City council wards could change in boundary shake-up
A consultation has been launched over plans to redraw the political map in Wolverhampton.
Under Local Government Boundary Commission plans revealed this week, the number of councillors is expected to stay at 60 – although ward boundaries could change in a bid to even up the number of voters.
Wolverhampton Council currently has three councillors for each of its 20 wards.
It marks the first review in the city for 16 years.
The commission has called for residents' views on which – if any – ward boundaries should change to best reflect communities.
Wolverhampton is being reviewed to make sure councillors represent roughly the same number of electors" and that ward arrangements help the council work effectively.
The commission says it will use consultation responses to help it draw up proposals for new ward boundaries, with a further round of consultation once the proposals have been published.
Professor Colin Mellors, chair of the commission, said: “We want people in Wolverhampton to help us.
“We are starting to draw up new wards for Wolverhampton. 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."
According to official estimates from 2019, populations in city wards range from 10,827 in Wednesfield North, to 16,549 in Bushbury North and Low Hill.
Ten wards, including Bilston North, Blakenhall, Park, Penn and Spring Vale have populations of between 12,000 and 14,000.
To take part visit consultation.lgbce.org.uk; email reviews@lgbce.org.uk; or write to The Review Officer (Wolverhampton), LGBCE, PO Box 133, Blyth, NE24 9FE.
The first stage of the consultation runs until March 29. Views will be sought on draft recommendations from June 29.
