The Boundary Commission has confirmed that it will carry out an Electoral Review of Sefton next year.
The investigation will determine how many councillors there should be, how many council wards and whether any should be made bigger, smaller or removed altogether.
Southport is currently proportionately disadvantaged, with five Southport wards in the top 8 of the most populous wards in Sefton. The Electoral Review could give the town greater political representation.
The last review took place 20 years ago and many changes in population shift have happened since.
It has led to a situation where Norwood Ward in Southport has 15,200 people for three councillors, after a 2% population increase in the decade 2010 to 2019, with Dukes Ward in Southport having 14,000 people following a 7% increase in a decade, according to latest Sefton Council figures.
There is a significant difference with the likes of Park Ward in Aintree with 11,500 people (4% decline) and Blundellsands in south Sefton with 11,300 people (0.4% decrease).
The changes will not be made on current numbers in wards, but on estimated numbers in 2029. This could particularly impact on areas such as Churchtown and Maghull, where hundreds of new homes are in the process of being built.
In her report to councillors, Sefton Council Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Service Cabinet Member Cllr Paulette Lappin said:
“The Boundary Commission for England has now confirmed that an electoral review of Sefton will take place starting in March 2023.
“It is nearly 20 years since our last review, which culminated in all-out elections in 2004.
“The outcome of the review will be the Commission recommending to government the number of councillors we have and the number and geographical make-up of the wards in the borough.
“The Commissioners will consider the warding arrangements in the borough based on the principles of equality of electors, community identity and the effectiveness and convenience of local government.
“Interestingly, unlike parliamentary reviews which are based on factual evidence from an earlier point in time, they will base their recommendations on the estimated borough population in 2029. The process will start in March 2023 with final recommendations going to government in April 2024 in time for all-out elections in 2026 (we have a fallow year in 2025).”
The Boundary Commissioners were due to brief all councillors on 15th September 2022 via a Teams meeting.
The Parliamentary Boundary Review is still scheduled to be completed in July 2023.
The next Parliamentary General Election must be called no later than December 2024.
Sefton Council Ward populations
(Plus percentage change over 2010-2019. Southport Wards in bold)
Norwood Ward: 15,200 people 2% increase
Dukes Ward: 14,000 people 7% increase
Victoria Ward: 13,500 people 2% increase
Linacre Ward: 13,300 people 9% increase
Kew Ward: 13,200 people 6% increase
Birkdale: 12,900 people 3% decrease
Ford Ward: 12,900 people 1% increase
Ainsdale: 12,800 people 6% increase
Netherton and Orrell Ward: 12,800 people minimal increase
Derby Ward: 12,600 people 1% increase
Manor Ward: 12,400 people 2% decrease
Sudell Ward: 12,400 people 3% decrease.
Cambridge Ward: 12,200 people 3% increase.
Meols Ward: 12,200 people 3% decrease
Molyneux Ward: 12,200 people l4% decrease
Ravenmeols Ward: 12,100 people l1% increase.
Church Ward: 12,000 people minimal change
Litherland Ward: 11,900 people 5% increase
St Oswald: 11,600 people NA
Harington Ward: 11,500 people 2% decrease
Park Ward: 11,500 people 4% decrease.
Blundellsands: 11,300 people 0.4% decrease
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