Boundary Review of West County Council

Draft proposals for Arun: July 2015

Arun District Proposal: It is considered that the current scheme in the Arun area works fairly well in both terms of electoral equality and in community focus. Minimum changes were therefore considered rather than a complete reworking of the area. Two proposals were discussed and agreed. A modification to the second proposal was discussed following comments from Town Council, seeking to reunite two polling districts with the rest of a town ward by moving them to Littlehampton East. The Panel supported this.

Divisions affected: & Wick, , West & , Littlehampton Town and Littlehampton East.

(a) Move a group of electors from Bersted division to Bognor Regis West & Aldwick division as the current Bersted division was too large. This could be achieved by moving the northern section of the district Marine Ward (BMARN) from Bersted to Bognor Regis West & Aldwick. As well as transferring 598 electors and improving the equality of electorate, this would also make the county division boundary co-terminus with the district boundary. (b) Move the polling division of BCORN from Arundel & Wick division and the neighbouring polling division of BELM from Littlehampton Town to Littlehampton East division – this would better balance the electoral numbers and provide better community interest for those living south of the A27. Although moving both polling districts brings Littlehampton Town to have an electorate that is slightly too small in 2021, it is considered that the community and co-terminosity benefits outweigh this. Littlehampton Town Council also points out that new building in Littlehampton Town is likely to prove to be greater than currently forecasted, so soon after 2021 the electoral equality is likely to improve.