Final Recommendations on the Future Electoral Arrangements for East Hertfordshire

Home , Brent Pelham, Hertingfordbury, Meesden, Walkern, Wyddial

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND

FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE FUTURE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR EAST HERTFORDSHIRE

Report to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions

February 1998

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND

This report sets out the Commission’s final recommendations on the electoral arrangements for East Hertfordshire.

Members of the Commission are:

Professor Malcolm Grant (Chairman)

Helena Shovelton (Deputy Chairman)

Peter Brokenshire

Professor Michael Clarke

Robin Gray

Bob Scruton

David Thomas O.B.E

Adrian Stungo (Chief Executive)

The mapping in this report is reproduced from OS mapping by The Local Government Commission for England with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, © Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence Number: GD 03114G. ii LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND CONTENTS

page LETTER TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE v

SUMMARY vii

1 INTRODUCTION 1

2 CURRENT ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS 3

3 DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS 7

4 RESPONSES TO CONSULTATION 9

5 ANALYSIS AND FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS 11

6 NEXT STEPS 25

APPENDICES

A Final Recommendations for East Hertfordshire: Detailed Mapping 27

B Draft Recommendations for East Hertfordshire (August 1997) 35

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND iii iv LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND Local Government Commission for England

3 February 1998

Dear Secretary of State

On 10 December 1996 the Commission commenced a periodic electoral review of the district of East Hertfordshire under the Local Government Act 1992. We published our draft recommendations in August 1997 and undertook a nine-week period of consultation.

We have now prepared our final recommendations in the light of the consultation. We have for the most part confirmed our draft recommendations, with the exception of minor boundary changes between four wards in Bishop’s Stortford, between two wards in Hertford and two ward name changes elsewhere (see paragraph 77). This report sets out our final recommendations for changes to electoral arrangements in East Hertfordshire.

We recommend that East Hertfordshire District Council should continue to be served by 50 councillors, representing 30 wards, and that some changes should be made to ward boundaries in order to improve electoral equality, having regard to the statutory criteria. We recommend that the Council should continue to be elected together every four years.

I would like to thank members and officers of the District Council and other local people who have contributed to the review. Their co-operation and assistance have been very much appreciated by Commissioners and staff.

Yours sincerely

PROFESSOR MALCOLM GRANT Chairman

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND v vi LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND SUMMARY

The Commission began a review of East ● By 2001 the number of electors per Hertfordshire on 10 December 1996. We councillor is projected to vary by no more published our draft recommendations for electoral than 10 per cent from the average in 27 arrangements on 13 August 1997, after which we wards, with none of the wards varying by undertook a nine-week period of consultation. more than 20 per cent.

● This report summarises the representations Recommendations are also made for changes to we received during consultation on our draft parish and town council electoral arrangements. recommendations, and offers our final They provide for: recommendations to the Secretary of State. ● new warding arrangements for the towns of We found that the existing electoral arrangements Bishop’s Stortford, Hertford and Ware, and provide unequal representation of electors in East the parishes of Standon, Stanstead St Hertfordshire because: Margarets, Tewin and Thorley.

● in 23 of the 30 wards, the number of electors represented by each councillor varies All further correspondence on these by more than 10 per cent from the average recommendations and the matters discussed for the district; in this report should be addressed to the Secretary of State for the Environment, ● in 17 wards, the number varies by more than Transport and the Regions, who will 20 per cent, with four wards varying by not make an order implementing the more than 40 per cent; Commission’s recommendations before ● this electoral imbalance is not expected to 17 March 1998: improve by 2001. The Secretary of State Our main final recommendations for future Local Government Review electoral arrangements (Figure 1) are that: Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions ● East Hertfordshire District Council should Eland House continue to be served by 50 councillors; Bressenden Place ● there should continue to be 30 wards; London SW1E 5DU ● the boundaries of 26 wards should be modified, while four wards should retain their existing boundaries; ● elections should continue to take place every four years.

These recommendations seek to ensure that the number of electors represented by each district councillor is as nearly as possible the same, having regard to local circumstances.

● In 22 of the 30 wards the number of electors per councillor would vary by no more than 10 per cent from the district average.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND vii Figure 1: The Commission’s Final Recommendations: Summary

Ward name Number of Constituent areas Map reference councillors

1 Bishop’s Stortford 3 Central ward (part); Parsonage ward Map 2 and All Saints large map

2 Bishop’s Stortford 3 Central ward (part); Thorley ward (part) Map 2 and Central large map

3 Bishop’s Stortford 2 Central ward (part); Chantry ward (part) Map 2 and Meads large map

4 Bishop’s Stortford 2 Central ward (part); Chantry ward (part) Map 2 and Silverleys large map

5 Bishop’s Stortford 3 Central ward (part); Much Hadham ward Map 2 and South (part – the proposed Thorley Urban parish large map ward of Thorley parish); Thorley ward (part)

6 Braughing 1 Braughing ward (the parishes of Braughing Map 2 and Hormead); Buntingford ward (part – the parishes of Anstey, Brent Pelham and Meesden)

7 Buntingford 2 Buntingford ward (the parishes of Map 2 Buntingford and Wyddial); Cottered ward (part – the parish of Buckland)

8 Datchworth & 1 Datchworth ward (the parish of Map 2 Aston Datchworth); Walkern ward (part – the parish of Aston)

9 Great Amwell 1 Great Amwell ward (the parish of Great Map 2 Amwell); Stanstead ward (part – the proposed Stanstead St Margarets West parish ward of Stanstead St Margarets parish)

10 Hertford Bengeo 3 Bengeo ward; Castle ward (part); Maps 2 and A2 Kingsmead ward (part); Sele ward (part)

11 Hertford Castle 3 Castle ward (part); Kingsmead ward (part) Maps 2 and A2

12 Hertford Heath 1 Little Amwell ward (part – the parishes of Map 2 Brickendon Liberty and Hertford Heath)

13 Hertford Kingsmead 2 Kingsmead ward (part) Maps 2 and A2

14 Hertford Rural 1 Stapleford ward (the parishes of Bengeo Map 2 North Rural, Bramfield, Sacombe and Stapleford); Tewin ward (part – the proposed Tewin North parish ward of Tewin parish)

viii LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND Figure 1 (continued): The Commission’s Final Recommendations: Summary

Ward name Number of Constituent areas Map reference councillors

15 Hertford Rural 1 Little Amwell ward (part – the parishes of Map 2 South Bayford and Little Berkhamstead); Tewin ward (part – the parish of Hertingfordbury and the proposed Tewin South parish ward of Tewin parish)

16 Hertford Sele 2 Castle ward (part); Sele ward (part) Maps 2 and A2

17 Hunsdon 1 Hunsdon ward (the parishes of Eastwick, Map 2 Gilston, Hunsdon and Widford, and Eastern parish ward of Wareside parish); Ware St Mary’s ward (part – Western parish ward of Wareside parish)

18 Little Hadham 1 Unchanged (the parishes of Albury, Map 2 Furneux Pelham, Little Hadham and Stocking Pelham)

19 Much Hadham 1 Much Hadham ward (part – the parishes of Map 2 and High Wych and Much Hadham, and the large map proposed Thorley Rural parish ward of Thorley parish)

20 Puckeridge 1 Standon St Mary ward (part – the proposed Map 2 Puckeridge parish ward of Standon parish)

21 Sawbridgeworth 3 Unchanged (the parish of Sawbridgeworth) Map 2

22 Stanstead Abbots 1 Stanstead ward (part – the parish of Map 2 Stanstead Abbots and the proposed Stanstead St Margarets East parish ward of Stanstead St Margarets parish)

23 The Mundens 1 Cottered ward (part – the parishes of Map 2 Aspenden, Cottered and Westmill); Munden ward (the parishes of Great Munden and Little Munden)

