The Bradford (Electoral Changes) Order 2025
The Bradford (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 implements recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, abolishing existing electoral wards in Bradford and establishing 30 new ones.
The Order details the new ward names and boundaries, specifies three councillors per ward, and outlines a phased election schedule beginning with a whole-city council election in 2026 transitioning to elections by thirds thereafter.
Similar changes are implemented for parish wards in surrounding areas.
The Order ensures that the changes comply with the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.
Arguments For
Improved electoral representation: The restructuring of wards aims to create more equitable representation for the population of Bradford, addressing any previous imbalances or discrepancies in voter numbers across different wards. The stated goal of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England is fairness and efficacy.
Enhanced efficiency of local governance: Redistributing wards could lead to a more streamlined and efficient local government structure, facilitating better service delivery and communication with constituents. The changes were developed by an independent body and reviewed by Parliament.
Compliance with legal framework: The Order acts under the authority of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, ensuring adherence to existing legislation governing electoral boundaries.
Independent review process: The recommendations stemmed from an independent review by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, promoting impartiality and transparency in the decision making process.
Arguments Against
Potential disruption to existing political structures: Redrawn ward boundaries might disrupt established political networks and voter familiarity with their representatives, potentially causing temporary instability in local politics. Existing councillor terms of office are affected, resulting in some retirements earlier than would otherwise have been the case.
Unforeseen consequences of boundary changes: Although an impact assessment was determined to be unnecessary, unforeseen consequences are always possible with any major modification of electoral arrangements. Voter turnout and patterns of political engagement could potentially be impacted.
Complexity of implementation: The implementation of the new ward system requires significant administrative effort, including updating voter registration lists, election logistics, and informing the public of the changes.
Resource allocation: Alterations to the electoral system might necessitate reallocation of available resources within the local government, requiring careful management of budgetary implications.
Citation, commencement, extent and application1.
(1)
This Order may be cited as the Bradford (Electoral Changes) Order 2025.
(2)
This article and article 2 come into force on the day after the day on which this Order is made.
(3)
Articles 3 and 4 come into force—
(a)
for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on 15th October 2025;
(b)
for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2026.
(4)
Article 5 comes into force—
(a)
for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors on 15th October 2026;
(b)
for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2027.
(5)
This Order extends to England and Wales but applies in relation to England only.
Section 1 details the Order's title, effective dates, and geographic scope.
The Order's official name is established.
Different parts of the Order come into effect at different times – some provisions related to councillor elections start in October 2025, others later.
The order applies only to England, although it extends legally to England and Wales.
Interpretation2.
(1)
In this Order, “the map” means the map marked “Map referred to in the Bradford (Electoral Changes) Order 2025”, held by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.
(2)
Where a boundary is shown on the map as running along a road, railway line, footway, watercourse or similar geographical feature, it is to be treated as running along the centre line of the feature.
Section 2 defines key terms. 'The map' refers to a specific map held by the Local Government Boundary Commission.
It clarifies that when boundaries follow geographical features, the center line of those features defines the boundary.
Wards of the city of Bradford and number of councillors3.
(1)
The existing wards of the city of Bradford are abolished.
(2)
The city of Bradford is divided into the 30 wards listed in Schedule 1.
(3)
Each ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the ward.
(4)
The number of councillors to be elected for each ward is three.
Section 3 outlines changes to Bradford's electoral wards.
It abolishes existing wards and creates 30 new wards, listed in Schedule 1.
Each new ward's boundaries are defined on a map, and each ward elects three councillors.
Elections of the city of Bradford4.
(1)
Elections of all councillors for each ward of the city of Bradford are to be held simultaneously on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2026.
(2)
The councillors holding office for any ward abolished by article 3(1) immediately before the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2026 are to retire on that fourth day, and the newly elected councillors are to come into office on that fourth day.
(3)
Of the councillors elected for a ward in 2026—
(a)
one is to retire on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2027;
(b)
one is to retire on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2028;
(c)
one is to retire on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2030.
(4)
Of the councillors elected for a ward in 2026—
(a)
the first councillor for each ward to retire is to be the councillor elected by the smallest number of votes;
(b)
the second councillor for each ward to retire is to be the councillor elected by the next smallest number of votes.
