Explanatory note

This Order gives effect, with four modifications, to recommendations by the Boundary Committee for England, a committee of the Electoral Commission, for electoral changes in the borough of Bolton.

The modifications concern the boundary between the Crompton borough ward and the Tonge with the Haulgh borough ward, the boundary between the Farnworth and the Kearsley borough wards, the name of the Halliwell borough ward, and the parish warding arrangements for the parish of Horwich.

The changes have effect in relation to local government elections to be held on and after the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2004.

Article 3 abolishes the existing wards of the borough and provides for the creation of 20 new wards. That article and the Schedule also make provision for the names and areas of, and numbers of councillors for, the new wards.

Article 4 makes provision for a whole council election in 2004 and for reversion to the established system of election by thirds in subsequent years.

Articles 5 and 6 make electoral changes in the parishes of Horwich and Westhoughton.

Article 8 obliges the Electoral Registration Officer to make any necessary amendments to the electoral register to reflect the new electoral arrangements.

Article 9 revokes the Borough of Bolton (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1979, with the exception of articles 8 and 9(7).

The areas of the new borough and parish wards are demarcated on the map described in article 2. Prints of the map may be inspected at all reasonable times at the offices of Bolton Borough Council and at the principal office of the Electoral Commission at Trevelyan House, Great Peter Street, London SW1P 2HW.