People are being asked to have their say on changes to the electoral boundaries in Kent – which could see three fewer KCC councillors.
Published by LGBCE on 9th December 2014
Have your say on county council boundaries across Kent
The independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England is asking local people for their help to draw up a new pattern of electoral divisions for Kent County Council.
The consultation is the first part of an electoral review which will re-draw division boundaries across the whole county.
The Commission has also announced that it is minded to recommend that the county council should have 81 county councillors in the future: three fewer than the current arrangement.
The Commission now needs information from people and groups across Kent to help it to produce a new pattern of electoral divisions to accommodate 81 county councillors.
In drawing up new boundaries, the Commission aims to deliver electoral equality for voters in council elections so that each county councillor represents roughly the same number of voters. The review also aims to ensure that the new council divisions reflect, as far as possible, the interests and identities of communities across Kent.
Max Caller, Chair of the Commission, said: “We are asking local people and organisations to help us draw up new electoral divisions for Kent. As we develop the recommendations, we will take into account local community identities as well as ensuring electoral equality for voters.
“If you have a view about which communities, parishes or neighbourhoods should be part of the same county division, then we want to hear from you. And if you think a road, river or railway makes for a strong boundary between communities in your part of Kent, then this consultation is for you. Alternatively, if you’re simply interested in the way the county is run, just log on to our website to explore our interactive maps and have your say.
“Your views will make a difference.
“We will carefully consider all evidence that is provided during this phase of the review whoever it is from and whether it applies to the whole of Kent or just a small part of the county.
“Residents will then have a further chance to have their say after we publish our draft recommendations in May 2015.”
Local people have until 2 March 2015 to submit their views.
Further information on the review and interactive maps of the existing divisions can be found at www.consultation.lgbce.org.uk and www.lgbce.org.uk.
KCC have also issued a press release.