Map reveals details of Fareham’s new council wards

FAREHAM is set to have new boundaries for its borough council wards from May 2024 following a review from the Local Government Boundary Commission over recent months; their recommendations aimed at improving efficiency at council level and ensure that councillors will represent fair numbers of voters.

Pending approval from Parliament the changes will see thirty-two councillors represent a total of 16 wards; the new pattern accounting for the new Welborne Garden Village development north of the M27 area. Another difference is the removal of Portchester East’s current three-councillor representation, with two councillors to be elected per ward as per this published map.

A public consultation running for ten weeks saw a total of 175 people and organisations make comments that helped to decide the new ward layout. From these suggestions the commission has revised proposals for Fareham Town and placed Church Road entirely within the Locks Heath ward.

These changes will likely be implemented into the next round of local council elections due for May 2024, where all seats should be the subject of an ‘all-out’ vote. A similar electoral process took place in neighbouring Gosport last year and saw the Liberal Democrats seal overall control from the Conservatives.

Fairness

Publishing the full recommendations to the media earlier this week; Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, said: “We are very grateful to people in Fareham. We looked at all the views they gave us. They helped us improve our earlier proposals We believe the new arrangements will deliver electoral fairness while maintaining local ties.”

Cllr Seán Woodward, Leader of Fareham Borough Council, said in response to these recommendations: “Fareham Borough Council welcomes the outcome of this review and is very pleased to note that the Local Government Boundary Commission has based its conclusions largely on the Council’s proposals which were submitted during the consultation phases of the work. We will now work on plans to implement the changes which will come into effect from May 2024.”

Residents should visit www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/south-east/hampshire/fareham for more information about the changes, which should be approved by MPs in Westminster later this spring.

PICTURED BY ALAMY (DDX5FJ): Exterior signage of Fareham Borough Council nearby the Town Centre.