New electoral arrangements for Preston City Council Final recommendations January 2018 Translations and other formats For information on obtaining this publication in another language or in a large-print or Braille version, please contact the Local Government Boundary Commission for England:
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© The Local Government Boundary Commission for England 2018
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Licence Number: GD 100049926 2018 Table of Contents
Summary ...... 1 Who we are and what we do ...... 1 Electoral review ...... 1 Why Preston? ...... 1 Our proposals for Preston ...... 1 What is the Local Government Boundary Commission for England? ...... 2 1 Introduction ...... 3 What is an electoral review? ...... 3 Consultation ...... 3 How will the recommendations affect you? ...... 4 2 Analysis and final recommendations ...... 5 Submissions received ...... 5 Electorate figures ...... 5 Number of councillors ...... 6 Ward boundaries consultation ...... 6 Draft recommendations consultation ...... 6 Final recommendations ...... 7 Preston Central ...... 8 Preston East ...... 12 Preston Rural ...... 14 Preston West ...... 16 Conclusions ...... 19 Summary of electoral arrangements ...... 19 Parish electoral arrangements ...... 19 3 What happens next? ...... 21 Equalities ...... 21 Appendix A ...... 22 Final recommendations for Preston City Council ...... 22 Appendix B ...... 24 Outline map ...... 24 Appendix C ...... 25 Submissions received ...... 25 Appendix D ...... 26 Glossary and abbreviations ...... 26
Summary
Who we are and what we do
1 The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) is an independent body set up by Parliament. We are not part of government or any political party. We are accountable to Parliament through a committee of MPs chaired by the Speaker of the House of Commons.
2 Our main role is to carry out electoral reviews of local authorities throughout England.
Electoral review
3 An electoral review examines and proposes new electoral arrangements for a local authority. A local authority’s electoral arrangements decide:
• How many councillors are needed • How many wards there should be, where are their boundaries and what should they be called • How many councillors should represent each ward
Why Preston?
4 We are conducting a review of Preston City Council as the value of each vote in city council elections varies depending on where you live in Preston. Some councillors currently represent many more or fewer voters than others. This is ‘electoral inequality’. Our aim is to create ‘electoral equality’, where votes are as equal as possible, ideally within 10% of being exactly equal.
Our proposals for Preston
• Preston should be represented by 48 councillors, nine fewer than there are now. • Preston should have 16 wards, six fewer than there are now. • The boundaries of all wards will change.
5 We have now finalised our recommendations for electoral arrangements for Preston.
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What is the Local Government Boundary Commission for England?
6 The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is an independent body set up by Parliament.1
7 The members of the Commission are:
• Professor Colin Mellors OBE (Chair) • Sir Tony Redmond (Deputy Chair) • Alison Lowton • Peter Maddison QPM • Steve Robinson • Andrew Scallan CBE
• Chief Executive: Jolyon Jackson CBE
1 Under the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009. 2
1 Introduction
8 This electoral review was carried out to ensure that:
• The wards in Preston are in the best possible places to help the Council carry out its responsibilities effectively • The number of voters represented by each councillor is approximately the same across the city
What is an electoral review?
9 Our three main considerations are to:
• Improve electoral equality by equalising the number of electors each councillor represents • Reflect community identity • Provide for effective and convenient local government
10 Our task is to strike the best balance between them when making our recommendations. Our powers, as well as the guidance we have provided for electoral reviews and further information on the review process, can be found on our website at www.lgbce.org.uk
Consultation
11 We wrote to the Council to ask its views on the appropriate number of councillors for Preston. We then held two periods of consultation on warding patterns for the city. The submissions received during consultation have informed our draft and final recommendations.
12 This review was conducted as follows:
Stage starts Description
21 March 2017 Number of councillors decided
28 March 2017 Start of consultation seeking views on new wards
End of consultation; we begin analysing submissions and 5 June 2017 forming draft recommendations
Publication of draft recommendations, start of second 29 August 2017 consultation
End of consultation; we begin analysing submissions and 6 November 2017 forming final recommendations
16 January 2018 Publication of final recommendations
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How will the recommendations affect you?
13 The recommendations will determine how many councillors will serve on the Council. They will also decide which ward you vote in, which other communities are in that ward, and, in some cases, which parish or town council ward you vote in. Your ward name may also change.
