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Have your say on a new political map for Vale of White Horse District Council

A new pattern of wards is being developed for Vale of White Horse.

The Local Government Boundary Commission has decided that the number of councillors in Vale of White Horse should be 38, the same as now. The Local Government Boundary Commission wants to hear what residents and organisations think about their local area. A ten week consultation inviting proposals will run until 22 March 2024*.

The Commission is the independent body that draws these boundaries. It is reviewing Vale of White Horse to make sure councillors represent about the same number of electors, and that ward arrangements help the council work effectively. It wants to be sure that its proposals reflect community ties and identities.

*please note the consultation period has now been extended beyond the original end date of 18 March.

The Commission is interested in:

  • views on which communities should be part of the same ward.
  • What facilities do people share, such as parks, leisure centres or schools and shopping areas?
  • What issues do neighbouring communities face that they have in common, such as high numbers of visitors or heavy traffic?
  • Have there been new housing or commercial developments that have changed the focus of communities?
  • And are there roads, rivers, railways or other features that people believe form strong boundaries between neighbourhoods?

The Commission will use local views to help it draw up proposals for new ward boundaries. There will be a further round of consultation once the Commission has drawn up those proposals.

People can give their views

Current wards in Vale of White Horse

A map of the Vale of White Horse showing the current district council ward boundaries. The is map is not in detail
Credit: contains Ordnance Survey data (c) Crown copyright and database rights 2023

A high resolution map is available on the Local Government Boundary Commission website.

Launching the consultation Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, said:

“We want people in Vale to help us.

“We are starting to draw up new wards for Vale of White Horse. We want our proposals for new electoral arrangements to reflect communities. We also want them to be easy to understand and convenient for local people.

“Residents and local organisations can help us understand community ties and identities at this early stage of the process.

“It’s easy to get involved. Go to our website. Or you can e-mail or write to us.

“Just tell us what you think and give us some details why you think that. It’s really simple, so do get involved.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

This consultation relates to the arrangements for local government elections. It is separate from consultations that have recently taken place across England on arrangements for parliamentary elections.

For further information, contact the Commission’s press office on 0330 500 1525 / 1250 or email press@lgbce.org.uk

An interactive map is available on the Commission website at: lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/vale-white-horse

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is an independent body accountable to Parliament. It recommends fair electoral and boundary arrangements for local authorities in England. In doing so, it aims to

  • Make sure that, within an authority, each councillor represents a similar number of electors
  • Create boundaries that are appropriate, and reflect community ties and identities
  • Deliver reviews informed by local needs, views and circumstances