West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper is calling for Southport to form a new unitary authority with West Lancashire.
The Labour MP spoke after the Boundary Commission revealed its proposals for boundary changes yesterday which could see the Southport Parliamentary constituency joined by four new wards from the District of West Lancashire – currently in the South Ribble Parliamentary constituency – in Banks, Hesketh Bank, Tarleton and Rufford.
However, Southport would be split under the proposals with Ainsdale becoming part of Sefton Central.
The West Lancashire Parliamentary constituency however would not be affected.
Rosie Cooper MP said: “I am delighted that the West Lancashire constituency remains unchanged. Population numbers were always at or near the threshold, so I’m not surprised at this decision.
“More interesting is the inclusion of some West Lancashire Borough Council wards previously in South Ribble being moved to Southport, which I hope will help the argument that Southport should be part of a unitary authority that includes West Lancashire and not Preston.”
The Boundary Commission for England (BCE) yesterday (8th June) published its initial proposals for new constituency boundaries, with a view to ensuring that the number of electors in each constituency is more equal.
The proposals would see Southport increased to 10 wards, with the addition of: North Meols, Hesketh-with-Becconsall, Tarleton and Rufford Wards.
They would add to: Birkdale, Cambridge, Dukes, Kew, Meols and Norwood Wards.
In Sefton Central, the new wards would be:
Ainsdale, Blundellsands, Harington, Manor, Park, Ravenmeols and Sudell.
A consultation on the proposals runs until 2nd August 2021.
The public are now able to view and provide feedback on the proposed constituencies as part of an eight-week consultation process.
The 2023 Review of Parliamentary constituencies was formally launched in January this year. The Commission is required to ensure that the number of electors in each constituency is more equal; in doing so, the number of constituencies in England will increase from 533 to 543.
In the North West, the number of constituencies will decrease from 75 to 73
By law, every constituency proposed must contain between 69,724 and 77,062 Parliamentary electors (as at 2nd March 2020).
The Commission is undertaking an independent review of all constituency boundaries in England and will present final recommendations to Parliament by July 2023.
Publication of the initial proposals today is the first time people get to see what the map of new constituencies might look like.
The rules that the Commission works to are such that wide scale change is inevitable.
Under the proposals announced, just under 10% of the existing 533 English constituencies remain unchanged.
Members of the public are encouraged to visit www.bcereviews.org.uk to view maps showing the proposed new boundaries and provide feedback before the consultation closes on 2nd August 2021.
People can comment on anything from where the proposed new boundary lines are to the names of the constituencies.
There will be a further two rounds of consultation in 2022.
Following the conclusion of all three consultation periods, the Commission will look at all the evidence received and form its final recommendations.
Tim Bowden, Secretary to the Boundary Commission for England, said: “Today’s proposals mark the first time people get to see what the new map of Parliamentary constituencies might look like. But they are just the Commission’s initial thoughts.
“Help us draw the line to make the number of electors in each Parliamentary constituency more equal. Each constituency we recommend is required by law to contain between 69,724 and 77,062 electors, meaning there will be significant change to current boundaries.
“We want to hear the views of the public to ensure that we get the new boundaries for Parliamentary constituencies right.
“We consider all feedback received during the consultation process, and it is your local knowledge that helps us to shape constituencies that best reflect your local area. It is easy to get involved – view our proposals and have your say on our online consultation portal – www.bcereviews.org.uk.”
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
