Local Government Boundary Commission consultation on councillor numbers

29th May 2014

The Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland commences its public consultation on councillor numbers as part of its Fifth Reviews of Electoral Arrangements.

Issued on behalf of The Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland

The Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland commences a 12 week period of public consultation today, on its proposals for the number of councillors on each council.

The Commission began its Fifth Reviews of Electoral Arrangements in February 2014, when it met with each individual council to discuss its recommendations for the number of councillors on each council.

The reviews will result in recommendations to Scottish Ministers for the number of councillors on each council and the number and boundaries of wards for the election of those councillors. They will not look at the external boundaries of council areas.

The last set of reviews was completed in 2006 following the introduction of multi-member wards for Scottish council elections. The number of councillors on each council was last reviewed shortly after the councils' establishment in 1996.

The reviews will look at each of Scotland's 32 local authorities.

The Commission has drawn up recommendations for the number of councillors on each council based on a methodology that, for the first time, takes into account levels of deprivation as well as population distribution. Using these factors, similar councils are grouped together for the purpose of determining councillor numbers.

In 2015 the Commission will consult with councils and the public on its proposals for the number and boundaries of wards.

When reviewing electoral arrangements the Commission is required to take account of the following factors:

the interests of effective and convenient local government;
within each council, each councillor should represent the same number of electors as nearly as may be
local ties which would be broken by making a particular boundary;
the desirability of fixing boundaries that are easily identifiable; and
special geographical considerations
http://www.lgbc-scotland.gov.uk/reviews/5th_electoral/

http://www.lgbc-scotland.gov.uk/reviews/5th_electoral/highland/

The Commission expects to make its recommendations to Scottish Ministers in 2016, and that the resulting wards will be available for the local government elections in May 2017.

Ronnie Hinds, Chair of the Commission, said: "There have been many changes in Scotland since our last reviews, and it is important that electoral arrangements for Scottish councils take account of those changes as part of ensuring effective local democracy. We have been encouraged by the discussions we have held with councils on these proposals and look forward to hearing the views of the public over the next 12 weeks"

Contact for Further Information: Dr Hugh Buchanan

Secretary to the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland

Tel: 0131 538 7510, Mobile: 07770 735056

Information on the review can also be found on the Commission's website www.lgbe-scotland.gov.uk