24 Thundridge & 1 Standon St Mary ward (part – the Map 2 Standon modified Standon parish ward of Standon parish); Thundridge ward (the parish of Thundridge and Colliers End parish ward of Standon parish)

25 Walkern 1 Cottered ward (part – the parish of Ardeley); Map 2 Walkern ward (part – the parishes of Benington and Walkern)

26 Ware Chadwell 1 Priory ward (part) Maps 2 and A6

continued overlraf

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ix Figure 1 (continued): The Commission’s Final Recommendations: Summary

Ward name Number of Constituent areas Map reference councillors

27 Ware Christchurch 2 Unchanged (Christchurch ward) Map 2

28 Ware St Mary’s 2 St Mary’s ward (part); Priory ward (part) Maps 2 and A6

29 Ware Trinity 2 St Mary’s ward (part); Trinity ward Maps 2 and A6

30 Watton-at-Stone 1 Unchanged (the parish of Watton-at-Stone) Map 2

x LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND 1. INTRODUCTION

1 This report contains our final recommendations 5 Stage Three began on 13 August 1997 with the on the electoral arrangements for the district of publication of our report, Draft Recommendations East Hertfordshire. We have now reviewed all the on the Future Electoral Arrangements for East districts in Hertfordshire as part of our programme Hertfordshire, and ended on 14 October 1997. of periodic electoral reviews of all principal local Comments were sought on our preliminary authority areas in England. conclusions. Finally, during Stage Four we reconsidered our draft recommendations in the 2 In undertaking these reviews, we must have light of the Stage Three consultation and now regard to: publish our final recommendations.

● the statutory criteria contained in section 13(5) of the Local Government Act 1992; ● the Rules to be Observed in Considering Electoral Arrangements contained in Schedule 11 to the Local Government Act 1972.

3 We have also had regard to our Guidance and Procedural Advice for Local Authorities and Other Interested Parties (published in March 1996 and supplemented in September 1996), which sets out our approach to the reviews.

4 This review was in four stages. Stage One began on 10 December 1996, when we wrote to East Hertfordshire District Council inviting proposals for future electoral arrangements. Our letter was copied to Hertfordshire County Council, the Hertfordshire Police Authority, the local authority associations, the Hertfordshire Association of Local Councils, parish and town councils in the district, Members of Parliament and the Member of the European Parliament with constituency interests in the district, and the headquarters of the main political parties. At the start of the review and following publication of our draft recommendations, we published a notice in the local press, issued a press release and invited the District Council to publicise the review more widely. The closing date for receipt of representations was 10 March 1997. At Stage Two we considered all the representations received during Stage One and prepared our draft recommendations.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND 1 2 LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND 2. CURRENT ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS

6 East Hertfordshire district contains five town 10 In our report following our review of local councils, 42 parish councils and two parish government structure in the counties, Final meetings. It covers 184 square miles (around Recommendations on the Future Local Government of 48,000 hectares) and its principal towns are Hertfordshire: A Report to the Secretary of State for the Bishop’s Stortford (some 22,900 electors), Environment (January 1995), we proposed Hertford (some 18,200 electors) and Ware (some modifications to the District Council’s electoral 13,200 electors). arrangements in order to secure reasonable levels of electoral equality. These proposals were accepted by 7 East Hertfordshire District Council has 50 the Secretary of State, but an order was not made councillors elected from 30 wards (Map 1 and due to the Hertfordshire districts being included in Figure 2). Six wards are each represented by three our programme of periodic electoral reviews, councillors, eight wards elect two councillors each, which we published in March 1996. while the remaining 16 wards elect a single councillor each. The whole Council is elected together every four years, with the next elections due in May 1999. The electorate of the district is 93,466 (February 1996) and each councillor represents an average of 1,869 electors. The District Council forecasts that the electorate will increase by around seven per cent to 99,873 by the year 2001, which would increase the average number of electors per councillor to 1,997 (Figure 2).

8 To compare levels of electoral inequality between wards, the extent to which the number of electors per councillor in each ward (the councillor:elector ratio) varies from the average for the district in percentage terms, has been calculated. In the report, this calculation may also be described as ‘electoral variance’.

9 Since the last periodic electoral review was completed in 1976 by our predecessor, the Local Government Boundary Commission (LGBC), changes in population and electorate have been unevenly spread across the district. As a result, in 23 of the 30 wards the number of electors per councillor varies by more than 10 per cent from the district average, and in four wards it varies by more than 40 per cent. The most significant electoral imbalance is in Bishop’s Stortford Thorley ward, where the two councillors represent an average of 2,786 electors each, 49 per cent more electors than the district average of 1,869.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND 3 Map 1: Existing Wards in East Hertfordshire

4 LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND Figure 2: Existing Electoral Arrangements

Ward name Number Electorate Number Variance Electorate Number Variance of (1996) of electors from (2001) of electors from councillors per councillor average per councillor average %%

1 Bishop’s Stortford 3 6,808 2,269 21 7,847 2,616 31 Central

2 Bishop’s Stortford 3 6,433 2,144 15 7,320 2,440 22 Chantry

3 Bishop’s Stortford 3 4,101 1,367 -27 4,160 1,387 -31 Parsonage

4 Bishop’s Stortford 2 5,572 2,786 49 6,763 3,382 69 Thorley

5 Braughing 1 1,442 1,442 -23 1,452 1,452 -27

6 Buntingford 2 4,060 2,030 9 4,332 2,166 8

7 Cottered 1 1,430 1,430 -24 1,459 1,459 -27

8 Datchworth 1 1,216 1,216 -35 1,216 1,216 -39

9 Great Amwell 1 1,594 1,594 -15 1,594 1,594 -20

10 Hertford Bengeo 3 4,942 1,647 -12 5,290 1,763 -12

11 Hertford Castle 3 5,745 1,915 2 5,994 1,998 0

12 Hertford Kingsmead 2 4,828 2,414 29 5,550 2,775 39

13 Hertford Sele 2 2,758 1,379 -26 2,847 1,424 -29

14 Hunsdon 1 2,047 2,047 10 2,067 2,067 3

15 Little Amwell 1 2,769 2,769 48 2,790 2,790 40

16 Little Hadham 1 1,676 1,676 -10 1,722 1,722 -14

17 Much Hadham 1 2,352 2,352 26 2,593 2,593 30

18 Munden 1 992 992 -47 992 992 -50

19 Sawbridgeworth 3 6,392 2,131 14 6,571 2,190 10

20 Standon St Mary 1 2,628 2,628 41 2,997 2,997 50

21 Stanstead 1 2,446 2,446 31 2,516 2,516 26

22 Stapleford 1 1,270 1,270 -32 1,291 1,291 -35

continued overleaf

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND 5 Figure 2 (continued): Existing Electoral Arrangements

Ward name Number Electorate Number Variance Electorate Number Variance of (1996) of electors from (2001) of electors from councillors per councillor average per councillor average %%

23 Tewin 1 1,684 1,684 -10 1,699 1,699 -15

24 Thundridge 1 1,236 1,236 -34 1,255 1,255 -37

25 Walkern 1 2,395 2,395 28 2,410 2,410 21

26 Ware Christchurch 2 3,578 1,789 -4 3,785 1,893 -5

27 Ware Priory 2 3,120 1,560 -17 3,120 1,560 -22

28 Ware St Mary’s 2 3,559 1,780 -5 3,578 1,789 -10

29 Ware Trinity 2 2,724 1,362 -27 2,724 1,362 -32

30 Watton-at-Stone 1 1,669 1,669 -11 1,939 1,939 -3

Totals 50 93,466 --99,873 --

Averages -- 1,869 -- 1,997 -

Source: Electorate figures are based on East Hertfordshire District Council’s submission. Note: The ‘variance from average’ column shows by how far, in percentage terms, the number of electors per councillor varies from the average for the district. The minus symbol (-) denotes a lower than average number of electors. For example, in 1996, electors in Munden ward were relatively over-represented by 47 per cent, while electors in Bishop’s Stortford Thorley ward were relatively under-represented by 49 per cent. Figures have been rounded to the nearest whole number.

