The Wakefield (Electoral Changes) Order 2025
The Wakefield (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 implements changes to the electoral arrangements for the city of Wakefield and associated parishes, based on recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.
The order abolishes existing wards and establishes 21 new wards for the city, along with revised parish ward structures.
It outlines the timelines for elections, including initial elections in 2026 and subsequent staggered retirements of councilors to a system of thirds.
The changes ensure future elections adhere to legal requirements while aiming to improve representation and governance.
Arguments For
Improved Representation: The restructuring of wards aims to create more balanced and equitable representation for the citizens of Wakefield, reflecting population shifts and community needs.
Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness: The new ward boundaries may lead to greater efficiency in local government operations and potentially lower administrative costs.
Compliance with Legal Requirements: The order complies with the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, fulfilling statutory obligations for periodic electoral review and boundary adjustments.
Evidence-Based Decision-Making: The changes are based on recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, which conducted a thorough review of the electoral arrangements in Wakefield.
Arguments Against
Disruption to Local Governance: Redistricting can lead to disruption in local governance as councilors and residents adjust to new ward boundaries and representation.
Potential for Gerrymandering: While unintentional, there's a theoretical risk that the new boundaries unintentionally favor certain political groups, although the independent commission aims to prevent this.
Complexity of Implementation: Implementing the new electoral system will require extensive planning, communication, and logistical arrangements for future elections.
Limited Public Engagement: There may be concerns about the extent of public involvement in the boundary commission’s decision-making process, potentially leading to a lack of local buy-in.
Citation, commencement, extent and application 1.
(1) This Order may be cited as the Wakefield (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.
This section details the order's citation, effective dates, and geographical scope.
The order is officially titled the "Wakefield (Electoral Changes) Order 2025." Different parts of the order take effect on various dates: some provisions begin the day after the order is made; articles 3 and 4 relating to councillor elections mostly come into effect in October 2025 and 2026, while article 5 takes effect in October 2026 and 2027.
It applies to England only although extends to both England and Wales.
Interpretation 2.
(1) In this Order, “the map” means the map marked “Map referred to in the Wakefield (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.
This section clarifies terminology.
The term "the map" refers to a specific map detailing the new ward boundaries, kept by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.
Boundaries shown on the map following geographical features are considered to run along the center line of those features.
Wards of the city of Wakefield and number of councillors 3.
(1) The existing wards of the city of Wakefield are abolished.
(2) The city of Wakefield is divided into the 21 wards listed in column 1 of the table 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.
This section details changes to the city of Wakefield's wards.
Existing wards are abolished and replaced with 21 new wards, detailed in Schedule 1.
Each ward's boundaries are defined on the referenced map.
Each new ward will elect three councilors.
Elections of the city of Wakefield 4.
(1) Elections of all councillors for each ward of the city of Wakefield 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 England 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.
This section sets out election procedures.
All councillors will be elected simultaneously in 2026.
After that, the council reverts to its system of electing councillors in thirds, with staggered retirements in 2027, 2028 and 2030.
The order of retirement is determined by the number of votes received, with lots drawn in case of ties or uncontested elections.
Elections to fill councillor vacancies occur on the standard election day.
Parish wards of the parishes of Normanton & Altofts and South Elmsall and number of councillors 5.
(1) The existing parish wards of the parishes of Normanton & Altofts and South Elmsall are abolished.
(2) The parish of Normanton & Altofts is divided into the four parish wards listed in the first column of table 1 in Schedule 2.
(3) The parish of South Elmsall is divided into the two parish wards listed in the first column of table 2 in Schedule 2.
(4) Each parish ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the parish ward.
(5) 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.
This section modifies parish ward structures.
Existing parish wards in Normanton & Altofts and South Elmsall are abolished, creating new ones as detailed in Schedule 2.
The boundaries are defined on the map, with the number of councillors per ward specified in Schedule 2.