Statutory Instruments
2015 No. 1462
Local Government, England
The Woking (Electoral Changes) Order 2015
Made
29th June 2015
Coming into force in accordance with article 1(2)
Under section 58(4) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009(1) (“the Act”) the Local Government Boundary Commission for England(2) (“the Commission”) published a report dated January 2015 stating its recommendations for changes to the electoral arrangements for the district of Woking. The Commission has decided to give effect to the recommendations.
A draft of the instrument has been laid before Parliament and a period of forty days has expired and neither House has resolved that the instrument be not made.
The Commission makes the following Order in exercise of the power conferred by section 59(1) of the Act:
Citation and commencement
1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Woking (Electoral Changes) Order 2015.
(2) This Order comes into force—
(a)for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on 15th October 2015;
(b)for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2016.
Interpretation
2. In this Order—
“map” means the map marked “Map referred to in the Woking (Electoral Changes) Order 2015”, prints of which are available for inspection at the principal office of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England;
“ordinary day of election of councillors” has the meaning given by section 37 of the Representation of the People Act 1983(3).
Wards of the district of Woking and number of councillors
3.—(1) The existing wards of the district of Woking are abolished.
(2) The district of Woking is divided into ten district wards, each listed by name in the Schedule.
(3) Each district ward comprises the area designated on the map by reference to the name of the district ward.
(4) Three councillors are to be elected for each district ward.
(5) Where a boundary is shown on the map as running along a road, railway line, footway, watercourse or similar geographical feature, it is to be treated as running along the centre line of the feature.
Elections of the council of the district of Woking
4.—(1) Elections of all councillors of each ward of the district of Woking are to be held simultaneously on the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2016.
(2) The councillors holding office for any ward of the district of Woking immediately before the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2016 are to retire on that fourth day and the newly elected councillors are to come into office on that fourth day.
(3) Of the councillors elected on the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2016 for any ward of the district of Woking, one is to retire in 2018, one in 2019 and one in 2020.
(4) Subject to paragraphs (5) and (6), of the councillors elected on the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2016 for any ward of the district of Woking—
(a)the first to retire is to be the councillor elected by the smallest number of votes; and
(b)the second to retire is to be the councillor elected by the next smallest number of votes.
(5) In the case of an equality of votes between any persons elected which makes it uncertain which of them is to retire in any year, the person to retire that year is to be determined by lot.
(6) If an election of councillors for any ward is not contested, the person to retire in each year is to be determined by lot.
(7) Where under this article any question is to be determined by lot, the lot is to be drawn at the next practicable meeting of the council after the question has arisen and the drawing is to be conducted under the direction of the person presiding at the meeting.
Sealed with the seal of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England
Max Caller
Chairman
Local Government Boundary Commission for England
Date 29th June 2015
Article 3
SCHEDULE Names of district wards
Byfleet & West Byfleet
Canalside
Goldsworth Park
Heathlands
Hoe Valley
Horsell
Knaphill
Mount Hermon
Pyrford
St John’s
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order makes changes to electoral arrangements for the district of Woking, which is a non-metropolitan district with borough status, following recommendations made by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England. The area of the district remains unchanged. The electoral changes apply in respect of local government elections to be held on and after the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2016.
Article 3 abolishes the existing wards of the district of Woking and replaces them with ten new ones. That article, the map (as defined in article 2) and the Schedule also establish the names, areas and number of councillors of the new district wards.
Article 4 makes provision for a whole district council election in 2016. (Thereafter, the council will revert to the existing system of election by thirds.) That article also provides for the order of retirement of councillors at elections to be held in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
The map defined in article 2 shows the new district wards. It is available at http://www.lgbce.org.uk/current-reviews/south-east/surrey/woking-fer. The map is also available for inspection at all reasonable times at the offices of Woking Borough Council, Civic Offices, Gloucester Square, Woking, Surrey GU21 6YL and at the offices of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England at 14 th floor, Millbank Tower, London SW1P 4QP.
An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England was established on 1st April 2010 by section 55(1) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c.20).
1983 c.2; section 37 has been amended by section 18(2) of the Representation of the People Act 1985 (c.50), paragraph 5 of Schedule 3 to the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (c.29) and section 60(1) of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c.28).