Citation and commencement
1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Woking (Electoral Changes) Order 2015.
(2) This Order comes 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 Woking (Electoral Changes) Order 2015”, 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(1).
Wards of the district of Woking and number of councillors
3.—(1) The existing wards of the district of Woking are abolished.
(2) The district of Woking is divided into ten district wards, each listed by name in the Schedule.
(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 Woking
4.—(1) Elections of all councillors of each ward of the district of Woking are to be held simultaneously on the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2016.
(2) The councillors holding office for any ward of the district of Woking immediately before the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2016 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 on the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2016 for any ward of the district of Woking, one is to retire in 2018, one in 2019 and one in 2020.
(4) Subject to paragraphs (5) and (6), of the councillors elected on the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2016 for any ward of the district of Woking—
(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.
Sealed with the seal of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England
Max Caller
Chairman
Local Government Boundary Commission for England
Date 29th June 2015