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2 Analysis and final recommendations
14 Legislation2 states that our recommendations should not be based only on how many electors3 there are now, but also on how many there are likely to be in the five years after the publication of our final recommendations. We must also try to recommend strong, clearly identifiable boundaries for our wards.
15 In reality, we are unlikely to be able to create wards with exactly the same number of electors in each; we have to be flexible. However, we try to keep the number of electors represented by each councillor as close to the average for the council as possible.
16 We work out the average number of electors per councillor for each individual local authority by dividing the electorate by the number of councillors, as shown on the table below.
2017 2023 Electorate of Preston 95,451 100,295 Number of councillors 48 48 Average number of 1,989 2,089 electors per councillor
17 When the number of electors per councillor in a ward is within 10% of the average for the authority, we refer to the ward as having ‘good electoral equality’. All our proposed wards for Preston will have good electoral equality by 2023.
18 Our recommendations cannot affect the external boundaries of the city or result in changes to postcodes. They do not take into account parliamentary constituency boundaries. The recommendations will not have an effect on local taxes, house prices, or car and house insurance premiums and we are not able to take into account any representations which are based on these issues.
Submissions received
19 See Appendix C for details of the submissions received. All submissions may be viewed at our offices by appointment, or on our website at www.lgbce.org.uk
Electorate figures
20 The Council submitted electorate forecasts for 2023, a period five years on from the scheduled publication of our final recommendations in 2018. These forecasts were broken down to polling district level and predicted an increase in the electorate of around 5% by 2023. This is driven by significant housing development in the north of the city.
2 Schedule 2 to the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009. 3 Electors refers to the number of people registered to vote, not the whole adult population. 5
21 We considered the information provided by the Council and are satisfied that the projected figures are the best available at the present time. We have used these figures to produce our final recommendations.
Number of councillors
22 Preston City Council currently has 57 councillors. We looked at evidence provided by the Council and other political groups (Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrats) and have concluded that decreasing the number of councillors by nine will make sure the Council can carry out its roles and responsibilities effectively.
23 We have therefore based our final recommendations on a pattern of wards that would be represented by 48 councillors.
Ward boundaries consultation
24 We received six submissions to our consultation on ward boundaries. Preston City Council’s submission contained a draft city-wide proposal from the Council’s Member/Officer Working Group (the Working Group) and a city-wide proposal agreed at a Council meeting in May 2017. We also received a city-wide proposal from the Preston Conservative Group (Preston Conservatives). All were based on a uniform pattern of 16 three-councillor wards to be represented by 48 councillors. We also received localised submissions from Mark Menzies MP (Fylde), Tanterton Village Centre, Grimsargh Parish Council and a local resident.
25 Our draft recommendations were based on a combination of all three city-wide warding schemes. Based on these schemes, we proposed modified ward boundaries in the Ashton, Cottam, Deepdale, Lea, Fishwick, Frenchwood and Moor Park areas of Preston to improve electoral equality and better reflect road access within wards. We also proposed a ward name change. We visited Preston to look at the different proposals on the ground. The visit to Preston helped us to decide between the different boundaries proposed.
26 Our draft recommendations were for 16 three-councillor wards. We considered that our draft recommendations provided for good electoral equality while reflecting community identities and interests.
Draft recommendations consultation
27 We received 42 submissions during consultation on our draft recommendations. These included comments from the Preston Conservatives, Preston & Wyre Liberal Democrats, parish councils and local residents. We also received a city-wide scheme from Ingol & Tanterton Neighbourhood Council. The main objections to our draft recommendations were in the west of Preston, specifically the Lea and Cottam areas. Other submissions focused on specific areas, particularly our proposals in Fishwick & Frenchwood and the proposed names for our Tulketh and Moor Park wards.
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28 Our final recommendations are based on the draft recommendations with modifications to the wards of Fishwick & Frenchwood, Tulketh and Moor Park based on the submissions received.
Final recommendations
29 Pages 8–18 detail our final recommendations for each area of Preston. They detail how the proposed warding arrangements reflect the three statutory4 criteria of:
• Equality of representation • Reflecting community interests and identities • Providing for effective and convenient local government
30 Our final recommendations are for 16 three-councillor wards. We consider that our final recommendations will provide for good electoral equality while reflecting community identities and interests where we have received such evidence during consultation.
