Local Government Boundary Review

A new pattern of wards is being developed for Fareham Borough Council.

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
• Reflect the electoral cycle so that each ward is represented by two councillors

Following a 10-week consultation on the proposed new pattern of wards between September and November 2022, the Local Government Boundary Commission considered all of the submissions received during the consultation and published its final recommendations  on 7 February 2023.

The Commission's final recommendations proposed that Fareham Borough Council should have 32 councillors, an increase of one.  Those 32 councillors should represent 16 two-councillor wards. None of the existing wards will remain the same and all will have different boundaries.

Proposed changes include:

• A new pattern of wards for Fareham town that accounts for the Welborne Garden Village development north of the M27 motorway
• The creation of two two-councillor wards for the Portchester area, resulting in the abolition of the current three-councillor Portchester East ward
• Changes to many of the existing ward names

After the publication of final recommendations, the Commission will turn them into law through the parliamentary process.  It will draft an order which seeks to implement the recommendations through a Statutory Instrument.  A draft order will be laid in both Houses of Parliament under the negative resolution procedure. Subject to the Parliamentary process, the Commission will make the order at the conclusion of the resolution procedure and it will be law.  Subject to parliamentary approval, the new warding arrangements will be implemented with effect from May 2024.

Please note that these proposals relate to the arrangements for local government elections. It is separate from consultations that are currently taking 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