1. Electoral review briefing – Parish & Town Councils 30 March 2016
Cornwall Council
Electoral review briefing – Parish & Town Councils
30 March 2016
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2. 37 out of 122 electoral divisions (30%) in Cornwall have an electoral variance of greater than 10%
There are also three divisions with variances above 30%. The greatest outliers are Liskeard North, with an electoral variance of -60% and Redruth North, with an electoral variance of 35%.

3. How? Council size: Electoral division boundaries:
Effective representations at every stage:
Tell us why you are putting forward your view: your rationale.
Put forward an alternative, not just registering an objection.
Provide evidence to support your argument.
Consider the future.
Effective representations will address:
Governance and decision making
Scrutiny and outside bodies
Representational role of councillors
Effective representations will address:
Electoral equality for voters
Community interests and identities
Convenient and effective local government

4. Electoral Equality
Basic democratic principle. Each persons vote should be of equal weight across a local authority area
The ‘electoral variance’ is the % figure by which a electoral division deviates from the councillor: elector ratio for the authority
Bear in mind the Commission aims to have all electoral divisions having variances of less than 10% where possible

5. Community identities and interests
The higher the electoral variance you propose, the stronger the evidence of community identities needs to be
Evidence should not be assertion but have a basis in practical examples
Community identity is hard to define and often subjective

6. Effective & convenient local government
Electoral divisions are coherent
Clearly identifiable boundaries
Reflect transport and communication links
Councillors and electors can engage in the affairs and activities of the divisions without having to travel through an adjoining division.

7. Rules relating to parishes
We cannot create or abolish parishes, or amend their boundaries
If we divide a parish between electoral divisions, we must create parish wards
We can change parish electoral arrangements only as a direct consequence of our electoral division proposals
Rules relating to parishes

8. What counts as evidence?
Historical associations are useful, but we need to know how communities interact now. Practical examples are important:
Shared community events
Shared amenities and facilities
Public facilities such as doctors’ surgeries, hospitals, libraries or schools.
What defines it and marks it out as a distinct community or communities
Show how facilities provide a focus for community interaction

9. How to get involved Website: www.lgbce.org.uk
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10. When? Preliminary period March 2016 – April 2017
Consultation on ward patterns
16 May 2017 –
31 July 2017
When?
Consultation on draft recommendations
24 October 2017 –
19 December 2017
Publish final recommendations
March 2018
Order – coming into force at elections in 2021
Website:
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