Political Groups Submissions to the Gloucester City Council Electoral Review

Political groups submissions to the Gloucester City Council electoral review

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Local Boundary Commission for England Consultation Portal Page 1 of 2

Gloucester District

Personal Details:

Name: Kate Haigh

E-mail:

Postcode:

Organisation Name: Gloucester City Council Labour Group

Comment text:

Gloucester City Labour Group submission to LGBCE The Labour Group has looked carefully at the City and taken into account factors of electoral equality, community identity and effective local government. We feel that a ‘mixed economy’ of 2 and 3 member wards brings the greatest benefits to the electors, providing a good level of service and allowing Councillors in a ward to support each other. We considered coterminosity with the County Council but felt that community identity could be more effectively mapped in some areas than is allowed by the larger County Divisions. Unnecessary change to well-established wards that meet the criteria of the Commission was something we also wanted to avoid as well understood and accepted ward boundaries encourage electors to participate. We support the warding patterns agreed by Council on 25th Sep 2014 and in this paper will put forward our proposals in relation to the remaining wards. Abbey - 3 member ward To the existing ward add properties on western side of Abbeymead Avenue (346 electors) – this road is a wide road providing a natural dividing point along the lines on which the estate has developed (see map). Add properties on eastern side of Painswick Rd (644 electors). These houses form part of the housing area that developed as Abbeydale and Abbeymead. Local residents do not consider themselves to be part of ‘Matson’ and look to facilities such as the Glevum Shopping Centre off Heron Way, the park area around the Saintbridge Balancing pond and local primary schools such as The Heron. Add the following polling districts B5, B5A and B5B. This brings in communities that surround the Sud Brook and the River Twyver. There is a shared open space that is used by residents for recreation including allotments. There is also a shared concern about the flooding risk from the waterways and at present 3 sets of Councillors (Abbey, Barnwood and Matson and Robinswood) represent residents along these banks. It would be more efficient if they fell into one ward. Remove A1 – the position to the east of Abbeymead Avenue and the sharing of facilities such as Abbeymead Primary School (in Hucclecote ward) make this a more natural fit for this community. Proposed ward size current 8453 projected 8567 Barnwood – 3 member ward This ward consists largely of older development than Abbey. The area that currently falls into F1 looks to the Barnwood road shops and transport facilities and should be added to make a 3 member ward. The polling districts of B5, B5A and B5B should be removed and placed in Abbey. Proposed ward size, current 7297 projected 7318. Hucclecote – 3 member ward As stated above the addition of A1 and removal of F1 makes a more convenient division of the electors in this part of the City. Proposed ward size, current 7505 projected 7601. Grange and Podsmead – 3 Member Ward (rename Lower Tuffley). Podsmead is currently the only single member ward in the City but it has very little in the way of services, no schools, no GP or pharmacy. It is in the walk to school catchment of Beaufort School (a popular local Academy) and many parents send their children to primary schools in Grange to ‘feed in’ to Beaufort. Grange also has the shops, library and GP services used by many in Podsmead. Whilst the A38 passes through this new ward community groups such as the Three Bridges Neighbourhood Partnership have built community links for many years. We propose the new name to reflect better what residents call the area. Tuffley Library is in Grange, the number 10 bus runs to Lower Tuffley and Tuffley Lane runs through Grang and Podsmead. Polling district K2 in Podsmead falls within the Tuffley County division. Proposed ward size, current 7576 projected 7932. Matson and Robinswood – 3 member ward Matson and Robinswood is a ward that has a clear identity that is well understood by residents. There is a neighbourhood partnership, which takes in the whole ward

https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/print/informed-representation/3924 29/09/2014 Local Boundary Commission for England Consultation Portal Page 2 of 2