31 A summary of our proposed new wards is set out in the table on page 22–23 and on the large map accompanying this report.
4 Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009. 7
Preston Central
Ward name Number of Cllrs Variance 2023 City Centre 3 4% Deepdale 3 -5% Fishwick & Frenchwood 3 -5% Plungington 3 -6% St Matthew’s 3 -4%
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City Centre and Fishwick & Frenchwood 32 Two local residents proposed different boundaries in relation to the area between Bushell Place and Berwick Road, stating that these properties would be better placed in City Centre ward rather than Fishwick & Frenchwood ward. We are persuaded by the evidence we have received and have therefore transferred the residential area between Bushell Place and Berwick Road into the City Centre ward. We consider the amended boundary better reflects the local community, maintains good electoral equality and is clear and identifiable on the ground. These two submissions also argued that the Frenchwood Recreation Ground should be included in City Centre ward. However, we have decided to place the park within the ward it primarily serves.
33 We received a submission that argued that the ward boundary south of Cardinal Newman College should run through James Street and Selborne Street. We were not persuaded to make this change, instead confirming our draft recommendations as final on the basis that the college provides a clear and identifiable boundary between the City Centre ward and the Fishwick & Frenchwood ward.
34 We received a small number of submissions objecting to our proposed Fishwick & Frenchwood ward on the basis that it did not represent community identity, suggesting that both areas are separate, distinct communities. Having considered the evidence received, we are of the view that our proposed boundary ensures clear road access between the Fishwick and Frenchwood areas via Brockholes View, London Road and New Hall Lane. Given that Preston elects a third of its council each year, there is a presumption in law that it will have three-councillor wards and it is therefore necessary to place both communities in the same ward. We would rather place two distinct communities in the same ward than divide them for the sake of electoral equality. In light of this, we consider our recommendations will ensure that the two communities in Fishwick & Frenchwood ward are connected by clear road links and will be effectively represented. We have therefore decided to confirm our proposed Fishwick & Frenchwood ward as final.
35 A local resident questioned the geographical extent of our proposed City Centre ward. The three wards of University, Riversway and Town Centre currently serve this area. They expressed concern about the workload of councillors as well as how the needs of the electorate will be managed in a larger ward. These existing wards have significant electoral variances and, in light of this, it is not possible to retain them as part of our final recommendations. For example, the University ward would have a variance of 54% by 2023, which we consider to be unacceptably high. We have therefore decided to confirm our draft recommendations for City Centre ward as final.
Deepdale and St Matthew’s 36 We received one submission that related to the proposed Deepdale and St Matthew’s wards. The submission expressed disappointment at the loss of the existing St George’s ward based on its history and culture. We are not persuaded we have received sufficient evidence to change our recommendations here and therefore confirm our draft recommendations as final.
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Plungington 37 The one submission from a local resident for this area proposed that Moor Park ward be renamed Plungington, arguing the name Plungington is more representative of community identities. The Working Group and Preston Conservatives also proposed this name during the consultation on ward boundaries. We have therefore adopted this change as part of our final recommendations.
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11
Preston East
Ward name Number of Cllrs Variance 2023 Brookfield 3 -5% Garrison 3 7% Greyfriars 3 1% Ribbleton 3 -7% Sharoe Green 3 3%
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Brookfield 38 We received no submissions that related directly to Brookfield ward. We therefore confirm our draft recommendations as final.
Garrison and Sharoe Green 39 Our Garrison and Sharoe Green wards have not altered from our draft recommendations. We received one representation from the Preston Conservatives which stated that the M6 and M55 would represent better boundary lines.
40 We are of the view that ward boundaries should follow the existing parish boundaries in this area. If boundaries followed the M6 and M55 this would require the creation of parish wards with very few electors. We consider this would not ensure effective and convenient local government. Furthermore, we previously considered whether the D’urton Lane and the D’urton Manor housing development should be included in Sharoe Green ward and the northern ward boundary moved to the junction of the M6 and M55 motorways. However, this change would have resulted in Sharoe Green ward having an electoral variance of 12% more electors per councillor than the city average by 2023. We have therefore decided to confirm our draft recommendations for these wards as final.
