The Somerset (Electoral Changes) Order 2026
Draft 2026, ISBN 9780348284508
Draft Order laid before Parliament under section 59(9) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009; 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 Act”) the Local Government Boundary Commission for Englandf2 (“the Commission”) published a report dated March 2026f3 stating its recommendations for changes to the electoral arrangements for 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 since the day on which it was laid 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 Act.
Annotations to the whole text
Footnotes
- f1
- 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.
- f3
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The report is available for inspection at reasonable times at the principal office of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, 7th Floor, 3 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8YZ. It is also accessible online at https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/somerset/.
Contents
- 1Citation, commencement, extent and application
- 2Interpretation
- 3Electoral divisions of Somerset and number of councillors
- 4Certain parishes in Somerset and number of councillors
- 5Parish wards of the parish of Bridgwater Without and number of councillors
- 6Parish wards of the parish of Creech St Michael and number of councillors
- 7Parish wards of the parish of Crewkerne and number of councillors
- 8Parish wards of the parish of Ilminster and number of councillors
- Signature
- Schedule 1Electoral divisions of Somerset and number of councillors
- Schedule 2Names of parish wards and number of councillors
- Schedule 3Parish wards and number of councillors for the parishes of Bridgwater Without, Creech St Michael, Crewkerne and Ilminster
- Explanatory note
1Citation, commencement, extent and application
This Order may be cited as the Somerset (Electoral Changes) Order 2026.
This article and article 2 come into force on the day after the day on which this Order is made.
Articles 3 to 8 come into force—
for the purposes of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on the day after the day on which this Order is made;
for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in Englandf1 in 2027.
This Order extends to England and Wales but applies in relation to England only.
2Interpretation
In this Order, “the map” means the map marked “Map referred to in the Somerset (Electoral Changes) Order 2026” held by the Local Government Boundary Commission for Englandf1.
Where a boundary is shown on the map as running along a road, railway line, footway, watercourse, or similar geographical feature, it is to be treated as running along the centre line of that feature.
3Electoral divisions of Somerset and number of councillors
The existing electoral divisions of Somerset are abolished.
Somerset is divided into the 93 electoral divisions listed in the first column of the table in Schedule 1.
Each electoral division comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the electoral division.
The number of councillors to be elected for each electoral division is the number specified in relation to that electoral division in the second column of the table in Schedule 1.
4Certain parishes in Somerset and number of councillors
The existing parish wards of the parishes listed in paragraph (2) are abolished.
The parishes referred to in paragraph (1) are—
Bridgwater;
Brympton;
Burnham-on-Sea & Highbridge;
Burnham Without;
Chard;
Frome;
Glastonbury;
North Petherton;
Shepton Mallet;
St Cuthbert (Out);
Street;
Taunton;
Wellington;
Wembdon;
West Huntspill;
Yeovil;
Yeovil Without.
The parish of Bridgwater is divided into the 11 parish wards listed in the first column of Table 1 in Schedule 2.
The parish of Brympton is divided into the 3 parish wards listed in the first column of Table 2 in Schedule 2.
The parish of Burnham-on-Sea & Highbridge is divided into the 4 parish wards listed in the first column of Table 3 in Schedule 2.
The parish of Burnham Without is divided into the 4 parish wards listed in the first column of Table 4 in Schedule 2.
The parish of Chard is divided into the 5 parish wards listed in the first column of Table 5 in Schedule 2.
The parish of Frome is divided into the 9 parish wards listed in the first column of Table 6 in Schedule 2.
The parish of Glastonbury is divided into the 4 parish wards listed in the first column of Table 7 in Schedule 2.
The parish of North Petherton is divided into the 5 parish wards listed in the first column of Table 8 in Schedule 2.
The parish of Shepton Mallet is divided into the 2 parish wards listed in the first column of Table 9 in Schedule 2.
The parish of St Cuthbert (Out) is divided into the 5 parish wards listed in the first column of Table 10 in Schedule 2.
The parish of Street is divided into the 3 parish wards listed in the first column of Table 11 in Schedule 2.
The parish of Taunton is divided into the 14 parish wards listed in the first column of Table 12 in Schedule 2.
The parish of Wellington is divided into the 3 parish wards listed in the first column of Table 13 in Schedule 2.
The parish of Wembdon is divided into the 2 parish wards listed in the first column of Table 14 in Schedule 2.
The parish of West Huntspill is divided into the 2 parish wards listed in the first column of Table 15 in Schedule 2
The parish of Yeovil is divided into the 6 parish wards listed in the first column of Table 16 in Schedule 2.
The parish of Yeovil Without is divided into the 2 parish wards listed in the first column of Table 17 in Schedule 2.
Each parish ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the parish ward.
The number of councillors to be elected for each parish ward is the number specified in relation to that parish ward in the second column of the relevant table in Schedule 2.
5Parish wards of the parish of Bridgwater Without and number of councillors
The parish of Bridgwater Without is divided into the 2 parish wards listed in the first column of Table 1 in Schedule 3.
Each parish ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the parish ward.
