Council boundary divisions set to change across North Yorkshire

A consultation has gone live on draft proposals to reorganise council divisions across North Yorkshire.

Under the shake-up by the Local Government Boundary Commission, the number of councillors on North Yorkshire Council is set to be reduced from 90 to 89.

The Commission is proposing there would be 85 single-councillor divisions and two two-councillor divisions in the future, with a system of 88 single-councillor divisions and one two-councillor division currently used.

The new two-councillor divisions would be Sherburn in Elmet and South Milford, and Malton and Norton.
Most of the existing division boundaries are set to change.

The proposals are based on submissions from North Yorkshire Council, political groups and others, including parish council and local residents.
In several cases, the Commission has favoured proposals submitted by local Liberal Democrats over suggestions made by North Yorkshire Council.
In the Richmond area, the Commission has gone with the Lib Dems’ suggestion of a reconfigured North Richmondshire division, a revised Richmond division, and the creation of a new Brompton and Scorton division.

The Commission has also favoured the Lib Dems’ proposal for a restructured Easingwold division consisting of the parishes of Easingwold and Huby over North Yorkshire Council’s suggestions, while the party’s idea of a Howardian division that excluded Ampleforth but incorporated parishes to the south from the existing Sheriff Hutton & Derwent division has also been included in the draft.

Councillor Carl Les, the Conservative leader of North Yorkshire Council, said the authority was still examining the draft proposals.
“It’s going to take some time to see what implications there are and why the proposals have changed from the council submission if that is the case.”

Clive World, chairman of Richmond and Northallerton Liberal Democrats, said: “Community should come first when it comes to setting boundaries, so it’s good to see that’s what has taken priority and that common sense has prevailed.”

Officials say boundaries are being reviewed to ensure councillors will represent roughly the same number of electors.

The Commission wants to hear what residents and local organisations think about the proposals.

A ten-week consultation on the draft plans will run until June 9.

Launching the consultation, Andrew Scallan CBE, deputy chair of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, said: “We want people in North Yorkshire to help us.  We have drawn up proposals for new divisions in North Yorkshire. We want to make sure these new electoral arrangements reflect communities. We also want them to be easy to understand and convenient for local people.  Residents and local organisations can help us do that. We would like them to let us know whether they agree with our proposals before we take final decisions.”

To view the draft proposals, visit https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/north-yorkshire