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Statutory Instruments

2014 No. 22

Local Government, England

The Milton Keynes (Electoral Changes) Order 2014

Made

8th January 2014

Coming into force in accordance with article 1(2) – (4)

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) published a report dated June 2013 stating its recommendations for changes to the electoral arrangements for the district of Milton Keynes. 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 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 Milton Keynes (Electoral Changes) Order 2014.

(2) Articles 1 to 4 come into force—

(a)for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on 17th February 2014;

(b)for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2014.

(3) Articles 8 and 10 to 12 come into force—

(a)for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on 15th October 2014;

(b)for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2015.

(4) Articles 5 to 7, 9 and 13 come into force—

(a)for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on 15th October 2015;

(b)for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2016.

Interpretation

2. In this Order—

“map” means the map marked “Map referred to in the Milton Keynes (Electoral Changes) Order 2014”, prints of which are available for inspection at the principal office of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England;

“ordinary day of election of councillors” has the meaning given by section 37 of the Representation of the People Act 1983(3).

Wards of the district of Milton Keynes and number of councillors

3.—(1) The existing wards of the district of Milton Keynes are abolished.

(2) The district of Milton Keynes is divided into 19 district wards, each listed by name in Schedule 1.

(3) Each district ward comprises the area designated on the map by reference to the name of the district ward.

(4) Three councillors are to be elected for each district ward.

(5) 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.

Elections of the council of the district of Milton Keynes

4.—(1) Elections of all councillors of each ward of the district of Milton Keynes are to be held simultaneously on the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2014.

(2) The councillors holding office for any ward of the district of Milton Keynes immediately before the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2014 are to retire on that date and the newly elected councillors are to come into office on that date.

(3) Of the councillors elected on the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2014 for any ward of the district of Milton Keynes, one is to retire in 2015 and one in 2016.

(4) Subject to paragraphs (5) and (6), of the councillors elected on the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2014 for any ward of the district of Milton Keynes—

(a)the first to retire is to be the councillor elected by the smallest number of votes; and

(b)the second 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 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) 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.

Wards of the parish of Bletchley & Fenny Stratford

5.—(1) The existing wards of the parish of Bletchley & Fenny Stratford are abolished.

(2) The parish is divided into nine parish wards, each listed by name in the first column of the first table in Schedule 2.