Greyfriars 41 Two submissions were received from local residents in relation to our Greyfriars ward. One resident proposed that the retirement flats at Hollybank on Boys Lane should be incorporated within the Greyfriars ward based on community interests and identities. The second submission supported our draft recommendations, agreeing that the West Coast Main Line is a clear and identifiable ward boundary. We agree that the railway provides the strongest ward boundary in this area and have thus chosen to keep the boundary as proposed in our draft recommendations.
Ribbleton 42 We received one submission regarding our Ribbleton ward, from the Farri Park Community Interest Company. The organisation opposed the Farringdon Park area being included within the Ribbleton ward because the cemetery blocks off access to the main area of Ribbleton, meaning that residents within the Farringdon Park area would have to travel via Blackpool Road and then Miller Road to access Ribbleton.
43 While we note the concerns expressed, we have decided not to change our recommendations here. We have examined the possibility of placing the Farringdon Park area in the proposed Fishwick & Frenchwood ward. However, this provided an electoral variance of 19%. We have an obligation to ensure that electors in Preston have a vote of broadly equal weight and consider that this variance will not provide for sufficient electoral equality. We have therefore decided to confirm our draft recommendations for Ribbleton ward as final.
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Preston Rural
Ward name Number of Cllrs Variance 2023 Preston Rural East 3 1% Preston Rural North 3 -6%
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Preston Rural East 44 Grimsargh Parish Council was supportive of the ward boundaries for Preston Rural East. Two of the submissions we received for this ward focused on the areas of Whittingham and Goosnargh, one coming from Whittingham Parish Council and the other from a local resident. Each submission proposed that the two villages or parishes should remain in the same ward because of a shared community identity.
45 We have examined a number of alternative options for this area but were unable to identify any alternative warding pattern that would satisfy all three of our criteria. While the villages have been kept in the same ward, we are unable to transfer the entirety of either Goosnargh or Whittingham parishes into either Preston Rural East or Preston Rural North wards, as this would result in unacceptably high variances. For example, transferring Goosnargh parish into Preston Rural East ward would result in a ward variance of 32%. Alternatively, transferring Whittingham parish into Preston Rural North ward would result in a ward variance of 23%. Given the principle that each elector’s vote should be of broadly equal weight, we are not persuaded we have received sufficient evidence to justify these variances.
46 We also looked at options that would move away from a uniform pattern of three-councillor wards for the whole of the rural north. Again, there was no alternative pattern would ensure even reasonable electoral equality. We have therefore concluded that our draft recommendations provide the best balance of our statutory criteria and have decided to confirm them as final.
Preston Rural North 47 We received one submission from a local resident that related directly to this ward, which proposed that the residential area north of Lightfoot Lane should be incorporated into Preston Rural North ward. We decided to not adopt this change as following the parish and county division boundaries will allow for effective and convenient local government. We therefore confirm our draft recommendations for this ward as final.
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Preston West
Ward name Number of Cllrs Variance 2023 Ashton 3 2% Cadley 3 1% Ingol & Cottam 3 8% Lea & Larches 3 8%
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Ashton 48 We received one submission from a local resident in relation to our Ashton ward. While the submission was supportive of the planned Ashton ward, two amendments were proposed to enlarge the ward, taking parts of the proposed Lea & Larches and Plungington wards. However, no evidence was provided to support this modification and we have therefore not adopted these proposals.
Cadley 49 We received several submissions in relation to our proposed Tulketh ward. All submissions for this ward were supportive of the boundaries but felt that Tulketh was an unsuitable name given that the ward was predominantly made up of Cadley residents.
50 Most submissions proposed the alternative name of Cadley – others proposed something similar, such as Wychnor & Cadley. Based on the submissions received, we feel there is enough evidence to support a name change that is more geographically accurate and that better reflects community identity. We therefore have decided to rename the proposed Tulketh ward as Cadley.
51 Except for this name change we are confirming our draft recommendations for this ward as final.
Ingol & Cottam and Lea & Larches 52 We received several submissions that objected to our draft recommendations for the areas of Lea and Cottam. This included a submission from Lea & Cottam Parish Council. By splitting the existing Lea ward and Lea & Cottam parish into separate wards, many felt that the draft recommendations did not take account of community identity and were not conducive to effective and convenient local government.
53 Amongst these submissions was an alternative warding scheme covering the city from Ingol & Tanterton Neighbourhood Council, supported by Tanterton Village Centre. This submission was based largely on existing polling districts, keeping the Neighbourhood Council within a single Ingol ward. It was argued that this would keep existing communities across Preston together, such as Lea and Cottam.
