Explanatory note

This Order gives effect, subject to one modification, to recommendations by the Local Government Commission for England for electoral changes in the district of Wealden. The changes have effect in relation to local government elections to be held on and after 1st May 2003.

The modification is that the Secretary of State has decided that the number of parish councillors for the parish ward of Warbleton in the parish of Warbleton should be 9.

Article 2 abolishes the existing wards of the district and provides for the creation of 35 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 elections to the council of the district in 2003 and every fourth year after 2003.

Articles 4 to 13 make electoral changes in the parishes of Crowborough, Hailsham, Hartfield, Heathfield and Waldron, Maresfield, Mayfield and Five Ashes, Polegate, Rotherfield, Uckfield and Warbleton.

Article 14 revokes the district of Wealden (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1979.

The areas of the new district 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 Wealden 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.