6 LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND 3. DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS

11 During Stage One we received representations more than 10 per cent from the district average. from East Hertfordshire District Council, the This electoral equality was expected to improve parish councils of Hertingfordbury, Little further during the period to 2001, by which time Berkhamstead, Stanstead Abbots and Tewin, the only three wards were expected to vary by more North East Hertfordshire Constituency Labour than 10 per cent. Party and a parish councillor. In the light of these representations and the evidence available to us, we reached preliminary conclusions which were set out in the report, Draft Recommendations on the Future Electoral Arrangements for East Hertfordshire. We proposed:

(a) that East Hertfordshire District Council should continue to be served by 50 councillors representing 30 wards;

(b) that the boundaries of 26 wards should be modified;

(d) that Bishop’s Stortford should be represented by two additional district councillors, bringing the total to 13; that Ware should be represented by one fewer district councillor, bringing the total to seven; and that Hertford should continue to be served by 10 district councillors; and

(e) that the parishes of Stanstead St Margarets, Tewin and Thorley should be warded to create two parish wards in each, and that Standon parish should be further warded to create a third parish ward.

Draft Recommendation East Hertfordshire District Council should comprise 50 councillors, serving 30 wards. The whole Council should continue to be elected together every four years.

12 Our proposals reflected the majority of the District Council’s Stage One proposals and would have resulted in a significant improvement to electoral equality, with the number of electors per councillor in 23 of the 30 wards varying by no

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND 7 8 LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND 4. RESPONSES TO CONSULTATION

13 During the consultation on our draft recommendations report, 25 representations were received. A list of all respondents is available on request from the Commission. East Hertfordshire District Council

14 The Council “broadly welcomed” our draft recommendations, with the exception of two district ward names and one parish ward name. It preferred Bishop’s Stortford South and Ware Priory district wards to be renamed Bishop’s Stortford

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND 9 Parish and Town Councils Other Representations

20 During Stage Three, representations were 23 We received a further three representations in received from four town councils and twelve parish response to our draft recommendations. Councillor councils. Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Gilbert, the Leader of the Conservative Group on proposed slight modifications to three of our five Bishop’s Stortford Town Council, opposed the proposed wards in the town and alternative Town Council’s preference that our proposed arrangements for the number of councillors serving Meads and Silverleys wards each be served by three the Town Council. Hertford and Sawbridgeworth town councillors. Councillor Hargreaves, the town councils supported our draft proposals for district councillor for Little Amwell ward, their respective towns. Ware Town Council preferred for the parishes of Bayford, Brickendon expressed its support for our draft proposals, with Liberty and Little Berkhamstead to remain the exception of preferring Ware Priory ward together in the same district ward, in order to instead to be named Ware Chadwell. reflect local community interests. He also supported the continuation of whole-council 21 Of the twelve parish councils which responded elections. Councillor Hodson-Smith, the district during Stage Three, those of Brent Pelham & councillor for the present Datchworth ward, Meesden, Brickendon Liberty, Datchworth and supported our proposed Aston and Datchworth Watton-at-Stone supported our draft proposals. ward, including the proposed ward name. Ardeley Parish Council opposed our proposal to include the parish in a district ward with Benington and Walkern parishes, preferring instead that no change be made to its existing ward. It added that if change were necessary, then it should be included in a ward with the neighbouring parish of Cottered. Walkern Parish Council preferred to remain in its present district ward with the parishes of Aston and Benington, rather than be placed in a new ward with Ardeley and Benington. Aston Parish Council also proposed the retention of the current Walkern ward. Bayford and Little Berkhamstead parish councils both preferred to remain in the same district ward as the parish of Brickendon Liberty.

22 Hertingfordbury Parish Council reiterated its Stage One request for an area known as Hertingfordbury village, presently in the parish of Hertford, to be placed in the same district ward as Hertingfordbury parish, arguing that the areas share close historical and geographical ties. Tewin Parish Council reiterated its opposition to the proposal for the parish to be split into two parish wards. Thorley Parish Council expressed its preference for no change to be made to its existing district ward, although it “reluctantly” supported our draft recommendation to split the parish into two parish wards. It supported our proposal for the southern district ward of Bishop’s Stortford town to be named Bishop’s Stortford South ward, rather than Bishop’s Stortford Thorley ward as at present, and also supported our proposal that the northern parish ward of the parish be named Thorley Urban.

10 LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND 5. ANALYSIS AND FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS

24 As indicated previously, our prime objective in Electorate Forecasts considering the most appropriate electoral arrangements for East Hertfordshire is to achieve 28 During Stage One, the District Council electoral equality, having regard to the statutory submitted electorate forecasts for the period 1996 criteria set out in the Local Government Act 1992 to 2001, projecting an increase in the electorate of and Schedule 11 to the Local Government Act around seven per cent over the five-year period, 1972, which refers to the ratio of electors to from 93,466 to 99,873. The Council estimated councillors being “as nearly as may be, the same in rates and locations of housing development with every ward of the district or borough”. regard to structure and local plans, the expected rate of building over the five-year period and 25 However, our function is not merely arithmetical. assumed occupancy rates. Advice has been First, our recommendations are not intended to be obtained from the District Council on the likely based solely on existing electorate figures, but also on effect on electorates of ward boundary changes. In assumptions as to changes in the number and our draft recommendations report we accepted distribution of local government electors likely to that this is an inexact science and, having given take place within the ensuing five years. Second, we consideration to projected electorates, were must have regard to the desirability of fixing content that they represented the best estimates identifiable boundaries, and to maintaining local ties that could reasonably be made at the time. which might otherwise be broken. Third, we must consider the need to secure effective and convenient 29 We received no comments on the Council’s local government, and reflect the interests and electorate projections during Stage Three, and identities of local communities. remain satisfied that they provide the best estimates presently available. 26 It is therefore impractical to design an electoral scheme which provides for exactly the same number of electors per councillor in every ward of Council Size an authority. There must be a degree of flexibility. However, our approach, in the context of the 30 Our March 1996 Guidance indicated that we statutory criteria, is that such flexibility must be would normally expect the number of councillors kept to a minimum. serving a borough or district council to be in the range of 30 to 60. 27 In our March 1996 Guidance, we expressed the view that “proposals for changes in electoral 31 East Hertfordshire District Council is at arrangements should therefore be based on variations present served by 50 councillors. The Council in each ward of no more than plus or minus 10 per proposed no change to the council size during cent from the average councillor:elector ratio for the Stage One. However, Tewin Parish Council authority, having regard to five-year forecasts of proposed a decrease in council size from 50 to 44 changes in electorates. Imbalances in excess of plus or members but we did not regard such a decrease as minus 20 per cent may be acceptable, but only in being in the interest of the district as a whole. In highly exceptional circumstances ... and will have to our draft recommendations report we considered be justified in full”. However, as emphasised in our the size and distribution of the electorate, the September 1996 supplement to the Guidance, while geography and other characteristics of the area, we accept that absolute equality of representation is together with the representations received. We likely to be unattainable, we consider that, if concluded that the statutory criteria and the electoral imbalances are to be kept to the minimum, achievement of electoral equality would best be such equality should be the starting point in any met by retaining a council size of 50 members. In electoral review. its Stage Three submission, the District Council

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND 11 reiterated its support for a 50-member council size, were predominantly the same as those we and we have not received sufficient evidence to recommended to the Secretary of State in January persuade us to move away from this view. 1995, and broadly reflected the proposals submitted by the District Council during Stage One of the Electoral Arrangements current review.

