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 district of East Dorset.

The changes have effect in relation to local government elections to be held on and after 1st May 2003.

Article 3 abolishes the existing wards of the district and provides for the creation of 24 new wards. That article and Schedule 1 also make provision for the names and areas of, and numbers of councillors for, the new wards.

Articles 4 to 12 make electoral changes in the parishes of Alderholt, Colehill, Corfe Mullen, Ferndown, Horton, Pamphill, Verwood, Wimborne Minster and Moor Crichel.

Article 14 obliges the Electoral Registration Officer to make any necessary amendments to the electoral register to reflect the new electoral arrangements.

Article 15 revokes the District of Wimborne (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1980 (S.I. 1980/1128), with the exception of article 4.

The areas of the new district 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 East Dorset District Council and at the principal office of the Electoral Commission at Trevelyan House, Great Peter Street, London SW1P 2HW.