Local Government Boundary Commission wants to hear from Fenland residents about new boundary proposals

Fenland residents and local organisations will have an opportunity to tell the Local Government Boundary Commission what they think about a series of proposed new boundary changes.

A 10-week consultation on the proposed wards for Fenland District Council will run until June 6 2022.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is the independent body that draws these boundaries.

It is reviewing Fenland to make sure councillors will represent about the same number of electors, and that ward arrangements will help the council work effectively.

The Commission has published proposals for changes to Fenland and is proposing that there should be 42 councillors representing two one-councillor wards, five two-councillor wards, and 10 three-councillor wards.

The proposed changes include: In Parson Drove and Wisbech St Mary parishes where the Commission propose a two-councillor Parson Drove and Roman Bank ward and a three-councillor Elm and Wisbech St Mary wards and are particularly keen to hear local views.

The Commission also proposes that Whittlesey and Wisbech town have a pattern of single, two, and three-councillor wards.

Launching the consultation, Professor Colin Mellors, chair of the Local Government Boundary Commission, said: “We want people in Fenland to help us. We have drawn up proposals for new wards in Fenland and 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 final decisions.

“It’s easy to get involved: go to our website or you can e-mail or write to us. Just tell us what you think and give us some details why you think that. It’s really simple, so do get involved

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is an independent body accountable to Parliament. It recommends fair electoral and boundary arrangements for local authorities in England. In doing so, it aims to: Make sure that, within an authority, each councillor represents a similar number of electors; Create boundaries that are appropriate, and reflect community ties and identities; and Deliver reviews informed by local needs, views, and circumstances

The Local Government Boundary Commission has a dedicated section on its website where people and local organisations in Fenland can see an interactive map where the details of the proposals and comment on the names of wards, their boundaries and the number of councillors per ward. https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/30415

People can also give their views by e-mail at reviews@lgbce.org.uk, and by post:

The Review Officer (Fenland), LGBCE, PO Box 133, Blyth NE24 9FE