35 Under our proposals, the number of electors 32 Having considered all representations received per councillor in each of the proposed three- during Stage Three of the review, we have re- member wards of Bishop’s Stortford All Saints, examined our draft recommendations. The Bishop’s Stortford Central and Bishop’s Stortford following areas, based on existing wards, are South would be 5 per cent, 4 per cent and 12 per considered in turn: cent below the district average respectively (10 per cent below, 8 per cent above and 6 per cent above (a) Bishop’s Stortford (four wards); by 2001). The number of electors per councillor in (b) Hertford (four wards); the proposed two-member Bishop’s Stortford Meads and Bishop’s Stortford Silverleys wards (c) Ware (four wards); would be 6 per cent above and 9 per cent below the (d) the wards of Braughing, Buntingford, Cottered district average respectively (1 per cent below and and Munden; 7 per cent above by 2001).

(e) the wards of Little Hadham, Much Hadham and Sawbridgeworth; 36 During Stage Three, we received representations relating to Bishop’s Stortford from the District (f) the wards of Great Amwell, Hunsdon, Standon Council, the Hertford & Stortford Conservative St Mary, Stanstead and Thundridge; Association, the Hertford & Stortford Constituency

(g) the wards of Little Amwell, Stapleford and Labour Party (Bishop’s Stortford & Tewin; Sawbridgeworth Branch), Bishop’s Stortford Town Council, Thorley Parish Council and Councillor (h) the wards of Datchworth, Walkern and Watton- Gilbert. The District Council supported all our draft at-Stone. proposals for the town, with the exception of proposing that Bishop’s Stortford South ward be Bishop’s Stortford (four wards) renamed Bishop’s Stortford Thorley and that the new Thorley Urban parish ward be renamed 33 Currently, Bishop’s Stortford town is split into Thorley St James. The Hertford & Stortford four wards: Bishop’s Stortford Central, Bishop’s Conservative Association supported our proposals Stortford Chantry and Bishop’s Stortford Parsonage for the town in their entirety. However, the Hertford wards each return three councillors and Bishop’s & Stortford Constituency Labour Party and the Stortford Thorley ward returns two councillors. The Town Council both opposed parts of our proposed town is significantly under-represented overall, with boundaries for the Central, Meads and Silverleys the number of electors per councillor in the four wards. Both organisations also proposed a different wards being 21 per cent above, 15 per cent above, number of town councillors to be returned from two 27 per cent below and 49 per cent above the district of the five proposed wards. average respectively (31 per cent, 22 per cent, 31 per cent and 69 per cent by 2001). Assuming an overall 37 Thorley Parish Council “with reluctance” council size of 50, the town merits 12 councillors on supported our proposal to split the parish into the basis of the 1996 electorate and 13 under the Urban and Rural parish wards, including placing 2001 projected electorate. the Urban parish ward with Bishop’s Stortford South district council ward. It also supported the 34 Under our draft recommendations, we proposed name of Bishop’s Stortford South for the that the town be split into five new wards and be southernmost district ward in the town. It stated served by two additional district councillors, bringing that the use of the name ‘Thorley’ for this ward, as the total to 13. We also proposed that Thorley parish, proposed by the District Council, “would give a which lies to the south of the town, be split into two very confusing message to both parish and town parish wards in order to include a number of ‘urban’ electorates”. The parish council also opposed the electors in our proposed Bishop’s Stortford South District Council’s proposal that the ‘urban’ parish ward. Our proposals affecting the centre of the town ward be renamed Thorley St James. Councillor

12 LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND Gilbert, a district councillor for the existing 42 We concur with the proposals regarding ward Bishop’s Stortford Chantry ward, supported our names put forward by Thorley Parish Council. We draft recommendations relating to the number of recognise that the use of the name ‘Thorley’ for the town councillors to be returned from each of the southern district ward of Bishop’s Stortford, as town’s proposed district council wards. proposed by the District Council, may be confusing given the use of the same name in 38 The Hertford & Stortford Constituency Labour neighbouring parish wards in Thorley parish. Party (Bishop’s Stortford & Sawbridgeworth Branch) and the Town Council proposed identical 43 Under our final recommendations, the number boundary modifications to Central, Meads and of electors per councillor in the Bishop’s Stortford Silverleys wards. They proposed that 193 electors wards of All Saints, Central, Meads, Silverleys and South would be 5 per cent below the average, equal in the area on the western side of Potter Street to the average, 6 per cent above, 14 per cent below should remain in a revised Central ward, rather and 12 per cent below the district average than be transferred into Meads ward. In addition, respectively (10 per cent, 9 per cent, 1 per cent, 3 they proposed that 180 electors in the area on the per cent and 7 per cent from the average by 2001). northern side of High Street be transferred from our proposed Silverleys ward into Meads ward. 44 The final recommendations, in our view, secure Both respondents argued that such modifications improved electoral equality for the town, while to our draft proposals would better reflect local reflecting community identities as far as is community interests. practicable and creating clear boundaries. Details of our final recommendations for Bishop’s Stortford 39 These modifications to our draft proposals are shown in more detail on the large map inserted appear to have a good degree of local support. at the back of this report. Given this, and the fact that the projected level of electoral equality in the Bishop’s Stortford Hertford (four wards) Silverleys ward would improve under these proposals (to a variance of just 3 per cent in 2001), 45 Currently Hertford is split into two three- we are accepting these modifications to our member wards: Hertford Bengeo and Hertford draft proposals. Castle; and two two-member wards: Hertford Kingsmead and Hertford Sele. The number of 40 We were concerned that these proposals might electors per councillor in the four wards is 12 per result in an unacceptable level of electoral equality cent below, 2 per cent above, 29 per cent above and in the revised Central ward. However, in order to 26 per cent below the district average respectively both rectify a boundary anomaly which has come (12 per cent, equal to the average, 39 per cent and to our attention in the western part of the town 29 per cent by 2001). Assuming a council size of and also improve electoral equality, we propose a 50 councillors, the town merits its 10 existing members, but modifications to ward boundaries boundary modification between the proposed are necessary in order to secure reasonable levels of Central and South wards. electoral equality throughout the town.

41 In the Drover’s Way area in the west of the 46 During Stage One, the District Council put town, the existing ward boundary currently passes forward two alternative options for the town. through recently built houses on Millers Close, The ‘Option A’ modified the boundaries of all four Carpenters and Blacksmith Close. In view of this, wards, and also involved a reduction of one in the we propose a modification to the boundary in number of councillors serving Bengeo ward and an order to reflect the housing development which is additional (third) councillor serving Kingsmead now complete in the area (and other developments ward. ‘Option B’ also modified the boundaries of underway nearby) whilst aiming to ensure that the all four wards, but would retain the current boundary follows clearly identifiable ground distribution of councillors. We adopted the features. Our proposals would involve 86 electors, Council’s ‘Option B’ as our draft recommendations, on the five-year projected electorate forecast, being with the exception of a minor boundary transferred from our proposed Central ward into modification between Hertford Bengeo and our proposed Bishop’s Stortford South ward. Hertford Sele wards. Under our proposals, the

