Have your say on a new political map for Harlow District Council
Elections / Tue 4th Oct 2022 at 07:23am
NEW boundaries are being proposed for council wards in Harlow District Council.
The Local Government Boundary Commission wants to hear what residents and local organisations think about the proposals. A 10-week consultation on the proposals will run until 12 December 2022.
The Commission is the independent body that draws these boundaries. It is reviewing Harlow to make sure councillors will represent about the same number of electors, and that ward arrangements will help the council work effectively.
The Commission has published proposals for changes to Harlow. It is proposing that there should be 33 councillors, the same as the existing arrangements. Those councillors should represent 11 three-councillor wards across the district. The boundaries of all wards should change.
Proposed changes include:
- Warding arrangements for Old Harlow, Newhall and Church Langley areas that will see them covered by three wards of Old Harlow, Church Langley North & Newhall and Church Langley South & Potter Street.
- The inclusion of Harlow town centre in the proposed Little Parndon ward
Launching the consultation Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, said:
“We want people in Harlow to help us.
“We have drawn up proposals for new wards in Harlow. We want to make sure these new electoral arrangements reflect communities. We also want them to be easy to understand and convenient for local people.
“Residents and local organisations can help us do that. We would like them to let us know whether they agree with our proposals before we take final decisions.
“It’s easy to get involved. Go to our website. Or you can e-mail or write to us.
“Just tell us what you think and give us some details why you think that. It’s really simple, so do get involved”
The Commission has a dedicated section on its website where people can see the detail of the proposals and comment on the names of wards and their boundaries. https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/34403.
People can also give their views by e-mail at [email protected], and by post:
The Review Officer (Harlow)
LGBCE
PO Box 133
Blyth
NE24 9FE
Kim Oconnor
2022-10-04 07:46:59
Would it make a difference, your go a head anyway, our past experience of consultation, and asking public has made no difference, you will go a head any way. Theses councils don't listen to public opinions any more. Ask your self why people are becoming despondent. If its worth anything, there's to many councils, people will not know who owns what bit of land, and you shouldn't move boundaries. It's just more confusing for every body. But no one lisens.
Bruce Downey
2022-10-04 08:12:14
Just looking at the map looks more proportionate, with the new boundaries making sense. In my area especially.👍
Jon Tom
2022-10-04 08:49:58
You don’t listen anyway , it’s just a procedure it will go ahead either way!!!!
jarrett
2022-10-04 10:08:50
Kim, As for your comment about not knowing who owns what bit of land, It has nothing to do with that it is simply for having roughly the same size wards for councillors to represent, Perhaps you should read the article with a bit more depth rather than skimming and coming too a cock-eyed conclusion.
Gingerbread
2022-10-04 10:15:57
Kim and Jarrett, you've got your too's and to's mixed up!
James
2022-10-04 18:21:54
The whole point of the exercise is to seek to ensure broad electoral equality between wards. The last review was in 2000 and much has changed with regard to demographic movements, particularly in the East. The changes to ward boundaries have no impact on the underlying communities. It is solely for elections. As far as possible each councillor should represent to same number of voters as far as possible. The proposals are about the fairest and most practical.
David Forman
2022-10-04 21:53:14
It will not matter much to the Green Party because they don't get off the social media to do leafleting and canvassing. Well, that's certainly the case in Sumners and Kingsmoor ward. The one trick ponies don't graze that far!
Kim Oconnor
2022-10-05 09:13:07
David its all about costs, the Green party are not supported by government, or anybody else. The Green party are supported by public donations, there for we can only canvas so far, and as far as the funds let's us. Believe me , if we could cover more we would, but that being said , I think your agree we did pretty well, for a small party that's only been in Harlow few months.
Liz
2022-10-05 13:19:53
Kim O’Connor, you have clearly not read the report. When you say that we shouldn’t change electoral boundaries, you are completely missing the point. Populations change and people move. How cannot be fair, for example, that one ward has a councillor for every 2,000 voters and another ward has a councillor for 4,000 voters?? Most of what you say makes no sense and has nothing to do with the article.
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