BRIEFING: New Brent Council wards for May 5th local elections. Check your ward and how many councillors you will have.

 

With the Brent Council election coming up on May 5th public knowledge of the new wards and the reduced number of councillors in some wards is fairly low, so this is an attempt to summarise the information. If you are unclear on which ward you are now in you can search by postcode HERE

Proposed polling districts/stations can be found HERE

There are now 3 wards with Wembley in their names as Wembley Park (Quintain?) ward is now separated from Tokyngton, Muhammed Butt's ward and Wembley Hill has been added. There will be some jostling for nominations in the 2 member wards by existing councillors at next month's selections, although I understand a number have decided not to stand in in May. It is likely Labour will seek a male and female candidate in 2 member wards such as Cricklewood and Mapesbury and Barnhill where presently 2 of the 3 councillors are male.

The present arrangement is 63 councillors of whom 58 are Labour, 3 Conservative, 1 Liberal Democrat and 1 Liberal Democrat. There will be 57 councillors after the election.

The new wards have been drawn up based on population projections for 2024, maintaining existing communities as far as possible and having a fairly equal number of electors per councillor. Beneath each ward I have given the number of councillors, 2018 electorate/projected 2024 electorate/projected 2024 electors per councillor.

 

Alperton 3 councillors 9,692/13,187/4,396

 Barnhill 2 councillors 7,703/8,868 /4,434

Brondesbury Park 2 councillors 9,131/9,256/4,628

Cricklewood and Mapesbury 2 councillors 9,133/9,407/4,704

Dollis Hill 3 councillors 13,745/13,831/4,610

Harlesden and Kensal Green 3 councillors 13,397/13,384/4,461

Kenton 3 councillors 13,165/13,815/4,605

Kilburn 3 councillors 11,986/12,581/4,194

Kingsbury 2 councillors 7,336/9,184/4,592

 Northwick Park 2 councillors 9,322/9,330/4,655

Preston 2 councillors 7,969/8,147/4,073

Queens Park 3 councillors 12,343/12,797/4,266

Queensbury 3 councillors11,891/11,869/3,956

Roundwood 3 councillors 10,306/11,901/3,967

Stonebridge 3 councillors 12,383/13,338/4,446

Sudbury 2 councillors 8,858/8,725/4,363

Tokyngton 2 councillors 7,149/8,085/4,042

Welsh Harp 3 councillors 11,979/11,970/3,990

Wembley Central 3 councillors  12,040/13,138/4,379

Wembley Hill 3 councillors 9,715/11,735/3,912

Wembley Park 2 councillors 4,477/8,674/4,337

 Willesden Green 3 councillors 12,411/12,509/4170

Brent ward boundaries consultation extended to April 30th

From the Local Government Boundary Commission

Have your say on our draft recommendations for Brent Council.

Due to a small number of files on our review site being unavailable to visitors during part of the consultation, The Commission has decided to extend the consultation on draft recommendations for Brent Council until 30 April 2019.

We have proposed new wards, ward boundaries and ward names for Brent Council.

Check out our proposals through the buttons below:

DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS REPORT 

DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS MAP 

DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS SUMMARY

Proposed new ward structure in Brent

Proposal 1

Proposal 2

The General Purposes Committee of Brent Council, which consists of Cabinet members plus Cllr Colwill leader of the Conservative Group, will be discussing plans for new ward divisions on Wednesday LINK.

The proposals are the Council's response to the Local Government Boundary Review and would reduce the number of Brent councillors from 63 to 57. There are two options on the table with the main difference being whether there should be 3 wards with 2 councillors each or 2 wards with 3 councillors each after the great majority of wards have been allocated 3 councillors each.  There is an attempt to have boundaries that reflect existing communities with their own centre.

These are the proposals:

The following ward proposals are the same for both proposals and are for 3 member wards.

Ward 1 – Wembley Central ward 
This ward is predominantly made up of the current Wembley Central ward but incorporates some of the current Alperton and Tokyngton wards. The community centre of the ward remains Wembley Central. 


Ward 2 – Queensbury ward 
The boundary for this ward remains unchanged from the current Queensbury ward. When forecasting the electorate for 2024, it was projected to be 12,906 which represents a marginal variance from the mean electorate. There is also an established local community identity in this area.