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND 13 number of electors per councillor in the four Ware (four wards) revised wards of Hertford Bengeo, Hertford Castle, Hertford Kingsmead and Hertford Sele would be 6 49 Currently the town of Ware is split into four two- per cent below, 1 per cent above, 10 per cent below member wards: Ware Christchurch, Ware Priory, and 7 per cent above the district average Ware St Mary’s and Ware Trinity. The number of respectively, with all four wards being within 5 per electors per councillor in each of the four wards is 4 cent of the average by 2001. per cent, 17 per cent, 5 per cent and 27 per cent below the district average respectively (5 per cent, 22 47 During Stage Three, the District Council, the per cent, 10 per cent and 32 per cent by 2001). Hertford & Stortford Constituency Labour Party Given a 50-member council size overall, the town (Hertford Branch) and Hertford Town Council all merits seven councillors – one fewer than at present. supported our draft proposals. However, the Hertford & Stortford Conservative Association 50 Our draft proposals reflected the District proposed that Hertford be split into four different Council’s Stage One submission, which involved a wards: Hertford Bengeo, Hertford Castle and reduction in the number of councillors serving the Hertford Kingsmead each being represented by town by one and the boundaries of three of the three members and Hertford Sele ward being existing four wards being modified, with Ware Christchurch ward remaining unchanged. We also represented by a single councillor. The Association’s proposed that the Western parish ward of Wareside scheme was based solely on February 1997 parish be transferred from Ware St Mary’s district electorate figures and the number of electors per ward into Hunsdon district ward. Under our councillor in its proposed wards would be 6 per cent proposals, the number of electors per councillor in below, 10 per cent above, 3 per cent below and 12 the two-member Ware Christchurch, Ware St Mary’s per cent above the district average respectively. and Ware Trinity wards and single-member Ware Priory ward would be 4 per cent below, 7 per cent 48 The Conservative Association argued that its above, 4 per cent below and 2 per cent below the proposals presented the “simplest solution” to the district average respectively (5 per cent, equal to the existing levels of electoral inequality, as relatively few average, 10 per cent and 8 per cent by 2001). electors would be affected by changes. However,

given that our draft recommendation provide better 51 During Stage Three, the Hertford & Stortford levels of electoral equality, and continue the present Conservative Association supported our proposals system of multi-member wards, and given that we for the town. The District Council and the Town have received a reasonable degree of support for Council supported our boundary modifications in them, we have decided in principle to confirm them the town, but each proposed that Ware Priory ward as final. However, we do propose a minor boundary should be renamed Ware Chadwell, as this would modification to our proposals between Hertford better reflect local community identities. Bengeo and Hertford Castle wards, to establish a more identifiable boundary. Our proposed 52 Given the reasonable levels of equality which boundaries are illustrated on Map A2 at Appendix A. our proposals provide, and the degree of local Figure 3: The Wards of Braughing, Buntingford, Cottered and Munden

Present ward Number of Constituent parishes Electoral variance (%) councillors 1996 2001

Braughing 1 Braughing and Hormead -23 -27

Buntingford 2 Anstey, Brent Pelham, Buntingford, Meesden and Wyddial 9 8

Cottered 1 Ardeley, Aspenden, Buckland, Cottered and Westmill -24 -27

Munden 1 Great Munden and Little Munden -47 -50

14 LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND support which they received, we have decided to 57 We have examined the alternative proposals put confirm them as final with the exception of Ware forward to us from the North East Hertfordshire Priory ward being renamed Ware Chadwell. Details Conservative Association and the North East of our proposed boundaries in the town are Hertfordshire Constituency Labour Party but illustrated on Map A6 at Appendix A. conclude that the adverse effect these proposals would have on the electoral equality in the area The wards of Braughing, Buntingford, would not be outweighed by the community Cottered and Munden identity arguments. For example, the Conservative Association’s proposal to transfer the parish of 53 The electoral variances, number of councillors Brent Pelham to a revised Little Hadham ward and constituent parishes in the existing Braughing, would improve electoral equality in that ward but Buntingford, Cottered and Munden wards are would worsen it in our proposed Braughing ward. detailed in Figure 3. Additionally, it would place the parishes of Brent Pelham and Meesden, which comprise a single

54 As part of our draft recommendations, we parish council, in separate wards. The Labour proposed a reduction in the number of wards and Party’s proposals affecting the Buntingford area the number of councillors representing this area. would not produce as good a level of electoral Our proposals were as follows: a revised single- equality as our draft recommendations. In any member Braughing ward comprising the parishes event, we do not consider the warding of of Anstey, Braughing, Brent Pelham, Hormead and Buntingford town as being in the interest of the Meesden; a revised two-member Buntingford ward local community, given that we have not received any evidence of local support for such a suggestion. comprising the parishes of Buckland, Buntingford Moreover, Buntingford Town Council wrote to the and Wyddial; and a new single-member The District Council, in response to its consultation Mundens ward comprising the parishes of exercise conducted during Stage One, preferring Aspenden, Cottered, Great Munden, Little for the town to remain unwarded and to be served Munden and Westmill. Ardeley parish, the by two councillors. remaining parish in the existing Cottered ward, would be transferred into a modified Walkern ward 58 On balance, therefore, we confirm as final our (see later paragraphs). draft recommendations for this area in order to provide a reasonable balance between the 55 The number of electors per councillor in our statutory criteria. proposed Braughing, Buntingford and The Mundens wards would be within 3 per cent of the The wards of Little Hadham, Much district average in all three wards, both initially and Hadham and Sawbridgeworth by 2001. Our recommendations differed from the

District Council’s Stage One proposals only in that 59 Currently the single-member Little Hadham Stocking Pelham parish would remain in Little ward comprises the parishes of Albury, Furneux Hadham ward (see later paragraphs). Pelham, Little Hadham and Stocking Pelham; the single-member Much Hadham ward comprises the 56 During Stage Three, the District Council and parishes of High Wych, Much Hadham and Brent Pelham & Meesden Parish Council Thorley; and the three-member Sawbridgeworth supported our draft recommendations. However, ward comprises solely the parish of the same name. the North East Hertfordshire Conservative The number of electors per councillor in each of Association proposed that Brent Pelham parish be the three wards is 10 per cent below, 26 per cent included in a revised Little Hadham ward, rather above and 14 per cent above the district average than in the proposed Braughing ward. The North respectively (14 per cent, 30 per cent and 10 per East Hertfordshire Constituency Labour Party cent by 2001). proposed that Buckland parish be included in the new The Mundens ward; that Wyddial parish be 60 As part of our draft recommendations, we included in a revised Braughing ward; and that proposed that the parish of Thorley be warded in Buntingford town be split into two single-member order that we could include a new Thorley Urban North and South wards. parish ward in Bishop’s Stortford South ward,

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND 15 while the remaining Thorley Rural parish ward our draft recommendations for these three wards as would be retained in a revised Much Hadham final. Details of our proposed boundary between ward. The boundary between the two Thorley the two new Thorley parish wards are illustrated on parish wards would be the St Michaels Mead road, the large map inserted at the back of this report. currently under construction. We proposed no change to Little Hadham and Sawbridgeworth The wards of Great Amwell, Hunsdon, wards. The number of electors per councillor in the Standon St Mary, Stanstead and revised Much Hadham ward would be 17 per Thundridge cent above the district average (12 per cent by 2001) and remain unchanged in Little Hadham 63 The electoral variances, number of councillors and Sawbridgeworth wards. and constituent parishes in the existing Great Amwell, Hunsdon, Standon St Mary, Stanstead 61 During Stage Three, the District Council, the and Thundridge wards are detailed in Figure 4. Hertford & Stortford Conservative Association, the North East Hertfordshire Constituency Labour 64 Our draft recommendations reflected the Party and Sawbridgeworth Town Council all District Council’s proposals and involved Stanstead supported our draft recommendations. However, St Margarets parish being warded for the first time, the Hertford & Stortford Constituency Labour Standon parish being re-warded and the Western Party (Bishop’s Stortford & Sawbridgeworth parish ward of Wareside parish being transferred Branch) proposed that Sawbridgeworth town be from Ware St Mary’s ward into Hunsdon ward. represented by one single-member and one two- Our proposals were as follows: member ward, stating that “it would be fairer to the electors of Sawbridgeworth if warding was ● a revised single-member Great Amwell ward introduced.” Thorley Parish Council “with reluctance” comprising Great Amwell parish and a new did not oppose our proposals for the division of Stanstead St Margarets West parish ward of Thorley into Rural and Urban parish wards. Stanstead St Margarets parish; the number of electors per councillor would be 14 per cent 62 Although the Constituency Labour Party above the district average (6 per cent by 2001); proposed that Sawbridgeworth town be warded, we are not convinced that this would reflect local ● a revised single-member Hunsdon ward community identities or interests, given the comprising the parishes of Eastwick, Gilston, opposition of Sawbridgeworth Town Council and Hunsdon, Widford, and the whole of Wareside that it has not otherwise been proposed locally. parish; the number of electors per councillor Given the general degree of support for our draft would be 10 per cent above the district average proposals for this area, we have decided to confirm (3 per cent by 2001);

