LOCAL

BOUNDARY

FOR

REPORT HO. LOCAL G

BOUNDARY FOR ENGLAND

NO. LOCAL OOVKKNKKUT BOUNDARY CO','MISSION FOK fc.'GLAUD

CHAIRMAN

Sir Nicholas Morrison KCB

DEPUTY CHAIRMAN

Mr J M Rankin QC

MEM3EHS

Lady Bowden

Mr J T Brockbank Mr R R Thornton CB DL

Mr D P Harrison Professor G E Cherry Secretary of State for the Home Department

PROPOSALS FOR REVISED ELECTORAL ARRANGEMEMTS FOR THE METROPOLITAN BOROUGH OF IN THE OF

1. We, the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, having carried out our initial review of the electoral arrangements for the metropolitan borough of Dudley in accordance with the requirements of section 63 of, and Schedule 9 to, the Local Government Act 1972, present our proposals for the future electoral arrangements for that borough.

2. In accordance with the procedure laid down in section 60(l) and (2) of the 1972 Act, notice was given on 8 August 1975 that we were to undertake this review. This was incorporated in a consultation letter addressed to the Dudley Borough Council, copies of which were circulated to the West Midlands County Council, the Members of Parliament for the constituencies concerned, and the headquarters of the main political parties. Copies were also sent to the editors of local newspapers circulating in the area and of the local government press. Notices inserted in the local press announced the start of the review and invited comments from members of the public and from interested bodies,

3. Dudley Borough Council were invited to prepare a draft scheme of representation for our consideration. In doing so, they were asked to observe the rules laid down in Schedule 11 to the Local Government Act 1972 and the guidelines which we set out in our Report No. 6 about the proposed size of the council and the proposed number of councillors for each ward. They were asked to take into account any views expressed to them following their consultation with local interests. We therefore asked that they should publish details of their provisional proposals about a month before they submitted their draft scheme to us, thus allowing an opportunity for local comment.

4. Section 7(3) of the Local Government Act 1972 requires that in metropolitan districts elections shall be by thirds. Section 6(2)(b) of the Act requires that every metropolitan district shall be divided into wards, each returning a number of councillors divisible by three.

5. On 16 August 1976 Dudley Borough Council presented their draft scheme of representation. The council proposed to divide the area 'of the borough into 24. wards, each returning 3 members to form a Council of 72. 6. We considered the draft scheme together with copies of the correspondence received by the Council during the preparation of the scheme and after its publication, as well as the comments we had received direct. We received alternative draft schemes from two local political associations and from a resident. Two of these schemes made identical proposals. In addition two other local political associations, a councillor and a resident, commented on the draft scheme and put forward alternative proposals for specific areas in the Borough.

7. We noted that the Borough Council's draft scheme preserved some existing administrative boundaries and local ties but failed to produce an even standard of electoral representation throughout the borough. We therefore considered whether the alternative schemes which had been submitted to us provided information which would enable us to formulate electoral proposals providing better standards of representation. An alternative scheme submitted by one of the local political associations, which - like the Borough Council's scheme - provided for 2k wards each, returning 3 members to form a Council of 72, contained nine wards coterminous with wards in the Borough Council scheme and offered acceptable standards of representation.

8. We decided that subject to renaming some of the wards and to minor boundary adjustments suggested by Ordnance Survey, this alternative scheme provided a reasonable basis for the future electoral arrangements for the borough in compliance with the rules in Schedule 11 to the 1972 Act and our guidelines and we formulated our draft proposals accordingly.

9. On 2k February 1977 we issued our draft proposals and these were sent to the recipients of our consultation letter and others from whom comments on the Borough Council's draft schemes had been received. The Council were asked to make these draft proposals and the accompanying map which defined the proposed ward boundaries available for inspection at their main offices. Representations on our draft proposals were invited from those to whom they were circulated and, by public notices, from other members of the public and interested bodies. We asked that comments should reach us by 22 April 1977* 10. Dudley Borough Council accepted our draft proposals but suggested that the proposed Mount Pleasant and wards should be renamed Wordsley West and Wordsiey East.

11. The political association and the resident who had earlier submitted the identical schemes referred to in paragraph 6 above requested that their submissions 'should be reconsidered. The political association specifically objected to draft proposals affecting , West and Gornal wards, Netherton and Woodside ward, ward, and and Hasbury and South wards on the grounds that the proposed ward boundaries divided existing communities. They also suggested alternative ward names. Some of their objections were supported by other local political associations and by local residents.

12. We received 2 petitions each bearing some 250 signatures and various letters objecting to the draft proposals in relation to the proposed Sedgley and Gornal wards.

13. A local political association and a councillor objected to the proposed St Andrews ward and submitted that the area, known as Darby End had strong local ties with the rest of St Andrews ward and should therefore be included in that ward rather than in the proposed Netherton and Woodside ward.

1*f. Another local political association suggested that the boundary of the proposed and Cradley ward should be adjusted to include the Fatherless Barn Estate, A different political association and two councillors suggested that the boundary of Amblecote ward should be redrawn to follow either the course of the River Stour or the course of the Canal.

15. A local community association submitted an alternative scheme for warding the area. They proposed that the new wards should be named Kingswinford North and , Kingswinford South and Wordsley: replacing our proposed wards of Kingswinford and Wall Heath, Mount Pleasant, and Wordsley. 16. In view of these comments we decided that we needed further information to enable us to reach a conclusion. Therefore, in accordance with section 65(2) of the 1972 Act and at our request, Mr W Bryan was appointed an Assistant Commissioner to hold a local meeting and to report to us.

17. The Assistant Commissioner held a meeting at Dudley on 15 November 1977. A copy of his report to us of the meeting is attached at Schedule 1 to this report.

18. In the light of discussion at the meeting and his inspection of the areas concerned, the Assistant Commissioner recommended that our draft proposals should be confirmed subject to the following modifications:- a. the boundary between the proposed Coseley West ward and-the proposed Gornal ward should be redrawn so as to include part of Upper Gornal in Gornal ward; b. the boundary between the proposed St Andrews ward and the proposed Netherton and Woodside ward should be redrawn so as to include the area known as Windmill end and Darby End in St Andrews ward; c. the boundary of the proposed Netherton and Woodside ward should be adjusted to include a small part of the proposed Brockmoor and ward;

d. the western boundary of the proposed Amblecote ward should be realigned on the course of the River Stour; e. the boundary between the proposed Belle Vale and Hasbury ward and the proposed-Halftsowen South ward should be altered;

f. the boundary between the proposed wards of Wordsley and Mount Pleasant should be redrawn to produce two new wards to be renamed Kingswinford South and Wordsley; g. the proposed Kingswinford and Wall Heath ward should be renamed Kingswinford North and Wall Heath.

19. We reviewed our draft proposals in the light of the comments we had received and the report of the Assistant Commissioner. We concluded that the Assistant Commissioner's recommendations should be accepted and formulated our final proposals accordingly.

20. Details of these final proposals are set out in Schedule 2 to this report and on the attached map. Schedule 2 gives the names of the wards and the number of councillors to be returned by each. A detailed description of the boundaries of the proposed wards, as defined on the map, is set out in Schedule 3 to this report. The boundaries of the new wards are defined on the maps,

PUBLICATION

21. In accordance with Section 60(5)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 a copy of this report and a copy of the map are being sent to Dudley Borough Council and will be available for public inspection at the Council's main offices. Copies of this report (without the map) are also being sent to those who received the consultation letter and to those who made comments,

L.S.

Signed

BMDK D' COMPTON ( CHAIRMAN )

JOHN M RANKIN (DEPUTY CHAIRMAN)

PHYLLIS 30VTDSH

T BROCKBANK

MICHAEL CHISHOLM

D P HARRISON

R R THORNTON

LESLIE GRIMSHAW (Secretary)

2- 5 November 19?8 S 1

Metropolitan Borough of Dudley Review of Electoral Arrangements

Report of W.O»E. Bryan appointed by the Home Secretary as Assistant Commissioner in accordance with Section 65(2) of the Local Government Act, 1972 - Local Meeting held at the , Dudley, on Tuesday, 15th November, 1977 at 10a*m. Review of the Electoral Arrangements for the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley - Local Meeting held at the Council House, Dudley, on Tuesday, 15th November, 1977 at 10 a.m.