as does the Church organisation ‘Together in Matson’. There are several churches in the ward including St Katharine’s parish church, St Augustine’s Catholic Church and Matson Baptists and they run many community events and groups. The White City estate recently had its existence as a community within Matson and Robinswood recognised by Council and road signs amended to give directions to the area. There is a strong relationship of the community to Robinswood Hill, which is within the ward boundary, and the ‘All roads Lead to the Hill’ project has strengthened community use of the open space and opened a community café. There are 3 primary schools in the area Finlay Road, Moat and Robinswood. The Gloucester Academy is sited in the middle of the ward. The properties on the eastern side of Painswick Road do not partake in these community activities and should be placed in the Abbey ward where they have more in common as a community (see comments for Abbey). Proposed ward size, current 7032 projected 7760. Moreland – 3 member ward rename Linden Moreland has clear boundaries and a strong identity as a community around Bristol and Linden Road. The housing stock is largely late 19th and early 20th Century in traditional style. There is a local shopping centre and pubs and restaurants on Bristol Road are popular with residents. Two local primary schools, Linden Road and Calton serve the area. The church of St Paul and St Stephen serves the community and hosts community groups. There is a residents group and a vibrant youth project ‘Increase the Peace’. Whilst the ward boundaries do not need to change we propose that the historic name of Linden be restored to this ward to better reflect the name use by local residents. The local school and a well-established pub (The Linden Tree) use this name and the parallel roads off Bristol Road are known as the ‘Linden Ladder’.Proposed ward size, current 7465 projected 7586. Westgate – 3 members We support the view that this ward should remain with its current boundary but be increased to 3 members. The new housing developments on Hempsted are within easy walking distance of the Quays, Docks and City centre and these residents use the facilities for local shops, restaurants and entertainment. The old village has limited facilities and the main access is via the rest of Westgate ward. In the recent, but abandoned, parliamentary boundary proposals residents of Hempsted campaign strongly to remain within the City boundary as part of the Westgate Ward. Proposed ward size, current 5694 projected 7844. As part of the submission, we attach a map of our proposals (only the Kingsway boundary should be changed to reflect the City Council position). We hope the commission will support our proposals, as we believe that they best reflect to communities and the needs of those communities within the context of efficient and effective local government.

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https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/print/informed-representation/3924 29/09/2014

Local Boundary Commission for England Consultation Portal Page 1 of 1

Gloucester District

Personal Details:

Name: Jonathan Hoad

E-mail:

Postcode:

Organisation Name: Gloucester Constituency Labour Party

Comment text:

Gloucester Constituency Labour has considered the current and future electoral map of the Gloucester City Council are and taking into account factors of electoral equality, community identity and effective local government we have made the attached submission.

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https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/print/informed-representation/3927 29/09/2014 Gloucester Constituency Labour Party submission to LGBCE

We feel that a ‘mixed economy’ of 2 and 3 member wards brings the greatest benefits to the electors, providing a good level of service and allowing Councillors in a ward to support each other. We considered coterminosity with the County Council but felt that community identity could be more effectively mapped in some areas than is allowed by the larger County Divisions. Unnecessary change to well-established wards that meet the criteria of the Commission was something we also wanted to avoid as it is disruptive and generally not welcomed by voters.

We support the new ward arrangements as agreed by all Parties at the full Gloucester City Council on 25 September 2014 and in this submission is our proposals in relation to the remaining wards.

Abbey - 3 member ward

To the existing ward, we advocate:

The addition properties on western side of Abbeymead Avenue (346 electors) – this wide, hedge/tree/fence lined road, in which the majority of houses back on to, in the absence of any other topographical features provides, a manmade dividing point along the lines on which the estate has developed (see map).

Addition of properties on eastern side of Painswick Rd (644 electors). These houses form part of the housing area that developed as Abbeydale and Abbeymead. Local residents do not consider themselves to be part of ‘Matson’ and look to facilities such as the Glevum Shopping Centre off Heron Way, the park area around the Saintbridge Balancing pond and local primary schools such as The Heron. The history, housing type and socio-economic profile places these properties firmly in the Abbey area.

Adding the polling districts B5, B5A and B5B. This brings in communities that surround the Sud Brook and the River Twyver. There is a shared open space that is used by residents for recreation, including allotments. There is also a shared concern about the flooding risk from and maintenance of the waterways and at present 3 sets of Councillors (Abbey, Barnwood and Matson and Robinswood) represent residents along these banks. The area is geographical cohesive and would be better served if they fell into one ward.

