Issue - meetings

To report the initial proposals of the Boundary Commission for England for Parliamentary Constituencies 2023 in Buckinghamshire.

The Committee received a report from the Service Director for Legal & Democratic Services on the 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituencies. Members noted that this Committee was responsible for electoral arrangements. The independent Boundary Commission for England (BCE) were redrawing the map of Parliamentary constituency boundaries. This followed a request from Parliament to review constituencies in England to ensure that there was a more even distribution of electors across them. Due to population changes since the last review, the number of electors in some constituencies was much higher than in others. The 2023 Boundary Review, which was launched in January this year, would make the number of electors in each constituency more equal, thus ensuring individual votes were of broadly equal weight. In making these required changes, the number of constituencies in England must increase from 533 to 543. The Committee were being asked to note the initial consultation and asked to consider any response they may wish to make.

In the Buckinghamshire Council area the Boundary Commission’s proposals were for the following 6 parliamentary constituencies (currently there were5):

Proposed Constituency and electorate

Aylesbury 75636

Buckingham & Bletchley 73644

Chesham & Amersham 76158

High Wycombe 71769

Marlow and South Buckinghamshire 70312

Princes Risborough 72240

During discussion the following comments were made:-

·             To rename High Wycombe to just Wycombe

·             Milton Keynes and Bletchley was in the historical county of Buckinghamshire but were not part of Buckinghamshire Council.

The Service Director reported that in the past specific questions had been sent round to Members and these were then brought together in a report so the Committee can highlight the issues they wished to be considered. If during this process it was apparent that it would be helpful to meet then a Working Group could be set up. All Council Members would be informed of the consultation as they would be able to make their own individual response. This process was agreed by the Committee.

RESOLVED that the initial proposals for the 2023 review of Parliamentary Constituencies from the Boundary Commission for England (BCE) be noted.