The number of councillors to be elected for each parish ward is the number specified in relation to that parish ward in the second column of Table 1 in Schedule 3.
6Parish wards of the parish of Creech St Michael and number of councillors
The parish of Creech St Michael is divided into the 2 parish wards listed in the first column of Table 2 in Schedule 3.
Each parish ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the parish ward.
The number of councillors to be elected for each parish ward is the number specified in relation to that parish ward in the second column of Table 2 in Schedule 3.
7Parish wards of the parish of Crewkerne and number of councillors
The parish of Crewkerne is divided into the 2 parish wards listed in the first column of Table 3 in Schedule 3.
Each parish ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the parish ward.
The number of councillors to be elected for each parish ward is the number specified in relation to that parish ward in the second column of Table 3 in Schedule 3.
8Parish wards of the parish of Ilminster and number of councillors
The parish of Ilminster is divided into the 2 parish wards listed in the first column of Table 4 in Schedule 3.
Each parish ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the parish ward.
The number of councillors to be elected for each parish ward is the number specified in relation to that parish ward in the second column of Table 4 in Schedule 3.
Signature
Sealed with the seal of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England
Name
Chief Executive
Local Government Boundary Commission for England
Date
Schedule 1Electoral divisions of Somerset and number of councillors
| (1) Name of Electoral Division | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| Avalon | 1 |
| Bishop’s Hull & Oake | 1 |
| Blackdown & Neroche | 1 |
| Blackmoor Vale | 1 |
| Brendon Hills & Coast | 1 |
| Brent | 1 |
| Bridgwater Bower | 1 |
| Bridgwater Central | 1 |
| Bridgwater Eastover | 1 |
| Bridgwater Hamp | 1 |
| Bridgwater Kingsdown | 1 |
| Bridgwater Victoria & Chilton Trinity | 1 |
| Bridgwater Wembdon & Durleigh | 1 |
| Bruton | 1 |
| Brympton & Preston | 1 |
| Burnham-on-Sea Central | 1 |
| Burnham-on-Sea North, Berrow & Brean | 1 |
| Burnham-on-Sea South & Highbridge North | 1 |
| Cannington | 1 |
| Castle Cary | 1 |
| Chard East | 1 |
| Chard North West | 1 |
| Chard South West | 1 |
| Cheddar & Axbridge | 2 |
| Cheddon, Kingston & Staplegrove | 1 |
| Chilcompton | 1 |
| Coker | 1 |
| Coleford | 1 |
| Creech & North Curry | 1 |
| Crewkerne North & Merriott | 1 |
| Crewkerne South | 1 |
| Curry Rivel | 1 |
| Evercreech | 1 |
| Exmoor | 1 |
| Frome Central | 1 |
| Frome East | 1 |
| Frome North | 1 |
| Frome South | 1 |
| Frome Valley | 1 |
| Frome West | 1 |
| Glastonbury North & West Pennard | 1 |
| Glastonbury South & Meare | 1 |
| Ham Hill Villages | 1 |
| Highbridge South | 1 |
| Huntspill, Pawlett & Puriton | 1 |
| Ilchester | 1 |
| Ilminster North | 1 |
| Ilminster South | 1 |
| King Alfred | 1 |
| Langport | 1 |
| Lydeard & Stogumber | 1 |
| Martock | 1 |
| Mendip Hills | 1 |
| Milborne Port | 1 |
| Minehead | 2 |
| Monument | 1 |
| North Petherton | 1 |
| Norton Fitzwarren & Cotford St Luke | 1 |
| Polden Hills | 1 |
| Quantock Vale | 1 |
| Rodney, Westbury & Wookey | 1 |
| Shepton Mallet East | 1 |
| Shepton Mallet West & Pilton | 1 |
| Somerton | 1 |
| South Petherton | 1 |
| Stockmoor & Willstock | 1 |
| Street North | 1 |
| Street South | 1 |
| Taunton Blackbrook & Holway | 1 |
| Taunton Comeytrowe | 1 |
| Taunton Halcon & Lane | 1 |
| Taunton Lyngford | 1 |
| Taunton Nerrols & Pyrland | 1 |
| Taunton North Town & Tangier | 1 |
| Taunton Victoria | 1 |
| Taunton Vivary | 1 |
| Taunton Wellsprings | 1 |
| Taunton Wilton, Sherford & Trull | 1 |
| Watchet & Williton | 1 |
| Wedmore & Mark | 1 |
| Wellington East | 1 |
| Wellington West | 1 |
| Wells | 2 |
| West Monkton | 1 |
| Wincanton | 1 |
| Wiveliscombe | 1 |
| Yeovil Central | 1 |
| Yeovil College | 1 |
| Yeovil East | 1 |
| Yeovil North East | 1 |
| Yeovil North West | 1 |
| Yeovil South | 1 |
| Yeovil West | 1 |
Schedule 2Names of parish wards and number of councillors
Table 1
Parish wards of the parish of Bridgwater and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| Dunwear North | 1 |
| Dunwear South | 1 |
| Eastover | 1 |
| Elmwood | 1 |
| Fairfax East | 2 |
| Fairfax West | 2 |
| Hamp | 2 |
| Northfield | 1 |
| Victoria | 2 |
| Westover | 2 |
| Wyndham | 1 |
Table 2
Parish wards of the parish of Brympton and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| Abbey Manor | 5 |
| Brympton | 5 |
| Merlin Woods | 2 |
Table 3
Parish wards of the parish of Burnham-on-Sea & Highbridge and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| Burnham-on-Sea Central | 5 |
| Burnham-on-Sea North | 4 |
| Burnham-on-Sea South & Highbridge North | 4 |
| Highbridge South | 5 |
Table 4
Parish wards of the parish of Burnham Without and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| Brue | 2 |