Ward 3 – Mapesbury ward 
The ward takes in the entirety of the current Mapesbury ward but takes in some of the current Dudden Hill Ward. The community centre would incorporate parts of Willesden and Cricklewood.

Ward 4 – Sudbury ward 
This ward is predominantly made up of the current Sudbury ward but takes in some of the current Wembley Central ward. The community centre of the ward remains Sudbury.

Ward 5 – Willesden Green ward 
This ward is predominantly made up of the current Willesden Green ward as it is one of the established communities; for electoral equality it would take in some of Dudden Hill ward.

Ward 7 - Northwick Park ward 
This ward is predominantly made up of the current Northwick Park ward but also incorporates some of the current Sudbury ward. The community centre remains Northwick Park. 


Ward 8 – Queens Park ward This ward is predominantly made up of the current Queens Park ward as it is one of the established communities; for electoral equality it takes in some of the current Kensal Green ward.

Ward 9 – Kilburn ward The boundary for this proposed ward remains unchanged from the current Kilburn ward. When forecasting the electorate for 2024 was projected to be 12,581 which is a marginal variance from the mean electorate.

Ward 10 – Kingsbury ward This ward is predominantly made up of the current Fryent ward but also encompasses some of the current Welsh Harp and Barnhill wards. The community centre for this ward would be Kingsbury hence the suggested a name change.

Ward 11 - Brondesbury Park This ward is predominantly made up of the current Brondesbury Park ward but also incorporates some of the current Kensal Green ward. The community centre remains Brondesbury Park.

Ward 12 – Tokyngton ward This ward is predominantly made up of the current Tokyngton ward but also incorporates some of the current Stonebridge ward. The current CST1 polling district has been moved into this ward as the North Circular Road forms the boundary for this proposed ward. The community centre remains Tokyngton.

Ward 13 – Kenton ward The ward takes in the entirety of the current Kenton ward and also takes in some of the current Northwick Park and Barnhill wards. The new boundary for this ward runs along the two railway lines thus forming a natural ward boundary. The community centre remains Kenton.

Ward 14 – Dollis Hill ward This ward is predominantly made up of the current Dollis Hill ward but would also incorporate some of the current Dudden Hill ward. The community centre remains Dollis Hill.

Ward 16 – Neasden ward This ward is made up of the current Welsh Harp ward but also incorporates some of the current Barnhill and Dudden Hill wards. As this ward covers one of the established communities of Neasden a name change for the ward is proposed.

Ward 17 – Wembley Park ward This ward is predominantly made up of the current Barnhill ward but also incorporates some of the current Tokyngton and Stonebridge wards. As this ward covers one of the established communities of Wembley Park a name change for the ward is proposed.

Ward 18 – Alperton ward This ward is predominantly made up of the current Alperton ward but also incorporates some of the current Wembley Central ward. The community centre remains Alperton.

Ward 19 – Preston ward This ward is predominantly made up of the current Preston ward but also incorporates some of the current Tokyngton ward. The community centre remains Preston.

The following are for proposal 1 and are for 3 member wards

Ward 6 – Stonebridge ward 
This ward is predominantly made up of the current Stonebridge ward but also incorporates some of the current Tokyngton and Harlesden wards. The community centre remains Stonebridge. 


Ward 15 – Harlesden ward 
This ward is predominantly made up of the current Harlesden ward as it is one of the established communities for electoral equality it takes in some of the current Kensal Green and Willesden Green wards. 


The following are for Proposal 2 and are for 2 member wards

Ward 6 – Stonebridge ward 
This is predominantly made up of the current Stonebridge ward but also incorporates some of the current Tokyngton ward. The community centre remains Stonebridge.


Ward 15 – Harlesden ward 
This ward is predominantly made up of a more concentrated area of the current Harlesden ward as it is one of the established communities for electoral equality it takes in some of the current Kensal Green ward. 


Ward 20 – Church End ward 
This ward is made up of the current Harlesden and Stonebridge wards in equal measure but also incorporates small parts of the current Kensal Green and Willesden Green wards. The community centre would focus around Church End which could suggest a name change. 


 

2024 Electorate

DETAILED MAPS

Consultation opens on new ward boundaries for Brent with 6 fewer councillors

From the Local Government Boundary Commission

LINK TO CONSULTATION PORTAL

Today is the start of a 10-week public consultation on proposals for new council wards and ward boundaries for Brent Council. 

