The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBC) are currently undertaking a review of ward boundaries and the number of elected members in Havering. Part 2 of the review (regarding warding arrangements) has just closed for submissions.

Havering Council officers proposed four different options (named Options 1-4), all of which were rejected by elected members.

The Upminster and Cranham Residents’ Association (UCRA) submitted a proposal (named Option 1A), which looked to retain the existing 18 wards and keep their boundaries as near as possible to those existing (including Emerson Park Ward), whilst taking into account the expanding population in the borough.

A further option (named Option 4A) was put forward by the Conservative Group on the council. This involved an expansion to 22 wards, increasing the number of councillors from 54 to 56 and major changes to ward boundaries. Emerson Park Ward’s boundaries would change, reducing its size, and the number of elected councillors would drop from three to two.

At an Extraordinary Council Meeting held on Wednesday 04 March, Options 1A and 4A (and amendments to 4A) were debated by council members. At the end, votes were held and Option 1A defeated by 28 votes to 17 (Four councillors were absent and there were several abstentions). Option 4A was then accepted by 36 Votes to 14. This means that Option 4A will be the preferred option of Havering Council.

However, Option 1A has also been submitted separately to the Boundary Commision by the Upminster and Cranham Residents’ Association and the Residents’ Association of Emerson Park, as we feel that Option 4A does not meet the LGBC set criteria of 1) Electoral equality for voters, 2) Community identities and interests and 3) Effective and convenient local government, and should therefore be rejected by them.

Full details of both Options 1A and 4A can be found on the Havering Council website. The Boundary Commission website can be viewed here.