Boundary row leaves ward split Map revealed of new neighbourhoods in bid to slash councillor numbers
NEW ward boundaries in Birmingham will recognise the heritage and identity of one part of Birmingham while leaving another close-knit community divided, according to community leaders.
New political maps of the city – the third and final set issued by the Boundary Commission since December – have been given a mixed reception by community leaders.
The residents of Balsall Heath remain angry that their neighbourhood, which is close to the average size of a council ward, has been split across two wards, Balsall Heath West and Sparkbrook and Balsall Heath East.
Chief executive of the Balsall Heath Forum Abdullah Rehman said that the community is unhappy that their campaign and lobbying for a single ward was unsuccessful.
He said: “We are disappointed our Balsall Heath community will be split across two council wards. We believed a single ward covering the whole neighbourhood was achievable.
“At least the Boundary Commission has recognised Balsall Heath in the names of both wards.”
In contrast there was relief in Erdington and north Birmingham where the historic town centre has been reunited.
Councillor Robert Alden (Cons, Erdington) said that the commission had listened to the objections of residents.
“Given the scale and quality of these, which we were more than happy to support, it is right that they should have been listened to.
“These proposals will ensure that the parish boundaries traditionally used in Erdington, Pype Hayes and Kingstanding are all maintained as borders, and the only remaining copy of the Erdington Coat of Arms, on the old tram terminus in Wylde Green remains in Erdington ward. Thank you to the commission for helping protect our local identity and heritage”
There has been a mixed reaction in Sutton Coldfield where independent parish councillor Paul Long welcomed the review. “The boundary tened,” he said.
“We are delighted the commission implemented every single one of the Sutton Coldfield Independent Residents Group’s responses.”
But Councillor Ken Wood (Cons, Sutton New Hall) was unhappy. “Despite overwhelming support from residents, no Whitehouse Common Ward in Sutton Coldfield! Surprised? No – Ignored? Yes,” he tweeted.
The Commission, commission lis- which is cutting the number of Birmingham City Councillors from 120 to 101, was inundated with an 2,000 letters of objection from residents last autumn and took the unusual step of publishing a revised map in May. This was met with a further 760 responses – which were generally more supportive.
Meanwhile, a complaint that Erdington Station, and historic parts of the town centre including the Erdington Abbey were outside the new Erdington ward have been resolved, being reinstated into the ward.
The commission was asked to cut the number of councillors and convert the existing 40 large three-councillor wards into smaller one- and a two-councillor wards following the damning 2014 Kerslake review of the city council.
It was argued this would place councillors closer to communities they serve.
The final maps are available on the Boundary Commission website.
There is no further consultation and these boundaries will now be passed to the House of Commons for approval and, barring any major objections in Parliament, will be in place by the May 2018 council elections.