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The Somerset (Electoral Changes) Order 2012

Draft. This instrument was laid in draft and may differ from the one made. Look for the made version under its title.

Draft 2012, ISBN 9780111529546

Original text. legislation.gov.uk does not revise statutory instruments, so later amendments are not shown here. Changes made to it are listed under each provision when known.

Draft Order laid before Parliament under section 59(9) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 on 15th October 2012; draft to lie for forty days, pursuant to section 6(1) of the Statutory Instruments Act 1946, during which period either House of Parliament may resolve that the Order be not made.

Local Government, England

Made []

Coming into force in accordance with article 1(2) and (3)

Under section 58(4) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009f1 (“the 2009 Act”) the Local Government Boundary Commission for Englandf2 (“the Commission”) published a report dated June 2012 stating its recommendations for changes to the electoral arrangements for the county of Somerset. The Commission has decided to give effect to the recommendations.

A draft of the instrument has been laid before Parliament and a period of forty days has expired and neither House has resolved that the instrument be not made.

The Commission makes the following Order in exercise of the power conferred by section 59(1) of the 2009 Act:

Annotations to the whole text

Footnotes

f1

2009 c.20.

f2

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England was established on 1st April 2010 by section 55(1) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c.20).

Contents

  1. 1Citation and commencement
  2. 2Interpretation
  3. 3Divisions of the county of Somerset and number of councillors
  4. 4Parish wards and numbers of councillors
  5. Signature
  6. Schedule 1Names of county divisions
  7. Schedule 2Names of parish wards and numbers of councillors
  8. Explanatory note

1Citation and commencement

(1)

This Order may be cited as the Somerset (Electoral Changes) Order 2012.

(2)

With the exception of article 4, this Order comes into force—

(a)

for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on the day after it is made;

(b)

for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2013.

(3)

Article 4 comes into force—

(a)

for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on 15th October 2014;

(b)

for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2015.

2Interpretation

In this Order—

  • “map” means the map marked “Map referred to in the Somerset (Electoral Changes) Order 2012”, prints of which are available for inspection at the principal office of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England;

  • “ordinary day of election of councillors” has the meaning given by section 37 of the Representation of the People Act 1983f1.

3Divisions of the county of Somerset and number of councillors

(1)

The existing divisions of the county of Somerset are abolished.

(2)

The county is divided into fifty-four divisions, each bearing a name listed in Schedule 1.

(3)

Each division comprises the area designated on the map by reference to the name of the division.

(4)

With the exception of Glastonbury and Street, one councillor is to be elected for each division.

(5)

Two councillors are to be elected for Glastonbury and Street.

(6)

Where a boundary is shown on the map as running along a road, railway line, footway, watercourse or similar geographic feature, it is to be treated as running along the centre line of the feature.

4Parish wards and numbers of councillors

(1)

The existing wards of the following parishes are abolished –

(a)

Bridgwater;

(b)

Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge;

(c)

Frome;

(d)

St Cuthbert Out;

(e)

Wellington;

(f)

Yeovil;

(g)

Yeovil Without.

(2)

The parish of Bridgwater is divided into nine wards, each listed by name in the first column of the first table in Schedule 2.

(3)

The parish of Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge is divided into five wards, each listed by name in the first column of the second table in Schedule 2.

(4)

The parish of Frome is divided into eight wards, each listed by name in the first column of the third table in Schedule 2.

(5)

The parish of Selwood is divided into two wards, each listed by name in the first column of the fourth table in Schedule 2.

(6)

The parish of St Cuthbert Out is divided into four wards, each listed by name in the first column of the fifth table in Schedule 2.

(7)

The parish of Wellington is divided into five wards, each listed by name in the first column of the sixth table in Schedule 2.

(8)

The parish of Yeovil is divided into eleven wards, each listed by name in the first column of the seventh table in Schedule 2.

(9)

The parish of Yeovil Without is divided into three wards, each listed by name in the first column of the eighth table in Schedule 2.

