Electoral Review of City Council

Leeds City Council’s response to the Local Government Boundary Commission’s draft recommendations

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Introduction

We introduce this submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission in response to their draft recommendations published on 15 November 2016 on behalf of the constituents of the that we, and our elected colleagues represent.

We are pleased to confirm that we are content with the Local Government Boundary Commission’s draft recommendations for North West Leeds, South West Leeds, Central Leeds, South East Leeds, North Leeds, East Leeds and North East Leeds and propose only 2 minor recommendations for West Leeds.

We believe the minor changes proposed maintain existing communities and settlements as much as possible so that they retain their identities and local cohesion. Once again ward Members have been invaluable in this process with their local knowledge of the wards and communities they represent. A working group of senior Members led on this important work, liaising with all Members.

It is our view that the minor changes proposed in this document accurately represent our communities and provide a better balance of the electorate across our wards, maintaining effective and convenient local government for everyone living in Leeds.

Signed Signed Signed Signed Signed

Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Judith Blake Andrew Carter Stewart Golton Robert Finnigan David Blackburn Leader of Leader of the Leader of the Leader of the Council & Opposition & Liberal MBI Group Leader of the Leader of the Leader of the Democrat Green Group Labour Group Conservative Group Group

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Appendix A: Proposals ‐ Minor changes

1. There are two ward boundaries in the West Leeds area which Members felt required amending slightly to better reflect the local areas they represent.

2. The boundaries concerned are:‐

/Bramley & Stanningley  Calverley & /

3. These changes will help ensure the boundaries better reflect community interests and identities.

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A1: Armley/Bramley & Stanningley

This proposal is to move part of existing polling district AMN into the Bramley and Stanningley Ward. The current arrangements sees AMN included in the Armley ward, however a large part of that polling district is fully within the area of Bramley and adjoins the Bramley Shopping Centre complex which is situated in the heart of Bramley. The map below shows the proposed revised boundary between Armley and Bramley Stanningley wards which involves splitting polling district AMN across the 2 wards. The new boundary would run between the houses on Eightlands Lane and Southend Avenue, round the back of the houses at the end of the South end Avenue cul‐de‐sac, behind the houses on Aston Crescent and up to the back of 41 Aston Drive then behind numbers 1‐15 Kings Approach and along the east side of Hill Top Commercial Centre.

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A2: Calverley & Farsley/Pudsey

This proposal is to move polling district CFH into Pudsey ward as shown on the map below.

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Appendix B: Conclusions

The proposals as detailed above have the following effect on electorate sizes per ward: ‐

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The above table clearly shows that the electoral inequality that triggered the Electoral Review has been addressed. The new pattern of wards will mean that each councillor represents approximately the same number of voters as elected Members elsewhere in Leeds. The proposed changes also ensure that communities retain their identity and are located within a common ward, ensuring community interests, identities and boundaries are identifiable. This will also ensure the electoral arrangements for Leeds continue to promote effective and convenient local government.

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