On 21 August 2020 we posted details of the Local Government Boundary Commission (LGBC) review of the Lambeth electoral wards, including how everybody could develop and make their comments on where the boundaries should lie. We also promoted the review in our fortnightly newsletters and via social media. The LGBC deadline for comments is 21 September 2020.
The electoral review seeks to recommend new ward boundaries that mean each councillor will represent approximately the same number of voters, and ensure that the pattern of wards reflect the interests and identities of local communities as well as promoting effective local government.
The Commission says it is minded to recommend that Lambeth Council should retain the same number of councillors (63) as at present. There has, however, been a great deal of development in the north of the borough with a consequent increase in population. Since a major criterion in the determination of the LGBC will be the number of electors (not population) that each councillor represents, this will probably result in the creation of new wards in the north of the borough.
Currently Norwood, comprising the wards of Gipsy Hill, Knights Hill and Thurlow Park, is represented by nine councillors; three for each of the wards. According to the LGBC this should be reduced to eight to fit with its criteria. There are several ways in which this can be accomplished.
Our colleagues in the Norwood Action Group have proposed that Norwood should be split into not three, but four wards, each represented by two councillors. Further information on their proposal is available here.
There are several reasons to recommend this proposal, not least, that it fits with the electoral demand of approximately 4070 electors per councillor and creates a ward that includes both sides of the shopping area on Norwood Road into one ward, thus centralising the town centre aspect.
The arguments against this are that residents of at least part of all three of our current wards regard the Norwood Road as their town centre and its current boundaries ensure that all three wards have a stake in the Town Centre. This view is supported by Station to Station.
Smaller two councillor wards may be more cohesive, but in case of illness or parental leave of one of the councillors, it would lay an enormous burden on one councillor.
Another proposal being floated is that Norwood retains its three ward structure, but that one of its wards is reduced in area and is served by two councillors, thus minimising the number of two councillor wards. It is proposed that the current Thurlow Park ward retains three councillors and extends further south to Tritton Road and further west to incorporate the small parade of shops opposite Tulse Hill station (the Co-op etc) that are currently in Streatham.
Similarly Gipsy Hill ward should retain three councillors by expanding westwards to Knights Hill. This would leave Knights Hill with two councillors.
Another suggestion is that the area west of Norwood Road as far west as Hillside Road (Polling District STE), should move from Streatham Hill to Thurlow Park wards, since this will give those electors a stake in their town centre of Tulse Hill.
All of these proposals have their merits and their disadvantages. We will be finalising our comments next week, and aim to publish this at the end of next week. If you have any comments on the above options or other ideas please let us know as soon as possible, and certainly by no later than Sunday 20 September, so we can consider for incorporation in our submission.
Also, please submit your proposals to the LGBC:
- On their website, or.
- Send an email to: reviews@lgbce.org.uk or
- Write by post to: LGBCE c/o Cleardata Innovation House, Coniston Court Riverside Business Park, Blyth NE24 4RP
Remember, the deadline is Monday 21 September 2020.
