Consultation launched on review of local election boundaries in Dorset

A public consultation has been launched to help shape new council wards for Dorset Council. The Local Government Boundary Commission for England wants to hear people’s views on where they live, to help make sure that the new wards reflect the size and shape of local communities. 

An electoral review is being carried out to make sure that each local councillor represents about the same number of electors, and that the wards they represent reflect community identities. 

Following an earlier consultation with the Council, the Commission concluded that Dorset Council needs 82 councillors to be able to operate effectively. This is the same number as it has now. 

Launching the consultation on the electoral review of Dorset, Bev Smith, Chair of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, said:   

"We are looking for your views, as local people, on how you think Dorset should be represented in wards that reflect local connections, communities and identities.

"By telling us about your community and the areas you identify with, you will help us to create appropriate, fair and meaningful boundaries.

"We would like to hear about where you go to meet people, to shop, attend school or sporting events, whether a road, park or river acts as a dividing feature between communities or as its hub, and which neighbourhoods have joint community initiatives.

"Hearing from local residents will give us important evidence to create our recommendations for a pattern of wards for Dorset that ensures every area is represented fairly in local elections."

The consultation on this stage of the electoral review of Dorset lasts for ten weeks and closes on 1 June 2026. The Commission will use local views to help draw up their proposals for new ward boundaries.  

There will be a further round of consultation once the Commission has drawn up their proposals. This second stage of the public consultation is expected to start on 1 September 2026.

Local people can provide their views via the Commission website at: Dorset | LGBCE

by emailing reviews@lgbce.org.uk  

or by post to: 

Review Officer (Dorset)

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England  

7th Floor  

3 Bunhill Row  

London  

EC1Y 8YZ 

ENDS 

Notes to editors:   

The consultation on the electoral review of Dorset Council is being held by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, an independent body directly accountable to Parliament. 

This consultation relates to the arrangements for local government elections. It is separate from consultations that have recently taken place across England on arrangements for parliamentary elections.  

An electoral review consultation typically has two stages:  

• The first stage asks for views on a broad range of issues affecting the local area, which the Commission then uses to draw a map of proposed local boundaries.  
• The second stage of consultation then provides a chance for local people to comment on the Commission’s proposals before they are finalised and laid before Parliament, to be made into law. 

For further information and images, please contact the Commission’s press office on 0330 500 1525 / 1250 or email press @lgbce.org.uk 

For more information on the work of the Commission, please watch this short film: 

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLHmAflEDPE 

An interactive map is available at: 

Dorset | LGBCE