PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON NEW WARD BOUNDARIES FOR WESTMORLAND AND FURNESS COUNCIL

The Local Government Boundary Commission has launched a ten-week public consultation, inviting proposals for new council wards and ward boundaries for Westmorland and Furness Council. This consultation runs until 4 November 2024.

Following the consultation, draft recommendations will be published in March 2025. A further consultation period on these draft recommendations will follow, with final recommendations expected to be published in September 2025. The new electoral arrangements will take effect during the local elections in 2027.

The Commission encourages local organisations and community groups within Westmorland and Furness to share this information with their members and other interested parties. You can do this by email or through social media.

What is an electoral review?

The electoral review will recommend new electoral arrangements for Westmorland and Furness Council. This will include:

• The total number of councillors elected to the council in the future;
• The number of wards;
• The number of councillors representing each ward;
• Ward boundaries; and
• The names of the wards.

How to Get Involved

This is a public consultation, and views are welcome from individuals and organisations throughout Westmorland and Furness. The Commission is currently inclined to maintain the number of councillors at 65 and is inviting proposals to help establish new ward boundaries to accommodate this.

In designing new wards, the Commission will consider three legal criteria:

• Ensuring electoral equality, where each councillor represents a similar number of electors;
• Reflecting the interests and identities of local communities;
• Ensuring effective and convenient local government.

Submissions will be treated equally and judged against the legal criteria. Contributors are encouraged to provide evidence supporting their views. For example, if suggesting two areas be included in the same ward, evidence such as shared community ties, organisations, or amenities should be included.

Further guidance and resources, including interactive maps and technical details, are available on the Commission’s website.

For more information or to participate in the consultation, please visit the dedicated review webpage.

https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/westmorland-and-furness/feedback