54 We also received a submission from a local resident who proposed that the north-eastern part of the proposed Ingol & Cottam ward be incorporated into Cadley ward, running the boundary along Woodplumpton Road. The submission also proposed the northern boundary of Lea & Larches ward run all the way along the railway line, and that the northern boundary of Ingol & Cottam ward run along Hoyles Lane.
55 Four submissions, which included the Preston Conservatives’, proposed that the Summer Trees Avenue estate, which sits in the existing Larches ward, be transferred to an enlarged Lea ward to help provide for good electoral equality.
56 We have very carefully considered the submissions received for this area. In response, we examined the alternatives that would create three-councillor wards akin to the existing Lea, Ingol and Larches wards. Unfortunately, we were unable to
17 provide a warding pattern that provided for good electoral equality without having significant consequential effects for other proposed wards across the city of Preston – wards that have received support during this consultation. We also believe that our recommendations will provide for effective and convenient local government particularly given that our proposed wards will following the current division boundary in the area. While accepting that our recommendations for this area are not supported by some locally, we have decided to confirm our draft recommendations as final.
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Conclusions
57 The table below shows the impact of our final recommendations on electoral equality, based on 2017 and 2023 electorate figures.
Summary of electoral arrangements
Final recommendations
2017 2023
Number of councillors 48 48
Number of electoral wards 16 16
Average number of electors per councillor 1,989 2,089
Number of wards with a variance more 3 0 than 10% from the average
Number of wards with a variance more 1 0 than 20% from the average
Final recommendation Preston City Council should be made up of 48 councillors serving 16 three-councillor wards. The details and names are shown in Appendix A and illustrated on the large map accompanying this report.
Mapping Sheet 1, Map 1 shows the proposed wards for Preston City Council. You can also view our final recommendations for Preston City Council on our interactive maps at http://consultation.lgbce.org.uk
Parish electoral arrangements
58 As part of an electoral review, we are required to have regard to the statutory criteria set out in Schedule 2 to the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (the 2009 Act). The Schedule provides that if a parish is to be divided between different ward it must also be divided into parish wards, so that each parish ward lies wholly within a single ward. We cannot recommend changes to the external boundaries of parishes as part of an electoral review.
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59 Under the 2009 Act we only have the power to make changes to parish electoral arrangements where these are as a direct consequence of our recommendations for principal authority warding arrangements. However, Preston City Council has powers under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 to conduct community governance reviews to effect changes to parish electoral arrangements.
60 We are providing revised parish electoral arrangements for Ingol & Tanterton.
61 As result of our proposed ward boundaries and having regard to the statutory criteria set out in schedule 2 to the 2009 Act, we are providing revised parish electoral arrangements for Ingol & Tanterton parish.
Final recommendation Ingol & Tanterton Neighbourhood Council should comprise 10 councillors, as at present, representing two wards: Parish ward Number of parish councillors Ingol North East 3 Ingol South West & Tanterton 7
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3 What happens next?
62 We have now completed our review of Preston City Council. The recommendations must now be approved by Parliament. A draft Order – the legal document which brings into force our recommendations – will be laid in Parliament. Subject to parliamentary scrutiny, the new electoral arrangements will come into force at the local elections in 2019.
Equalities
63 This report has been screened for impact on equalities, with due regard being given to the general equalities duties as set out in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010. As no potential negative impacts were identified, a full equality impact analysis is not required.
