The Wyre Forest (Electoral Changes) Order 2015

Statutory Instruments

2015 No. 70

Local Government, England

The Wyre Forest (Electoral Changes) Order 2015

Made

23rd January 2015

Coming into force in accordance with article 1(2)

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 October 2014 stating its recommendations for changes to the electoral arrangements for the district of Wyre Forest. 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 Wyre Forest (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 the day after it is made;

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

Interpretation

2.  In this Order—

“map” means the map marked “Map referred to in the Wyre Forest (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(3).

Wards of the district of Wyre Forest and number of councillors

3.—(1) The existing wards of the district of Wyre Forest are abolished.

(2) The district of Wyre Forest is divided into 12 district wards, each listed by name in the first column of the table in Schedule 1.

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

(4) The number of councillors to be elected for each district ward is the number specified in relation to that ward in the second column of the table in Schedule 1.

(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 Wyre Forest

4.—(1) Elections of all councillors of each ward of the district of Wyre Forest are to be held simultaneously on the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2015.

(2) The councillors holding office for any ward of the district of Wyre Forest immediately before the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2015 are to retire on that fourth day and the newly elected councillors are to come into office on that fourth day.

(3) The order of retirement of councillors is to be as set out in Schedule 2.

(4) Subject to paragraphs (5) and (6), where the number of councillors elected in 2015 for any ward of the district is two or more—

(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 Stourport-on-Severn and number of councillors

5.—(1) The existing wards of the parish of Stourport-on-Severn are abolished.

(2) The parish of Stourport-on-Severn is divided into six parish wards named respectively—

(a) Areley Kings East;

(b) Areley Kings West;

(c) Central;

(d) Lickhill;

(e) North;

(f) Stour & Wilden.

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

(4) Three councillors are to be elected for each of Areley Kings East and Lickhill parish wards.

(5) Two councillors are to be elected for each of Areley Kings West, Central and North parish wards.

(6) Six councillors are to be elected for Stour & Wilden parish ward.

Sealed with the seal of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England on the 23rd day of January 2015

Max Caller

Chairman

Local Government Boundary Commission for England

23rd January 2015

Article 3

SCHEDULE 1 Names of district wards and number of councillors

(1) Name of district ward	(2) Number of councillors
Aggborough & Spennells	3
Areley Kings & Riverside	3
Bewdley & Rock	3
Blakebrook & Habberley South	3
Broadwaters	3
Foley Park & Hoobrook	3
Franche & Habberley North	3
Lickhill	1
Mitton	3
Offmore & Comberton	3
Wribbenhall & Arley	2
Wyre Forest Rural	3

Article 4

SCHEDULE 2 Order of retirement of councillors

(1) Name of district ward	(2) Number of councillors to retire in 2016	(3) Number of councillors to retire in 2018	(4) Number of councillors to retire in 2019
Aggborough & Spennells	1	1	1
Areley Kings & Riverside	1	1	1
Bewdley & Rock	1	1	1
Blakebrook & Habberley South	1	1	1
Broadwaters	1	1	1
Foley Park & Hoobrook	1	1	1
Franche & Habberley North	1	1	1
Lickhill	0	0	1
Mitton	1	1	1
Offmore & Comberton	1	1	1
Wribbenhall & Arley	1	1	0
Wyre Forest Rural	1	1	1

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order makes changes to electoral arrangements for the district of Wyre Forest following recommendations made by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England. The area of the district remains unchanged. The electoral changes apply in respect of local government elections to be held on and after the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2015.

Article 3 abolishes the existing wards of the district of Wyre Forest and replaces them with 12 new ones. That article, the map (as defined in article 2) and Schedule 1 also establish the names, areas and number of councillors of the new district wards.

Article 4 makes provision for a whole district council election in 2015. (Thereafter, the council will revert to the existing system of election by thirds.) That article and Schedule 2 also provide for the order of retirement of councillors at elections to be held in 2016, 2018 and 2019.

Article 5 abolishes the existing wards of the parish of Stourport-on-Severn and replaces them with new ones. That article and the map (as defined in article 2) also establish the names, areas and number of councillors of the new parish wards.

The map defined in article 2 shows the new district and parish wards. It is available at http://www.lgbce.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/23509/Wyre_Forest_F_Sh1_SO.pdf. The map is also available for inspection at all reasonable times at the offices of Wyre Forest District Council, Wyre Forest House, Finepoint Way, Kidderminster, Worcestershire DY11 7WF and at the offices of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England at Layden House, 76 – 86 Turnmill Street, London EC1M 5LG.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.

(1)

2009 c.20.

(2)

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.

(3)

1983 c.2; section 37 has been amended by section 18(2) of the Representation of the People Act 1985 (c.50), paragraph 5 of Schedule 3 to the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (c.29) and section 60(1) of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c.28).