A public consultation to help shape new council wards for Dorset Council.
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) is conducting an electoral review to make sure that each local councillor represents about the same number of electors, and that the wards they represent reflect community identities. Following an earlier consultation with the Council, the Commission concluded that Dorset Council needs 82 councillors to be able to operate effectively. This is the same number as it has now.
Launching the consultation on the electoral review of Dorset, Bev Smith, Chair of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, said: "We are looking for your views, as local people, on how you think Dorset should be represented in wards that reflect local connections, communities and identities. By telling us about your community and the areas you identify with, you will help us to create appropriate, fair and meaningful boundaries. We would like to hear about where you go to meet people, to shop, attend school or sporting events, whether a road, park or river acts as a dividing feature between communities or as its hub, and which neighbourhoods have joint community initiatives. Hearing from local residents will give us important evidence to create our recommendations for a pattern of wards for Dorset that ensures every area is represented fairly in local elections."
In drawing up new electoral wards, the Commission must balance three legal criteria, namely:
- 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 you are urged to 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 explain 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 1 June 2026. The Commission aims to publish draft recommendations in September 2026 followed by a further period of consultation on the draft recommendations. 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:
Working Together Webinar
As part of the LGBCE's commitment to engaging with local stakeholders, parish and town councils in Dorset were invited to a briefing via a Working Together Webinar, 7 April 2026. The briefing included a short presentation on the purpose, process and timeline of the review, followed by a Q&A.
WATCH A RECORDING of the webinar and view other resources on the event page.
