Have your say on boundary changes
HALTON residents have just a few days left to comment during the latest round of consultation into proposed election boundary changes.
The Boundary Commission For England (BCE) said the deadline for submissions is Monday, March 27.
It first revealed its proposed changes in September 2016. An initial 12-week consultation took place in autumn.
The Boundary Commission said this prompted nearly 20,000 responses, available to view on its website.
Under the plans, Halton Lea ward comprising Palacefields, Hallwood Park and Halton Lodge would become part of the Halton constituency.
At present the neighbourhood is part of the tight marginal Weaver Vale, which was held by a narrow Conservative majority of 806 votes at the last General Election.
Weaver Vale itself would lose Halton Lea but would be extended east to include Antrobus and Comberbach and also south-west to encompass areas such as Tarporley, Tattenhall and Broxton. Other existing Runcorn neighbourhoods in Weaver Vale would remain part of that constituency.
In the most recent local elections for Halton Lea, Labour candidate Dave Thompson thrashed Tory contender Ruth Rowan 1,053 votes to 148.
The Boundary Commission website’s interactive consultation map said it had received one response from within Halton Lea ward, from Shelagh Kearney who said the proposed change ‘makes perfect sense for this area’.
Iris Keating said she was not sure Norton should be separated from the rest of Halton.
A comment attributed to Frodsham councillor Liam Jones, Conservative, said he supported the proposals ‘and takes into account the make-up and culture of the existing Weaver Vale boundary, that will aid with reinforcing local communities interests and similar in nature’. ● Boundary Commission For England constituency proposals for Weaver Vale. Blue lines indicate existing boundaries and red lines show the proposed boundaries ●
The Boundary Commission’s recommendations followed a decision by Parliament to reduce the number of UK constituencies from 650 to 600 with broadly equal numbers of electors in each with a range of 71,031 and 78,507.
BCE said revised proposals will be published for a final consultation in late 2017 and early 2018 with any further changes made based on comments received. The commission said it must report to Parliament with its final recommendation in September 2018.
If agreed by Parliament, the amended constituencies will be in use at the next scheduled General Election in 2020.
Sam Hartley, secretary to the BCE, said: “Public input is invaluable throughout the 2018 Boundary Review. Comments made during both consultations will help us develop a well-rounded picture of how local communities live and work together.
“This local knowledge will be essential when we revise our proposals.
“Any changes will be based on your comments so it’s important to have your say.”