Have your say on a new political map for Buckinghamshire Council

Overview

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England are asking local people and organisations for their help to draw up new ward boundaries across Buckinghamshire.

A new pattern of wards is being developed for Buckinghamshire Council.

Following a public consultation on proposed council size for the authority, the Local Government Boundary Commission has decided that the number of councillors in Buckinghamshire should be 98.

The Commission wants to hear what residents and organisations think about their local area. A 12-week consultation on the proposals will run until 4 April 2022.

The Commission is the independent body that draws these boundaries. It is reviewing Buckinghamshire to make sure councillors represent about the same number of electors, and that ward arrangements help the council work effectively. It wants to be sure that its proposals reflect community ties and identities. 

The Commission is interested in views on which communities should be part of the same ward. 

• what facilities do people share, such as parks, leisure centres or schools and shopping areas?
• what issues do neighbouring communities face that they have in common, such as high numbers of visitors or heavy traffic?
• have there been new housing or commercial developments that have changed the focus of communities?
• are there roads, rivers, railways or other features that people believe form strong boundaries between neighbourhoods?

The Commission will use local views to help it draw up proposals for new ward boundaries.

There will be a further round of consultation once the Commission has drawn up those proposals.

How to have your say

You can tell the Commission your views in one of the following ways: 

• online using the link at the end of the page
• by email at reviews@lgbce.org.uk
• using a mobile device
• by post to: Review Officer (Buckinghamshire), LGBCE, PO Box 133, Blyth, NE24 9FE

Please give your views by midnight on Monday 4 April 2022.

What happens next

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England will carefully consider all views received during this phase of consultation, and plan to publish proposals for new electoral arrangements on 5 July 2022.

Commission reviews involve several consultations that ask local people and organisations to get involved.

Once this consultation closes, the review will complete the following steps:

• 5 July to 12 September 2022 – Consultation on proposals. You can give your views on the proposed new pattern of wards.
• 29 November 2022 – Final report. Commission’s recommendations are published.
• Spring 2023 – Order laid in Parliament. This makes the recommendations law.
• May 2025 – Effective date. The new arrangements apply to elections after this date.

For more information about the review process for Buckinghamshire Council, please visit the Local Government Boundary Commission for England website.