundaries for each ward across the Central Bedfordshire area. Central Bedfordshire is a new council with 66 members elected to the former county divisions in temporary arrangements established at the formation of the new unitary authority.The Commission published its draft recommendations, which provided for a council of 59 members, in May 2010 and today confirms that figure in its final recommendations.

The arrangements announced today provide permanent electoral arrangements for the council that ensure electoral equality for local voters as well as recommending wards that reflect natural communities and encourage effective and convenient local government.

Max Caller, Chair of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE), said: “Our recommendations determine how many councillors will serve on the council. They also decide which wards you vote in. We're grateful to the people across Central Bedfordshire who took the time and effort to send us their views because having fair wards, where each councillor is representing around the same number of people, is important.”

The proposed new arrangements must now be implemented by Parliament. An Order - the legal document which brings into force the recommendations - will be laid in Parliament in the coming weeks. The draft order allows for the new electoral arrangements to come into force for the next council elections in May 2011.

Full details can be found on the LGBCE website: Central Bedfordshire electoral review.

Source: Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE)