The South Oxfordshire (Electoral Changes) Order 2023

Statutory Instruments

2023 No. 212

Local Government, England

The South Oxfordshire (Electoral Changes) Order 2023

Made

24th February 2023

Coming into force in accordance with article 1(2), (3) and (4)

Under section 92(2) of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007(1), South Oxfordshire District Council (“the Council”) made recommendations in a review to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England(2) for the related alteration of a boundary between two district wards, and the related alteration of a boundary between two county electoral divisions within the Council’s area.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has decided to give effect to the recommendations and makes the following Order in exercise of the power conferred by section 92(3) of that Act.

Citation, commencement, extent and application

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the South Oxfordshire (Electoral Changes) Order 2023.

(2) This article and article 2 come into force on the day after the day on which this Order is made.

(3) Article 3 comes 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 2023.

(4) Article 4 comes into force—

(a) for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on 15th October 2024;

(b) for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2025.

(5) This Order extends to England and Wales but applies in relation to England only.

Interpretation

2.  In this Order, “ the Council’s Order” means the South Oxfordshire District Council (Reorganisation of Community Governance) Order 2023(4).

Alteration of a district ward boundary

3.  The area of the parish of Bix and Assendon that becomes part of the parish of Henley-on-Thames by virtue of the Council’s Order ceases to be part of the Woodcote and Rotherfield district ward and becomes part of the Henley-on-Thames district ward.

Alteration of a county electoral division boundary

4.  The area of the parish of Bix and Assendon that becomes part of the parish of Henley-on-Thames by virtue of the Council’s Order ceases to be part of the Sonning Common county electoral division and becomes part of the Henley-on-Thames county electoral division.

Sealed with the seal of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England

Jolyon Jackson

Chief Executive

Local Government Boundary Commission for England

24th February 2023

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order gives effect to recommendations made by South Oxfordshire District Council to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England for a related alteration to the boundary between two district wards, and to the boundary between two county electoral divisions, in the Council’s area.

The alterations are a consequence of changes to parish boundaries and warding arrangements under the South Oxfordshire District Council (Reorganisation of Community Governance) Order 2023, which was made by the Council under powers including section 86 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28). A hard copy of that Order is available for inspection at reasonable times at the offices of South Oxfordshire District Council, 135 Eastern Avenue, Milton, Abingdon OX14 4SB.

The change described in article 3 applies in respect of elections to be held on and after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2023.

The change described in article 4 applies in respect of elections to be held on and after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2025.

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

(1)

2007 c. 28 (“the 2007 Act”). Section 92 was amended by paragraph 32 of Schedule 4 to the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c. 20) (“the 2009 Act”).

(2)

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England was established on 1st April 2010 by section 55(1) of the 2009 Act. The functions of the Electoral Commission under Chapter 3 of Part 4 of the 2007 Act were transferred under section 60 of the 2009 Act to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England on 1st April 2010.

(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)

That Order was made by South Oxfordshire District Council on 19th January 2023, and is available for inspection at the offices of South Oxfordshire District Council, 135 Eastern Avenue, Milton, Abingdon OX14 4SB.