Consultation launched on review of local election boundaries in York

A public consultation has been launched to help shape new council wards for City of York 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 City of York Council needs 47 councillors to be able to operate effectively. This is the same number as it has now. 

Launching the consultation on the electoral review of City of York Council, Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, said:   

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

“By telling us about where you live and where you access local services, it will help us to create appropriate and meaningful boundaries.   

“It might be something as straightforward as where you go for shops, schools or a sporting venue, whether you see a road, park or river as a dividing feature or the heart of a community, or which areas have joint projects. 

“Hearing from local residents will give us important evidence to inform our recommendations for a pattern of wards for York that ensures each councillor represents about the same number of electors.”   

The consultation on this stage of the electoral review of City of York Council lasts for ten weeks and closes on 2 February 2026. The Commission will use local views to help draw up their proposals for new ward boundaries.  

Ian Floyd, Chief Operating Officer of City of York Council, said: 

“Upholding the right of residents to be fairly represented in the Council is key to local democracy. As a city changes and develops, so some ward boundaries need to reflect those changes and create a balance of equally-represented communities. 

“We’ve been working closely with the independent Commission to support its work to make sure that happens. Now it’s your turn to tell the Commission about where you live, where you feel your communities are, and what makes them your communities.”

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 5 May 2026. 

Local people can provide their views via the Commission website at: https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/york

by emailing reviews@lgbce.org.uk  

or by post to: 

Review Officer (York)

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 City of York Council is being held by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, an independent body directly accountable to Parliament. 

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: https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/york