Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009

Parish councils

4 (1) This paragraph applies where the Local Government Boundary Commission for England makes recommendations under section 56 in relation to the electoral arrangements for the area of a parish council (including a common parish council).

(2) In making any such recommendations, the Local Government Boundary Commission for England must have regard to—

(a) the need to reflect the identities and interests of local communities, and in particular—

(i) the desirability of fixing boundaries which are and will remain easily identifiable, and

(ii) the desirability of fixing boundaries so as not to break any local ties,

(b) the need to secure effective and convenient local government, and

(c) the boundaries of the electoral areas of the principal council or councils in whose area the area of the parish council falls.

(3) In making any recommendations as to whether the area of the parish council is to be divided into wards for the election of members of the parish council, the Local Government Boundary Commission for England must have regard to—

(a) whether the number or distribution of the local government electors in the area is such as to make a single election of the members of the council impracticable or inconvenient, and

(b) whether it is desirable for any parts of the area of the parish council to be separately represented on the council.

(4) In making any recommendations as to—

(a) the size and boundaries of wards, or

(b) the number of members of a parish council to be elected for each ward,

the Local Government Boundary Commission for England must have regard to any change in the number or distribution of the local government electors in the area of the parish council which is likely to take place within the period of five years immediately following the making of the recommendations.

(5) In the case of the area of a parish council not divided into wards, in making recommendations as to the number of members to be elected for the parish council, the Local Government Boundary Commission for England must have regard to—

(a) the number and distribution of the local government electors in the area of the parish council, and

(b) any change in such number or distribution which is likely to take place within the period of five years immediately following the making of the recommendations.