The Rochdale (Electoral Changes) Order 2021

Statutory Instruments

2021 No. 1230

Local Government, England

The Rochdale (Electoral Changes) Order 2021

Made

1st November 2021

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 2021 stating its recommendations for changes to the electoral arrangements for the borough of Rochdale. 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 Rochdale (Electoral Changes) Order 2021.

(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(3) in 2022.

(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 Rochdale (Electoral Changes) Order 2021”, held by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England(4).

(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 Rochdale and number of councillors

3.—(1) The existing wards of the borough of Rochdale are abolished.

(2) The borough of Rochdale is divided into the 20 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 the borough of Rochdale

4.—(1) Elections of all councillors for each ward of the borough of Rochdale are to be held simultaneously on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2022.

(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 2022 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 2022—

(a) one is to retire on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2023;

(b) one is to retire on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2024;

(c) one is to retire on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2026.

(4) Of the councillors elected for a ward in 2022—

(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 retires under paragraph (3) is to be held on the ordinary day of election of councillors in the year in which the retirement is due to take place; and the 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

1st November 2021

Article 3

SCHEDULE Wards of the borough of Rochdale

1.  Balderstone & Kirkholt

2.  Bamford

3.  Castleton

4.  Central Rochdale

5.  East Middleton

6.  Healey

7.  Hopwood Hall

8.  Kingsway

9.  Littleborough Lakeside

10.  Milkstone & Deeplish

11.  Milnrow & Newhey

12.  Norden

13.  North Heywood

14.  North Middleton

15.  Smallbridge & Firgrove

16.  South Middleton

17.  Spotland & Falinge

18.  Wardle, Shore & West Littleborough

19.  West Heywood

20.  West Middleton

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order makes changes to electoral arrangements for the borough of Rochdale 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 Rochdale and replaces them with 20 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 2022. 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 2022. 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 2023, 2024 and 2026 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/rochdale.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public 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)

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).

(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/rochdale.