The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) has published its proposals for a new pattern of local electoral wards in Thurrock as part of its Boundary Review for consultation with local people and other stakeholders.
Its proposals aim to make sure councillors are distributed equally across the borough, with wards are based around recognised local neighbourhoods so all residents feel fairly represented.
It is proposing there should be 49 councillors, with 9 wards each represented by 3 councillors, and 11 wards each represented by 2 councillors, for a total of 20 wards.
All but one of the current wards would change. Proposed changes include:
- creation of a 2-councillor Purfleet-on-Thames ward
- Thurrock Park to be added to Little Thurrock Rectory ward
- Sandy Lane and Hill House Drive to be added to Chadwell St Mary ward
The consultation is open to everyone. Thurrock Council actively encourages residents and others to read the proposals and submit their views back to the LGBCE.
The council is also a consultee to the proposals. Councillors will meet to discuss whether an agreed council response will be submitted, or political groups and parties will submit their own individual response directly to the LGBCE.
After the close of the consultation period, the LGBCE will submit its final proposals to Parliament for approval, after which the council will put them into place. The new boundaries will be first used at the May 2025 local elections, where all 49 seats on the council will be up for re-election.
The proposals are open for public consultation until 16 September 2024 and can be completed on the LGBCE website. Go to The Local Government Boundary Commission for England: Thurrock review.