2023 No. 1024
Local Government, England

The North Hertfordshire (Electoral Changes) Order 2023

Made
Coming into force in accordance with article 1(2), (3), (4) and (5)
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 May 20233 stating its recommendations for changes to the electoral arrangements for the district of North Hertfordshire. 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 since the day on which it was laid 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, commencement, extent and application 1.

(1)

This Order may be cited as the North Hertfordshire (Electoral Changes) Order 2023.

(2)

This article and article 2 come into force on the day after the day on which this Order is made.

(3)

Article 3 comes into force—

(a)

for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on the day after the day on which this Order is made;

(b)

for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England4 in 2024.

(4)

Article 4 comes into force—

(a)

for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on 15th October 2025;

(b)

for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2026.

(5)

Article 5 comes into force—

(a)

for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on 15th October 2026;

(b)

for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2027.

(6)

This Order extends to England and Wales but applies in relation to England only.

Interpretation 2.

(1)

In this Order, “the map” means the map marked “Map referred to in the North Hertfordshire (Electoral Changes) Order 2023”, held by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England5.

(2)

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 district of North Hertfordshire and number of councillors 3.

(1)

The existing wards of the district of North Hertfordshire are abolished.

(2)

The district of North Hertfordshire is divided into the 25 wards listed in the first column of the table in Schedule 1.

(3)

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

(4)

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

Parish wards of the parish of Royston and number of councillors 4.

(1)

The existing parish wards of the parish of Royston are abolished.

(2)

The parish of Royston is divided into the six parish wards listed in the first column of table 1 in Schedule 2.

(3)

Each parish ward comprises the area identified 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 parish ward in the second column of table 1 in Schedule 2.

Parish wards of the parish of Bygrave and number of councillors 5.

(1)

The existing parish wards of the parish of Bygrave are abolished.

(2)

The parish of Bygrave is divided into the two parish wards listed in the first column of table 2 in Schedule 2.

(3)

Each parish ward comprises the area identified 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 parish ward in the second column of table 2 in Schedule 2.

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

Jolyon Jackson
Chief Executive
Local Government Boundary Commission for England

SCHEDULE 1Wards of the district of North Hertfordshire and number of councillors

Article 3

Name of ward

Number of councillors

Arbury

1

Baldock East

2

Baldock West

3

Cadwell

1

Codicote & Kimpton

2

Ermine

1

Graveley, St Ippolyts & Wymondley

2

Great Ashby

2

Hitchin Bearton

3

Hitchin Highbury

2

Hitchin Oughton

2

Hitchin Priory

2

Hitchin Walsworth

3

Hitchwood

1

Knebworth

2

Letchworth Grange

2

Letchworth Norton

2

Letchworth South East

3

Letchworth South West

3

Letchworth Wilbury

2

Offa

2

Royston Heath

2

Royston Meridian

3

Royston Palace

2

Weston & Sandon

1

SCHEDULE 2Names of parish wards and numbers of councillors

Articles 4 and 5

Table 1Parish wards of the parish of Royston and number of councillors

Name of parish ward

Number of councillors

Royston Garden Lane

1

Royston Meridian

5

Royston Palace

4

Royston South

1

Royston West

3

Royston Willowside

1

Table 2Parish wards of the parish of Bygrave and number of councillors

Name of parish ward

Number of councillors

Bygrave East

4

Bygrave West

1

EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order makes changes to electoral arrangements for the district of North Hertfordshire following recommendations made by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England. The area of the district remains unchanged.

Article 3 abolishes the existing electoral wards of the district of North Hertfordshire and replaces them with 25 new ones for the purpose of elections held on or after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2024. It establishes the names and areas of the new electoral wards and the number of councillors for each.

Article 4 makes electoral changes in the parish of Royston. These changes to parish wards come into force for the purpose of parish elections in 2026. Table 1 of Schedule 2 contains the names of the new parish wards and the number of councillors for each.

Article 5 makes electoral changes in the parish of Bygrave. These changes to parish wards come into force for the purpose of parish elections in 2027. Table 2 of Schedule 2 contains the names of the new parish wards and the number of councillors for each.

The area covered by each ward created by this Order is identified on a map which is available for inspection at reasonable times at the offices of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, 1st Floor, Windsor House, 50 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0TL.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors is foreseen.