Have your say on the draft recommendations for new council wards and more for Dorset Council.
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) has published draft recommendations for new wards, ward boundaries, and ward names for Dorset Council and is now consulting on those recommendations.
As a result of the draft recommendations the LGBCE is proposing changes to the parish electoral arrangements for the following parish and town councils:
- Chickerell Town Council
- Dorchester Town Council
- Symondsbury Parish Council
- Weymouth Town Council
- Wimborne Minster Town Council
In drawing up new ward boundaries, the Commission must balance three legal criteria:
- To deliver electoral equality: where each councillor represents roughly the same number of electors as others across the county;
- That the pattern of wards should, as far as possible, reflect the interests and identities of local communities;
- That the electoral arrangements should provide for effective and convenient local government.
Consultation details
The consultation is easy to complete with various fields identifying who you or your organisation are followed by a text box where you are asked to share your views. When putting forward a view it is important to take account of the criteria if you are suggesting an alternative pattern of wards. Views should also include evidence that supports your submission, for example, if you wish to argue that two areas should be included in the same electoral ward, make sure you tell us why they should be together, providing evidence about community facilities, ties, organisations, and amenities, rather than simply asserting that they belong together.
The consultation will close on 9 November 2026. The Commission aims to publish a final report on recommendations for electoral and boundary arrangements in March 2027. The new electoral arrangements will come into effect at the local elections in May 2029.
The consultation and more information is available on the Commission's website:
- Complete the consultation
- Dorset Review page (including interactive map)
