Committee details

a)    To oversee the provision of information required by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) in carrying out any Electoral Review of Wiltshire, including any consultation arrangements with electors or stakeholder and To update Full Council on the progress of any Electoral Review.

b)    To make recommendations to Full Council on proposed submissions to the LGBCE relating to:

     I.          The total number of councillors on Wiltshire Council;

   II.          The number and boundaries of electoral divisions within Wiltshire Council;

 III.           The number of councillors to be returned by any electoral division;

IV.          The name of any electoral division.

c)     To provide such further advice and support as may be requested by the Council related to or impacted by any Electoral Review.

d)    To oversee all details relating to any community governance reviews within the Wiltshire Council area, including contacting parishes or parties for proposals, setting the areas and scope for any review, its methodology including for any consultation arrangements, its timescales, and determining what if any changes to recommend as part of the review, and to conclude a review or part of a review where no changes are recommended. The Committee will prepare final recommendations for any changes for consideration by Full Council.

e)    The Committee will consider whether it is appropriate to make, and is empowered to suggest for consultation and recommendation, changes to parish areas and parish electoral arrangements, to include:

     I.          The alteration, merging, creation or abolition of parishes;

   II.          The naming of parishes and adoption of alternative styles for new parishes;

 III.           Parish council size, number of councillors to be elected, and warding arrangements;

IV.          Any other electoral arrangements.

f)      Where it would be appropriate to do so the Committee may recommend that as a result of proposed parish changes a unitary division be amended so that it remains coterminous with that parish. Any such change would need to be agreed by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England if approved by Full Council.

g)    Where it would be appropriate to do so, to make recommendations to Full Council on the composition (Electoral Divisions and Parishes) of Area Boards, following completion of an Electoral Review or Community Governance Review, or another reason. The Committee may undertake such processes as it considers appropriate when preparing its recommendations.

h)    To oversee the provision of information required in carrying out Polling District and Polling Place Reviews, including any consultation arrangements with electors or other stakeholders.

i)       To make decisions in respect of Polling District and Polling Place Reviews. The Returning Officer will also have authority to change a polling place where appropriate in the event of a by election or other unforeseen circumstances after consultation with the Chairman of the Committee, which will be reported to the Committee.

j)       To receive reports in relation to the operation and delivery of Electoral Services and make recommendations or decisions as appropriate on electoral matters not reserved to Full Council.