The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has published its draft recommendations for new ward boundaries for the whole of Lambeth.
The recommendations are far-reaching, and views are now sought, particularly on the location of the ward boundaries and the names of the proposed new wards.
Views are now sought by 12 April 2021.

Proposed local ward boundaries (see from page 28 of the report – see below)
A number of submissions drew attention to the need to recognise the established community around Tulse Hill town centre.
Four wards are proposed for our area, with the area extending north of the Tulse Hill town centre included in the proposed new ward of St. Martins.
Currently all wards have three councillors; all existing ward boundaries will change:

Ward name	Number of councillors	Variance 2026*
Gipsy Hill	2	2%
Knight’s Hill	3	2%
Rosendale	2	-3%
St Martin’s	2	-1%

* expected variance from the Borough average per ward in 2026

See the maps at the end of this post for the proposed and existing ward areas.
We will be considering what response to make, and would welcome any views you have: info@norwoodforum.org.

Boundary Commission report
Draft recommendations report
Draft recommendations map
Summary of the draft recommendations

The Commission recommends:

• 12 three-councillor wards
• 13 two-councillor wards
• one single-councillor ward.

The draft recommendations follow from consideration of the 244 submissions made in response to the 2020 consultation exercise.

The Commission considers the draft recommendations will provide for good electoral equality while reflecting community identities and interests where they received such evidence during consultation.
Noting that the recommended pattern of wards is very different from the existing pattern, the Commission is of the view that it reflects communities as they have developed, represents a good balance of the statutory criteria, result in good levels of electoral equality in most areas of Lambeth, and generally use clearly identifiable boundaries.

Council boundaries are reviewed about every 14–15 years, so the changes, to be implemented from May 2022 Borough Electionswill apply for a very long period.  

Draft recommendations summary:

	2020	2026
Number of councillors	63	63
Number of electoral wards	21	26
Average number of electors per councillor	3,883	4,072
Number of wards with a variance more than 10% from the average	4	0
Number of wards with a variance more than 20% from the average	1	0

Have your say
The closing date for comments is 12 April 2021.
The Commission now welcomes comments on their draft recommendations, particularly on the location of the ward boundaries and the names of our proposed wards, and states:

• The Commission has an open mind about its draft recommendations. Every representation we receive will be considered, regardless of who it is from or whether it relates to the whole borough or just a part of it.
• If you agree with our recommendations, please let us know. If you don’t think our recommendations are right for Lambeth, we want to hear alternative proposals for a different pattern of wards.
• Our website has a special consultation area where you can explore the maps and draw your own proposed boundaries. You can find it at www.consultation.lgbce.org.uk.
• Submissions can also be made by emailing reviews@lgbce.org.uk or by writing to:
  Review Officer (Lambeth)
  The Local Government Boundary Commission for England
  PO Box 133
  Blyth
  NE24 9FE