A new political map for Westmorland and Furness Council

Westmorland and Furness Council is set to have new boundaries for its council wards.

Proposed wards for Westmorland and Furness

Credit: contains Ordnance Survey data (c) Crown copyright and database rights 2024

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

The Local Government Boundary Commission is the independent body that draws these boundaries. It has reviewed Westmorland and Furness to make sure councillors will represent about the same number of electors, and that ward arrangements will help the council work effectively. 

The Commission has published final recommendations for changes in Westmorland and Furness. It says residents should be represented by 65 councillors, the same as now. 

There will be 9 three-councillor wards, 12 two-councillor wards, and 14 single-councillor wards across the authority. 28 wards will see changes to their boundaries, 7 will stay the same.

Publishing the recommendations Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, said:

“We are very grateful to people in Westmorland and Furness. We looked at all the views they gave us. They helped us improve our earlier proposals. 

We believe the new arrangements will deliver electoral fairness while maintaining local ties.” 

We received 162 comments from people and organisations which helped decide the new wards. Changes in response to what local people said include: 

• Placing Coniston and Hawkshead in the same ward, in response to fresh evidence about the links between these settlements
• Reverting to the existing boundary along Penrith High Street, reflecting local views about the importance of this area to the entire town 

The Commission has made further changes to its earlier proposals. Details can be found on its website at https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/westmorland-and-furness.

The changes become law once Parliament has approved them. Staff at the council will ensure that the arrangements are in place for the 2027 elections. 

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Notes to editors: 

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/westmorland-and-furness

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