Explanatory note
(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order gives effect, subject to modifications, to recommendations by the Local Government Commission for England for electoral changes in the borough of Maidstone. The changes have effect in relation to local government elections to be held on and after 2nd May 2002.
The modifications relate to names of wards. The Secretary of State has decided that the wards shown in the first column of the Table below with the names proposed by the Commission should bear the names shown in the second column.
| Proposed Ward Name | Ward Name |
|---|---|
| Langley and Sutton Valence | Sutton Valence and Langley |
| Marden | Marden and Yalding |
Article 2 abolishes the existing wards of the borough and provides for the creation of 26 new wards. That article and Schedule 1 also make provision for the names and areas of, and numbers of councillors for, the new wards.
Article 3 makes provision for a whole council election in 2002 and for reversion to elections by thirds in subsequent years. Schedule 2 regulates the order of retirement of councillors.
Article 4 and 5 make electoral changes in the parishes of Boughton Monchelsea and Boxley.
Article 6 provides for election of parish councils in the borough.
Article 7 revokes the Borough of Maidstone (Electoral Changes) Order 1976.
The areas of the new district and parish wards are demarcated on the map described in article 1(3). Prints of the map may be inspected at all reasonable times at the offices of Maidstone Borough Council and at the offices of the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, 2nd Floor, Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6DE.