Persons in Attendance

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Mr. H.C. Brainsby LL.B. Deputy Director of Legal and Administrative Services Mr. D. Feachey M.Sc.,R.3.S. Principal Planning Assistant Mr. F. Tracey - Elections Section Halesowen and Stourbridge Liberal Association June Trace and Stourbridge East Ward Mr. P.M. Williams, Secretary Kingswinford Community Association Mr. P. Wilson Mr. P.O. Scheley, Chairman Mr. F.J. Brookes, Secretary St. Andrews Ward Councillor W.T. Smith Councillor Mrs. Hingley Borough Labour Party Mr. P. Wall Regional Office Labour Party Mr. W.V. Burley Halesowen Liberal Group Mr. K. Sprason Gornal Councillor A. Oakley Councillor J. Pithern Cradley Councillor T. Clitheroe Councillor D. Swaysland Councillor C. Willetts Mr. Ashley Heal Mr. V/.T. Butterworth Halesovren and Stourbridge Labour Party Mr. C. Ellison Sedgley Mr. D.B, Adams Mr. J. Hoare Wordsley Councillor S. Pairfold Mr. K, Williams 1 • Introduction The Metropolitan Borough of Dudley consists of the former and the former Municipal Boroughs of Halesowen I and Stourbridge. , The present electoral arrangements provide for 22 wards each ; returning 3 Councillors to give a Borough Council of 66. ! The review of the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley was started on ' 8th August 1975. At the beginning of the electoral review, the ., Council was Labour controlled, but at the elections in Hay 1976, ••' Labour lost eight seats to the Conservatives and one seat to the 1 Liberals and the Conservatives thus gained control - the present ;| political composition of the Council ia Conservative 37; Labour "I 26; Liberal 2 and Independent Socialist 1. The Labour controlled Council prepared a draft scheme which was advertised in May 1976. j In the same week, the Conservatives gained control as a result of I the District Council elections, and the new Council then withdrew the advertised draft scheme and submitted another scheme which was advertised in July 1976 and submitted to the Commission in August 1976. 2. The Borough Council *B Draft Scheme : Alternative Schemes and the observations thereon (a) The Borough Council's Draft Scheme The Borough Council's Draft Scheme provides for 24 wards each .' return ing 3 members to give a Borough Council with a membership of 72. i The Commission's Observations < , In assessing this draft scheme the Commission noted that the Borough i Council had sought to preserve the administrative boundrary of the former Borough of Hale so wen by the distribution of the area within i it among the four proposed wards of Belle Tale and Cradley, Hale a oven North, Hale s oven South and Hasbury and Hayle y Green, and that the constraint of a 3 member ward pattern had resulted in this area being out of balance with the rest of the District, so much so that on the | basis of electoral figures for 1981, the Halesowen area will be under- • represented In favour of the rest of the Borough by almost two Councillors. j The Council had acknowledged that in order to achieve electoral equality, i it would be necessary to link either Quarry Bank with Cradley or Wollescote i with Belle Tale (suggested by some of the alternative proposals). It was not possible to deal with the imbalance without creating a ripple effect ; across the District. The Commission noted also two other areas of uneveness in the draft scheme, , viz:- ) The proposed 3 member Amblecote Ward -; The proposed Brockmoor and Fensnett Ward The former would be over-represented in 1976 (1.33) and generously . represented in 1981 (2,68). The latter would have a 1976 entitlement of 2.88 and would be generously represented in 1981 (2,67). From the map there would seem to be no simple way to adjust the representation of these wards. - 2 -

2. (b) The Labour Party's Draft Proposals (c) The Liberal Party's Draft Proposals

The Commission considered the alternative schemes submitted by the Labour ?arty and the Liberal Party attached hereto. The Commission's Observations The Commission consider that both these proposals conformed to the rules and guidelines and that there was little to choose between them numerically. The Commission noted that adoption of the Labour Party proposals would mean replacing all but three of the Council's proposed wards, whereas the Liberal Party proposals, if adopted, would leave the nine wards in the northern part of the District the same as proposed by the Council - a marginal bonus of the proposals of the Liberal Party would be to improve the shape of ward. 3- The Commission's Proposals The Commission, having considered the Borough Council1s draft scheme and all of the comments, accordingly decided to adopt the draft proposals submitted by the Liberal Party as a basis of their draft proposals subject to the substitution of the following ward names:- Aablecote for Amblecote Bank Belle Vale and Hasbury for Belle Vale/Hasbury Brockmoor and Pensnett for Brockmoor/Pensnett Castle and Priory for Priory Castle Coseley East for Coseley Coaeley West for Woodsetton Halesowen North for Hill/Cakemoor Halesowen South for Halesowen /Lapal Hayley Green for /Hayley Green Kingswinford and Wall Heath for Wall Heath/Eingswinford Lye and Wollescote for Lye/Wol1escote Netherton and Woodside for Ne the rt on/Wo ods ide Pedmore and Stourbridge East for Pedmore/Stourbridge East Quarry Bank and Cradley for Quarry Bank/Cradley Wollaston and Stourbridge West for Wollaston/Stourbridge West The Borough Council to have a membership of 72 - six more than at present

4. Summary of Objections to the Commission's Proposals received prior to the date Of the LOC«1 Dudley Metropolitan Borough Object to name of proposed Mount Pleasant Ward - suggest substitution of Wordsley West. Mr. D.B, Adams Objects to proposal to "divide" Sedgley through the town centre - supported by petition by local residents.

Dudley District Labour Party Object to proposals for:- Sedgley - old community will be divided. Coseley West - proposed ward made up of completely separate communities - the Clifton Street boundary is quite useless - a better name for the ward would be Woodsetton. - 3 -

Coseley East - Foxyards Estate ia excluded,, Netherton and Voodside - composed of four completely different areas with nothing in common. ' Asablecote/WoHaston - boundary bisects historic Amblacote* Belle Vale/Halesowen South - boundary follows old public path which has long vanished. Haleaowen and Stourbridge Constituency Labour Party Object to draft proposals for Halesowen and Stourbridge. Amblecote and Wollaston Branch Labour Party Accept the need for a new Amblecote ward linking part of existing Quarry Bank but consider that the western boundary should be the not Amblecote High Street. Councillor Mrs. Fenton Considers that the western boundary of the proposed Amblecote Ward should follow the River Stour in order to avoid dividing the local community. Mr. M. Carpenter Generally in agreement with proposals but would like certain amendments:- a) Proposed boundary between Amblecote and Wollaston should follow the River Stour rather than High Street, Amblecote. b) Proposed boundary between tfollaston and Norton should follow South Road and. Duasley Road* o) The community of Oldswinford has been ignored. St. Andrews Ward Labour Party Object to exclusion of Darby End from St. Andrews Ward. Councillor W.T. Smith Objects to exclusion of Dartjy End from St. Andrews "tiara. Sedgley Branch Labour Party Object to the division of the community of Sedgley. Mr. J« Hoare a) Objects to proposed Sedgley/Coseley West ward boundary as it would be totally artificial and would split the community. b) draft proposals would destroy the unity of both Sedgley and Upper Gornal. c) proposed Coseley West ward is a hybrid collection of segments of totally separate communities. d) proposes five alternative wards of Sedgley, Lower Gornal, Coseley, Upper Gornal and Castle. Councillor Fithern Objects to division of Upper Gornal - supported by petition protesting at proposal to join area to the north-east of Kent Street and Clarence Street with Coseley West. Belle Vale and Cradley Labour Party a) Object to the exclusion of the Fatherless Barn Estate from proposed Quarry Bank and Cradley ward, as it is considered that this Estate should be included with Cradley. - 4 -

