The Local Government Boundary Commission for England

…have published draft recommendations for new ward boundaries, and ward names for Bedford Borough Council.

They are now inviting comments on those recommendations.

Their consultation closes on 7 December 2020.

If you represent a local organisation or community group in Bedford, please pass this message on to your members or anyone you think who might be interested in the review.

They propose to make changes to Brickhill.

We encourage everyone who has a view on the draft recommendations to contact them, whether you support them or whether you wish to propose alternative arrangements.

They will weigh each submission against the legal criteria which they must follow when drawing up electoral arrangements:

• to deliver electoral equality: where each councillor represents roughly the same number of electors as others across the borough;
• that the pattern of wards should, as far as possible, reflect the interests and identities of local communities;
• that the electoral arrangements should provide for effective and convenient local government.

It is important that you take account of the criteria if you are suggesting an alternative pattern of wards. If you wish to put forward a view, they would also urge you to ensure that evidence supports your submission. For example, if you wish to argue that two areas should be included in the same electoral ward, make sure you tell them why they should be together, providing evidence about community facilities, ties, organisations, and amenities, rather than simply asserting that they belong together.

Their website features technical guidance that explains the process and their policies, as well as guidance on how to take part in each part of the process.

Follow this link for more details:-

https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/eastern/bedfordshire/bedford