Boundary changes 'deliver electoral equality for voters in Boston'

NEW electoral arrangements for Boston Borough Council have been published following a six-week public consultation.

The independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England's final recommendations propose that Boston should be represented by 30 councillors in the future, two fewer than under the current arrangements.

The recommendations also propose that those councillors should represent three three-member wards, nine two-member wards and three single-member wards across the borough.

Chair of the commission Max Caller said: "We are extremely grateful to the people of Boston who took the time and effort to send us their views.

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"Across the borough we have sought to balance the views expressed to us by local people with the criteria we must apply when we are deciding on new electoral arrangements.

"As such, we believe these recommendations deliver electoral equality for voters as well as reflecting the interests of communities across Boston."

The proposed new arrangements must now be implemented by Parliament.

Mr Caller added: "We were persuaded that our draft proposals would have divided the community of Skirbeck. We have therefore altered the recommendations so that St Nicholas School and St Nicholas Church are now included in a three-member Skirbeck ward.

"Similarly, we agree with the view expressed to us that the parish of Leverton shares strong community ties with the neighbouring parishes of Freiston, Butterwick and Benington. As such, we have included Leverton in a two-member Coastal ward which we believe reflects local community identities."

The recommendations also propose some minor modifications to boundaries and the names of wards to reflect the feedback received from local people and organisations.

A draft order will be laid in Parliament in the next few months.

Once approved, the new electoral arrangements will come into force at the borough council elections in 2015.