RESIDENTS are being asked for their opinions on the final version of proposed changes to parliamentary constituency boundaries..
The Boundary Commission for England (BCE) launched the final stage of publication on Tuesday, November 8, and comments can be made until the deadline of Monday, December 5.
This is the third stage of consultation being carried out by the independent and impartial advisory body. It is responsible for conducting reviews of parliamentary constituencies and making recommendations to parliament.
Andrew Moulton, returning officer at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “We want residents to submit their views on the latest proposals, which have been subject to various changes as a result of the feedback already received.
“This is the last chance to have your say and it is really easy to do so. You can give feedback on anything: from where the proposed parliamentary boundaries are, to the suggestions for new constituency names.
“The commission values the importance of local knowledge in forming these proposals and will take every response into account.
After the last consultation has been completed, the body will submit its recommendations to parliament by July 2023.
After this, an ‘Order in Council’ will be passed to implement the recommendations.
The constituencies set out in the order will then be implemented for the next General Election.
The commission is required by law to ensure each constituency in England has between 69,724 and 77,062 electors. As part of this process, the number of constituencies will increase from 533 to 543 in England.
Initial proposals for new constituencies were published in June last year, with 34,000 responses received during an eight-week consultation period.
The BCE does not take voting patterns, or the results of elections, into account when reviewing these boundaries.
The views of political parties on where boundaries should be do not carry any more weight than those of residents.
The boundary changes will not affect local council services and only relate to parliamentary constituencies. The more a constituency has changed when the review is finalised, the more likely it is that the commission will recommend a change of name.
For more information, visit: bcereviews.org.uk
