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Review of Electoral Arrangements - Na H-Eileanan an Iar Council Area Final Proposals

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Review of Electoral Arrangements - Na H-Eileanan an Iar Council Area Final Proposals POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE 23 JUNE 2021 REVIEW OF ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS - NA H-EILEANAN AN IAR COUNCIL AREA FINAL PROPOSALS Report by Chief Executive PURPOSE 1.1 The purpose of the Report is to inform Members of Boundary Scotland’s final proposals resulting from the review of electoral arrangements for the Comhairle area. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2.1 Boundaries Scotland commenced a review of the Comhairle area in January 2019. Boundaries Scotland consulted the Comhairle on their initial proposals between March and May 2019. The initial proposals were based on an electoral arrangement for 28 councillors representing one 1-member ward, five 2- member wards, three 3-members wards and two 4-member wards. The Comhairle supported the initial proposals and proposed some minor changes to ward boundaries which better reflected local ties. Boundaries Scotland agreed to adopt the Comhairle’s proposed changes to the initial proposals. 2.2 The final proposals are unchanged from the initial proposals apart from a 2-member rather than a 1- member ward for Barraigh agus Bhatarsaigh. The final proposals have been submitted to Scottish Ministers and, subject to approval by the Scottish Parliament, will come into effect for the 2022 Comhairle elections. RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 It is recommended that the Comhairle note the Report. Contact Officer: Derek Mackay – Governance and Election Manager Appendix: Boundaries Scotland review of electoral arrangements – Na h-Eileanan an Iar Council Area Background Papers: Report to Policy and Resources Committee on 2 May 2019 IMPLICATIONS 4.1 The following implications are applicable in terms of the Report. Resource Implications Implications/None Financial The reduction in the number of councillors will present a saving to the Comhairle. Legal The proposals reflect the provisions within the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 for the introduction of 1 and 2 member wards. Staffing None Assets and Property None Strategic Implications Implications/None Risk None Equalities None Corporate Strategy None Environmental Impact None Consultation Boundaries Scotland consulted with the public and the Comhairle during the review. BACKGROUND 5.1 Boundaries Scotland is an independent, non-political, statutory body responsible for carrying out reviews of councillor numbers and electoral wards for council areas. Electoral reviews are undertaken at intervals of no more than 15 years and take account of the factors set out in the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (as amended by subsequent legislation). 5.2 The Na h-Eileanan an Iar Council area was last reviewed during the 5th Reviews of Electoral Arrangements which reported in 2016. However, the Scottish Government did not implement the proposals because of the introduction of the Bill on the Scottish Islands, which became the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018. 5.3 The Review of the Na h-Eileanan an Iar Council area was required under section 20 of the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018. The Act recognised the importance of the Scottish islands and offered additional flexibility allowing Boundaries Scotland to create wards that elect one or two councillors in wards which contain inhabited islands. 5.4 When undertaking a review one of the principal aims is to ensure a level of electoral parity by having, as far as possible, the same number of electors per councillor in all wards within a council area. Boundaries Scotland may depart from strict application of electoral parity to reflect special geographical considerations. Such considerations include areas where transport and communication links are slow, infrequent, or subject to interference by weather and include distinct island areas, sparsely populated areas and remote areas. DETAIL 6.1 The current electoral arrangements for the Comhairle area have remained unchanged since 2007 with 31 councillors and nine wards. The review commenced in January 2019 and Boundaries Scotland consulted the Comhairle between March and May 2019. The consultation was based on an electoral arrangement for 28 councillors representing one 1-member ward, five 2-member wards, three 3- members wards and two 4-member wards. 6.2 The Comhairle supported the initial proposals and proposed some minor changes to ward boundaries which better reflected local ties. Boundaries Scotland agreed to adopt the Comhairle’s proposed changes in the initial proposals. 6.3 Public consultation on the initial proposals ran for a twelve-week period from 10 September – 2 December 2019. There were 64 responses with nearly half supporting the proposals. Those opposing the proposals generally sought greater representation in the southern isles. 6.4 The final proposals are unchanged from the initial proposals apart from a 2-member rather than a 1- member ward for Barraigh agus Bhatarsaigh. The final proposals have been submitted to Scottish Ministers and, subject to approval by the Scottish Parliament, will come into effect for the 2022 Comhairle election. Maps of the proposed wards are detailed in the appendix to the Report. CONCLUSION 7.1 Boundaries Scotland have reflected the Comhairle’s wish for a reduction in councillors, incorporate 2- member wards to better reflect local ties and have also adopted the proposed amendments to ward boundaries. The final proposals have been submitted to Scottish Ministers and, subject to approval by the Scottish Parliament, will come into effect for the 2022 Comhairle election. .
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