(5)
In the case of an equality of votes between any persons elected which makes it uncertain which of them is to retire in any year, the person to retire in that year is to be determined by lot.
(6)
If an election of councillors for any ward is not contested, the person to retire in each year is to be determined by lot.
(7)
An election to replace a councillor who is to retire under paragraph (3) is to be held on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in the year in which the retirement is due to take place, and any newly elected councillor is to come into office on the fourth day after that day.
(8)
Where, under this article, any question is to be determined by lot, the lot is to be drawn at the next practicable meeting of the council after the question has arisen and the drawing is to be conducted under the direction of the person presiding at the meeting.
Section 4 details the election process.
A full city council election occurs in 2026.
After that, the council will return to a system where only some councillors are elected each year (one-third).
The order of retirements is explained – determined by vote count with a lottery in case of an equal number of votes.
Parish wards of the parishes of Baildon, Bingley, Ilkley, and Keighley and number of councillors5.
(1)
The existing parish wards of Baildon, Bingley, Ilkley, and Keighley are abolished.
(2)
The parish of Baildon is divided into the six parish wards listed in the first column of Table 1 in Schedule 2.
(3)
The parish of Bingley is divided into the nine parish wards listed in the first column of Table 2 in Schedule 2.
(4)
The parish of Ilkley is divided into the five parish wards listed in the first column of Table 3 in Schedule 2.
(5)
The parish of Keighley is divided into the 15 parish wards listed in the first column of Table 4 in Schedule 2.
(6)
Each parish ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the parish ward.
(7)
The number of councillors to be elected for each parish ward is the number specified in relation to that parish ward in the second column of the relevant table in Schedule 2.
Section 5 describes changes to parish wards in Baildon, Bingley, Ilkley, and Keighley.
Existing parish wards are abolished, and new ones are implemented with councillor numbers specified for each ward in Schedule 2.
The new boundaries are defined on 'the map'.
Schedules
Schedule 1Wards of the city of Bradford
(Article 3(2))
1. Airedale
2. Baildon
3. Bingley East
4. Bingley West
5. Bolton & Undercliffe
6. Bowling & Barkerend
7. Bradford Moor
8. City
9. Clayton & Fairweather Green
10. Eccleshill
11. Great Horton
12. Heaton & Frizinghall
13. Holme Wood & Bierley
14. Idle & Thackley
15. Ilkley & Addingham
16. Keighley Central
17. Keighley East
18. Keighley West
19. Little Horton
20. Manningham
21. Queensbury
22. Royds
23. Shipley
24. Thornton & Allerton
25. Toller
26. Wharfedale
27. Wibsey & Odsal
28. Windhill & Wrose
29. Worth Valley
30. Wyke
Schedule 2Names of parish wards and number of councillors
(Article 5)
(Table 1) Parish wards of the parish of Baildon and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors | |---|---| | East | 2 | | North | 2 | | South | 3 | | South East | 2 | | South West | 1 | | West | 2 |
(Table 2) Parish wards of the parish of Bingley and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors | |---|---| | Bingley Central | 1 | | Cottingley | 3 | | Crossflatts & Micklethwaite | 2 | | Crow Nest | 2 | | Eldwick | 2 | | Gilstead | 2 | | Lady Lane & Oakwood | 1 | | Myrtle Park | 2 | | Priestthorpe | 1 |
(Table 3) Parish wards of the parish of Ilkley and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors | |---|---| | Ben Rhydding North | 2 | | Ben Rhydding South | 2 | | Ilkley North | 3 | | Ilkley South | 3 | | Ilkley West | 4 |
(Table 4) Parish wards of the parish of Keighley and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors | |---|---| | Bogthorn & Exley | 1 | | Bracken Bank & Ingrow | 3 | | Fell Lane & Westburn | 3 | | Guardhouse | 1 | | Highfield | 2 | | Knowle Park | 1 | | Lawkholme & Showfield | 2 | | Laycock & Braithwaite | 1 | | Long Lee & Parkwood | 2 | | Morton & Sandbeds | 2 | | Oakworth | 3 | | Riddlesden & Stockbridge | 3 | | Spring Gardens & Utley | 3 | | Town | 1 | | Woodhouse & Hainworth | 2 |
Schedules 1 and 2 provide the specific ward lists and the number of councillors for each ward, as mentioned previously in the main text.