b) proposed boundary between Belle Vale and Hasbury and Halesowen South needs revision because it is the line of an old footpath which is no longer relevant. Kingswinford Community Association Object to:- a) lack of consultation on the proposed changes. b) Kingswinford and Wall Heath, tfordsley and Mount Pleasant wards on the grounds that they disregard completely natural and historic communities. c) the names of these proposed wards. Councillor C. Willetts Objects to the whole review of ward boundaries so soon after Local Government Re-organisation, 5. The Local Meeting - The Case advanced against the Commission's Proposals As will be noted, the attendance at the Local Meeting comprised, for the most part, representatives of Organisations and Political Parties within the Metropolitan District, and, again, for the most part, the representatives spoke against some of the proposals of the Commission on the grounds that the proposed ward boundaries split the many closely knit communities and group together in wards parts of areas which have little or no common interest, In this connection, the argwent advanced overall stressed the point that the present Metropolitan Borough of Dudley consisted originally of villages with closely knit community interests which had grown in population and industry to their present size to what can be described now as town and notwithstanding this growth, still retained strong community interest. Mr. Brainsby for the Dudley Metropolitan Borough stated that that Council had no observations to make on the proposals of the Local Government Boundary Commission with the exception of a suggested change in the name of a ward, which will be referred to later in this report. The main objections were directed at the undermentioned proposed wards:- a) Sedgley, Coseley West and Gornal b) Netherton and Woodside and St. Andrews c) Amblecote d) Quarry Bank and Cradley e) Belle Vale and Hasbury and Halesowen South f) Kingswinford and Wall Heath, Mount Pleasant and Wordsley. The substance of the objections and suggested alternatives are as follows:- Sedglev. Coseley West and Gornal Mr. Adams, Mr. Hoare, Councillors Oakley and Fithern and Mr. Wall (Dudley District Labour Party) were unanimous in the objection and endorsed the arguments advanced in their written objections broadly to the effect that the proposed establishment of these wards in their present form using the proposed boundary line along the Wolverhampton Road, Bull Ring and Dudley Road divided Sedgley, and is totally artificial and would split the community: that the proposed Coseley West ward is a hybrid collection of segments of totally separate communities and would destroy the unity of Upper Gornal. Comments and Recommendation of Assistant Commissioner

a) Comments The arguments advanced against the splitting of communities by a proposed boundary line are appreciated, but ward boundary lines have to be drawn with a view to the establishment of wards as a whole throughout the Metropolitan Borough and to alter the proposed boundary between Sedgley and Coseley West wards would produce a-'ripple1 effect throughout the northern part of the Borough. The only solution to meet the various objections would be to re-draw completely the ward boundaries in this part of the Borough. However, the argument advanced against the splitting of Lower and Upper Gornal would appear to have some merit as this part of Gornal could be said to be completely alien to the proposed Coseley Vest ward. b) Rec ommendati ons THAT:- 1, The boundary line between the proposed Sedgley and Coseley West wards be not altered, as although the line passes virtually through the middle of Sedgley it should not adversely affect the community life of that town. 2. The line of the boundary between the proposed Coseley West and Gornal wards should be amended so as to include in the Gornal ward that part of tipper Gornal in the Coseley West Ward, namely the area bounded by a line from where Valley Road joins Dudley Road and followa*Glen Road, Ten Acre Lane and Green Lane to the boundary. While it is appreciated that this would cause the transfer of some 1700 electors from the proposed Coseley West ward to the Gornal ward and produce some numerical imbalance of the number of electors as between these proposed wards, the recommendation is made because the area of recommended transfer appears to be completely alien to the proposed Coseley West ward and would unnecessarily split Lower Gornal from that part of Upper Gornal. Netherton and Woodside and St. Andrews Mr, Wall (Dudley District Labour! Party) endorsed the written objection to this proposed ward on the grounds that it consists of four completely different areas with nothing in common* He also raised strong objection to Windmill End and Darby End being separated from St. Andrews ward and equally strong objections on the same separation were raised by Councillors Smith and Mrs. Hingley (both Councillors for St. Andrews ward). Mr. Brainsby for the Metropolitan Borough Council stated that a small area study of Blackbrook Valley (St. Andrews ward) when first projected for 1981 provided for 1000 houses and it is estimated that some houses will be built by that year but not all, but if a substantial number of houses were to be built by that year and Darby End was to be transferred to St. Andrews ward, then this ward would be too large, but if there were to be little or no development, then this ward could accommodate the Darby End area, but it is extremely difficult at this stage to say what (if any) development will take place by 1981. tUc. vcdr of Ito properties to the v^ortK of - 6 -

Mr. Wall also advanced a strong argument for an amendment to the proposed boundary in the south-vest corner of this ward to transfer to it the small area in the proposed Brockmoor and Pensnett ward bounded by a line at the rear of Gordon Crescent to the joining of the boundary at Canal Street. Comments and Recommendation of Assistant Commissioner a) Comments It would appear that the area known as Windmill End and Darby End has a much greater affinity with the proposed St. Andrews ward than with the proposed Netherton and Woodside ward, and as proposals for the development of Blackbrook Valley have not, as yet, taken on any definite form, it seems an adjustment of this area between the two wards would be reasonable. It also appears reasonable for the tidying up in the south-east corner of the proposed Netherton and Woodside ward by the inclusion of the small area jutting out into the proposed Brockmoor and Pensnett ward. b) Re c ommenda ti on THAT:- 1. The boundary line between the proposed Netherton and Woodside and the St. Andrews ward be adjusted so as to include the area known as Windmill End and Darby End in the St. Andrews ward by continuing the St. Andrews ward boundary line along the Canal to the Borough boundary. 2o The boundary of the proposed Netherton and Woodside ward be adjusted in its south-east corner to include the area to the rear of Gordon Crescent, Terrace Street, and joining up with the boundary at Canal Street. Amblecote The Amblecote and Wollaston Branch of the Labour Party and Councillor Mrs. Fenton expressed strong views against the western boundary of this ward being along Amblecote High Street on. grounds of community interest and that a more realistic line would be the Stourbridge Canal (Branch Labour Party) or the River Stour (Councillor Mrs. Fenton). Comments and He commendation of Assistant Commissioner a) Comments It would appear that the proposed line of the western boundary of this proposed ward is an artificial one in view of two natural boundaries being available as suitable alternatives i.e. the Stourbridge Canal and the River Stour, both in the proposed Wollaston and Stourbridge West ward. There is little to choose between these two alternative proposals, but of the two, the River Stour appears the more natural and suitable and gives a good line of definition. b) Recommendation

THAT:- The western boundary of this ward between it and the proposed Wollaston and Stourbridge Vest ward be deleted and the course of the River St our in the proposed Wollaston and Stourbridge West ward shall become the western boundary of the proposed, Amblecote ward, apout froivi *M

tofollo Mt U over u»U t ' wl|tn w go soufck <*l

b) Rec o mmenda ti on THAT:- No alteration be made in the Commission's proposals for the proposed Quarry Bank and Cradley ward. Belle Vale and Hasbury and Haleaowen South Mr. C»Ellison on behalf of the Halesowen and Stourbridge Constituency Labour Party speaking on the Commission's proposals for the warding of the former Borough of Halesowen, raised objection to the boundary dividing the above wards - his objection being that the proposed boundary follows no distinct line, and suggested a more realistic line from Mucklows Hill along the Hagley Road to the eastern boundary of Hayley Green. Councillor Clitheroe objected also to the proposed ward boundaries of the former Borough of Halesowen and drew attention to the fact that under these proposals, the centre of Halesowen will be in the proposed Belle Vale and Hasbury ward. Comments and Recommendation of Assistant Commissioner a) Comments The suggested alteration to the boundary line between these two wards appears to have merit and the overall effect would be to transfer 720 electors from the proposed Halesowen South ward to the Belle Vale and Hasbury ward and it would give a more definite line to the boundary. The result based on the 1981 estimate would be as follows:- Belle Vale and Hasbury Halesowen South 1981. 9400 10540 add 2140 deduct 2140 11540 8400 deduct 1420 add 1420 10120 9820