(10)

Each ward comprises the area designated on the map by reference to the name of the ward.

(11)

The number of councillors to be elected for each ward is the number specified in relation to that ward in the second column of each table in Schedule 2.

Signature

Sealed with the seal of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England

Chairman

Local Government Boundary Commission for England

Schedule 1Names of county divisions

In Mendip District:

Frome East
Frome North
Frome West
Glastonbury and Street
Mendip Central and East
Mendip Hills
Mendip South
Mendip West
Shepton Mallet
Wells
In Sedgemoor District:
Brent
Bridgwater East and Bawdrip
Bridgwater North and Central
Bridgwater South
Bridgwater West
Burnham North
Cannington
Cheddar
Highbridge and Burnham South
Huntspill
King Alfred
North Petherton
In South Somerset District:
Blackmoor Vale
Brympton
Castle Cary
Chard North
Chard South
Coker
Crewkerne
Curry Rivel and Langport
Ilminster
Martock
Somerton
South Petherton and Islemoor
Wincanton and Bruton
Yeovil Central
Yeovil East
Yeovil South
Yeovil West
In Taunton Deane Borough:
Bishop’s Hull and Taunton West
Blackdown and Neroche
Comeytrowe and Trull
Lydeard
Monkton and North Curry
Rowbarton and Staplegrove
Taunton East
Taunton North
Taunton South
Upper Tone
Wellington
In West Somerset District:
Dulverton and Exmoor
Dunster
Minehead
Watchet and Stogursey

Schedule 2Names of parish wards and numbers of councillors

Table 1

Bridgwater

(1)

Name of parish ward

(2)

Number of councillors

Dunwear North1
Dunwear South1
Eastover2
Fairfax East2
Fairfax West1
Hamp2
Victoria2
Westover3
Wyndham2

Table 2

Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge

(1)

Name of parish ward

(2)

Number of councillors

Burnham Central3
Burnham Marine1
Burnham North6
Burnham South3
Highbridge5

Table 3

Frome

(1)

Name of parish ward

(2)

Number of councillors

Berkley Down3
College3
Highpoint1
Innox1
Keyford3
Market2
Oakfield2
Park2

Table 4

Selwood

(1)

Name of parish ward

(2)

Number of councillors

Selwood East5
Selwood West2

Table 5

St Cuthbert Out

(1)

Name of parish ward

(2)

Number of councillors

East4
North5
South3
West5

Table 6

Wellington

(1)

Name of parish ward

(2)

Number of councillors

Rockwell Green3
Wellington East4
Wellington North4
Wellington South1
Wellington West3

Table 7

Yeovil

(1)

Name of parish ward

(2)

Number of councillors

Central2
East4
Hollands1
Long Mead1
Milford4
New Town1
Park1
Preston2
South4
West3
White Mead1

Table 8

Yeovil Without

(1)

Name of parish ward

(2)

Number of councillors

Brimsmore6
Combe2
Lyde7

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order makes changes to the electoral arrangements for the county of Somerset following recommendations made by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

The electoral changes apply in respect of local government elections to be held on and after the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2013.

Article 3 abolishes the existing divisions of the county and replaces them with fifty-four new ones. That article, the map (as defined in article 2) and Schedule 1 establish the names, areas and number of councillors of the new divisions.

Article 4 replaces the wards of the parishes of Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge, Frome, St Cuthbert Out, Wellington, Yeovil and Yeovil Without and establishes wards in the parish of Selwood. That article, the map and Schedule 2 establish the names, areas and number of councillors of the new wards.

The map defined in article 2 shows the new county divisions and parish wards. It is available at www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/south-west/somerset/somerset-county-council-fer. The map is also available at all reasonable times at the office of the council of the county of Somerset at County Hall, Taunton, Somerset TA1 4DY and the office of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England at Layden House, 76-86 Turnmill Street, London EC1M 5LG.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.