Statutory Instruments
2018 No. 1371
Local Government, England
The Somerset West and Taunton (Electoral Changes) Order 2018
Coming into force in accordance with article 1(2) and (3)
Under section 58(4) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009() (“the Act”) the Local Government Boundary Commission for England() (“the Commission”) published a report dated October 2018 stating its recommendations for changes to the electoral arrangements for Somerset West and Taunton(). The Commission has decided to give effect to the recommendations.
A draft of the instrument has been laid before Parliament and a period of forty days has expired since the day on which it was laid and neither House has resolved that the instrument be not made.
The Commission makes the following Order in exercise of the power conferred by section 59(1) of the Act.
Citation and commencement
1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Somerset West and Taunton (Electoral Changes) Order 2018.
(2) This article and article 2 come into force on the day after the day on which this Order is made.
(3) Articles 3 and 4 come into force—
(a)for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on the day after the day on which this Order is made;
(b)for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors() in 2019.
Interpretation
2.—(1) In this Order, “the map” means the map marked “Map referred to in the Somerset West and Taunton (Electoral Changes) Order 2018”, held by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England().
(2) Where a boundary is shown on the map as running along a road, railway line, footway, watercourse or similar geographical feature, it is to be treated as running along the centre line of the feature.
Wards of the district of Somerset West and Taunton and number of councillors
3.—(1) The existing wards of the district of Somerset West and Taunton are abolished.
(2) The district of Somerset West and Taunton is divided into 35 wards as listed in the first column of the table in Schedule 1.
(3) Each ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the ward.
(4) The number of councillors to be elected for each ward is the number specified in relation to that ward in the second column of the table in Schedule 1.
Wards of the parishes of Minehead and Wellington
4.—(1) The existing wards of the parishes of Minehead and Wellington are abolished.
(2) The parish of Minehead is divided into the five parish wards listed in the first column of table 1 in Schedule 2.
(3) The parish of Wellington is divided into the five parish wards listed in the first column of table 2 in Schedule 2.
(4) Each parish ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the parish ward.
(5) The number of councillors to be elected for each parish ward is the number specified in relation to that ward in the second column of the relevant table in Schedule 2.
Sealed with the seal of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England

Jolyon Jackson
Chief Executive
Local Government Boundary Commission for England
17th December 2018
Article 3
SCHEDULE 1Names of wards and number of councillors
(1) | (2) |
---|
Name of district ward | Number of councillors |
---|
Alcombe | 1 |
Blackbrook & Holway | 2 |
Comeytrowe & Bishop’s Hull | 3 |
Cotford St Luke & Oake | 1 |
Creech St Michael | 2 |
Dulverton & District | 1 |
Exmoor | 1 |
Halcon & Lane | 2 |
Hatch & Blackdown | 1 |
Manor & Tangier | 1 |
Milverton & District | 1 |
Minehead Central | 2 |
Minehead North | 1 |
Monument | 1 |
North Curry & Ruishton | 2 |
North Town | 1 |
Norton Fitzwarren & Staplegrove | 3 |
Old Cleeve & District | 2 |
Periton & Woodcombe | 1 |
Porlock & District | 1 |
Priorswood | 3 |
Quantock Vale | 1 |
Rockwell Green | 1 |
South Quantock | 2 |
Trull, Pitminster & Corfe | 2 |
Victoria | 2 |
Vivary | 2 |
Watchet & Williton | 3 |
Wellington East | 2 |
Wellington North | 2 |
Wellington South | 1 |
Wellsprings & Rowbarton | 2 |
West Monkton & Cheddon Fitzpaine | 3 |
Wilton & Sherford | 1 |
Wiveliscombe & District | 2 |
Article 4
SCHEDULE 2Names of parish wards and number of councillors
Table 1
Wards of the parish of Minehead
(1) | (2) |
---|
Name of parish ward | Number of councillors |
---|
Alcombe North | 1 |
Alcombe South | 3 |
Minehead Central | 6 |
Minehead North | 3 |
Periton & Woodcombe | 3 |
Table 2
Wards of the parish of Wellington
(1) | (2) |
---|
Name of parish ward | Number of councillors |
---|
Rockwell Green | 2 |
Wellington East | 4 |
Wellington North | 5 |
Wellington South | 3 |
Wellington South East | 1 |
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Order makes changes to electoral arrangements for Somerset West and Taunton following recommendations made by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England. Somerset West and Taunton is established as an authority, with effect from 1st April 2019, by virtue of the Somerset West and Taunton (Local Government Changes) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/649). The changes made by this Order apply in respect of local government elections held on and after the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2019.
Article 3 provides for the creation of 35 new electoral wards and establishes the names and areas of those wards and the number of councillors for each.
Article 4 makes changes to parish wards which are consequential to the changes made by article 3.
The area covered by each ward created by this Order is identified on a map which is available for inspection at reasonable times at the offices of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, 1st Floor, Windsor House, 50 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0TL.
The map may also be accessed at http://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/south-west/somerset/somerset-west-and-taunton
An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.