Removing A1 and placing in Hucclecote ward – the position to the east of Abbeymead Avenue and the sharing of facilities such as Abbeymead Primary School (in Hucclecote ward) make this a more natural fit for this community.

Proposed ward size current 8453 projected 8567. Barnwood – 3 member ward

This ward consists largely of older developments than Abbey. The area that currently falls into F1 (Hucclecote) and the residents looks to the shops, service and transport links on the Barnwood Road and should be added to make a 3 member ward. As set out under Abbey ward the polling districts of B5, B5A and B5B should be removed and placed in Abbey.

Proposed ward size, current 7297 projected 7318.

Hucclecote – 3 member ward

As stated above the addition of A1 and removal of F1 makes a more logical division.

Proposed ward size, current 7505 projected 7601.

Grange and Podsmead – 3 Member Ward (rename Lower Tuffley).

Podsmead is currently the only single member ward in the City but it has very little in the way of services, no schools, no GP or pharmacy. The area is high on the social deprivation index would benefit from having three councillors to share the casework.

It is in the walk to school catchment of Beaufort Academy School (a popular secondary school) and the next door Grange Primary School and many parents send their children to other primary schools in Grange that to ‘feed in’ to Beaufort. Grange also has the shops, library and GP services used by many in Podsmead. Whilst the A38 passes through the proposes Lowe Tuffley ward, community groups such as the Three Bridges Neighbourhood Partnership have, for many years built community links, across the area.

We propose the new name to better reflect how residents describe the area. Tuffley Library is in Grange, the only bus route to the City Centre, the number 10, runs through Podsmead and Grange, Lower Tuffley and loops around Beaufort Academy. Polling district K2 in Podsmead falls within the Tuffley County division.

Proposed ward size, current 7576 projected 7932.

Matson and Robinswood – 3 member ward

Matson and Robinswood is a ward that has a clear identity that is well understood by residents across the City. The majority of the housing stock is social housing of managed by Gloucester Homes. There is a neighbourhood partnership, which takes in the whole ward as does the Church organisation ‘Together in Matson’. There are several churches in the ward including St Katharine’s parish church, St Augustine’s Catholic Church and Matson Baptists and they run many community events and groups. There is also a Matson Rugby Club

The White City estate recently had its existence as a community within Matson and Robinswood recognised by Council with road signs amended to give directions to the area. There is a strong relationship of the community to Robinswood Hill, which is within the ward boundary, and the ‘All roads Lead to the Hill’ project has strengthened community use of the open space and opened a community café. There are 3 primary schools in the area Finlay Road, Moat and Robinswood. The secondary Gloucester Academy is sited the ward.

The properties on the eastern side of Painswick Road are less involved in Matson community activities and would be better placed in the Abbey ward where they have more in common as a community (see comments for Abbey).

Proposed ward size, current 7032 projected 7760.

Moreland – 3 member ward rename Linden

Moreland has clear boundaries and a strong identity as a community around Bristol Road and Linden Road. The housing stock is largely late 19 th and early 20 th Century with high percentage of owner occupier. There is a two local shopping centres and a host of services in the area. Two local primary schools, Linden Road and Calton serve the area. The CofE church of St Paul and St Stephen serves the community and hosts community groups. There is a residents’ group and a vibrant youth project ‘Increase the Peace’.

The ward boundaries do not need to change, we propose that the historic name of Linden be restored to this ward to better reflect the name use by local residents. The local school and a well-established pub (The Linden Tree) use this name and the parallel roads off Bristol Road are known as the ‘Linden Ladder’.

Proposed ward size, current 7465 projected 7586.

Westgate – 3 members

We support the view that this ward should remain with its current boundary but be increased to 3 members. The new housing development along the Canal are within easy walking distance of the Quays, Docks and City centre and these residents use the facilities for local shops, restaurants and entertainment. The old Hempsted village the primary school but limited facilities and the main access is via the rest of Westgate ward. In the recent, but abandoned, parliamentary boundary proposals residents of Hempsted campaigned strongly to remain within the Gloucester Constituency boundary as part of the Westgate Ward.

Proposed ward size, current 5694 projected 7844.

As part of the submission, we attach a map of our proposals (only the Kingsway boundary should be changed to reflect the City Council position).