Consultation on new ward boundary proposals for Rochdale Borough

New ward boundary proposals have been drawn up by the Local Government Boundary Commission for the Rochdale borough.

Local residents are being asked to give their view on the new political map for the local constituencies and a 10-week consultation on the new proposals will run until 8 February 2021.

The biggest changes apply to Middleton, which is being completely changed.

North Middleton ward will be moved entirely to cover Langley; east Alkrington will be moved from East Middleton ward into South Middleton ward with the rest of Alkrington.

Stakehill, currently under the Castleton ward, will move to East Middleton.

Other changes include the renaming of Hopwood Hall to simply Hopwood, changing the North Heywood-Hopwood border to the East Lancashire railway line, and altering the border between Norden, Bamford, Hopwood Hall, West Heywood from the river to Bury Road.

The wards in Rochdale will largely remain the same, but Rochdale town centre will now be included in the Central ward, moving the border between Central and Balderstone & Deeplish wards.

In drawing up new boundaries, the commission aims to deliver electoral equality, ensuring councillors represent roughly the same number of voters.

The electoral review also aims to ensure the new council wards reflects the interests and identities of local communities.

Under the proposals, there would still be 20 three-councillor wards across the borough.

Residents can study ward maps and submit their views via the Boundary Commission’s portal at:

• www.consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/21053

Alternatively, you can email reviews@lgbce.org.uk, or write by post to:

LGBCE c/o Cleardata
Innovation House
Coniston Court
Riverside Business Park
Blyth
NE24 4RP

Further information, including the consultation timetable and next steps, can be found at:

• www.rochdale.gov.uk/localboundaryreview

Final recommendations will be published on 11 May 2021.