Westmorland and Furness Council Strongly Opposes Boundary Commission Plans For Penrith

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) are currently undertaking a review of electoral arrangements Westmorland and Furness Council that will see the wards change and how many councillors serve some wards, but the total number of councillors will remain unchanged at 65 councillors representing 9 three-councillor, 13 two- councillor and 12 single-councillor wards. Most of the existing ward boundaries will change.

This is the first formal review of electoral arrangements for the authority since it was formed, and is necessary due to electoral inequality where some Councillors represent more electors than others.

On 4 March 2025, the LGBCE published their Draft Recommendations for Westmorland & Furness the draft recommendations are now open to public consultation until the 12th May 2025

The commissions draft recommendations for Penrith North and Penrith South will change the ward areas and see the bigger Penrith North served by two councillors and Penrith South by three councillors and increase of 1 councillor.

The commission proposals differ from the proposal put forward by Westmorland and Furness council previously Westmorland and Furness council said “the council strongly oppose the LGBCE proposals for Penrith, and favour those the council previously submitted”.

The council said its proposals “were based on long-standing and well-recognised historic boundaries. In addition, the arrangement we previously submitted ensures Councillors for both Penrith North and Penrith South have residents they represent within the town centre itself; as such, any issues affecting the town centre would draw interest and engagement from all Councillors, giving a stronger voice and both a wider representation and greater diversity of views and experiences”.

The LGBCE draft recommendations would result in the town centre being represented by just two councillors, The council said this would be “to the detriment of local communities”.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England draft recommendations for Westmorland and Furness are open to public consultation until the 12th May 2025 a map and details of the draft recommendations can be found on the commission website at https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/westmorland-and-furness