PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(27 January 2025)

As set out in the White Paper, we want to see stronger community arrangements when reorganisation happens in the way councils engage at a neighbourhood or area level. My department is liaising closely with the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) so that they are involved at the appropriate time to ensure fair electoral arrangements across the area of any new unitary local authorities.

The LGBCE’s approach during electoral reviews is that there are no set ratios of the number of electors each councillor should represent. The ratio flows from the number of councillors an authority should have. An authority has a unique set of characteristics which determines this and the LGBCE’s approach is outlined in its electoral review guidance. There are no set limits on the number of councillors although the guidance indicates that a compelling case would be needed for a council size of more than 100 members or less than 30.