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 city of Wakefield.

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 city and provides for the creation of 21 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 Featherstone and Normanton.

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 City of Wakefield (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1980, with the exception of articles 8 and 9(7).

The areas of the new city 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 the council of the city of Wakefield and at the principal office of the Electoral Commission at Trevelyan House, Great Peter Street, London SW1P 2HW.