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Appendix A
Final recommendations for Preston City Council
Number of Variance Number of Variance Number of Electorate Electorate Ward name electors per from average electors per from average councillors (2017) (2023) councillor % councillor %
1 Ashton 3 6,371 2,124 7% 6,390 2,130 2%
2 Brookfield 3 5,843 1,948 -2% 5,976 1,992 -5%
3 Cadley 3 6,248 2,083 5% 6,346 2,115 1%
4 City Centre 3 6,112 2,037 2% 6,540 2,180 4%
5 Deepdale 3 5,974 1,991 0% 5,986 1,995 -5%
6 Fishwick & 3 5,919 1,973 -1% 5,977 1,992 -5% Frenchwood 7 Garrison 3 6,682 2,227 12% 6,722 2,241 7%
8 Greyfriars 3 6,240 2,080 5% 6,352 2,117 1%
9 Ingol & Cottam 3 6,242 2,081 5% 6,740 2,247 8%
10 Lea & Larches 3 6,704 2,235 12% 6,792 2,264 8%
11 Plungington 3 5,895 1,965 -1% 5,917 1,972 -6%
12 Preston Rural 3 5,342 1,781 -10% 6,316 2,105 1% East
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Number of Variance Number of Variance Number of Electorate Electorate Ward name electors per from average electors per from average councillors (2017) (2023) councillor % councillor %
13 Preston Rural 3 3,843 1,281 -36% 5,884 1,961 -6% North 14 Ribbleton 3 5,839 1,946 -2% 5,848 1,949 -7%
15 Sharoe Green 3 6,345 2,115 6% 6,472 2,157 3%
16 St Matthew’s 3 5,852 1,951 -2% 6,037 2,012 -4%
Totals 48 95,451 – – 100,295 – –
Averages – – 1,989 – – 2,089 –
Source: Electorate figures are based on information provided by Preston City Council.
Note: The ‘variance from average’ column shows by how far, in percentage terms, the number of electors per councillor in each electoral ward varies from the average for the city. The minus symbol (-) denotes a lower than average number of electors. Figures have been rounded to the nearest whole number.
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Appendix B
Outline map
A more detailed version of this map can be seen on the large map accompanying this report, or on our website: https://www.lgbce.org.uk/current-reviews/north- west/lancashire/preston
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Appendix C
Submissions received
All submissions received can also be viewed on our website at https://www.lgbce.org.uk/current-reviews/north-west/lancashire/preston
Political Groups
• Preston & Wyre Liberal Democrats • Preston Conservatives
Local Organisations
• Farri Park Community Interest Company • Tanterton Village Centre
Parish and Town Councils
• Grimsargh Parish Council • Ingol & Tanterton Neighbourhood Council • Lea & Cottam Parish Council • Whittingham Parish Council
Local Residents
• 34 local residents
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Appendix D
Glossary and abbreviations
Council size The number of councillors elected to serve on a council
Electoral Change Order (or Order) A legal document which implements changes to the electoral arrangements of a local authority
Division A specific area of a county, defined for electoral, administrative and representational purposes. Eligible electors can vote in whichever division they are registered for the candidate or candidates they wish to represent them on the county council
Electoral fairness When one elector’s vote is worth the same as another’s
Electoral inequality Where there is a difference between the number of electors represented by a councillor and the average for the local authority
Electorate People in the authority who are registered to vote in elections. For the purposes of this report, we refer specifically to the electorate for local government elections
Number of electors per councillor The total number of electors in a local authority divided by the number of councillors
Over-represented Where there are fewer electors per councillor in a ward or division than the average
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Parish A specific and defined area of land within a single local authority enclosed within a parish boundary. There are over 10,000 parishes in England, which provide the first tier of representation to their local residents
Parish council A body elected by electors in the parish which serves and represents the area defined by the parish boundaries. See also ‘Town council’
Parish (or Town) council electoral The total number of councillors on arrangements any one parish or town council; the number, names and boundaries of parish wards; and the number of councillors for each ward
Parish ward A particular area of a parish, defined for electoral, administrative and representational purposes. Eligible electors vote in whichever parish ward they live for candidate or candidates they wish to represent them on the parish council
Town council A parish council which has been given ceremonial ‘town’ status. More information on achieving such status can be found at www.nalc.gov.uk
Under-represented Where there are more electors per councillor in a ward or division than the average
Variance (or electoral variance) How far the number of electors per councillor in a ward or division varies in percentage terms from the average
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Ward A specific area of a district or borough, defined for electoral, administrative and representational purposes. Eligible electors can vote in
whichever ward they are registered for the candidate or candidates they wish to represent them on the district or borough council
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The Local Government Boundary Local Government Boundary Commission for Commission for England (LGBCE) was set England up by Parliament, independent of 14th floor, Millbank Tower Government and political parties. It is London directly accountable to Parliament through a SW1P 4QP committee chaired by the Speaker of the House of Commons. It is responsible for Telephone: 0330 500 1525 [email protected] conducting boundary, electoral and Email: Online: www.lgbce.org.uk or structural reviews of local government www.consultation.lgbce.org.uk areas. Twitter: @LGBCE