The Boundary Commission published a second set of draft recommendations on 12 January 2021. They will consult on the new draft recommendations for 8 weeks, from 12 January 2021 to 8 March 2021.
Quote from the Boundary Commission: “We received a significant number of submissions opposed to our recommendations in the south of the borough, as well as a lack of consensus regarding the north-east.”
A big thank you to all residents who took the time to write in and give their views.
ELM PARK The original draft recommendations provided for a two-councillor Elm Park ward centred around Elm Park station with half of the ward going into South Hornchurch Ward. The submissions received from 42 residents, the Hornchurch Residents’ Association and one local organisation stated a preference for Elm Park ward to remain as a three-councillor ward and more specifically, the submissions argued that the current ward consisted of a coherent community and that the current ward boundary accurately reflects the division between local communities. Elm Park is proposed to stay very much the same with 3 ward councillors.
HACTON As in the first draft, this ward goes down to 2 councillors with part of the ward moving to St Andrews.
HYLANDS Broadly staying the same with a name change to Harrow Lodge Ward and 3 ward councillors.
ST ANDREWS An adjustment to the boundary as requested by ward councillors. Split roads in Elm Park to move to Elm Park Ward. Retaining 3 ward councillors.
GERRYMANDERING CLAIMS The Boundary Commission received 106 submissions which requested the electoral review be delayed or cancelled, due to reports circulating regarding the motivation behind the submission received from the Council. The Commission advises it is wholly independent of Government and they consider their processes transparent.
You may have already seen that Private Eye gave the Leader of Havering Council the Gerrymandering Award of 2020. https://www.private-eye.co.uk/rotten-boroughs
We encourage everyone to use this opportunity to read the report and to comment on these proposed wards as the more public views the Boundary Commission hear, the more informed their decisions will be
https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/greater-london/greater-london/havering