Figure 4: The Wards of Great Amwell, Hunsdon, Standon St Mary, Stanstead and Thundridge

Present ward Number of Constituent parishes/ Electoral variance (%) councillors parish wards 1996 2001

Great Amwell 1 Great Amwell -15 -20

Hunsdon 1 Eastwick, Gilston, Hunsdon and Widford, and Eastern parish ward of Wareside parish 10 3

Standon St Mary 1 Standon St Mary parish ward of Standon parish 41 50

Stanstead 1 Stanstead Abbots and Stanstead St Margarets 31 26

Thundridge 1 Thundridge and Colliers End parish ward of Standon parish -34 -3

16 LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ● a new single-member Puckeridge ward ● a new single-member Hertford Heath ward comprising a new Puckeridge parish ward of comprising the parishes of Brickendon Liberty Standon parish; the number of electors per and Hertford Heath; with the number of councillor would be 8 per cent below the electors per councillor being 11 per cent above district average (1 per cent by 2001); the district average (5 per cent by 2001); ● a new single-member Stanstead Abbots ward ● a new single-member Hertford Rural North comprising Stanstead Abbots parish and a new ward comprising the parishes of Bengeo Rural, Stanstead St Margarets East parish ward of Bramfield, Sacombe and Stapleford, and a new Stanstead St Margarets parish; the number of Tewin North parish ward of Tewin parish; with electors per councillor would be 2 per cent above the number of electors per councillor being 4 the district average (1 per cent by 2001); and per cent below the district average (9 per cent ● a new single-member Thundridge & Standon by 2001); and ward comprising Thundridge parish, the existing parish ward of Colliers End and a new ● a new single-member Hertford Rural South Standon parish ward of Standon parish; the ward comprising the parishes of Bayford, number of electors per councillor would be 14 Hertingfordbury and Little Berkhamstead, and per cent above the district average (12 per cent a new Tewin South parish ward of Tewin by 2001). parish; with the number of electors per councillor being 1 per cent below the district 65 During Stage Three, we received representations average (6 per cent by 2001). concerning these wards from the District Council, the Hertford & Stortford Conservative Association, 68 During Stage Three, the District Council, the the North East Hertfordshire Constituency Labour Hertford & Stortford Conservative Association Party and Ware Town Council. All four respondents and the North East Hertfordshire Constituency supported our draft proposals for this area and Labour Party all supported our draft proposals we have not received any further evidence to while Brickendon Liberty Parish Council stated persuade us to modify our draft recommendations that it had “no objections”. for these five wards. We therefore confirm the recommendations as final. Details of the boundaries 69 Bayford Parish Council, Little Berkhamstead between the new parish wards in Standon and Parish Council and Councillor Hargreaves, the Stanstead St Margarets parishes are illustrated in district councillor for the existing Little Amwell Maps A3 and A4 at Appendix A. ward, all opposed our proposals and preferred instead for the existing Little Amwell ward to The wards of Little Amwell, remain unchanged. Hertingfordbury Parish Stapleford and Tewin Council reiterated its preference for the parish to be in the same district ward as Hertingfordbury 66 Currently the single-member Little Amwell village (part of the Hertford Castle ward), stating ward comprises the parishes of Bayford, that that area “was originally part of, and gave its Brickendon Liberty, Hertford Heath and Little name to, the parish of Hertingfordbury”. Tewin Berkhamstead; the single-member Stapleford ward Parish Council repeated its opposition to the comprises the parishes of Bengeo Rural, Bramfield, proposal to ward the parish on the grounds that it Sacombe and Stapleford; and the single-member would “lead to the splitting of the Tewin Tewin ward comprises the parishes of community that so many have worked hard to Hertingfordbury and Tewin. The number of unite”. It also argued that we had not fully electors per councillor in each of the three wards is examined the appropriate level of representation 48 per cent above, 32 per cent below and 10 per for East Hertfordshire District Council as a whole. cent below the district average respectively (40 per cent, 35 per cent and 15 per cent by 2001). 70 The present levels of electoral inequality in this part of the district – for example 48 per cent in 67 Our draft recommendations, which reflected the Little Amwell ward – are substantial and for that District Council’s Stage One proposals, involved a reason we would be failing in our duty were we to reconfiguration of the parishes comprising each of recommend no change, as some respondents have these three wards and the warding of Tewin parish. argued. Although we acknowledge that there are Our proposals were as follows: some ties between the parishes of Bayford and

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND 17 Brickendon Liberty, between the parish of existing Datchworth ward, also expressed support Hertingfordbury and the “village” area of Hertford for our proposed Aston & Datchworth ward, with that name, and between the northern and including the proposed name. Aston Parish southern parts of Tewin parish, it is clear that, in Council opposed our proposal, stating that it “has order to improve electoral equality, change of some worked very closely with Benington & Walkern but description is needed in this part of the district. We has never had such close links with Datchworth”. do not believe that a better proposal than our draft Walkern Parish Council opposed our proposal, and recommendations has come forward. As stated stated that it preferred to remain in the same above, our draft recommendations for these wards district ward as Aston and Benington parishes, were supported by the District Council and others. rather than with Ardeley and Benington as we proposed in our draft recommendations. Ardeley 71 While we understand the concerns expressed by Parish Council opposed our draft proposals on some respondents, we have not been persuaded community grounds, stating that “the identity and that we should alter our draft proposals for this character of these areas are very different” and that south-western part of the district, and therefore it shares closer links with Cottered and Throcking confirm them as final. Details of our proposed parishes than with Walkern. parish ward boundary in Tewin parish are illustrated on Map A5 at Appendix A. 75 As with other parts of the district, our draft recommendations would substantially improve the The wards of Datchworth, Walkern present levels of electoral equality but may place and Watton-at-Stone parishes which are presently in the same ward and which may share similar interests in different

72 Currently the single-member Datchworth ward wards. The proposals in this part of the district comprises solely the parish of that name, the single- ward would secure a reasonable level of electoral member Walkern ward comprises the parishes of equality, and no better proposal has been Aston, Benington and Walkern, and the single- forthcoming. Therefore, in order to strike a member Watton-at-Stone ward comprises solely reasonable balance of our statutory criteria, and not the parish of that name. The number of electors per withstanding the views expressed by some parish councillor in each of the three wards is 35 per cent councils, we are confirming as final our draft below, 28 per cent above and 11 per cent below the recommendations for these three wards with one minor modification. We propose that the new district average respectively (39 per cent, 21 per single-member ward comprising the parishes of cent and 3 per cent by 2001). Aston and Datchworth should be named ‘Datchworth & Aston’, in order to reflect the 73 Our draft recommendations reflected the weighting of electors in each of the parishes. The District Council’s Stage One proposals and ward name was suggested to us by Datchworth involved the creation of a new single-member Parish Council. Aston & Datchworth ward, comprising the parishes of Aston and Datchworth; and the creation of a modified single-member Walkern Electoral Cycle ward comprising the parishes of Benington and Walkern plus Ardeley parish from Cottered ward. 76 In our draft recommendations report, we We proposed no change to Watton-at-Stone ward. proposed that the present system of whole-council The number of electors per councillor in the new elections in East Hertfordshire be retained. At Aston & Datchworth ward and revised Walkern Stage Three the District Council expressed its ward would be 4 per cent and 5 per cent above the support for this proposal. We received one further district average (2 per cent and 1 per cent by representation on this issue also in support of 2001). An unchanged Watton-at-Stone ward whole-council elections, and in the light of both would retain its current level of electoral equality. representations we have decided to confirm our draft recommendation as final.