b) Recommendation THAT:- The existing boundary line between the proposed Belle Vale and Hasbury and Halesowen South wards be deleted, and the new boundary line shall commence at the point where the proposed Halesowen North boundary line joins Mucklows Hill and proceed along Whitehall Road, Rumbow, Street, Hagley Street and Hagley Road to the eastern boundary of the proposed Hayley Green ward. Kingswinford and Wall Heath, Mount Pleasant. Wordaley Mr. F. Wilson (Gkmtfmmjr representing the Kingswinford Community Association, speaking at some length, objected, strongly, to the Commission's proposals for this area of the Metropolitan Borough and dealt in detail with the various points of the written representations made to the Commission, and stressed that this district consists of three separate villages, namely, Kingswinford, Wall Heath and "rfordsley and the Commission's warding proposals contradict the natural boundaries, makes a nonsense of a ward system as half of Kingswinford would be put in Wbrdsley, and while welcoming the increase in representation Bwii tfmq y - 9 - on the Metropolitan Borough Council, considers that it would be difficult for members of the Council to represent areas created by purely arbitrary lines and be precluded from representing an identifiable community and would represent merely a prescribed number of electors. Mr. Wilson then re-submitted his Association's proposals for the establishment of three wards all running broadly speaking from east to west, namely:- Kingswinford North and Wall Heath; Kingswinford South; Wordsley. He further pointed out that his Association's proposals would produce a 1981 electorate of:- Kingswinford North and tell Heath 9500 Kingswinford South 9400 Wordsley 10400 Comments and Recommendation of Assistant Commissioner a) Comments The proposals of the Association for the establishment of the three wards of Kingswinford North and Wall Heath; Kingswinford South, and Wordsley appear to be acceptable on statistical grounds to the criteria set by the Commission, and the establishment of these wards would protect the natural boundaries, the historic names of the communities involved and would go a long way to preserving the existing individual community interests. b) Recommendation THAT:- The proposal of the Kingswinford Community Association be adopted and that the Association's proposal for the three wards of Kingswinford North and Wall Heath; Kingswinford South; Wordsley (the boundaries of which wards are defined hereunder) be substituted for the three wards of Kingswinford and Wall Heath; Mount Pleasant; Wordsley, in the Commission's proposals. The boundary line running east to west between the Kingswinford North and Wall Heath, and the Kingswinford South Wards. Prom the point where the Dudley Road meets the boundary of the Brockmoor and Pensnett Ward and then along Dudley Road, Higi Street, Manor Park, Market Street, Broad Street, Cot Lane, Lodge Lane to the Metropolitan Borough boundary. The boundary line running east to west between the Kingswinford South and the Wordsley Wards Prom the point where Bromley Lane meets the boundary of the Brocknoor and Pensnett Ward and then along Bromley Lane, Stream Road, Rectory Street, Barnet Street, Hope Street across Cot Lane into Middieway Avenue, Mellowday Road, Garden Close to the Metropolitan Borough boundary. - 10 -

The Inspections made by the Assistant Commissioner

On Monday, 7th November 1977, I made the following site inspections:- \. Wollaston Road, Amblecote - boundary between proposed Amblecote/ Wollaston and Stourbridge West wards. 2. High Park Avenue, Stourbridge -"proposed boundary between Wollaston and Stourbridge West ward and Norton ward. 5. Windmill Hill - boundary between Quarry Bank and Cradley ward and Hayley Green ward - Fatherless Barn Estate. 4. Part of western boundary of Halesowen South - footpath at rear of Ankerdine Court. 5. . Western boundary of Welle Vale and Hasbury - Quarry Lane. 6. Moat Lane - former Borough boundary between Quarry Bank and Cradley. 7. Darby End - proposed Netherton and Woodside ward. 8. Proposed boundary between Sedgley and Coseley West namely .Wolverhampton Road, Sedgley Bull Ring, Dudley Road, 9. The Straits Estate - proposed Sedgley ward.

I was accompanied by:-

Mr. M.C. Brainsby, Deputy Director of Legal and Administrative Services. Mr. D. Peachey, Principal Planning Assistant, Metropolitan Borough of Dudley.

On Wednesday, 16th November 1977, I re-visited the following sites:- 1« Cradley - Windmill Hill in the proposed Quarry Bank and Cradley ward. 2. Fatherless Barn Estate in the proposed Hayley Green Ward with particular reference to its inclusion in that ward. I was accompanied by:- Mr» M.C. Brainsby Mr* D. Peachey Mr, Ashley Neal Councillor D. Swaysland Councillor C. Willetts Councillor T. Clitheroe Mr. A. Jones Mra0 J. Bozley - Secretary, Cradley Community Centre and Centre Organiser W.R.V.S. Cradley Area. An Assessment of the Weight of the Arguments Advanced at the Local Meeting

In each case where there was opposition to the Commission's proposals, the arguments advanced were very strongly expressed, and it was abundantly clear that the strength of feeling arose mainly out of the community spirit which exists in the many smaller areas which make up the larger area and a definite concern exists that drawing of the newrard boundaries which split these communities will have an adverse effect on their day-to-day pattern of life which has existed for so long and is so closely bound up with the various industries which have an effect of separating and so localising a community. It is considered that in the lesser part, some of the arguments advanced could be said to be based on the political future of these areas. It should be borne in mind, however, that in the drawing of new ward boundaries based on the criteria laid down, it is inevitable that communities will be split up and divided, but these divisions must be considered in the light of the benefit for the whole of the area of the Metropolitan District however unpalatable they may be to local residents, otherwise the task of the establishment of a new warding system becomes virtually impossible. Summary of Recommendations of the Assistant Commissioner That the Commission's proposals to provide 24 wards, each returning 3 members to give a Borough Council membership of 72 be adopted, but within that structure, the following amendments be made:- 1• Coseley West and Gornal Wards The line of the boundary between these proposed wards be amended so as to include, in the Goraal ward, that part of Upper Gornal in the Coseley West ward, namely the area bounded by a line from where Valley Road joins Dudley Road and follows Glen Road, Ten Acre Lane and Green Lane to the boundary. 2. Netherton and Woodside and St. Andrews Wards a) The boundary line between these proposed wards be adjusted so as to include the area known as Windmill End and Darby End in the St« Andrews ward by continuing the St. Andrews ward boundary line along the Canal to the Borough boundary. b) The boundary of the Netherton and Woodside ward be adjusted in its south-wast corner to include the area to the rear of Gordon Crescent, Terrace Street and joining up with the boundary at Canal Street. 3. Amblecote Ward The western boundary of this ward and the proposed Wollaston and Stourbridge West ward be deleted, and the course of the River Stour in the Wollaston and Stourbridge West ward shall become the western boundary of the proposed Amblecote wardj apout ^D*vi v^Awe tfa. Riufer g«es tUc. boundary wi'U foUovu -&e tout-key* fe^p^vvj of ttc Worfe* . to follow fcUc. ri*/er uwliL it »'* creused *o\j will

the war of tUc properties to ike wortU of- - 12 -

4* Belle Yale and Hasbury and Halesowen South Wards The existing boundary line between the proposed Belle Vale and Hasbury and Halesowen South wards be deleted, and the new boundary line shall commence at a point where the proposed Halesowen North boundary line joins Mucklows Hill and proceed along Whitehall Road, Rumbow, Birmingham Street?^ Hagley Street and Hagley Road to the eastern boundaiy of the proposed Hayley Green ward. 5. Kingswinford and Vail Heath. Mount Pleasant and Wordsley Wards The proposal of the Kingswinford Community Association be adopted and that the Association's proposal for the three wards of:- Kingswinford North and Vail Heath Kingswinford South Wordsley •(the boundaries of these wards are defined in page 9 of this report) be substituted for the three wards of Kingswinford and Wall Heath, Mount Pleasant,and Wordsley,in the Commission's proposals. Ward Names Mr. Brainsby for the Metropolitan Borough objected to the name "Mount Pleasant" ward, as there is existing in the Metropolitan Borough, a district known as Mount Pleasant and it is considered that confusion could arise. He considered that an area so described as Wordsley should contain Wordsley in the name and suggested that the area of the proposed Mount Pleasant and Wordsley wards should be re-named Wordsley Bast and Wordsley West wards* (Note: Should my recommendation for this area be adopted, then this matter would not arise) Mr. Wall (Borough Labour Party) suggested the substitution of the following ward names:- Coseley for Coseley East Sedgley and Woodsetton for Coseley West Sedgley and The Straits for Sedgley Priory for Castle and Priory Russells Hall for St. James Dixons Green for St. Thomas Wall Heath for Kingswinford and Wall Heath Recommendation of Assistant Commissioner That the proposals of the Commission relative to the substitution of ward names be adopted with the exception of the recommended proposals of the Kingswinford Community Association for the three wards of Kingswinford North and Wall Heath; Kingswinford South; Wordsley - these wards in substitution of Kingswinford and Wall Heath; Mount Pleasant; Wordsley.

