The District of Wokingham (Electoral Changes) Order 2002

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order

This Order gives effect, with modifications, to recommendations by the Boundary Committee for England, a committee of the Electoral Commission, for electoral changes in the district of Wokingham. The changes have effect in relation to local government elections to be held on and after 6th May 2004.

The modifications relate to the boundary between Arborfield and Barkham district wards; the boundary between Bulmershe and Whitegates, and Maiden Erlegh district wards; the boundary between Coronation and Sonning district wards; the boundary between Norreys East and Norreys West parish wards of Wokingham parish; the naming of Sonning district ward; the naming of Arborfield Cross and Arborfield Green parish wards of Arborfield and Newland parish; and the naming of Warren parish ward of Woodley parish.

Article 3 abolishes the existing wards of the district and provides for the creation of 25 new wards. That article and Schedule 1 also make provision for the names and areas of, and numbers of councillors for, the new wards.

Article 4 makes provision for a whole council election in 2004 and for reversion to the established system of elections by thirds in subsequent years. Schedule 2 provides for the order of retirement of councillors.

Articles 5 to 11 make electoral changes in the parishes of Arborfield and Newland, Earley, Finchampstead, Shinfield, Twyford, Wokingham and Woodley.

Article 12 provides for the elections of certain parish councils in the district.

Article 14 obliges the Electoral Registration Officer to make any necessary amendments to the electoral register to reflect the new electoral arrangements.

Article 15 revokes the District of Wokingham (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1978 (S.I. 1978/1640), with the exception of articles 5 and 6.

The areas of the new district and parish wards are demarcated on the map described in article 2. Prints of the map may be inspected at all reasonable times at the offices of Wokingham District Council and at the principal office of the Electoral Commission at Trevelyan House, Great Peter Street, London SW1P 2HW.