Have your say on a new political map for Essex County Council

Embargoed until: 00:01 Tuesday 28 November 2023

Have your say on a new political map for Essex County Council

New boundaries are being proposed for council divisions in Essex.

The Local Government Boundary Commission wants to hear what residents and local organisations think about the proposals. A 12-week consultation on the proposals will run until 19 February 2024.

Proposed divisions for Essex County Council

Credit: contains Ordnance Survey data (c) Crown copyright and database rights 2023

High resolution map available at https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/essex

The Commission is the independent body that draws these boundaries. It is reviewing Essex to make sure councillors will represent about the same number of electors, and that division arrangements will help the council work effectively. 

The Commission has published proposals for changes to Essex. It is proposing that there should be 78 single-member divisions.

Proposed changes include:

• Retaining 5 councillors in Castle Point, to better reflect the communities in this borough

• Bringing Loughton within two divisions rather than three

• Ensuring that Clacton-on-Sea is covered by divisions focussed on the town.

Launching the consultation Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, said:

“We want people in Essex to help us. 

We have drawn up proposals for new divisions in Essex. We want to make sure these new electoral arrangements reflect communities. We also want them to be easy to understand and convenient for local people.

Residents and local organisations can help us do that. We would like them to let us know whether they agree with our proposals before we take final decisions.

It’s easy to get involved. Go to our website. Or you can e-mail or write to us.

Just tell us what you think and give us some details why you think that. It’s really simple, so do get involved”

The Commission has a dedicated section on its website where people can see the detail of the proposals and comment on the names of divisions and their boundaries: https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/essex

People can also give their views by e-mail at reviews@lgbce.org.uk, and by post:

Review Officer (Essex)

LGBCE

PO Box 133

Blyth

NE24 9FE

Ends/

Notes to editors: 

This consultation relates to arrangements for local government elections. It is separate from the review of parliamentary constituencies that has recently concluded.

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

An interactive map is available at: https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/essex

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is an independent body accountable to Parliament. It recommends fair electoral and boundary arrangements for local authorities in England. In doing so, it aims to:

• Make sure that, within an authority, each councillor represents a similar number of electors

• Create boundaries that are appropriate, and reflect community ties and identities

• Deliver reviews informed by local needs, views and circumstances

• Reflect the request for single-member divisions