wn Com

Assistant Co ner 21st. December, 1977 SCHEDULE-2

METROPOLITAN BOROUGH OF DUDLEY: NAMES OP PROPOSED WARDS AND NUMBER OP COUNCILLORS

NAME OF WARD NO. OF COUNCILLORS Amblecote • 3 Belle Vale and Hasbury 3 Brierley Hill 3 Brockmoor and Pensnett 3 Castle and Priory 3 Coseley East 3 Coseley West 3 Gornal 3 Halesowen North 3 HaleBOwen South 3 Hayley Green 3 Kingswinford North and Wall Heath 3 Kingswinford South 3 Lye and Wollescote 3 Netherton and Woodside 3 Norton 3 Pedmore and Stourbridge East 3 Quarry Bank and Cradley 3 St. Andrews 3 St. James's 3 St. Thomas's 3 Sedgley 3 Wollaston and Stourbridge West 3 Wordsiey 3 SCHEDULE 3

METROPOLITAN BOROUGH OF DUDLEY

DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED WARD BOUNDARIES

NOTE Where the boundary is described as following a road, railway, river, canal or similar feature it should be deemed to follow the centre line of the feature unless otherwise stated.

SEDGLEY WARD

Commencing at the point where the northern boundary of the Borough meets

Wolverhampton Road, thence southwestwards and southwards along said raod,

High Street, Dud]^ Street, the road known as High Holborn and Dudley Rpad to the road known as Moden Hill, thence northwestwards along said road to the unnamed road leading from Moden Hill, thence southwestwards along said un- named road to the southern boundary of Parcel No *t9^2 as shown on Ordnance

Survey 1:2500 Plan SO 90-9192, Edition of 197J5» thence northwestwards along said boundary and the southern boundary of Parcel No 29^8 to the southwest- ernmost corner of the last mentioned parcel, thence due west from said corner to the unnamed stream flowing through the wood known as The Dingle, thence southwestwards along said stream to the rear boundaries of Nos 9 to 2*f,

Grafton Gardens, thence southwards along said boundaries to Acton Drive, thence southwards along said drive to Straits Road, thence westwards along said road to the unnamed stream flowing between Straits Road and Road, thence southwestwards along said stream to the western boundary of the Borough, thence generally northeastwards along said Borough boundary and southeastwards along the northern boundary of the Borough to the point of commencement.

COSELEY WEST WARD

Commencing at the point where the eastern boundary of Sedgley Ward meets the northern boundary of the Borough, thence southeastwards along said Borough boundary to Clifton Street, thence southeastwards along said street to Caddick Street, thence eastwards along said street, Coppice Road and Ivyhouse Lane to the road known as Providence Row, thence southeastwards along said road and Providence Place, crossing Mason Street, to Oak Street, thence southeastwards along said street to Birmingham New Road, thence southeastwards along said road to Priory Road, thence southwestwards along said- road to a point opposite the northeastern boundary of No 223 Priory Road, thence north- westwards to and along said boundary, to the rear boundary of said property, / thence southwestwards along said boundary, the rear boundary of No 221 Priory Road and the rear boundaries of Nos 4 to 40 Mayfield Road to the eastern boundary of No 42 Mayfield Road, thence northwards along said boundary and the rear boundaries of Nos 8 to 10 Linwood Road to the rear boundary of No 6 Rosewood Road, thence northeastwards along said boundary and the rear : boundaries of Nos 8 to 44 Rosewood Road to the northeastern boundary of : ! No 57 Wrens Hill Road, thence northwestwards along said boundary, crossing -! the end of Wrens Hill Road, to the eastern boundary of No 58 Wrens Hill Road, i thence northwards along said boundary to the rear boundary of said property, j thence westwards along said boundary and the rear boundaries of Nos 60 to 92 j Wrens Hill Road to the western boundary of the last mentioned property, thence southwards along said boundary to Wrens Hill Road, thence westwards | > along said road to the track and path leading from Wrens Hill Road to . ^ _ i Parkes Hall Road, thence northwestwards along said track and path to Parkes , ? Hall Road, thence generally southwestwards along said road and Eve Lane to ! i a point opposite the northeastern boundary of No 81 Eve Lane, thence north- j westwards to and along said boundary to and southwestwards along the rear f boundary of the said property to the rear boundary of No 6 Green Lane, | ! thence northwards along the said boundary and continuing westwards along , i the northern boundary of the said property to the rear boundary of No 8 ' I Green Lane, thence northwards along the said boundary to and westwards along the northern boundary of the said property to Green lane, thence northwards ; along said lane and continuing northwestwards along Tenacre Lane to a point i opposite the eastern boundary of No 23 Tenacre Lane, thence northwards to and along said boundary to the rear boundary of No 46 Tudor Road, thence eastwards ' and northwards along the said boundary and continuing northwards along the J i rear boundaries of No 48 Tudor Road and Nos 55 to 1 Glen Road to the northern boundary of the last mentioned property, thence westwards along said boundary, j 3 crossing the end of Glen Road, to the eastern boundary of No 79 Valley Road, thence northwards along said boundary to the rear boundary of the said property, thence westwards along the said boundary and the rear boundaries of Nos 75 to 1 Valley Road to the western boundary of the last mentioned property, thence southwards along said boundary to Valley Road, thence westwards along said road to the eastern boundary of Sedgley Ward, thence generally northwards along said eastern boundary to the point of commence- ment.

COSELEY EAST WARD

Commencing at the point where the easterm boundary of Coseley West Ward meets the northern boundary of the Borough, thence northeastwards and south- wards along the northern and eastern boundaries of the Borough to Sedgley

Road West, thence northwestwards along said road and Sedgley Road to the eastern boundary of Coseley West Ward, thence generally northwestwards along said eastern boundary to the point of commencement. i

CASTLE AND PRIORY WARD

Commencing at the point where the southern boundary of Coseley East Ward meets the eastern boundary of the Borough, thence southwards and southeast- wards along said Borough boundary to Birmingham Road, thence generally west- wards along said road, Castle Hill and Castle Street to New Street, thence northwestwards along said street and Priory Road to Hazel Road, thence southwestwards along said road to a point opposite the northern boundary of No *fO The Broadway, thence northwestwards to and along said boundary and the rear boundaries of Nos 42-180 The Broadway to Limepit Lane, thence northeastwards along said lane to a point opposite the northeastern boundary of No 3 Limepit Lane, thence northwestwards to and along said boundary and the rear boundaries of Nos 182-326 The Broadway, crossing Summer Road, to the northwestern boundary of the last mentioned property, thence southwest- wards along said boundary to Burton Road, thence northwestwards along said road to Eve Lane, thence northeastwards along said lane to the southern boundary of Coseley West Ward, thence northeastwards, southeastwards, generally eastwards and northwards along the southern and eastern boundaries of said Ward to the southern boundary of Coseley East Ward, thence south- eastwards along said southern boundary to the point of commencement.

