Consultation begins on new ward boundaries for Lewisham Council
The LGCBE electoral ward review
The consultation is the first part of an electoral review which will re-draw ward boundaries across the borough. The Commission has also announced that Lewisham should have 54 councillors in future: no change from the current arrangements.
In drawing up new boundaries, the Commission aims to deliver electoral equality for voters in council elections so that each councillor represents roughly the same number of voters. The review also aims to ensure that the new council wards reflect the interests and identities of the different communities across Lewisham, as far as possible.
Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, said, ‘We are asking local people and organisations to help us draw up new wards for Lewisham. As we develop the recommendations, we will take into account local community identities as well as ensuring electoral equality for voters.
‘If you have a view about which communities or neighbourhoods should be part of the same council ward then we want to hear from you. And if you think a road, river or railway makes for a strong boundary between communities in your part of Lewisham then this consultation is for you.
‘If you’re interested in the way the council is run, just log on to our website to explore our interactive maps and have your say. Your views will make a difference. We will carefully consider all evidence that is provided during this phase of the review, whoever it is from and whether it applies to the whole of Lewisham or just a small part of the borough.
‘Local people will then have a further chance to have their say after we publish our draft recommendations in December 2019.’
Get involved in local democracy
Councillor Kevin Bonavia, Cabinet Member for Democracy, Refugees and Accountability, said, ‘We’re really keen for local people and organisations to get involved in local democracy and help shape the future of the borough.
‘The borough of Lewisham has changed substantially since the last ward review in 1999 that was published in 2002. In those 20 years, our borough has seen significant housing development and population expansion, particularly in the central and northern wards.
‘Taking part in this ward boundary review is an important way for people to have their say in deciding how our electoral wards currently reflect our diverse communities in Lewisham.
‘I’d urge as many people as possible to contribute any thoughts and views to the review by 16 September.’
Have your say
UPDATE:
- Due to the timing of the UK parliamentary general election on 12 December 2019, the Local Government Boundary Commission for England and Wales (LGBCE) have moved the timetable for publishing new ward recommendations for the borough of Lewisham. The LGBCE recommendations will now be published on 17 December 2019 and their consultation will then be open until 2 March 2020. We will share the link to the consultation when it is available.
- The first stage of the LGBCE consultation on warding arrangements for Lewisham closed on 16 September 2019.
- Further information on the review and interactive maps of the existing wards can be found at www.consultation.lgbce.org.uk and www.lgbce.org.uk.