The Local Government Boundary Commission (LGBC) is reviewing Bedford’s council ward boundaries to make sure that councillors represent roughly the same number of electors.
The LGBC wants to hear what residents and local organisations think about the proposals and the consultation on the proposals will run until 5 July 2021.
Current wards in Bedford Borough Council can be viewed on this map (which contains Ordnance Survey data (c) Crown copyright and database rights 2021).
Following responses to its earlier consultation, the Commission has refined its initial proposals for changes to Bedford Borough Council.
Its initial proposal that there should be 46 councillors remains. However, it now proposes there should be 28 wards, rather than 29.
Refinements also include moving from 17 two-councillor and 12 single-councillor wards to three wards which each have three councillors, 12 wards with two councillors each, and 13 single-councillor wards.
Proposed changes
- Castle ward will now cover all of the Castle Road area
- Wixams and Wilstead will now be in the same ward, along with Stewartby and most of Elstow
“We want people in Bedford to help us,” said Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission.
“We have drawn up proposals for new wards in Bedford. We want to make sure these new electoral arrangements reflect communities.
“We also want them to be easy to understand and convenient for local people.
“Residents and local organisations can help us do that. We would like them to let us know whether they agree with our proposals before we take final decisions.”
The Commission has a dedicated section on its website where people can see the detail of the proposals and comment on the names of wards, their boundaries and the number of councillors per ward.
People can also give their views by e-mail at reviews@lgbce.org.uk, and by post to:
The Review Officer (Bedford)
LGBCE
PO Box 133
Blyth
NE24 9FE
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