Title and introductory text
2023 No. 652
Local Government, England
The Maidstone (Electoral Changes) Order 2023
Made
14th June 2023
Coming into force in accordance with article 1(2) and (3)
Under section 58(4) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (“the Act”) the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (“the Commission”) published a report dated November 2022 stating its recommendations for changes to the electoral arrangements for the borough of Maidstone. The Commission has decided to give effect to the recommendations.
A draft of the instrument has been laid before Parliament and a period of forty days has expired since the day on which it was laid and neither House has resolved that the instrument be not made.
The Commission makes the following Order in exercise of the power conferred by section 59(1) of the Act.
Propose a change1 Citation, commencement, extent and application
(1) This Order may be cited as the Maidstone (Electoral Changes) Order 2023.
(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 2023;
(b) for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2024.
(4) This Order extends to England and Wales but applies in relation to England only.
Propose a change2 Interpretation
(1) In this Order, “the map” means the map marked “Map referred to in the Maidstone (Electoral Changes) Order 2023”, 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.
Propose a change3 Wards of the borough of Maidstone and number of councillors
(1) The existing wards of the borough of Maidstone are abolished.
(2) The borough of Maidstone is divided into the 22 wards listed in the first column 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 the number specified in relation to that ward in the second column of the table in Schedule 1.
Propose a change4 Parish Wards of the parishes of Boughton Monchelsea, Boxley, Otham and Thurnham and number of councillors.
(1) The existing parish wards of the parishes of Boughton Monchelsea, Boxley, Otham and Turnham are abolished.
(2) The parish of Boughton Monchelsea is divided into the four parish wards listed in the first column of table 1 in Schedule 2.
(3) The parish of Boxley is divided into the five parish wards listed in the first column of table 2 in Schedule 2.
(4) The parish of Otham is divided into the two parish wards listed in the first column of table 3 in Schedule 2.
(5) The parish of Thurnham is divided into the two 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 ward in the second column of the relevant table in Schedule 2.
Propose a changeSCHEDULE 1 Names of Borough Wards of the borough of Maidstone and number of councillors
Article 3
(1) Name of Ward | (2) Number of councillors
Allington & Bridge | 2
Barming Heath & Teston | 2
Bearsted & Downswood | 3
Boughton Monchelsea & Chart Sutton | 1
Boxley Downs | 2
Coxheath & Farleigh | 2
Fant & Oakwood | 3
Grove Green & Vinters Park | 3
Harrietsham, Lenham & North Downs | 3
Headcorn & Sutton Valence | 2
High Street | 3
Leeds & Langley | 2
Loose & Linton | 2
Marden & Yalding | 3
Palace Wood | 2
Park Wood & Mangravet | 2
Penenden Heath | 3
Ringlestone | 1
Senacre | 1
Shepway | 3
Staplehurst | 2
Tovil | 2
Propose a change