Have your say on new Exeter ward boundaries

The independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England is asking people across Exeter to comment on its draft proposals for new council ward boundaries.

A nine-week public consultation on the recommendations begins today and will end on 10 August 2015. The consultation is open to anyone who wants to have their say on new council wards, ward boundaries and ward names across Exeter.

The Commission’s draft recommendations propose that Exeter City Council should have 39 councillors in the future, one fewer than the current arrangements. The recommendations also outline how those councillors should represent thirteen three-member wards across the city.

The full recommendations and detailed interactive maps are available on the Commission’s website at www.consultation.lgbce.org.uk and www.lgbce.org.uk. Hard copies of the Commission’s report and maps will also be available to view at council buildings and libraries.

Max Caller CBE, Chair of the Commission, said: “We are publishing proposals for a new pattern of wards across Exeter and we are keen to hear what local people think of the recommendations.

“Over the next nine weeks, we are asking local people to tell us if they agree with the proposals or if not, how they can be improved. 

“Our review aims to deliver electoral equality for local voters. This means that each councillor represents a similar number of people so that everyone’s vote in council elections is worth roughly the same regardless of where you live.

“We also want to ensure that our proposals reflect the interests and identities of local communities across Exeter and that the pattern of wards can help the council deliver effective local government to local people.

“We will consider all the submissions we receive whoever they are from and whether your evidence applies to the whole city or just part of it.

The Commission wants to hear as much evidence as possible in order to develop final recommendations for Exeter City Council. If you would like to make a submission to the Commission, please write or email us by 10 August 2015:

The Review Officer (Exeter), Local Government Boundary Commission for England, 14th floor, Millbank Tower, London SW1P 4QP.

Email: reviews@lgbce.org.uk

Follow on Twitter @LGBCE

Have your say directly through the Commission’s consultation portal: https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/4439

Link to the dedicated web page for the Exeter electoral review: www.lgbce.org.uk/current-reviews/south-west/devon/exeter