Draft Order laid before Parliament under section 59(9) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009; draft to lie for forty days pursuant to section 6(1) of the Statutory Instruments Act 1946, during which period either House of Parliament may resolve that the Order be not made.

2015 No. ****

Local Government, England

The Stafford (Electoral Changes) Order 2015

Made

Coming into force in accordance with article 1(2)

Under section 58(4) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 20091 (“the Act”) the Local Government Boundary Commission for England2 (“the Commission”) published a report dated September 2014 stating its recommendations for changes to the electoral arrangements for the district of Stafford. 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 commencement1

1

This Order may be cited as the Stafford (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 the day after it is made;

b

for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2015.

Interpretation2

In this Order—

  • “map” means the map marked “Map referred to in the Stafford (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 19833.

Wards of the district of Stafford and number of councillors3

1

The existing wards of the district of Stafford are abolished.

2

The district of Stafford is divided into 23 district wards, each listed by name in the first column of the table in Schedule 1.

3

Each district ward comprises the area designated on the map by reference to the name of the district ward.

4

The number of councillors to be elected for each district ward is the number specified in relation to that ward in the second column of the table in Schedule 1.

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.

Wards of the parish of Stone and number of councillors4

1

The existing wards of the parish of Stone are abolished.

2

The parish of Stone is divided into four parish wards, each listed by name in the first column of table 1 in Schedule 2.

3

Each parish ward comprises the area designated on the map by reference to the name of the parish ward.

4

The number of councillors to be elected for each parish ward is the number specified in relation to that ward in the second column of table 1 in Schedule 2.

Wards of the parish of Stone Rural and number of councillors5

1

The existing wards of the parish of Stone Rural are abolished.

2

The parish of Stone Rural is divided into two parish wards, each listed by name in the first column of table 2 in Schedule 2.

3

Each parish ward comprises the area designated on the map by reference to the name of the parish ward.

4

The number of councillors to be elected for each parish ward is the number specified in relation to that ward in the second column of table 2 in Schedule 2.

Sealed with the seal of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England

NameChairmanLocal Government Boundary Commission for England

SCHEDULE 1Names of district wards and number of councillors

Article 3

(1)

Name of district ward

(2)

Number of councillors

Barlaston

1

Baswich

2

Common

1

Coton

2

Doxey & Castletown

1

Eccleshall

2

Forebridge

1

Fulford

2

Gnosall & Woodseaves

2

Haywood & Hixon

2

Highfields & Western Downs

2

Holmcroft

2

Littleworth

2

Manor

2

Milford

1

Milwich

2

Penkside

1

Rowley

1

Seighford & Church Eaton

2

St Michael’s & Stonefield

3

Swynnerton & Oulton

2

Walton

2

Weeping Cross & Wildwood

2

SCHEDULE 2

Articles 4 and 5

Table 1Wards of the parish of Stone and number of councillors

(1)

Name of parish ward

(2)

Number of councillors

St Michael’s

5

Stonefield & Christchurch

5

Walton North

3

Walton South

5

Table 2Wards of the parish of Stone Rural and number of councillors

(1)

Name of parish ward

(2)

Number of councillors

Aston

2

Oulton

8

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order makes changes to electoral arrangements for the district of Stafford 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 2015.

Article 3 abolishes the existing wards of the district of Stafford and replaces them with 23 new ones. That article, the map (as defined in article 2) and Schedule 1 also establish the names, areas and number of councillors of the new district wards.

Articles 4 and 5 abolish the existing wards of the parishes of Stone and Stone Rural and replace them with new ones. Those articles, the map and Schedule 2 also establish the names, areas and number of councillors of the new parish wards.

The map defined in article 2 shows the new district and parish wards. It is available at https://www.lgbce.org.uk/current-reviews/west-midlands/staffs/stafford-fer. The map is also available for inspection at all reasonable times at the offices of Stafford Borough Council, Civic Centre, Riverside, Stafford, ST10 3AQ and at the offices of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England at Layden House, 76 – 86 Turnmill Street, London EC1M 5LG.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.