Statutory Instruments
2011 No. 2
Local Government, England
The Northumberland (Electoral Changes) Order 2011
Made 4th January 2011
Coming into force in accordance with article 1(2)

Under section 15(4) of the Local Government Act 1992 the Boundary Committee for England published a report dated March 2010 stating its recommendations for changes to the electoral arrangements for the county of Northumberland.
1992 c.19. Section 15 was repealed by section 146 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c.20) (“the 2009 Act (c.20)”) on 1st April 2010. Under section 63(1) of the 2009 Act (c.20) the publication of the report by the Boundary Committee for England is, for the purposes of the discharge of the functions of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England under section 59 of the 2009 Act (c.20), to be regarded as having been done by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.
The Boundary Committee for England was a committee of the Electoral Commission, established by the Electoral Commission in accordance with section 14 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c.41) (“the 2000 Act (c.41)”). Section 14 of the 2000 Act (c.41) so far as relating to England was repealed on 1st April 2010 by section 61(2)(a) of the 2009 Act (c.20) and the Boundary Committee for England was abolished accordingly.
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 Local Government Boundary Commission for England has decided to give effect to the recommendations for electoral changes and in exercise of the powers conferred by section 59(1) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 makes the following Order:
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England was established on 1st April 2010 by section 55(1) of the 2009 Act (c.20).
2009 c.20.

Citation and commencement
1. (1) This Order may be cited as the Northumberland (Electoral Changes) Order 2011.
(2) This Order comes into force—
(a) for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the elections of councillors, on 15th October 2012;
(b) for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2013.

Interpretation
2. In this Order—
“map” means the map marked “Map referred to in the Northumberland (Electoral Changes) Order 2011”, of which prints 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.
1983 c.2. Section 37 has been amended by section 18(2) of the Representation of the People Act 1985 (c.50), section 17 of the Greater London Authority Act l999 (c.29) and section 60 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c.28).

Electoral divisions of the county of Northumberland and number of councillors
3. (1) The existing electoral divisions of the county of Northumberland are abolished.
(2) The county is divided into sixty-six electoral divisions each bearing a name listed in column 1 of the Schedule.
(3) Each electoral division comprises the area designated on the map by reference to the name of the electoral division.
(4) The number of councillors to be elected for each electoral division is the number specified in relation to that electoral division in column 2 of the Schedule.
(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 Ashington and number of councillors
4. (1) The existing wards of the parish of Ashington are abolished.
(2) The parish is divided into six wards named respectively—
(a) Ashington Central;
(b) Bothal;
(c) College;
(d) Haydon;
(e) Hirst;
(f) Seaton.
(3) Each ward comprises the area designated on the map by reference to the name of the ward.
(4) Three councillors are to be elected for each ward.

Wards of the parish of Blyth and number of councillors
5. (1) The existing wards of the parish of Blyth are abolished.
(2) The parish is divided into eight wards named respectively—
(a) Cowpen;
(b) Croft;
(c) Isabella;
(d) Kitty Brewster;
(e) Newsham;
(f) Plessey;
(g) South Blyth;
(h) Wensleydale.
(3) Each ward comprises the area designated on the map by reference to the name of the ward.
(4) Two councillors are to be elected for each ward.

Wards of the parish of Choppington and number of councillors
6. (1) The existing wards of the parish of Choppington are abolished.
(2) The parish is divided into four wards named respectively—
(a) Choppington;
(b) Stakeford;
(c) West Sleekburn;
(d) Willows.
(3) Each ward comprises the area designated on the map by reference to the name of the ward.
(4) Three councillors are to be elected for the following wards:
(a) Choppington;
(b) Stakeford.
(5) Two councillors are to be elected for West Sleekburn ward.
(6) One councillor is to be elected for Willows ward.

Wards of the parish of Cramlington and number of councillors
7. (1) The existing wards of the parish of Cramlington are abolished.
(2) The parish is divided into six wards named respectively—
(a) Cramlington East;
(b) Cramlington Eastfield;
(c) Cramlington North;
(d) Cramlington South East;
(e) Cramlington Village;
(f) Cramlington West.
(3) Each ward comprises the area designated on the map by reference to the name of the ward.
(4) Two councillors are to be elected for each ward.

Wards of the parish of East Bedlington and number of councillors
8. (1) The existing wards of the parish of East Bedlington are abolished.
(2) The parish is divided into two wards named respectively—
(a) Bedlington East;
(b) Sleekburn.
(3) Each ward comprises the area designated on the map by reference to the name of the ward.
(4) Six councillors are to be elected for Bedlington East ward.
(5) Five councillors are to be elected for Sleekburn ward.