ST JAMES'S WARD

Commencing at the point where the southwestern boundary of Castle and Priory

Ward meets the High Street, thence southwestwards along said street, Queen's

Cross, Stourbridge Road and Kingswinford Road to Pensnett Road, thence westwards along said road and High Street to the eastern boundary of Hollies

Farm, thence northwards and northwestwards along the eastern and northern boundary of said farm to the northernmost corner of said property, thence due west from said point to the eastern boundary of Parcel No 7^39 as shown on Ordnance Survey 1:2500 plan SO 90-9189, edition of 197°> thence northwards along said eastern boundary and northwestwards along the northern boundary of said parcel to the eastern boundary of Parcel No 7^56, thence northeast- wards along said boundary and continuing northeastwards along the eastern boundaries of Parcels Nos 5869 and 7900 to the eastern boundary of Parcel

No 7900 as shown on Ordnance Survey 1:2500 plan SO 90-9190, edition of 1971, thence northeastwards along said boundary to Himley Road, thence eastwards along said road to a point opposite the western boundary of No 206 Himley

Road, thence northwards to and along said boundary and eastwards along the northern boundary of the said property to the western boundary of No 29

Himley Avenue, thence northwards along said boundary and eastwards along the northern boundary of the said property to the western boundary of No 30

Himley Avenue, thence northwards along said boundary and eastwards along the northern boundary of said property to the western boundary of No V? Himley Avenue, thence northwards along said boundary to the northern boundaries of Nos *f5 to 50 Himley Avenue, thence eastwards along said boundaries to the western boundary of the unnamed area of land to the rear of Nos 51 and 52

Himley Avenue, thence northwards along said boundary and southeastwards along the northern boundary of said unnamed area of land to the rear boundary of

No 53 Himley Avenue, thence southeastwards along said boundary to the western boundary of No 61 Ccrser Street, thence northeastwards along said boundary and the rear boundary of No 63 Corser Street to the northern boundary of the last mentioned property, thence eastwards along said boundary to the western boundary of No 68 Corser Street, thence northwards along said boundary to the northern boundary of said property, thence eastwards along said boundary and generally southeastwards and northeastwards along the rear boundaries of

Nos 66-46 Corser Street to the western boundary of the unnamed group of buildings to the rear of No 26 Bibdale Street, thence northwestwards along said boundary and northeastwards along the northern boundary of said unnamed group of buildings and the northern boundary of No 26 Dibdale Street to

Dibdale Street, thence northwards along said street to Dibdale Road, thence westwards along said road to a point opposite the western boundary of No 128

Dibdale Road, thence northeastwards to and along said boundary to the northern boundary of said property, thence southeastwards along said boundary and the northern boundary of No 126 and 112 Dibdale Road to a point opposite the track running along the western boundary of the Burton Road Hospital, thence north- wards to and along said track and the western boundary of said hospital to the northernmost point of the hospital, thence northwards in a straight line to . the westernmost corner of No 6 Burton Road, thence northeastwards along the northwestern boundary of said property to Burton Road, thence northwestwards along said road to the southwestern boundary of Castle and Priory Ward, thence southeastwards along said boundary to the point of commencement. GORNAL WARD

Commencing at the point where the western boundary of the Borough meets the southeastern boundary of Sedgley Ward, thence generally northeastwards along said southeastern boundary to the southwestern boundary of Coseley West Ward, thence eastwards and southeastwards along said boundary and continuing south- westwards and southeastwards along the western boundary of Castle and Priory

Ward to the western boundary of St James's Ward, thence generally southwards and westwards along said boundary to the northwesternmost point of No 2

Merryfield Road, thence due west from said point to the northwestern boundary of Parcel No 5900 as shown on Ordnance Survey 1:2500 plan SO 90-9190, edition of 1971 and SO 90-9189, edition of 1970, thence southwestwards along said boundary to National Grid Ref SO 91^3989956, thence due south from said point to the eastern boundary of Hunt's Mill Farm, thence southeastwards along said boundary to the southern boundary of said property, thence generally westwards along said boundary to the northwestern boundary of Parcel No V380, thence

southwestwards along said boundary and continuing in prolongation thereof to the northern boundary of Parcel No 3371, thence northwestwards and southwest- wards along said boundary to the northern boundary of Parcel No 2*f71i thence westwards along said boundary to the Dismantled Railway, thence northwestwards along said dismantled railway to Cinder Road, thence southwestwards along said road to the unnamed stream at Sandfield Bridge, thence northwestwards along said unnamed stream to a point due south of the southernmost corner of the Sewage Works, thence due north to said southern corner, thence northwest- wards along the southern boundary of the Sewage Works to NG Ref SO 9030*f90633» thence due west from said point to the track running from the Borough boundary to Oak Lane, thence northwestwards along said track to the western boundary of the Borough, thence generally northeastwards along said Borough boundary to the point of commencement. 7 KINGSWINFORD NORTH AND WALL HEATH WARD

Commencing at the point where the western boundary of the Borough meets the

southern boundary of Gornal Ward, thence southeastwards along said southern

boundary to and continuing southeastwards along the track leading to Oak Lane,

to Oak Lane, thence southeastwards along said lane and Tansey Green Road to

the branch railway running from Tansey Green Road to the to

main railway, thence southwards along said branch railway to High Street, thence

southwestwards along said street, Dudley Road and High Street to the road known

as Manor Park, thence southwestwards along said road to Market Street, thence

southwards along said Street to Broad Street, thence southwestwards along said

street to Cot Lane, thence northwestwards along said lane to Lodge Lane, thence westwards along said lane to a point opposite the southeastern corner of

Parcel No 5?68, as shown on Ordnance Survey 1:2500 plan SO 86-8?88, edition of 1968, thence northwestwards to said corner, being the western boundary of the

Borough, thence generally northwards and eastwards along said Borough boundary to the point of commencement.

KINGSWINFORD SOUTH WARD

Commencing at the point where the western boundary of the Borough meets the southern boundary of Kingswinford North and Wall Heath Ward, thence generally northeastwards along said ward boundary to the branch railway from Tansey Green Road to the Walsall to Kidderminster Railway, thence southwestwards and south- eastwards along said branch railway to Bromley Lane, thence westwards along said lane to Stream Road, thence southwards along said road to Rectory Street, thence westwards along said street to Cross Street, thence southwards along said street to Barnett Street, thence westwards along said street and Hope

Street to Cot Lane, thence northwards alond said lane to Middleway Avenue, thence westwards along said avenue to Mellowdew Road, thence northwards and westwards along said road to Lawnswood Avenue, thence northwards along said 8 avenue to Arden Close, thence westwards along said close and in prolongation thereof to the western boundary of the Borough, thence northwards along the i said Borough boundary to the point of commencement.

WORDSLEY WARD

Commencing at the point where the western boundary of the Borough meets the southern boundary of Kingswinford South Ward, thence eastwards, northwards and eastwards along said ward boundary to the branch railway from .Tansey

Green Road to the Walsall to Kidderminster railway,. thence southeastwards \ along said branch railway to the Stourbridge Canal, thence southwestwards along said canal to the road known as Camp Hill, thence southeastwards along said road and the road known as Audnam to Dial Lane, thence south- westwards and northwestwards along said lane to the northwestern boundary of the Iron Foundry, thence southwestwards along said boundary to the Stourbridge Canal, thence southwards along said canal to a point opposite the overflow drain linking the said canal to the River Stour, thence south- westwards along said drain to the River Stour, thence northwestwards along said river to the Stourbridge Canal, thence southwestwards along said canal to the western boundary of the Borough, thence northwestwards along the said Borough boundary to the point of commencement.

BROCKMOOR AND PENSNETT WARD

Commencing at the point where the eastern boundary of Kingswinford North and Wall Heath Ward meets the southern boundary of Gornal Ward, thence generally southeastwards and northeastwards along said southern boundary to the western boundary of St James's Ward, thence southwestwards and generally eastwards along the western and southern boundaries of said ward to Pensnett Road, thence eastwards along said road to a point opposite the western boundary of No 83 Pensnett Road, thence southwards to and along said boundary to the rear boundary of said property, thence southeastwards along said boundary and the rear boundaries of Nos 81 to

51 Pensnett Road, to the southern boundary of the enclosure at the rear of

Nos *t9 to ^7 Pensnett Road, thence southeastwards along said boundary, crossing the track leading from Pensnett Road, and continuing along the rear boundaries of Nos 29 to 25 Pensnett Road, and the southwestern boundary of the access path at the rear of Nos 23 and 21 Pensnett Road to the north- eastern boundary of the Allotment Gardens, thence southeastwards along said boundary, southwestwards and northwestwards along the eastern and southern boundaries of said allotment gardens to the northwestern boundary of No 15

Holly Street, thence southwestwards along said boundary, crossing the end of Holly Street and continuing along the northwestern boundary of Nos 11 to

1*f Holly Street to the northwestern boundary of the access path to the west of No 12 Terrace, also being a point on the southeastern boundary of

