ELECTORAL REVIEW – SUBMISSION TO BOUNDARY COMMISSION

Introduction Park Ward Independent Residents (MPWIR) is a single ward party which has returned three councillors to the continuously since 1990. Its councillors are sponsored by the Ward Residents Association (MPWRA), an active residents’ association founded in 1990, with 450 current members (households). Those who seek election as MPWIR councillors must live or work in the ward, and are required to demonstrate their commitment to the ward to the satisfaction of the MPWRA Committee. Councillors pride themselves on their detailed knowledge of the ward and its residents.

Boundary Commission – statutory criteria

1. Electoral equality - Merton council has agreed to a reduction in the number of councillors from 60 to 57. This 5% reduction, coupled with a projected 7.5% increase in the electorate from 2019 to 2025, means that most existing wards are below target for an equitable electorate of 2858 electors per councillor. The current electorate for Merton Park Ward numbers 7132. This is forecast to rise to 7377 in 2025, in the absence of major changes. At this stage the electorate will be 14% below the optimum, calculated to be 8574. MPWIR therefore accepts that the boundaries of the ward need to expand to accommodate a larger electorate, if equality of representation is to be maintained across the borough in 2025. The target increase is c.1200 electors. The Labour group on Merton council has shared with MPWIR their proposals for boundary changes in so far as they affect Merton Park Ward. They propose to add polling district QC from neighbouring Abbey Ward to Merton Park Ward, increasing the electorate by 1506 to 8883. While this is higher than the indicated optimum electorate (3.6% over), there are cogent reasons for keeping QC intact if it is to be transferred (see below).

2. Reflect interests and identities of local communities QC polling district is a cohesive residential neighbourhood of mainly Edwardian terraced housing with some interwar additions and a small modern factory estate in the south east corner. It is bounded to the north by Kingston Road, to the east by Road (both TfL red routes) and to the south by Abbey Recreation Ground. To the west the short boundary with Merton Park Ward is defined by the Croydon Tram link, which is crossed by Kingston Road and a well-used Public Right of Way. Known locally as “Old Merton Park”, polling district QC represents an excellent cultural fit for Merton Park Ward. Indeed, residents occasionally contact MPWIR councillors assuming they are living in Merton Park Ward. A number of facilities in Merton Park Ward attract users from Old Merton Park. The Nelson Health Centre is the most accessible local GP practice, Rutlish School (boys’ secondary with 1500 pupils) takes boys from all surrounding wards and St. Mary’s Parish Church has drawn worshippers from the area for hundreds of years – not least Lord Nelson who rode his horse from Merton Place through Old Merton Park to St Mary’s for Sunday worship. The independently owned shops and restaurants and small businesses that line Kingston Road along the northern boundary of QC polling district are well used by Merton Park Ward residents. A regular bus service along Kingston Road connects both communities, and Merton Park Tram stop is heavily used by residents from both wards as it lies on the boundary.

3. Provide for effective and convenient local government By preserving polling district QC intact within its current boundaries, continuity is ensured for electoral purposes. Electors can continue to vote at the polling station in the St John’s Ambulance site on Kingston Road as they do now.

Cllr Peter Southgate - Leader, MPWIR