74 During Stage Three, the District Council, the North East Hertfordshire Constituency Labour Conclusions Party and Datchworth and Watton-at-Stone parish councils all supported our proposals. Councillor 77 Having considered carefully all the evidence Hodson-Smith, the district councillor for the and representations we have received in response to

18 LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND our consultation report, we have decided to 80 As Figure 5 shows, our recommendations would endorse our draft recommendations, subject to result in a significant reduction in the number of wards the following: where the number of electors per councillor varies by more than 10 per cent from the district average, (a) in Bishop’s Stortford, the boundaries between from 23 to eight, and a further reduction to Central and Meads wards, between Central and three by 2001. Under these proposals, the average South wards and between Silverleys and Meads number of electors per councillor would remain wards should be modified; at 1,869 initially and 1,997 by 2001. We conclude that our recommendations would best meet the (b) in Hertford the boundary between Hertford need for electoral equality, having regard to the Bengeo and Hertford Castle wards should be statutory criteria. modified;

(d) the proposed Ware Priory ward should be East Hertfordshire District Council should renamed Ware Chadwell; comprise 50 councillors serving 30 wards, as detailed and named in Figures 1 and 7 and (e) the number of parish councillors returned from illustrated in Map 2, Appendix A and the the proposed parish wards in Thorley parish large map at the back of this report. The should be modified; Council should continue to be elected together every four years. (f) the number of town councillors returned from the proposed parish wards in Bishops Stortford should be modified. Parish and Town Council 78 We have concluded that the present council size Electoral Arrangements of 50 members should be retained; that there should continue to be 30 wards; that the 81 In undertaking reviews of electoral arrangements, boundaries of 26 of the existing wards should be we are required to comply as far as is reasonably modified; and that whole-council elections should practicable with the provisions set out in Schedule continue to be held every four years. 11 to the 1972 Act. The Schedule provides that if a parish is to be divided between different district 79 Figure 5 shows the impact of our final wards, it must also be divided into parish wards, so recommendations on electoral equality, comparing that each parish ward lies wholly within a single them with the current arrangements, based on ward of the district. Accordingly, we propose a 1996 and 2001 electorate figures. number of consequential parish ward changes.

Figure 5: Comparison of Current and Recommended Electoral Arrangements

1996 electorate 2001 projected electorate Current Final Current Final arrangements recommendations arrangements recommendations

Number of councillors 50 50 50 50

Number of wards 30 30 30 30

Average number of electors 1,869 1,869 1,997 1,997 per councillor

Number of wards with a 23 8 23 3 variance more than 10 per cent from the average

Number of wards with a 17 0 19 0 variance more than 20 per cent from the average

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND 19 82 At draft stage we proposed the creation of five 84 At draft stage we proposed that the town of town wards in Bishop’s Stortford, broadly reflecting Hertford should be served by 14 town councillors, the proposals from the District Council. In addition, one fewer than at present. Hertford Bengeo and we proposed that the town be served by two Hertford Castle wards should each return four town additional town councillors, bringing the total councillors and Hertford Kingsmead and Hertford number to 20, with each ward returning four town Sele wards should each return three town councillors. During Stage Three, the District councillors. The District Council did not oppose Council did not make any specific comments on the this proposal and Hertford Town Council electoral arrangements of the Town Council. supported it. We have decided to recommend as final However Bishop’s Stortford Town Council and the our draft proposals for Hertford Town Council, with Bishop’s Stortford & Sawbridgeworth Branch of the the exception of a minor boundary modification Labour Party proposed that the wards of All Saints, between Hertford Bengeo and Hertford Castle wards Central and South should each return four town in order to establish a more identifiable boundary. councillors and that the wards of Meads and Silverleys should each return three town councillors. The District Council and the Town Council also proposed Final Recommendation that our proposed Bishop’s Stortford South ward Hertford Town Council should be served by should be renamed ‘Bishop’s Stortford Thorley’ ward. 14 town councillors, representing four We also received a representation from Councillor wards. Hertford Bengeo and Hertford Gilbert expressing his support for our draft Castle wards should each return four town recommendation in respect of the number of town councillors and Hertford Kingsmead and councillors that should be elected from each ward. Hertford Sele wards should each return three town councillors. Each ward should be 83 We have examined the representations received coterminous with the proposed District and, as discussed earlier, have modified our proposed Council wards as illustrated on Map A2 at boundaries between Central, Meads, Silverleys and Appendix A. South district wards, partly reflecting the submission received from the Town Council. We also propose to modify our draft proposals in respect of the number 85 At draft stage we proposed that the town of Ware of town councillors being returned from our should be served by 11 town councillors, one fewer proposed Meads and Silverleys wards in order to than at present. Ware Christchurch, Ware St Mary’s secure a fairer level of representation within the and Ware Trinity wards should each return three town. We propose, however, to retain the name of town councillors and Ware Priory ward should return our proposed ‘Bishop’s Stortford South’ town and two town councillors. The District Council and Ware district ward in order to avoid confusion with the Town Council both supported the majority of our neighbouring parish of Thorley. proposals, but proposed that Ware Priory ward should be renamed Ware Chadwell. We have decided to recommend as final our draft proposals for Ware Final Recommendation Town Council, except that Ware Priory ward should Bishop’s Stortford Town Council should be renamed Ware Chadwell. continue to comprise 18 town councillors, with the wards of Bishop’s Stortford All Saints, Bishop’s Stortford Central and Final Recommendation Bishop’s Stortford South each returning Ware Town Council should be served by 11 four town councillors, and Bishop’s councillors, representing four wards. Ware Stortford Meads and Bishop’s Stortford Christchurch, Ware St Mary’s and Ware Silverleys wards each returning three town Trinity wards should each return three town councillors. The wards of Bishop’s Stortford councillors and Ware Chadwell ward should All Saints, Bishop’s Stortford Central, return two town councillors. Each ward Bishop’s Stortford Meads and Bishop’s should be coterminous with the proposed Stortford Silverleys should be coterminous District Council wards as illustrated in Map with the proposed District Council wards, A6 at Appendix A. with Bishop’s Stortford South ward covering the remainder of the town, as illustrated in the large map inserted at the back of this report.

20 LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND Figure 6: Proposed Distribution of Parish Councillors in Standon, Stanstead St Margarets, Tewin and Thorley Parishes

Parish Current number of Proposed parish ward Proposed number of parish councillors names parish councillors per ward

Standon 10 Puckeridge 6 Standon 3 Colliers End 1

Stanstead 7 Stanstead St Margarets East 3 St Margarets Stanstead St Margarets West 4

Tewin 8 Tewin North 4 Tewin South 4

Thorley 7 Thorley Rural 3 Thorley Urban 4

86 At draft stage we proposed that each of the 87 In our draft recommendations report, we also parishes of Stanstead St Margarets, Tewin and proposed that there should be no change to the Thorley be warded, with two parish wards each. electoral cycle of parish and town councils in the We also proposed that Standon parish be re-warded district. We have not received any evidence to to create a third parish ward. With the exception of consider moving away from this proposal, and Thorley, the number of parish councillors serving therefore confirm it as final. each of the parishes would remain unchanged overall and the representation in each parish ward would be weighted (approximately) by electorate. Final Recommendation Having carefully considered the representations For parish and town councils, whole-council received and bearing in mind our final elections should continue to take place every recommendations in respect of district council four years, on the same cycle as that for the warding arrangements, we have decided to confirm District Council. them as final, with the exception of those for Thorley parish which should be modified to reflect Thorley Parish Council’s proposals. The number of parish councillors to be returned from each parish ward is detailed in Figure 6.

