Shape of local councils set for major shake-up

BOROUGH council polling district boundaries and the location of polling stations in West Lancashire look set for a review this summer, ahead of major changes next year with fewer councillors and newly-designed wards.

Wards in Skelmersdale and other areas along the A59 could see the biggest changes, according to a report for West Lancashire Borough Council.

A timetable for an interim review of polling districts and stations was considered by a working group of councillors this week, following final recommendations for changes by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

Local councils are allowed to review their election arrangements independently between compulsory reviews by the national boundary commission.

Earlier this year, the national commission finished a review of West Lancashire.

Its aim is to see that ward boundaries are updated so that all councillors represent roughly the same number of voters and that boundaries reflect the identities and interests of communities.

The commission has also said West Lancashire Borough Council should have 45 councillors, which is a decrease of nine.

There should be 15 wards, a decrease of 10 and all ward boundaries should change.

The 45 councillors elected next May should represent 15 three-councillor wards across the borough. Currently, some wards have two councillors.

After feedback from local people and organisations, the commission modified its proposals for Skelmersdale North, Skelmersdale South and Tanhouse & Skelmersdale town centre.

It also recommended new names for wards in the north and south of West Lancashire.

A report went to leading West Lancashire councillors from different political groups this week for a Polling Districts and Places Review Committee meeting on June 15.

The report outlines a timetable of electoral ward and polling station reviews and consultation this summer and autumn.

September 19 is the proposed deadline for comments on the consultation.

Then a report will be sent to the polling places committee in early October.

Any changes will be published on a register in early December.

The committee report states: “As part of the electoral review, an interim polling review is required to ensure that the council’s polling estate is coterminous [fits] with these new boundaries.

The responsibility for finalising polling stations for each election will rest with the returning officer for that election.”

The report adds: “Initial work is being undertaken to identify areas of the polling estate that will require changes.

There is expected to be significant change along the A59 corridor and in Skelmersdale.

West Lancashire will undergo another full statutory review in 2023/24.

“Legislation requires that all polling stations be kept under consideration and evaluation.

“If changes are identified as being desirable, then the review process should be initiated.”