People to help redraw political map

STOCKPORT residents have been invited to have their say on a new political map for the borough.

The Local Government Boundary Commission is to review its ward arrangements for the first time since 2003.

This involves making sure that councillors represent roughly the same number of people, and that its proposals to parliament also reflect community ties and identities.

The commission wants to hear people’s view on which communities should be part of the same ward.

It is interested in the facilities different areas share – from parks and leisure centres to schools and shopping areas.

And it would like to know about the issues neighbouring communities have in common, be it heavy traffic or high visitor numbers.

The independent body will also take into account whether new housing or commercial developments have ‘changed the focus of communities’ – as well as the roads, railways, and rivers that form strong boundaries between neighbourhoods.

Professor Colin Mellors, chair of the commission, has called on the people of Stockport to help redraw the map for the current times.

“We want people in Stockport to help us,” he said.

“We are starting to draw up new wards for Stockport. We want our proposals for new electoral arrangements to reflect communities. We also want them to be easy to understand and convenient for local people.

“Residents and local organisations can help us understand community ties and identities at this early stage of the process.”

It comes after councillors agreed in January to keep the number of elected members at 63 as part of its submission to the commission.

The council considered a reduction in size but decided this would not allow the authority to ‘meet its objectives and demands. Its submission said this would increase ‘already high workloads’ and make it more difficult to attract members with other commitments ‘and thus not adequately reflect the people it serves.’

It adds: “The council believes that it is necessary to have 63 councillors in order to meet the challenges of the future and effectively provide strategic leadership, accountability and community leadership.”

The commission will use Stopfordians’ views to help it draw up proposals for new ward boundaries, and there will then be a further round of consultation.

To give views visit consultation.lgbce.org.uk and search for Stockport. Residents can also email reviews@lgbce.org.uk, Or, alternatively, send comments by post to: Review Officer (Stockport), LGBCE, PO Box 133, Blyth, NE24 9FE. The 10-week consultation will run until August 2, 2021.