NEW ward boundaries within Slough are being drafted – and residents can have their say on the potential changes.
Following the council’s decision in January to swap from thirds to all-out elections from 2023, this also came with internal ward changes within the borough.
The new pattern is currently being drawn up by the Local Government Boundary Commission and is reviewing Slough to make sure councillors represent about the same number of electors and to be sure the proposals reflect the community.
The Commission is running a 10-week consultation and will use the local views to help draft the proposals for new ward boundaries. There will be a further round of consultation once the Commissioner has drawn up the proposals.
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Residents will be asked their views on which communities should be part of the same ward. Have there been new housing or commercial developments that have changed the focus of communities? Are there roads, rivers, railways or other features that people believe form strong boundaries between neighbourhoods? Etc.
Slough Borough Council’s is currently made up of 42 councillors. The Commission has decided this number should remain as is.
Chairman of the Commission Professor Colin Mellors said: “We want people in Slough to help us. We are starting to draw up new wards for Slough. We want our proposals for new electoral arrangements to reflect communities. We also want them to be easy to understand and convenient for local people.
“Residents and local organisations can help us understand community ties and identities at this early stage of the process. It’s easy to get involved. Go to our website. Or you can e-mail or write to us.
“Just tell us what you think and give us some details why you think that. It’s really simple, so do get involved.”
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The consultation will run until April 11, 2022. The survey can be found here: https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/32798
People can also give their views by e-mail at reviews@lgbce.org.uk, and by post:
The Review Officer (Slough)
LGBCE
PO Box 133
Blyth
NE24 9FE
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