(1)The Secretary of State may request the Electoral Commission to recommend in respect of a specified area in England—
(a)whether a structural change should be made;
(b)whether a boundary change should be made.
(2)Where the Electoral Commission receive a request in respect of an area under subsection (1), they may direct the Boundary Committee for England—
(a)to conduct a review of the area, and
(b)to recommend whether a change of the kind specified in the request should be made.
(3)The Electoral Commission may direct the Boundary Committee for England—
(a)to conduct a review of a specified area in England, and
(b)to recommend whether an electoral change should be made in respect of that area.
(4)The Electoral Commission shall from time to time direct the Boundary Committee for England—
(a)to conduct a review of each principal area in England, and
(b)to recommend whether an electoral change should be made in respect of that area.
(5)In carrying out a function under this section the Electoral Commission or the Boundary Committee for England shall have regard to—
(a)the need to reflect the identities and interests of local communities,
(b)the need to secure effective and convenient local government,
(c)the need to secure the matters mentioned in paragraphs 1(2)(a) and 3(2)(a) of Schedule 11 to the Local Government Act 1972 F2 (equality of representation), and
(d)any scheme for elections specified by order under section 86 of the Local Government Act 2000 F3 (power to specify a scheme for elections).
(6)The Electoral Commission may give a direction to the Boundary Committee for England about the exercise of a function under this section.
(7)A direction may, in particular, require the Boundary Committee for England to have regard to—
(a)guidance given by the Secretary of State as to matters to be taken into account in considering structural or boundary changes;
(b)guidance given by the Electoral Commission as to matters to be taken into account in considering electoral changes.]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 13 substituted (1.4.2002) by S.I. 2001/3962, art. 8, Sch. 1 para. 1
F2c. 70.
F3c. 22.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 13: certain functions transferred (1.4.2002) by S.I. 2001/3962, art. 3(1)(2)(a)