Final Recommendations The parishes of Standon, Stanstead St Margarets, Tewin and Thorley should be warded as detailed in Maps A3, A4 and A5 at Appendix A, and the large map inserted at the back of this report. The representation in each of the proposed parish wards should be as shown in Figure 6.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND 21 Map 2: The Commission’s Final Recommendations for East Hertfordshire

22 LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND Figure 7: The Commission’s Final Recomendations for East Hertfordshire

Ward name Number Electorate Number Variance Electorate Number Variance of (1996) of electors from (2001) of electors from councillors per councillor average per councillor average %%

1 Bishop’s Stortford 3 5,338 1,779 -5 5,397 1,799 -10 All Saints

2 Bishop’s Stortford 3 5,600 1,867 0 6,553 2,184 9 Central

3 Bishop’s Stortford 2 3,958 1,979 6 3,958 1,979 -1 Meads

4 Bishop’s Stortford 2 3,217 1,609 -14 4,104 2,052 3 Silverleys

5 Bishop’s Stortford 3 4,961 1,654 -12 6,428 2,143 7 South

6 Braughing 1 1,921 1,921 3 1,937 1,937 -3

7 Buntingford 2 3,802 1,901 2 4,068 2,034 2

8 Datchworth & 1 1,952 1,952 4 1,956 1,956 -2 Aston

9 Great Amwell 1 2,124 2,124 14 2,124 2,124 6

10 Hertford Bengeo 3 5,262 1,754 -6 5,696 1,899 -5

11 Hertford Castle 3 5,644 1,881 1 5,824 1,941 -3

12 Hertford Heath 1 2,075 2,075 11 2,096 2,096 5

13 Hertford Kingsmead 2 3,366 1,683 -10 4,071 2,036 2

14 Hertford Rural North 1 1,794 1,794 -4 1,815 1,815 -9

15 Hertford Rural South 1 1,854 1,854 -1 1,869 1,869 -6

16 Hertford Sele 2 4,001 2,001 7 4,090 2,045 2

17 Hunsdon 1 2,047 2,047 10 2,067 2,067 3

18 Little Hadham 1 1,676 1,676 -10 1,722 1,722 -14

19 Much Hadham 1 2,192 2,192 17 2,243 2,243 12

20 Puckeridge 1 1,729 1,729 -8 2,011 2,011 1

21 Sawbridgeworth 3 6,392 2,131 14 6,571 2,190 10

continued overleaf

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND 23 Figure 7 (continued): The Commission’s Final Recomendations for East Hertfordshire

Ward name Number Electorate Number Variance Electorate Number Variance of (1996) of electors from (2001) of electors from councillors per councillor average per councillor average %%

22 Stanstead Abbots 1 1,916 1,916 2 1,986 1,986 -1

23 The Mundens 1 1,903 1,903 2 1,932 1,932 -3

24 Thundridge & 1 2,135 2,135 14 2,241 2,241 12 Standon

25 Walkern 1 1,957 1,957 5 1,968 1,968 -1

26 Ware Chadwell 1 1,833 1,833 -2 1,833 1,833 -8

27 Ware Christchurch 2 3,578 1,789 -4 3,785 1,893 -5

28 Ware St Mary’s 2 3,989 1,995 7 4,008 2,004 0

29 Ware Trinity 2 3,581 1,791 -4 3,581 1,791 -10

30 Watton-at-Stone 1 1,669 1,669 -11 1,939 1,939 -3

Totals 50 93,466 --99,873 --

Averages -- 1,869 --1,997 -

24 LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND 6. NEXT STEPS

88 Having completed our review of electoral arrangements in East Hertfordshire and submitted our final recommendations to the Secretary of State, we have fulfilled our statutory obligation under the Local Government Act 1992.

89 It now falls to the Secretary of State to decide whether to give effect to our recommendations, with or without modification, and to implement them by means of an order. Such an order will not be made earlier than six weeks from the date that our recommendations are submitted to the Secretary of State.

90 All further correspondence concerning our recommendations and the matters discussed in this report should be addressed to:

The Secretary of State Local Government Review Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Eland House Bressenden Place London SW1E 5DU

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND 25 26 LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND APPENDIX A

Final Recommendations for East Hertfordshire: Detailed Mapping

The following maps illustrate the Commission’s proposed ward boundaries for the East Hertfordshire area.

Map A1 illustrates, in outline form, the proposed ward boundaries within the district and indicates the areas which are shown in more detail in Maps A2 to A6 and the large map inserted in the back of the report.

Map A2 illustrates the proposed ward boundaries in Hertford town.

Map A3 illustrates the proposed parish ward boundary in Standon parish.

Map A4 illustrates the proposed parish ward boundary in Stanstead St Margarets parish.

Map A5 illustrates the proposed parish ward boundary in Tewin parish.

Map A6 illustrates the proposed ward boundaries in Ware town.

The large map inserted in the back of this report illustrates the Commission’s proposed ward boundaries in the Bishop’s Stortford area, including the proposed parish ward boundary in Thorley parish.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND 27 Map A1: The Commission’s Final Recommendations for East Hertfordshire: Key Map

28 LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND Map A2: Proposed Ward Boundaries in Hertford Town

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND 29 Map A3: Proposed Parish Ward Boundary in Standon Parish

30 LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND Map A4: Proposed Parish Ward Boundary in Stanstead St Margarets Parish

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND 31 Map A5: Proposed Parish Ward Boundary in Tewin Parish

32 LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND Map A6: Proposed Ward Boundaries in Ware Town

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND 33 34 LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND APPENDIX B

Draft Recommendations for East Hertfordshire:

Our final recommendations, detailed in Figures 1 and 7, differ from those we put forward as draft recommendations only in respect of the wards as detailed below.

Figure B1: The Commission’s Draft Recommendations: Constituent Areas

Ward name Number of Constituent areas councillors

Aston & Datchworth 1 Datchworth ward (the parish of Datchworth); Walkern ward (part – the parish of Aston)

Bishop’s Stortford 3 Central ward (part); Thorley ward (part) Central

Bishop’s Stortford 2 Central ward (part); Chantry ward (part) Meads

Bishop’s Stortford 2 Central ward (part); Chantry ward (part) Silverleys

Bishop’s Stortford 3 Much Hadham ward (part – the proposed Thorley Urban South parish ward of Thorley parish); Thorley ward (part)

Hertford Bengeo 3 Bengeo ward (part); Castle ward (part); Kingsmead ward (part); Sele ward (part)

Hertford Castle 3 Castle ward (part); Kingsmead ward (part)

Ware Priory 1 Priory ward (part)

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND 35 Figure B2: The Commission’s Draft Recommendations: The Number of Councillors and Electors by Ward

Ward name Number Electorate Number Variance Electorate Number Variance of (1996) of electors from (2001) of electors from councillors per councillor average per councillor average %%

Aston & Datchworth 1 1,952 1,952 4 1,956 1,956 -2

Bishop’s Stortford 3 5,407 1,802 -4 6,446 2,149 8 Central

Bishop’s Stortford 2 3,971 1,986 6 3,971 1,986 -1 Meads

Bishop’s Stortford 2 3,397 1,699 -9 4,284 2,142 7 Silverleys

Bishop’s Stortford 3 4,961 1,654 -12 6,342 2,114 6 South

Hertford Bengeo 3 5,262 1,754 -6 5,696 1,899 -5

Hertford Castle 3 5,644 1,881 1 5,824 1,941 -3

Ware Priory 1 1,833 1,833 -2 1,833 1,833 -8

36 LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND 37 38 LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND