Final Recommendations - Eastern Region

Final recommendations - Eastern region Contents 1. Initial proposals overview p1 6. Sub-region 1: Bedfordshire p10, recommendations p11 2. Number of representations received p3 7. Sub-region 2: Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Norfolk Cambridgeshire p12, recommendations p13 Hertfordshire p14, recommendations p15 Norfolk p15, recommendations p16 3. Campaigns p4 8. Sub-region 3: Essex p17, recommendations p18 4. Major issues p5 9. Sub-region 4: Suffolk p19, recommendations p20 5. Final proposals recommendations p7 Appendix A Initial/revised proposals overview 1. The Eastern region was allocated 57 constituencies under the initial and revised proposals, a reduction of one from the existing allocation. In formulating the initial and revised proposals the Commission decided to construct constituencies using the following sub-regions: Table 1A - Constituency allocation Sub-region Existing allocation Allocation under initial Allocation under revised proposals proposals Bedfordshire 6 6 6 Cambridgeshire, 27 27 27 Hertfordshire and Norfolk Essex 18 17 17 Suffolk 7 7 7 2. Under the initial proposals six of the existing 58 constituencies were completely unchanged. The revised proposals continued to retain six of the existing constituencies unchanged. Under both sets of proposals it was proposed to have two constituencies that crossed county boundaries - one between Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, and one between Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. In Suffolk, Bedfordshire and Essex it was possible to allocate a whole number of constituencies to each county. 1 3. In response to the consultation on the initial proposals and secondary consultation the Commission received over 2,000 representations regarding the Eastern region. These representations commented on most parts of the region, with the main issues being: ● The proposed constituency of North East Hertfordshire. Respondents objected to this cross-county boundary constituency and in particular, the inclusion of The Mordens, Bassingbourn and Melbourn wards from the existing South Cambridgeshire constituency ● The proposed Brentwood and Ongar constituency. Respondents objected to the ‘loss’ of the Herongate, Ingrave and West Horndon, and Warley wards to the proposed South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency. ● The proposed Castle Point constituency. Respondents objected to the exclusion of the Hadleigh area which they argued is an integral part of Castle Point ● The proposed Hertsmere constituency. Respondents objected to the inclusion of the Carpenders Park ward which is currently in the Watford constituency 4. In considering the evidence received, the Commission altered 44% of constituencies in the Eastern region: four of these constituencies were only subject to a change of name. 2 Number of representations received 5. In the Eastern region, the Commission received a total of 777 representations during consultation on the revised proposals, bringing the total number of representations for this region to 2,806. This number included all those who gave evidence at the public hearings. There were also a number of duplicate representations within this total, as well as representations that made general comments that did not have any bearing on the substance of the initial proposals. Table 1B - Representations received Type of respondents Consultation on revised proposals Total number of representations Member of Parliament 6 31 Official political party 5 16 response Peer from House of Lords 0 0 Local councillor 36 160 Local authority 9 23 Parish or town council 17 42 Other organisation 5 43 3 Member of the public 699 2,491 Total 777 2,806 6. While many of the representations can be categorised as opposing the Commission’s revised proposals, there has been a degree of support for certain constituencies across the whole region. These include, but are not limited to Bedford, Cambridge, Watford, Brentwood and Ongar, and Ipswich. Campaigns 7. As expected, throughout the region, representations from a number of organised campaigns were received. In the Eastern region, these were as follows:- Table 1C - Campaigns Campaign ID Number Support/ oppose initial Strength (no. of proposals signatories) Support for Heidi Allen MP campaign for BCE-46922 Oppose 35 South Cambridgeshire Villages Proposed changes to the South BCE-46523 Oppose 5 4 Cambridgeshire parliamentary constituency Help keep Leavesden in Watford BCE-47924 Oppose 28 Help keep Woodside ward in Watford BCE-51952 Oppose 97 (403 total which includes 306 without full details) I do not agree with the inclusion of the BCE-49291 Oppose 9 Kempston Rural ward in the Bedford constituency 8. During the previous consultations the Commission received six campaigns in relation to the Eastern region. Of these, the campaign titled ‘Support for Heidi Allen MP’ was similar to other campaigns received during earlier consultations. Major issues 9. Major issues that drew objection were as follows:- Bedfordshire ● The inclusion of the town of Houghton Regis in the Luton North and Houghton Regis constituency ● The inclusion of the Caddington ward in the Luton South constituency 5 ● The inclusion of the Kempston Rural ward in the Bedford constituency and the consequent inclusion of the Elstow and Stewartby ward in the Mid Bedfordshire constituency Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Norfolk ● The cross-county constituency of Letchworth and Royston and the inclusion of the four South Cambridgeshire wards of Melbourn, Bassingbourn, The Mordens and Meldreth in this constituency ● The inclusion of the Milton ward in the South East Cambridgeshire constituency rather than in Cambridge ● The inclusion of City of Peterborough wards in the North West Cambridgeshire constituency ● The inclusion of the Three Rivers District ward of Leavesden and the Watford Borough ward of Woodside in the St. Albans constituency, and the inclusion of the St. Albans District ward of London Colney in the Hertsmere constituency ● The inclusion of the East Hertfordshire District ward of Great Amwell in the Broxbourne constituency ● The inclusion of the Wensum ward in the Norwich North constituency ● The inclusion of the North Norfolk District wards of Astley and Briston in the Broadland constituency rather than North Norfolk Essex ● The inclusion of the Victoria and St. James wards of Castle Point Borough in the Southend West and Hadleigh constituency 6 Suffolk ● There were no major issues that drew objections in this sub-region Final recommendations 10. In light the of the representations and evidence received we have considered whether the revised proposals should be changed. Table 2 - Sub-regions used Initial proposals Revised proposals Final recommendations Bedfordshire Bedfordshire Bedfordshire Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Norfolk Norfolk Norfolk Essex Essex Essex Suffolk Suffolk Suffolk 11. The final recommendations have been formulated on the same sub-regions used as the initial and revised proposals. No counter-proposal were received during consultation on the revised proposals, which suggested alternative sub-regions. 7 Table 3 - Headline numbers for schemes Schemes Constituencies - ward changes Local authorities in Constituencies constituency crossing a county boundary Number Number One-ward Two-to-five Six-ward One Two Three Two Three wholly changed by change ward and more or unchanged rewarding change change more only Initial proposals 6 2 13 21 15 14 31 12 2 0 Revised proposals 7 1 14 24 11 16 31 10 2 0 Final 7 1 14 24 11 16 31 10 2 0 recommendations 12. Under the final recommendations seven of the existing constituencies are unchanged. As in the initial and revised proposals two constituencies are proposed to cross county boundaries. These constituencies are unchanged from the initial and revised proposals. 8 More detailed breakdown of numbers for schemes Table 4 - Final recommendations Borough Constituencies - ward changes Local authorities Constituencies in constituencies crossing a county boundary Number Number One-ward Two-to-five Six-ward One Two Three Two Three wholly changed by change ward or more or unchanged rewarding change change more only Bedfordshire 0 0 1 4 1 2 4 0 0 0 Cambridgeshire, 1 0 9 13 4 6 14 7 2 0 Hertfordshire and Norfolk Essex 3 0 3 5 6 6 9 2 0 0 Suffolk 3 1 1 2 0 2 4 1 0 0 Total 7 1 14 24 11 16 31 10 0 0 9 Overview 13. In our initial and revised proposals, we divided the Eastern region into four sub-regions: Bedfordshire; Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Norfolk; Essex; and Suffolk. In general, support was received for the creation of these sub-regions throughout all consultation periods. Some alternatives were put forward suggesting alternative sub-regions however, it was considered that these did not provide for a better pattern of constituencies. We recommend no changes to the sub-regions as part of the final recommendations. Sub-region 1 - Bedfordshire 14. Of the six existing constituencies in the ceremonial county of Bedfordshire, only one, South West Bedfordshire, is within the permitted electorate range. Of the remaining five constituencies, Mid Bedfordshire and North East Bedfordshire are above the 5% limit and Bedford, Luton North, and Luton South are below the 5% limit. Our initial and revised proposals were for six constituencies and did not retain any existing constituencies unchanged. 15. The revised proposals in this part of the sub-region amended the composition of three constituencies we proposed as part of the initial proposals. A further constituency name

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