November 2008 Summary Final recommendations on the future electoral arrangements for Shropshire Council The Boundary Review aims However, in certain areas, we Committee for England The review aims to ensure that were of the view that the evidence received in relation to is the body responsible the number of voters represented by each unitary the geography of the county, for conducting electoral authority councillor is community identities and reviews of local approximately the same. interests and the need to secure authorities. The broad The Electoral Commission, effective and convenient local which is the body responsible government justified somewhat purpose of an electoral for implementing our higher electoral variances. review is to decide on recommendations, directed us the appropriate electoral to undertake this review. Submissions received arrangements – the During Stage Three, we received This review has been conducted approximately 300 representations. number of councillors in four stages, as shown in the In particular, we received and the names, number table below. comments in relation to our and boundaries of proposed divisions in the areas Draft recommendations wards or divisions – for of Albrighton, Shifnal and We proposed a council size of Sheriffhales, Bayston Hill, a specific local authority. 74 comprising a pattern of two Broseley, Church Stretton and We have conducted an three-member divisions,11 two- Craven Arms. When considering electoral review of member divisions and 46 single- our final recommendations, we member divisions. Our draft were of the view that we Shropshire to ensure recommendations would provide required further evidence in that the new unitary good levels of electoral equality. three of these areas and authority, which takes on all local government Stage Stage starts Description functions for the county in 2009, has new and One 26 February 2008 Submission of proposals to us appropriate electoral Tw o 22 April 2008 Our analysis and deliberation arrangements. Three 1 July 2008 Publication of draft recommendations and consultation on them Four 26 August 2008 Analysis of submissions received and formulation of final recommendations Democracy matters The Boundary Committee for England: summary therefore conducted a period of management structure to details are provided in the further limited consultation explain why a council size of 75 correspondence box below. The between 26 September – 24 would be required. We have Commission cannot make an October 2008. The evidence therefore confirmed our draft Order to implement them before received during this period has recommendations for a council 26 December 2008. However, to enabled us to formulate size of 74 members as final. reflect the Christmas period, this recommendations which we will be extended to 9 January 2009. consider provide the most General analysis Any representations received by effective balance between that date will be made publicly reflecting community identities Having considered the available once the Order has and interests and the need to representations received during been made. secure good electoral equality. Stage Three and the period of further consultation, we are Further information Analysis and final proposing modifications to The full report and submitted recommendations divisions in the areas of representations are available Albrighton, Shifnal and to download at: Electorate figures Sheriffhales, Broseley and www.boundarycommittee.org.uk Ellesmere. We are confirming The County Council submitted electorate forecasts for the remainder of our draft recommendations as final. Correspondence December 2012. The forecasts Any further correspondence projected an increase in the We looked especially closely at should be sent to the following electorate of approximately 6% address: from 230,935 to 245,730 over representations with regard to the Bayston Hill area where a this period. During Stage Three, Legal & Implementation Team large number of respondents the electorate figures were not The Electoral Commission challenged further and we are supported a single-member Trevelyan House satisfied that they are the most division coterminous with Great Peter Street accurate that can be provided at Bayston Hill parish. We London SW1P 2HW this time. acknowledge the strong evidence of community Email: implementation@ Council size identities in support of this electoralcommission.org.uk In our draft recommendations, proposal. However, when Fax: 020 7271 0505 we proposed a council size of formulating our These contact details should 74. During Stage Three, several recommendations, we must respondents opposed our only be used for consider community identity in implementation purposes. proposed council size and the context of the need to supported one of 75. Their secure good electoral equality. argument was based broadly on a view that there should be an equal allocation of 25 members What happens next? between the northern, central All further correspondence on and southern regions of these final recommendations Shropshire. We did not receive and the matters discussed in evidence in the context of this report should be sent to the the new Council's political Electoral Commission. Contact The Boundary Committee for England is a committee of the Electoral Commission, an independent body set up by Parliament under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. It is responsible for conducting reviews as directed by the Electoral Commission or the Secretary of State..