Citation and commencement

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Runnymede (Electoral Changes) Order 2019.

(2) This article and article 2 come into force on the day after the day on which this Order is made.

(3) Articles 3 and 4 come into force—

(a)for purposes preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on the day after the day on which this Order is made;

(b)for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England(3) in 2019.

Interpretation

2.—(1) In this Order, “the map” means the map marked “Map referred to in the Runnymede (Electoral Changes) Order 2019”, held by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England(4).

(2) Where a boundary is shown on the map as running along a road, railway line, footway, watercourse or similar geographical feature, it is to be treated as running along the centre line of the feature.

Wards of the borough of Runnymede and number of councillors

3.—(1) The existing wards of the borough of Runnymede are abolished.

(2) The borough of Runnymede is divided into the 14 wards listed in the first column of the table in Schedule 1.

(3) Each ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the ward.

(4) The number of councillors to be elected for each ward is the number specified in relation to that ward in the second column of the table in Schedule 1.

Elections of the borough of Runnymede

4.—(1) Elections of all councillors for each ward of the borough of Runnymede are to be held simultaneously on the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2019.

(2) The councillors holding office for any ward abolished by article 3(1) immediately before the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2019 are to retire on that fourth day, and the newly elected councillors are to come into office on that fourth day.

(3) Of the councillors elected for a ward in 2019 each is to retire in accordance with the provision made in the table in Schedule 2.

(4) Of the councillors elected in 2019—

(a)the first to retire is to be the councillor elected by the smallest number of votes; and

(b)the second to retire is to be the councillor elected by the next smallest number of votes.

(5) In the case of an equality of votes between any persons elected which makes it uncertain which of them is to retire in any year, the person to retire in that year is to be determined by lot.

(6) If an election of councillors for any ward is not contested, the person to retire in each year is to be determined by lot.

(7) An election to replace a councillor who is to retire under paragraph (3) is to be held on the ordinary day of election of councillors in the year in which the retirement is due to take place, and any newly elected councillor is to come into office on the fourth day after that day.

(8) Where under this article any question is to be determined by lot, the lot is to be drawn at the next practicable meeting of the council after the question has arisen and the drawing is to be conducted under the direction of the person presiding at the meeting.

Article 3

SCHEDULE 1Names of wards and numbers of councillors

Article 4

SCHEDULE 2Retirement of councillors elected in 2019

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order makes changes to electoral arrangements for the borough of Runnymede following recommendations made by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England. The area of the borough of Runnymede remains unchanged. The changes made by this Order apply in respect of local government elections held on and after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2019.

Article 3 abolishes the existing electoral wards of the borough of Runnymede and replaces them with 14 new ones. It establishes the names and areas of the new electoral wards and the number of councillors for each.

Article 4 makes provision for a whole borough council election in 2019. Subsequently, the council will revert to the existing system of election by thirds. That article also provides for the order of retirement of councillors in 2020, 2022 and 2023 and the election of their replacements.

The area covered by each ward created by this Order is identified on a map which is available for inspection at reasonable times at the offices of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, 1st Floor, Windsor House, 50 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0TL. The map may also be accessed at http://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/south-east/surrey/runnymede

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.