Parcel No 1900, as shown on OS 1:2500 plan SO 92-9388 edition of 19&5, thence generally southwestwards along said southeastern boundary and north- westwards along the southwestern boundary of said parcel to the eastern boundary of parcel no 9000, thence generally southwestwards' along said eastern boundary to and generally southwards along the rear boundaries of

Nos 26, 30 to *f2 and *f1 Gorden Crescent to the southernmost corner of the last mentioned property, then due south from said corner to the southwestern boundary of parcel No 0017* thence southeastwards along said boundary and continuing southeastwards along the southwestern boundary of Chase Cottage to Dudley Road, thence northeastwards along said road to Canal Street, thence eastwards along said street to the path to the south of Pensnett Canal, thence northeastwards and southeastwards along said path to Pedmore Road, thence southwards along said road to Level Street, thence southwestwards along said street to High Street thence southwards along said street to Talbot Street, thence westwards along said street to Fenton Street, thence northwestwards along said street to a point due east of the easternmost corner of Brockmoor County Secondary School, thence due west to and southwestwards and north- 10 westwards along the southeastern and southwestern boundaries of said school to the rear boundary of No 22 Belle Isle, thence southwestwards along the said boundary and the southern boundaries of Nos 20 to 2 Belle Isle to the western boundary of No 2 Belle Isle, thence northwards along said boundary to the northern boundary of No 56 Norwood Road, thence westwards along said boundary, crossing Norwood Road, to and westwards and southwestwards along the southern boundary of No ^9 Norwood Road, to the southeastern boundary of the Playing Field, thence southwestwards along said boundary and in prolongation thereof to the branch railway running from Tansey Green Road to the Kidderminster to Walsall main railway, thence southwards along said branch railway to Moor Street, thence westwards along said street to

Stourbridge Canal, thence northwards and generally westwards along said canal to the eastern boundary of Wordsley Ward, thence northeastwards and northwestwards along said boundary and continuing generally northwestwards and northwards along the eastern boundaries of Kingswinford South Ward and

Kingswinford North and Wall Heath Ward to the point of commencement.

ST THCMAS'S WARD

Commencing at the point where the southern boundary of Castle and Priory

Ward meets the eastern boundary of the Borough, thence southeastwards and generally southwards along said borough boundary to the dismantled railway, thence northwestwards and northwards along said dismantled railway to the

Kidderminster to Walsall Railway, thence southwestwards along said railway to Blower's Green Road, thence generally northwards along, said road to the southeastern boundary of St James's Ward, thence northeastwards along said boundary and northeastwards and eastwards along the southern boundary of

Castle and Priory Ward to the point of commencement. 11

NETHERTON AND WOODSIDE WARD

Commencing at the point where the eastern boundary of Brockmoor and Pensnett Ward meets the southern boundary of St James's Ward, thence northeastwards along said southern boundary to the southwestern boundary of St Thomas's Ward, thence generally southeastwards along said boundary to the eastern boundary of the Borough, thence southeastwards along said borough to the Dudley Canal, thence generally southwestwards along said canal to Cradley Road, thence northwards along said road to Halesowen Road, thence northwestwards along said road to St John Street, thence northwestwards along said street to Simms lime, thence northwards along said lane to Hill Street, thence southwestwards along said street and Blackbrook Road to Peartreelane Bridge, crossing the western channel of Dudley Canal, thence southwestwards along said canal to the eastern boundary of Brockmoor and Pensnett Ward, thence generally northwards, .southwestwards and northeastwards along said boundary to the point of commencement.

ST ANDREWS WARD

Commencing at the point where the eastern boundary of Brockmoor and Pensnett

Ward meets the southern boundary of Netherton and Woodside Ward, thence generally southeastwards and northeastwards along said southern boundary to the eastern boundary of the Borough, thence generally southwards and southwest- wards along said Borough boundary to Black Brook, thence northwestwards along said brook to Pedmore Road, thence northwards along said road and continuing northwards along the eastern boundary of Brockmoor and Pensnett Ward to the point of commencement.

QUARRY BANK AND CRADLEY WARD

Commencing at the point the southwestern boundary of St Andrews Ward meets 12 the eastern boundary of the Borough, thence southwards and southeastwards along said Borough boundary to the road known as Belle Vale, thence southwestwards along said road to the road known as Drews Holloway, ^thence northwestwards along said road to Windmill Hill, thence northwestwards along said road to

Two Gates Lane, thence southwestwards along said lane to the road known as

Two Gates and Oldnall Road to the track leading to Oldnall Colliery (disused) thence northwestwards and eastwards along said track to the western boundary of Parcel No 3200 as shown on Ordnance Survey 1:2500 Plan SO 92-9383 Edition of 1967, thence northwards along said boundary and continuing northwards along the western boundary of Parcel No 3103 as shown on Ordnance Survey

1:2500 Plan SO 938^ Edition of 1955i and in prolongation thereof to the footpath running from Apollo Road to Park Road, thence northeastwards along said path to Park Road, thence westwards along said road and the road known as The Hayes to Hayes lane, thence northwards along said lane to a point opposite the southern boundary of No 12 Hayes Lane, thence eastwards to and along said boundary to the eastern boundary of said property, thence north- wards along the eastern boundaries of Nos 12 to 56 Hayes lane, to the north- eastern boundary of No 58 Hayes Lane, thence northwestwards along said boundary and the northern boundary of No 60 Hayes Lane to Hayes Lane, thence northwards along said lane to the Birmingham to Kidderminster railway, thence northeastwards along said railway to National Grid Eef SO 9323285032, thence northwestwards to and along the southwestern boundary of the Engineering

Works to a point opposite the junction of Hayes lane and the road known as

Dunns Bank, thence due west from said point to Dunns Bank, thence northwest- wards along said road to the River Stour, thence generally southwestwards along said river to Thorns Road, thence northeastwards along said road and the road known as Merry Hill to the southwestern boundary of St Andrews Ward, thence generally southeastwards along said boundary to the point of commence- ment . HRIERLEY HILL WARD

Commencing at the point where the southeastern boundary of Wordsley Ward meets

the southern boundary of Brockmoor and Pensnett Ward, thence generally east-

wards along said southern boundary to the western boundary of St Andrews Ward,

thence southwards along said boundary and the western boundary of Quarry Bank

and Cradley Ward to the road known as Mount Pleasant, thence northwestwards

along caid road and Delph Road to the Stourbridge Canal, thence southwestwards

and northwestwards along said canal to Brettell Lane, thence southwestwards

along said lane to the road known as Audnam, thence northwards along said road

to the southeastern boundary of Wordsley Ward, thence northwestwards and north-

eastwards along said boundary to the point of commencement.,

AMBLECOTE WARD

Commencing at the point where the southern boundary of Brierley Hill Ward meets

the western boundary, of Quarry Bank and Cradley Ward, thence southwestwards

along said western boundary to the River Stour, thence generally southwestwards along said river to a point opposite the western boundary of the Corporation

Yard in Birmingham Street, thence southwards along said boundary to the northern carriageway of Birmingham Street, thence northwestwards along said carriageway to St John's Road, thence northwestwards along said road and the eastern carriage- way of High Street to the River Stour, thence westwards and northwards along said river to the southwestern boundary of the Works, south of Wollaston Road, thence northwestwards along said boundary to High Street, thence northeastwards along said street to the River Stour, thence generally northeastwards along said river to the southern boundary of Wordsley Ward, thence generally northeast- wards along said boundary to the western boundary of Brierley Hill Ward, thence southwards along said boundary to and generally northeastwards along the southern boundary of said ward to the point of commencement. WOLLASTON AND STOURBRIDGE WEST WARD

Commencing at the point where the western boundary of the Borough meets the southern boundary of Wordsley Ward, thence southeastwards along said ward boundary to the western boundary of Amblecote Ward, thence generally south- eastwards along said boundary to a point due northeast of the junction of

St John's Road and Street, thence due southwest to and westwards along said street to Lower High Street, thence southwards along said street to Market Street, thence southwards along said street and southwestwards along Worcester Street to South Road, thence northwestwards along said road to a point opposite the eastern boundary of the Playing Field east of Studley

Gate, thence generally northwards to and along said eastern boundary and the rear boundary of No 29 Swan Street to the northern boundary of said property, thence northeastwards along said boundary to Swan Street, thence northwards along said street to Park Road, thence westwards along said road to Highpark

Avenue, thence northeastwards along said avenue to a point opposite the northern boundary of the property known as Lyndale, thence northwestwards to and along said northern boundary the rear boundaries of Nos 2 to 8*f Park Road

West and the northern boundary of High Park County Secondary School to the western boundary of the Borough, thence northeastwards along said borough boundary to the point of commencement.

