Statutory Instruments
2022 No. 1372
Local Government, England
The Wigan (Electoral Changes) Order 2022
Made
16th December 2022
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(1) (“the Act”) the Local Government Boundary Commission for England(2)(“the Commission”) published a report dated May 2022(3) stating its recommendations for changes to the electoral arrangements for the borough of Wigan. 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, commencement, extent and application
1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Wigan (Electoral Changes) Order 2022.
(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 England(4) in 2023.
(4) This Order extends to England and Wales but applies in relation to England only.
Interpretation
2.—(1) In this Order, “the map” means the map marked “Map referred to in the Wigan (Electoral Changes) Order 2022”, held by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England(5).
(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 borough of Wigan and number of councillors
3.—(1) The existing wards of the borough of Wigan are abolished.
(2) The borough of Wigan is divided into the 25 wards listed in the Schedule.
(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 three.
Elections of councillors of the borough of Wigan
4.—(1) Elections of all councillors for each ward of the borough of Wigan are to be held simultaneously on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2023.
(2) The councillors holding office for any ward abolished by article 3(1) immediately before the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2023 are to retire on that fourth day, and the newly elected councillors are to come into office on that fourth day.
(3) Of the councillors elected for a ward in 2023—
(a)one is to retire on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2024;
(b)one is to retire on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2026;
(c)one is to retire on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2027.
(4) Of the councillors elected for a ward in 2023—
(a)the first councillor for each ward to retire is to be the councillor elected by the smallest number of votes; and
(b)the second councillor for each ward to retire is to be the councillor elected by the next smallest number of votes.
(5) In the case of an equality of votes between any persons elected which makes it uncertain which of them is to retire in any year, the person to retire in that year is to be determined by lot.
(6) If an election of councillors for any ward is not contested, the person to retire in each year is to be determined by lot.
(7) An election to replace a councillor who is to retire under paragraph (3) is to be held on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in the year in which the retirement is due to take place, and any newly elected councillor is to come into office on the fourth day after that day.
(8) Where under this article any question is to be determined by lot, the lot is to be drawn at the next practicable meeting of the council after the question has arisen and the drawing is to be conducted under the direction of the person presiding at the meeting.
Sealed with the seal of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England
Jolyon Jackson
Chief Executive
Local Government Boundary Commission for England
16th December 2022
Article 3
SCHEDULENames of wards of the borough of Wigan
1. Abram
2. Ashton-in-Makerfield South
3. Aspull, New Springs & Whelley
4. Astley
5. Atherton North
6. Atherton South & Lilford
7. Bryn with Ashton-in-Makerfield North
8. Douglas
9. Golborne & Lowton West
10. Hindley
11. Hindley Green
12. Ince
13. Leigh Central & Higher Folds
14. Leigh South
15. Leigh West
16. Lowton East
17. Orrell
18. Pemberton
19. Shevington with Lower Ground & Moor
20. Standish with Langtree
21. Tyldesley & Mosley Common
22. Wigan Central
23. Wigan West
24. Winstanley
25. Worsley Mesnes
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order makes changes to electoral arrangements for the borough of Wigan following recommendations made by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England. The area of the borough remains unchanged.
Article 3 abolishes the existing electoral wards of the borough of Wigan and replaces them with 25 new ones listed in the Schedule for the purpose of elections held on or after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2023. It establishes the names and areas of the new electoral wards and the number of councillors for each.
Article 4 makes provision for a whole borough council election in 2023. Subsequently, the council will revert to the existing system of election by thirds. That article also provides for the order of retirement of councillors in 2024, 2026 and 2027 and the election of their replacements.
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 https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/north-west/greater-manchester/wigan.
An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private, public or voluntary sectors is foreseen.
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England was established on 1st April 2010 by section 55(1) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.
The report is available for inspection at reasonable times at the principal office of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, 1st Floor, Windsor House, 50 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0TL. It is also accessible online at https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/north-west/greater-manchester/wigan
The ordinary day of election of councillors in England is prescribed by section 37(1) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2), as amended by section 18(2) of the Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50), renumbered by paragraph 5 of Schedule 3 to the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (c. 29), and further amended by section 6(16) of the Wales Act 2017 (c. 4).
Prints of the map are available for inspection at reasonable times at the principal office of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, 1st Floor, Windsor House, 50 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0TL. It is also accessible online at https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/north-west/greater-manchester/wigan