The Wolverhampton (Electoral Changes) Order 2022

Statutory Instruments

2022 No. 967

Local Government, England

The Wolverhampton (Electoral Changes) Order 2022

Made

20th September 2022

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 January 2022(3) stating its recommendations for changes to the electoral arrangements for Wolverhampton. 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 Wolverhampton (Electoral Changes) Order 2022.

(2) This article and article 2 come into force on 15th October 2022.

(3) Articles 3 and 4 come into force—

(a) for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on 15th October 2022;

(b) for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England(4) in 2023.

(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 Wolverhampton (Electoral Changes) Order 2022”, held by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England(5).

(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 Wolverhampton and number of councillors

3.—(1) The existing wards of Wolverhampton are abolished.

(2) Wolverhampton 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) Three councillors are to be elected for each ward.

Elections of councillors of wards of Wolverhampton

4.—(1) Elections of all councillors for each ward of Wolverhampton are to be held simultaneously on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2023.

(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 2023 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 2023—

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

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

(c) one is to retire on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2027.

(4) Of the councillors elected for a ward in 2023—

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

20th September 2022

Article 3(2)

SCHEDULE Names of wards of Wolverhampton

1.  Bilston North

2.  Bilston South

3.  Blakenhall

4.  Bushbury North

5.  Bushbury South & Low Hill

6.  East Park

7.  Ettingshall North

8.  Ettingshall South & Spring Vale

9.  Fallings Park

10.  Graiseley

11.  Heath Town

12.  Merry Hill

13.  Oxley

14.  Park

15.  Penn

16.  St Peters

17.  Tettenhall Regis

18.  Tettenhall Wightwick

19.  Wednesfield North

20.  Wednesfield South

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order makes changes to electoral arrangements for Wolverhampton following recommendations made by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England. The area of Wolverhampton remains unchanged.

Article 3 abolishes the existing electoral wards of Wolverhampton and replaces them with 20 new ones for the purpose of elections held on or after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2023. 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 council election in 2023. 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 2024, 2026 and 2027 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/west-midlands/west-midlands/wolverhampton.

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 report is 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/west-midlands/west-midlands/wolverhampton.

(4)

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).

(5)

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/west-midlands/west-midlands/wolverhampton.