Town’s political shake-up could lead to new wards
NEW council wards could be created under the latest proposals to reshape Stockport’s political map.
Recommendations put forward by the Boundary Commission would see Stepping Hill replaced by a new Norbury ward, while there would also be ‘significantly different’ arrangements for Cheadle and Cheadle Hulme.
It comes after the commission held a 10-week consultation on new boundaries earlier this year – the first exercise of its kind since 2003.
The aim is to make sure councillors represent roughly the same number of voters- known as ‘electoral equality’ – and wards reflect community ties and identities.
The final recommendations to parliament are to be published in March 2023.
But first the commission wants to hear what Stopfordians think about its draft recommendations based on responses to the initial consultation.
Professor Colin Mellors, chair of the commission, said: “We want people in Stockport to help us.
“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 [our] final decisions.”
Stockport will still have 21 wards each represented by three councillors – a total of 63 elected members.
But 16 wards will have their boundaries changed, while five will remain the same.
The biggest change looks to be the creation of a new Norbury ward due to ‘opposition to the existing Stepping Hill ward’ which arose from the public consultation.
According to the commission’s report, residents argued the ward did not represent any particular communities and was instead made up of ‘disparate areas that have poor internal access routes, with the ward bisected by two railway lines.’
The independent body agreed that the Stepping Hill ward, failed to ‘adequately reflect community identities,’ decided to develop an alternative warding pattern, based on a local resident’s suggestion.
The proposed new Norbury ward would be bounded by Bramhall Lane South to the east, the Lady Brook to the south and the borough boundary to the west, forming ‘a cohesive ward, with clear boundaries that will be recognisable to local electors.’
It would also be bounded by the Buxton railway line to the north, meaning it would include a substantial part of the current Hazel Grove ward. The commission is also proposing to include the Bosden Farm area within Hazel Grove.
It is in the west of the borough - ‘The Cheadles’ and Gatley where the other most significant changes are being proposed.
At present these areas are represented by four wards: Cheadle and Gatley, Cheadle Hulme North, Cheadle Hulme South and Edgeley and Cheadle Heath.
However, under the draft recommendations Cheadle Heath would be separated from Edgeley and form part of a new Cheadle East and Cheadle Heath ward.
The commission felt Cheadle Heath shared ‘stronger community links with the larger Cheadle community,’ than with Edgeley. Cheadle Hulme would become one unified ward bounded by the Micker Brook to the north and Church Road, Hulme Hall Road and Cheadle Hulme School in the south.
The commission considers the brook represents a ‘clear and identifiable boundary’ between Cheadle Hulme and the Cheadle and Cheadle Heath communities.
However, it has included Crossefield Road and Meadway Road within Cheadle East and Cheadle Heath ward.
The commission is also proposing to transfer Belfry Close, Woburn Grove and
“We want people in Stockport to help us”
Wentworth Drive from the current Cheadle and Gatley ward to the proposed Cheadle Hulme ward to reflect road access routes from Old Wool Lane.
A new Cheadle West and Gatley ward would then be created – renamed to provide a clear distinction between east and west Cheadle.
The commission has a dedicated section on its website where people can see the full details of the proposals and comment on the names of wards and their boundaries. https:// consultation.lgbce.org.uk/ node/27795
People can also give their views by e-mail at reviews@ lgbce.org.uk, or write to:
Review Officer (Stockport), LGBCE, PO Box 133, Blyth, NE24 9FE
The current consultation closes on January 10, 2022.