Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, with reference to the answer of 12 January 2026 to Question 102392 on Local Government: Reorganisation, what guidance has been given by the Local Government Boundary Commission to local authorities, in relation to the unitary restructuring, on whether existing ward or division boundaries for the new unitaries should be amended or redrawn by local authorities, prior to a formal electoral review by the Local Government Boundary Commission after the new unitaries have been vested.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) have set out that the interim electoral arrangements - which will be used at the first elections to the new unitary authorities established under local government reorganisation - can be created using any combination of existing boundaries, whether that be parish, district, county or unitary wards or divisions.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has provided advice and guidance to local authorities to support them in their work to develop interim electoral arrangements. This has included making available its electoral review guidance which sets out the criteria that it takes into account in determining ward boundaries during a normal review.

The Commission has made clear that local authorities should, as far as possible, have regard to the criteria that would inform an electoral review - electoral equality, community identity and interests, and effective and convenient local government – in developing their interim electoral arrangements.

The Commission will undertake a full electoral review of all newly-formed authorities before their subsequent elections.