NORTON WARD

Commencing at the point where the western boundary of the Borough meets the southern boundary of Wollaston and Stourbridge West Ward, thence generally eastwards, southwards and eastwards along said southern boundary to Heath lane, thence southeastwards along said lane to Hagley Road, thence southwards along said road to Worcester Lane, thence generally southwards along said lane to the Walsall to Kidderminster railway, thence southwards along said railway to the southern boundary of the Borough, thence westwards and 15 northwards along, the southern and western boundaries of the Borough to the point of commencement.

PEDMORE AND STOURBRIDGE EAST WARD

Commencing at the point where the southern boundary of the Borough meets the eastern boundary of Norton Ward, thence northwards and northwestwards along the eastern and northern boundaries of said ward to the eastern boundary of

Wollaston and Stourbridge West Ward, thence northeastwards, northwards and northeastwards along said boundary to the southern boundary of Amblecote

Ward, thence generally eastwards along said boundary to the Walsall to

Kidderminster railway, thence southwards along said railway to Junction

Road, thence northeastwards along said road to New Farm Road, thence generally eastwards along said road to Grange Lane, thence northeastwards along said lane and Pedmore Road to a point opposite the southern boundary of the

Wire Goods Factory, thence eastwards to and along said boundary to the stream flowing at the rear of Nos 21 to 16 Longfield Road, thence southeastwards along said stream to the western boundary of Stevens Park, .thence generally

•southwards along said boundary and in prolongation thereof to the footpath running from The Summit to the junction of Hodge Hill Avenue and Wollescote

Road, thence eastwards along said footpath to the intersection with the footpath running from Spring Street to Carlton Avenue, thence southeastwards along said footpath to the access road adjacent to the eastern boundary of

No 27 Carlton Avenue, thence southwards along said access road to the eastern boundary of No 32 Carlton Avenue, thence southwards along said boundary and the eastern boundaries of Nos 12 to 16 Ryecroft to the northern boundary of

Hob Green County Primary Junior's and Infant's Schools, thence southwestwards along said boundary to the western boundary of said schools,thence southeast- wards along said boundary to the northwestern boundary of No 59 Walker Avenue, thence southwestwards along said boundary to Walker Avenue, thence southeast- 16 wards along said avenue to a point opposite the northwestern boundary of the

Queensway (PH), thence southwestwards to and along said boundary and south- eastwards along the southwestern boundary of said property to the rear boundary of No 2 Gauden Road, thence southwestwards along said boundary and continuing southwestwards along the near boundaries of Nos 4 to 52 Gauden Road, thence in a straight line crossing Sandhurst Avenue to the rear boundary of

No 5^ Gauden Road, thence southwestwards along said boundary and the rear boundaries of Nos 56 to 80 Gauden Road to the southwestern boundary of the last mentioned property, thence southeastwards along said boundary to Gauden

Road, thence southwestwards along said road to Pedraore Lane, thence eastwards along said lane to the southern boundary of the Borough, thence generally southwestwards along said Borough boundary to the point of commencement.

LYE AND WOLLESCOTE WARD

Commencing at the point where the southern boundary of the Borough meets the eastern boundary of Pedmore and Stourbridge East Ward, thence northwestwards and generally northwards, westwards and again northwards along the said ward boundary to and generally northeastwards along the southern boundary of

Amblecote Ward .to the southwestern boundary of Quarry Bank and Cradley Ward, thence generally northeastwards and southeastwards along said boundary to the footpath leading from Oldnall Road to Foxcote House Farm, thence southeast- wards along said path to its intersection with the track running from Foxcote

Farm to Foxcote Lane, thence eastwards along said track to Foxcote Lane, thence southwestwards along said lane to Wynall Lane South, thence eastwards along said lane to a point opposite the eastern boundary of Parcel No 6?09 as shown on OS 1:2500 plan SO 92-9383, edition of 196?, thence southwestwards to and along said boundary to the southern boundary of the Borough, thence southeastwards along said Borough boundary to the point of commencement. HAYLEY GREEN WARD

Commencing at the point where the southern boundary of the Borough meets the

eastern boundary of Lye and Wollescote Ward, thence generally northwestwards

along said ward boundary to the southern boundary of Quarry Bank and Cradley

Ward, thence northeastwards and southeastwards along said southern boundary to

Lutley Mill Road, thence southwestwards along said road to Huntingtree Road,

thence southeastwards along said road to Bassnage Road, thence southwestwards

along said road to Albrighton Road, thence eastwards along said road to

Wassell Road, thence southwestwards and southeastwards along said road to

Hagley Road, thence northeastwards along said road to the road known as

Quarry Hill, thence southeastwards along said road to a point opposite the

northwestern boundary of No 1 Quarry Hill, thence northeastwards to and along

said northwestern boundary to the rear boundary of the said property, thence

southeastwards along said boundary to the northwestern boundary of No 2 Quarry

Hill, thence northeastwards along said northwestern boundary to the rear

boundary of said property, thence southeastwards along the rear boundaries

of Nos 2 to ^ Quarry Hill and Nos 11 to ^f Alvechurch Road, to the northern

boundary of No 72 Quarry Lane, thence southwestwards and southeastwards along

said northern and southwestern boundaries to the western boundary of No 70

Quarry Lane, thence southeastwards along said western boundary and in pro-

longation thereof to Quarry Lane, thence southwestwards and southeastwards

along said lane, crossing Manor Way and continuing southeastwards along

Quarry Lane to the southern boundary of the borough, thence southwards and

generally northwestwards along said borough boundary to the point of commence-

ment .

BELLE VALE AND HASBimY WARD

Commencing at the point where the eastern boundary of Quarry Bank and Cradley 18

Ward meets the eastern boundary of the Borough, thence northeastwards along said Borough boundary to the junction of Coombs Road and Gorsty Hill Road, thence southwards along Coombs Road to a point opposite the northern boundary of No 160 Coombs Road, thence eastwards to and along said boundary to the eastern boundary of the said property, thence southwards along said boundary and the eastern boundary of No 161 Coombs Road to a point on the Dudley Canal flowing through Gorstyhill Tunnel, thence southeastwards along said tunnel and canal to the road known as Mucklow Hill, thence southwestwards along said road, crossing the roundabout to and southwestwards along Whitehall Road to the road known as Rumbow, thence southwards along said road to Birmingham Street, thence southeastwards and southwestwards along said street and the road known as Bull Ring.to the road known as Great Cornbow, thence westwards along said road to Hagley Street, thence southwards along said street to Hagley Road, thence southwestwards along said road, crossing Queensway and continuing southwestwards along said road to the eastern boundary of Hayley Green Ward, thence generally northwestwards along said eastern boundary and northeastwards along the eastern boundary of Quarry Bank and Cradley Ward to the point of commencement.

HALESOWEN NORTH WARD

Commencing at the point where northeastern boundary of Belle Vale and Hasbury

Ward meets the eastern boundary of the Borough, thence northeastwards and southeastwards along said Borough boundary to Hagley Road West, thence west- wards along said road and Halesowen Road to the road knoan as Mucklow Hill, thence southwestwards along said road to the northeastern boundary of Belle

Vale and Hasbury Ward, thence generally northwestwards along said northeastern boundary to the point of commencement. 19

HALESOWEN SOUTH WARD

Commencing at the point where the southern boundary of Halesowen North Ward meets the eastern boundary of the Borough, thence southwards along said

Borough boundary and generally westwards, northwards and westwards along the southern boundary of the Borough to the eastern boundary of Hayley Green Ward, thence northwestwards along said boundary and northeastwards along the south- eastern boundary of Belle Vale and Hasbury Ward and the southern boundary of

Halesowen North Ward to the point of commencement.