| Edithmead | 1 |
| Marine | 3 |
| Watchfield | 1 |
Table 5
Parish wards of the parish of Chard and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| Avishayes | 3 |
| Combe | 3 |
| Crimchard | 3 |
| Holyrood | 3 |
| Jocelyn | 3 |
Table 6
Parish wards of the parish of Frome and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| Berkley Down | 3 |
| College | 2 |
| Critchill | 1 |
| Innox | 1 |
| Keyford | 2 |
| Market | 2 |
| Oakfield | 3 |
| Park | 2 |
| The Mount | 1 |
Table 7
Parish wards of the parish of Glastonbury and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| St Benedict’s | 4 |
| St Edmund’s | 4 |
| St John’s | 4 |
| St Mary’s | 4 |
Table 8
Parish wards of the parish of North Petherton and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| Hamp Bridge | 1 |
| North Newton | 1 |
| North Petherton | 5 |
| Northmoor Green | 1 |
| Stockmoor & Willstock | 6 |
Table 9
Parish wards of the parish of Shepton Mallet and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| East | 9 |
| West | 7 |
Table 10
Parish wards of the parish of St Cuthbert (Out) and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| Coxley | 5 |
| Dinder & Dulcote | 1 |
| Easton | 1 |
| Horrington | 4 |
| Wookey Hole | 6 |
Table 11
Parish wards of the parish of Street and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| North | 7 |
| South | 6 |
| West | 3 |
Table 12
Parish wards of the parish of Taunton and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| Blackbrook & Holway | 2 |
| Comeytrowe | 2 |
| Halcon & Lane | 2 |
| Lyngford | 1 |
| Manor & Tangier | 1 |
| Nerrols & Maidenbrook | 1 |
| North Town | 1 |
| Obridge | 1 |
| Pyrland | 1 |
| Staplegrove | 1 |
| Victoria | 2 |
| Vivary | 2 |
| Wellsprings & Rowbarton | 2 |
| Wilton & Sherford | 1 |
Table 13
Parish wards of the parish of Wellington and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| East | 6 |
| Rockwell Green | 3 |
| West | 6 |
Table 14
Parish wards of the parish of Wembdon and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| Victoria | 3 |
| Wembdon | 7 |
Table 15
Parish wards of the parish of West Huntspill and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| Alstone | 2 |
| West Huntspill | 5 |
Table 16
Parish wards of the parish of Yeovil and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| Central | 6 |
| College | 5 |
| Lyde | 5 |
| Preston Plucknett | 2 |
| Summerlands | 2 |
| Westland | 4 |
Table 17
Parish wards of the parish of Yeovil Without and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| Brimsmore | 6 |
| Farmstead | 9 |
Schedule 3Parish wards and number of councillors for the parishes of Bridgwater Without, Creech St Michael, Crewkerne and Ilminster
Table 1
Parish wards of the parish of Bridgwater Without and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| Bower | 2 |
| Kingsdown | 5 |
Table 2
Parish wards of the parish of Creech St Michael and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| Creech St Michael | 9 |
| Monkton Heathfield | 2 |
Table 3
Parish wards of the parish of Crewkerne and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| North | 6 |
| South | 6 |
Table 4
Parish wards of the parish of Ilminster and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| North | 7 |
| South | 8 |
Explanatory note
(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order makes changes to electoral arrangements for Somerset following recommendations made by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England. This Order does not change the boundary of the local authority itself.
Article 3 abolishes the existing electoral divisions of Somerset and replaces them with the 93 new ones listed in Schedule 1 for the purposes of elections held on or after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2027. It also establishes the names and areas of the new electoral divisions and the number of councillors for each.
Article 4 makes changes to parish wards that are consequential on the changes made by article 3. The changes to parish wards introduced by article 4 come into force for the purposes of parish elections in 2027 and in respect of subsequent parish elections.
Articles 5, 6, 7 and 8 make similar provision specifically for the new parish wards of the parishes of Bridgwater Without, Creech St Michael, Crewkerne and Ilminster, which were previously un-warded, for the purposes of parish elections in 2027 and in respect of subsequent parish elections.
The area covered by each electoral division created by this Order is identified on a map which is available for inspection at reasonable times at the principal office of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, 7th Floor, 3 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8YZ. The map is also accessible online at https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/somerset/.
A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.