The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has finally gone public on plans to change the local ward boundaries in Salford. Each ward should be of a similar population size but, with places getting over-bloated with new apartments, it's all getting a bit skew whiff...
For instance, Ordsall already has an over-large electorate of 12,513 but is forecast to mushroom to 26,190, whereas the next ward along, Langworthy, currently has an electorate of 9,057 and is only forecast to grow to 9,562.
Does it matter? Yep. Splitting wards and moving boundaries is a huge political issue which could make safe seats marginal or changed to another party. The Boundary Commission is also keen that communities continue to identify with the areas...
"We are asking local people and organisations to help us draw up new wards for Salford" says Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission "As we develop the recommendations, we will take into account local community identities as well as ensuring electoral equality for voters.
"If you have a view about which communities or neighbourhoods should be part of the same council ward, then we want to hear from you" he adds "And if you think a road, river or railway makes for a strong boundary between communities in your part of Salford, then this consultation is for you...Your views will make a difference."
The consultation, which started today and runs until 3rd September, has a fun interactive map on which you can draw new boundaries or plant a flag to make a point. By clicking on a particular ward it also tells you the current electorate and the forecast for the future.
It asks questions like; 'Do you have suggestions about where your ward boundaries should be?'... 'Which areas do you identify as your local community?' and 'Where do people in your area go to access local facilities such as shops and leisure activities?'...
So far, the Commission hasn't come up with any definite plans and is just looking for ideas but it seems obvious that Ordsall will be split up. A Salford City Council report earlier this year suggested that parts of Ordsall could be included in the Irwell Riverside ward, with a possible knock on effect for Langworthy, Seedley and Weaste. Other wards which are heading towards being overblown are Broughton and Little Hulton, which are currently 10% over the 'elector equality ratio'.*
The Commission has confirmed, however, that the number of councillors in Salford will stay at sixty, although if there are actually totally new wards created there would have to be less councillors per ward, one might presume.
In the meantime, the consultation is open to anyone in Salford...
"We will carefully consider all evidence that is provided during this phase of the review, whoever it is from and whether it applies to the whole of Salford or just a small part of the city" says Professor Mellors "Residents will then have a further chance to have their say after we publish our draft recommendations in November."
To take part in the consultation – click here
* For more background see previous Salford Star articles on the boundary changes – click here and click here
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