Explanatory note

This Order gives effect to recommendations by the Boundary Committee for England, a committee of the Electoral Commission, for electoral changes in the borough of Weymouth and Portland.

The changes have effect in relation to local government elections to be held on and after 6th May 2004, and in relation to certain parish elections that would otherwise have taken place in May 2003.

Article 3 abolishes the existing wards of the borough and provides for the creation of 15 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 4 makes provision for a whole borough council election in 2004 and for reversion to the established system of election by thirds in subsequent years.

Schedule 2 provides for the order of retirement of borough councillors.

Article 5 makes electoral changes in the parish of Portland.

Article 6 provides for elections of Portland parish council.

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 Weymouth and Portland (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1978 (S.I. 1978/1694), with the exception of articles 8 and 9(8).

The areas of the new borough 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 Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and at the principal office of the Electoral Commission at Trevelyan House, Great Peter Street, London SW1P 2HW.