Your chance to have say on boundary change proposals
A NEW consultation is being launched, canvassing views on the proposed boundary changes for electoral wards in the Derbyshire Dales.
The Local Government Boundary Commission wants to hear what residents and local organisations think about the proposals during an eightweek consultation on the proposals, which will run until Tuesday, October 26.
The commission is the independent body that draws the boundaries and the wards in the Derbyshire Dales are being remodelled to ensure councillors will represent about the same number of electors, and that ward arrangements will help the council work effectively.
The commission initially produced final recommendations for Derbyshire Dales in June 2021. Its attention was drawn to miscalculations in those recommendations relating to the electorates of a small number of wards.
Having recalculated electorate figures the commission has now made changes to its proposals and is again seeking views from the public.
It is proposing there should be 20 wards, 10 single-councillor wards, six two-councillor wards, and four three-councillor wards. This is five fewer wards than there are now.
The boundaries of 17 wards will change and three will stay the same.
Proposed changes include minor amendments to proposed wards in the Ashbourne area, as well as to the boundaries between Hulland and Brailsford wards.
It would also involve grouping together parishes which fall within the Peak District National Park where possible and uniting Carsington Water reservoir into one ward with Wirksworth Launching the consultation Professor Colin Mellors, chair of the commission, said: “We want people in Derbyshire Dales to help us.
“We have drawn up proposals for new wards in Derbyshire Dales. 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.
“Residents and local organisations can help us do that. We would like them to let us know whether they agree with our proposals before we take final decisions.
“It’s easy to get involved. Go to our website. Or you can email or write to us.
“Just tell us what you think and give us some details why you think that.
“It’s really simple, so do get involved.”
The commission has a dedicated section on its website where people can see the detail of the proposals and comment on the names of wards and their boundaries at consultation.lgbce.org.uk/ node/22484