Wards of the parish of East Chevington and number of councillors
9. (1) The parish of East Chevington is divided into two wards named respectively—
(a) East Chevington Coastal;
(b) East Chevington Town.
(2) Each ward comprises the area designated on the map by reference to the name of the ward.
(3) Eight councillors are to be elected for East Chevington Town ward.
(4) Two councillors are to be elected for East Chevington Coastal ward.

Wards of the parish of Hepscott and number of councillors
10. (1) The existing wards of the parish of Hepscott are abolished.
(2) The parish is divided into two wards named respectively—
(a) Hepscott;
(b) Hepscott Stobhill Manor.
(3) Each ward comprises the area designated on the map by reference to the name of the ward.
(4) Five councillors are to be elected for Hepscott ward.
(5) Two councillors are to be elected for Hepscott Stobhill Manor ward.

Wards of the parish of Hexham and number of councillors
11. (1) The existing wards of the parish of Hexham are abolished.
(2) The parish is divided into three wards named respectively—
(a) Gilesgate;
(b) Leazes;
(c) Priestpopple.
(3) Each ward comprises the area designated on the map by reference to the name of the ward.
(4) Five councillors are to be elected for each of the following wards:
(a) Gilesgate;
(b) Priestpopple.
(5) Four councillors are to be elected for Leazes ward.

Wards of the parish of Morpeth and number of councillors
12. (1) The existing wards of the parish of Morpeth are abolished.
(2) The parish is divided into three wards named respectively—
(a) Morpeth Kirkhill;
(b) Morpeth North;
(c) Morpeth Stobhill.
(3) Each ward comprises the area designated on the map by reference to the name of the ward.
(4) Five councillors are to be elected for each ward.

Wards of the parish of Newbiggin by the Sea and number of councillors
13. (1) The existing wards of the parish of Newbiggin by the Sea are abolished.
(2) The parish is divided into two wards named respectively—
(a) Newbiggin East;
(b) Newbiggin West.
(3) Each ward comprises the area designated on the map by reference to the name of the ward.
(4) Four councillors are to be elected for each ward.

Wards of the parish of Ponteland and number of councillors
14. (1) The existing wards of the parish of Ponteland are abolished.
(2) The parish is divided into four wards named respectively—
(a) Ponteland East;
(b) Ponteland North;
(c) Ponteland South;
(d) Ponteland West.
(3) Each ward comprises the area designated on the map by reference to the name of the ward.
(4) Three councillors are to be elected for each ward.

Wards of the parish of Prudhoe and number of councillors
15. (1) The existing wards of the parish of Prudhoe are abolished.
(2) The parish is divided into three wards named respectively—
(a) Mickley;
(b) North;
(c) South.
(3) Each ward comprises the area designated on the map by reference to the name of the ward.
(4) Four councillors are to be elected for each ward.

Wards of the parish of Seaton Valley and number of councillors
16. (1) The existing wards of the parish of Seaton Valley are abolished.
(2) The parish is divided into three wards named respectively—
(a) Hartley;
(b) Holywell;
(c) Seghill with Seaton Delaval.
(3) Each ward comprises the area designated on the map by reference to the name of the ward.
(4) Three councillors are to be elected for each ward.

Wards of the parish of West Bedlington and number of councillors
17. (1) The existing wards of the parish of West Bedlington are abolished.
(2) The parish is divided into three wards named respectively—
(a) Bedlington Central;
(b) Bedlington West;
(c) Park Road.
(3) Each ward comprises the area designated on the map by reference to the name of the ward.
(4) Four councillors are to be elected for each of the following wards:
(a) Bedlington Central;
(b) Bedlington West.
(5) One councillor is to be elected for Park Road ward.

Wards of the parish of Widdrington Station and Stobswood and number of councillors
18. (1) The parish of Widdrington Station and Stobswood is divided into two wards named respectively—
(a) Stobswood;
(b) Widdrington Station.
(2) Each ward comprises the area designated on the map by reference to the name of the ward.
(3) Five councillors are to be elected for Widdrington Station ward.
(4) Two councillors are to be elected for Stobswood ward.
Sealed with the seal of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England on the 4th day of January 2011
Max Caller
Chairman
Local Government Boundary Commission for England
4th January 2011

