Last Chance for Boundary Review Consultation

A final call is being made for local people to have their say on proposed changes to constituencies across England.

In early November, the Boundary Commission for England (BCE) launched its final, month-long, public consultation on a proposed new map of constituencies.

People have until the closing date of Monday (5 December) to submit their views on anything from where the proposed constituency boundaries are to suggestions for new constituency names.

The BCE is an independent and impartial public body and is required by Parliament to review all constituencies in England, to rebalance the number of electors in each constituency.

In South Tyneside, the BCE is recommending:

• a South Shields constituency gaining the Cleadon and East Boldon ward from Jarrow;
• a Jarrow constituency to include the remaining current Jarrow wards plus four Gateshead wards of Felling, Pelaw and Heworth, Wardley and Leam Lane, and Windy Nook and Whitehills.

Councillor Joan Atkinson, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council with responsibility for democratic renewal, said: "The Boundary Commission for England's review aims to ensure that the parliamentary constituencies best represent and accurately represent the local communities that they serve. The knowledge and views of local people are key to this process.

"The proposals do include some changes to the existing South Tyneside constituencies. Therefore, we would strongly urge members of the public to get involved and take up this final opportunity to feed into the consultation before Monday's deadline."

The Boundary Commission is required by law to make sure that each constituency in England has between 69,724 and 77,062 electors.

The 2023 Boundary Review will rebalance the number of electors each MP represents, resulting in significant change to the existing constituency map.

As part of the review, the number of constituencies in England will increase from 533 to 543.

The Commission has taken into consideration more than 45,000 comments sent in by the public during the previous two stages of public consultation and has changed nearly half of its initial proposals based on this feedback.

To view the proposals and submit comments visit www.bcereviews.org.uk Comments can also be made by email or letter, but must reach the BCE before the consultation closes on 5 December 2022.

Final recommendations will be submitted to Parliament by 1 July 2023, and the new constituencies will take effect at the next General Election thereafter.