Our consultation will close on 5 November 2018. 

After we have considered all representations made to us during this consultation, we intend to publish draft recommendations in January 2019. 

We will then hold a further period of consultation on our draft recommendations. Our final recommendations are expected to be published in May 2019. 

The new electoral arrangements will come into effect at the local elections in May 2022.

If you represent a local organisation or community group in Brent, please pass this message on to your members or anyone who you think might be interested in the review. You can share the message by email or through social media by using the buttons at the bottom right of the page.

What is an electoral review?

Our electoral review will recommend new electoral arrangements for Brent Council. We will propose:

• the total number of councillors elected to the council in the future;
• the number of wards;
• the number of councillors representing each ward;
• ward boundaries; and
• the names of wards.

How to get involved

This is a public consultation and we welcome views from individuals and organisations across Brent on where they think new ward boundaries should be drawn.

We are minded to recommend that 57 councillors should be elected to Brent Council in the future. 

This is 6 fewer than the current number of councillors. 

We are now inviting proposals to help us draw up a pattern of wards to accommodate 57 councillors.

In drawing up new electoral wards, we must balance three legal criteria, namely:

• to deliver electoral equality: where each councillor represents roughly the same number of electors as others across the borough;
• 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.

We will treat all submissions equally, and judge each case on its merits and against the legal criteria. 

If you wish to put forward a view, we would also urge you to ensure that evidence supports your submission. 

For example, if you wish to argue that two areas should be included in the same electoral ward, make sure you tell us why they should be together, providing evidence about community facilities, ties, organisations, and amenities, rather than simply asserting that they belong together.

There is more advice on our website about how you can get involved in the consultation. 

Our website features technical guidance that explains the process and our policies, as well as guidance on how to take part in each part of the process. 

We have also set up a webpage dedicated to the review of Brent Council, where you can find all the relevant information.

You can also access interactive maps of the current ward boundaries across Brent on our specialist consultation portal. The portal also allows you to draw your own boundaries, mark areas of interest on the map and upload documents directly to the site. 

In drawing up new boundaries, the Commission aims to deliver electoral equality for voters in council elections so that each councillor represents roughly the same number of voters. The review also aims to ensure that the new council wards reflect, as far as possible, the interests and identities of communities across Brent.

Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, said: “We are asking local people and organisations to help us draw up new wards for Brent. As we develop the recommendations, we will take into account local community identities as well as ensuring electoral equality for voters.

“If you have a view about which communities or neighbourhoods should be part of the same council ward, then we want to hear from you. And if you think a road, river or railway makes for a strong boundary between communities in your part off Brent, then this consultation is for you.

“If you’re interested in the way the borough is run, just log on to our website to explore our interactive maps and have your say.

“Your views will make a difference. 

“We will carefully consider all evidence that is provided during this phase of the review, whoever it is from and whether it applies to the whole of Brent or just a small part of the borough.

“Residents will then have a further chance to have their say after we publish our draft recommendations in January 2019.”

Local people have until 5 November 2018 to submit their views.

Promote the review in your area with our promotional poster

Brent group launched to promote a London National Park City

A North Brent Residents Assocation and Parks  Group Forum was set up this week to further cause of making London a National Park City. The move has been supported by ward councllors in Barnhill, Northwick Park, Kenton and Kensal Green with John Billam Tenterden Parks and Neighbourhood Group taking the lead.  The initiative has been supported by Cllr Southwood, lead member for the environment. More endorsements by wards councillors are required to set up London as a National Park City.  It requires all councillors in a ward to support the application.

National Parks are special places where people work together to protect natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage. As well as looking after these things, National Parks promote the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities by both residents and visitors. They also create new business opportunities in hospitality, travel and other sectors. Making London a National Park City would be to apply these same principles to all communities and areas in London.

A declaration to make London a National Park City is a belief in Londoners working together to:

1.      Make London greener 

✔ Improving the richness, connective and biodiversity of London’s habitats 

✔ Improving London’s air and water quality, year on year

2.      Make more of London’s outdoor heritage 

✔ Improving health and connecting 100% of London’s children to nature 

✔ Ensuring 100% of Londoners have free and easy access to high quality green space

3.      Make a new National Park City identity for London 

✔ Inspiring new business activities 

✔ Promoting London as a Green World City

Sir Terry Farrell has described the idea as being “one vision to inspire a million projects”. It is a large-scale and long-term vision that is achievable through lots of small and everyday actions. Many of these things are already happening, but there is the potential for so much more. What makes a National Park City very different from a rural National Park is the number of people who live in the capital. Every Londoner has the potential not only to enjoy London as a National Park City, but actually contribute to making it a success.

