Last October, Bramshott and Liphook Parish council agreed to write to the LGGC, requesting to have three single-member wards created within the electoral boundary of the parish, one for each district councillor.
The motion was proposed by parish councillor, Michael Croucher, who has stood for the Lib Dems at the last and at previous elections.
It was supported by other parish councillors, who felt it would be fairer for the residents, who all have different issues in different parts of the parish.
Mr Croucher claimed the current set up favours the larger political parties, who can put up a block of three prospective councillors, which, he said, acts as a big disincentive to a single non-party candidate wishing to stand for election.
In addition, he stated that voters in each area in the parish don’t know who their local councillor is, and with three wards, the parish would be split into three defined areas, which would allow for differing views within the community of the parish, and consequently, be more representative and reflective of the social groups within the parish.
Trevor Maroney, a former parish councillor and vice-chairman of East Hampshire Liberal Democrats, raised the review with district councillors on a number of occasions, and backed the Boundary Commission’s draft recommendation for the number of multi-councillors wards to be increased.
The three current district councillors, Angela Glass, Bill Mouland and Rebecca Standish – all representing the Conservatives – said they were opposed to the parish council resolution.
The LGBC received six submissions relating to the proposed three-councillor ward covering Bramshott and Liphook. Three were supportive of the draft recommendations.
The remaining ones all reiterated the desire for three single-councillor wards expressed during the initial consultation on warding patterns.
The Liberal Democrats put forward a set of boundaries for three single- councillor wards.
After examining the information received, the LGBC stated: “They were not of the view that any convincing evidence of community identity has been received to support splitting the parish of Bramshott and Liphook into three wards, nor has evidence been received to support the specific boundaries submitted by the Liberal Democrats”.
The LGBC considers the ward proposed as part of the draft recommendations, which follows the parish boundary, “uses clear and identifiable boundaries, and represents the communities contained within the parish without splitting any communities”.
East Hampshire, which currently has 44 councillors, will be represented by 43 councillors, one fewer than under the current arrangements, representing 31 wards – seven fewer than there are now
The boundaries of 28 wards will change, while three will stay the same leaving two, represented by three councillors, eight wards wtih two councillors and 21 with just one.
An order will be laid before Parliament incorportaing the recommendations before coming into force in time for the 2019 elections.
•Find the full report at www.lgbce.org.uk
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