SCHEDULE Names of electoral divisions and numbers of councillors
Article 3
1	2
Name of Electoral Division	Number of Councillors
Alnwick	2
Amble	1
Amble West with Warkworth	1
Ashington Central	1
Bamburgh	1
Bedlington Central	1
Bedlington East	1
Bedlington West	1
Bellingham	1
Berwick East	1
Berwick North	1
Berwick West with Ord	1
Bothal	1
Bywell	1
Choppington	1
College	1
Corbridge	1
Cowpen	1
Cramlington East	1
Cramlington Eastfield	1
Cramlington North	1
Cramlington South East	1
Cramlington Village	1
Cramlington West	1
Croft	1
Druridge Bay	1
Haltwhistle	1
Hartley	1
Haydon	1
Haydon and Hadrian	1
Hexham Central with Acomb	1
Hexham East	1
Hexham West	1
Hirst	1
Holywell	1
Humshaugh	1
Isabella	1
Kitty Brewster	1
Longhorsley	1
Longhoughton	1
Lynemouth	1
Morpeth Kirkhill	1
Morpeth North	1
Morpeth Stobhill	1
Newbiggin Central and East	1
Newsham	1
Norham and Islandshires	1
Pegswood	1
Plessey	1
Ponteland East and Stannington	1
Ponteland North	1
Ponteland South with Heddon	1
Ponteland West	1
Prudhoe North	1
Prudhoe South	1
Rothbury	1
Seaton with Newbiggin West	1
Seghill with Seaton Delaval	1
Shilbottle	1
Sleekburn	1
South Blyth	1
South Tynedale	1
Stakeford	1
Stocksfield and Broomhaugh	1
Wensleydale	1
Wooler	1

EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order makes changes to the electoral arrangements for the county of Northumberland following recommendations made by the Boundary Committee for England. The area of the county 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 2013.
Article 3 abolishes the existing electoral divisions of the county and replaces them with 66 new ones. That article, the map and the Schedule also establish the names and areas of the new electoral divisions and the number of councillors for each electoral division.
Article 4 abolishes the existing wards of the parish of Ashington and replaces them with 6 new ones. That article and the map also establish the names and areas of the new wards and the number of councillors for each ward.
Article 5 abolishes the existing wards of the parish of Blyth and replaces them with 8 new ones. That article and the map also establish the names and areas of the new wards and the number of councillors for each ward.
Article 6 abolishes the existing wards of the parish of Choppington and replaces them with 4 new ones. That article and the map also establish the names and areas of the new wards and the number of councillors for each ward.
Article 7 abolishes the existing wards of the parish of Cramlington and replaces them with 6 ones. That article and the map also establish the names and areas of the new wards and the number of councillors for each ward.
Article 8 abolishes the existing wards of the parish of East Bedlington and replaces them with 2 new ones. That article and the map also establish the names and areas of the new wards and the number of councillors for each ward.
Article 9 establishes 2 wards for the parish of East Chevington. That article and the map also establish the names and areas of the new wards and the number of councillors for each ward.
Article 10 abolishes the existing wards of the parish of Hepscott and replaces them with 2 new ones. That article and the map also establish the names and areas of the new wards and the number of councillors for each ward.
Article 11 abolishes the existing wards of the parish of Hexham and replaces them with 3 new ones. That article and the map also establish the names and areas of the new wards and the number of councillors for each ward.
Article 12 abolishes the existing wards of the parish of Morpeth and replaces them with 3 new ones. That article and the map also establish the names and areas of the new wards and the number of councillors for each ward.
Article 13 abolishes the existing wards of the parish of Newbiggin by the Sea and replaces them with 2 new ones. That article and the map also establish the names and areas of the new wards and the number of councillors for each ward.
Article 14 abolishes the existing wards of the parish of Ponteland and replaces them with 4 new ones. That article and the map also establish the names and areas of the new wards and the number of councillors for each ward.
Article 15 abolishes the existing wards of the parish of Prudhoe and replaces them with 3 new ones. That article and the map also establish the names and areas of the new wards and the number of councillors for each ward.
Article 16 abolishes the existing wards of the parish of Seaton Valley and replaces them with 3 new ones. That article and the map also establish the names and areas of the new wards and the number of councillors for each ward.
Article 17 abolishes the existing wards of the parish of West Bedlington and replaces them with 3 new ones. That article and the map also establish the names and areas of the new wards and the number of councillors for each ward.
Article 18 establishes 2 wards for the parish of Widdrington Station and Stobswood. That article and the map also establish the names and areas of the new wards and the number of councillors for each ward.
The map defined in article 2 shows the new county electoral divisions and parish wards. It is available at www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/north-east/northumberland/northumberland-electoral-review and, at all reasonable times, at the offices of the council of the county of Northumberland and at the principal office of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England at Layden House, 76 – 86 Turnmill Street, London EC1M 5LG.