A National Park City would be privately and commercially funded. No public sector funding is needed. It will not cost the council anything, but the council will be able to leverage the National Park City to attract new investment. A National Park City status would not mean restrictions for planning permissions. A National Park City would want to conserve London’s ability to grow, develop and remain the dynamic city it is.

London can become a National Park City once two-thirds of councillor teams (436 of 654) have declared their support. So far 218 teams have already declared their support.

You can add your indidivual support HERE

Survey shows wide disparity in voting registration across Brent

London First in association with Democracy Club has today published a league table of voter registration in London wards LINK

It makes interesting reading for Brent. I have added the percentage of voters between 18 and 25 years old to the table. The figures are based on registrations and ONS ward level population data.

To vote in the EU Referendum you need to register by June 7th. Registration is not required if you voted in the 2015 General Election or the 2016 GLA Election AND you still live at the same address.

Register HERE

 

Ward	% registerd to vote	No 18-25 yrs	% of total voting popn	total voting age popn
Willesden Green	72	1526	11.79	12943
Mapesbury	75	1461	11.24	12993
Kensal Green	75	1248	10.53	11855
Kilburn	76	1403	9.75	14397
Harlesden	78	1491	11.65	12793
Queens Park	79	1028	8.13	12637
Brondesbury Park	81	1052	9.84	10696
Dudden Hill	82	1602	13.24	12100
Tokyngton	84	1725	12.86	13415
Sudbury	86	1184	10.00	11840
Preston	86	1408	11.14	12635
Wembley Central	87	1407	11.13	12639
Dollis Hill	87	1518	14.92	10174
Alperton	88	1528	11.95	12786
Welsh Harp	88	1197	11.29	10607
Queensbury	89	1426	11.25	12672
Stonebridge	89	1928	15.60	12362
Fryent	90	1094	10.74	10190
Northwick Park	92	1849	17.54	10542
Barnhill	92	1261	10.00	12613
Kenton	93	1043	10.43	10003
Average/Total]	84.24	29379	11.62	252892

Brent gears up to register more voters

Daily Mirror NOVOTENOVOICE Campaign 2010

Cllr Neal Nerva presented the report of the Task Group on Electoral Engagement at the Scrutiny Committee this week. LINK The report deals both with the repercussions of Individual Electoral Registration which replaces registration by head of household and the wider issues of lack of  engagement by different communities in the democratic process of registering and voting.

Individual regestration will not impact on the 2015 General Election but will do so at subsequent elections.

The Task Group assessed the extent of registration by matching information from the Department of Work and Pensions with data on the Electoral Register. The highest match was Kenton ward  at 79% and the lowest 56% in Mapesbury and Willesden Green.

The Task Group also looked at the characteristic of each ward which yielded some interesting results:

Cllr Nerva said that there was a particular challenge in the population of 20-30 year olds who were renting privately and perhaps only living in the area for one or two years. There was a need to communicate with these residents and make the case for the wider advantages of registration such as enabling people to get credit ratings and sign up to mobile phone contracts as well as  accessing a range of other 21st century trappings.

He also made the point that if a person was registered it made deciding NOT to vote an 'active' choice.

The context of different wards meant that different stratagies are necessary in each and the report outlines some of the possibilities and different  voluntary groups and organisations that could be involved. LINK

Citing the 97% registration rate in Scotland before the Referendum, Nerva suggested that the percentage of the population registered to vote should be a key council performance indicator.

One suggestion by Nerva that may prove controversial was that elected members should be involved in voter registration through what he called 'supplementary door knocking' and stalls in public places encouraging registration.

He said this would not be party political and there would be no rosettes except perhaps Brent identification. 

In a contribution to the Committee I suggested that in addition to the strategies outlined officers should go into primary schools to address Parent Forums, which often have high attendance,  about registration and suggested this was a good way of spreading the word as those parents would then speak to family and friends.

This is a solid report and well worth looking at in detail. It will be going to Cabinet in January 2015.