Councillor hits out at plans to redraw boundaries
Bill Hunt (con) - Credit: Archant
A councillor has described proposals to re-draw the boundaries for future county council elections as a “dog’s breakfast”.
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has launched a consultation on proposals for new county council division boundaries which will see the number of representatives county-wide drop from 69 to 61.
In East Cambridgeshire, the number of councillors could drop from nine to eight and boundary lines could be withdrawn.
Under the proposals, the east of Littleport would be joined with parts of Ely and the north of Soham to form a new constituency, while the other half of Littleport would be joined with Sutton, Stretham, Haddenham and Witchford, with parts of Ely and Soham also tacked on.
Councillor Bill Hunt, who represents the Haddenham ward, said: “These proposals have been drawn up by people – probably bureaucrats in London - who have no idea whatsoever about the communities involved or the rural nature of the area.
“To club Littleport together with Haddenham and parts of Soham is ridiculous, it’s a dog’s breakfast and a complete reversal of localism.
“We believe it denies people representation and it achieves nothing and we will be having our say against these plans.”
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Max Caller, chairman of the boundary commission, said: “Our review aims to deliver electoral equality for local voters. This means that each county councillor represents a similar number of electors so that everyone’s vote in county council elections is worth roughly the same regardless of where you live.
“We also want to ensure that our proposals reflect the interests and identities of local communities across Cambridgeshire and that the pattern of divisions can help the council deliver effective local government to local people.”
If you would like to make a submission to the commission, write or email by July 6:
The Review Officer (Cambridgeshire), 14th floor, Millbank Tower, London. SW1P 4QP
E-mail: reviews@lgbce.org.uk
Have your say directly through the Commission’s consultation portal: https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/4143
Link to the dedicated web page for the Cambridgeshire electoral review: www.lgbce.org.uk/current-reviews/eastern/cambridgeshire/cambridgeshire-county-council
