The Canterbury (Electoral Changes) Order 2025

Published: Thu 13th Feb 25

The Order established 24 new electoral wards for Canterbury, abolished existing wards, and specified the number of councillors per ward, based on a Local Government Boundary Commission for England recommendation.

The Canterbury (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 alters Canterbury's electoral arrangements.

It abolishes existing wards and creates 24 new ones, defining their boundaries via a map and specifying the number of councillors for each.

The changes, based on recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, take effect in October 2026 for preliminary election processes and in 2027 for other purposes, applying only to England despite extending to England and Wales.

Arguments For

Improved Representation: The changes aim to create wards with more balanced populations, ensuring fairer representation for all residents of Canterbury.
Efficiency and Effectiveness: Redistricting can streamline election administration and improve resource allocation within the council.
Legal Compliance: The order is made under the powers granted by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, following a recommendation from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, a process aimed at ensuring fair and efficient local governance.
Evidence-Based Decision-Making: The recommendations are based on a report and map from the independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England, utilizing demographic data and public consultation to determine optimal ward boundaries.

Arguments Against

Disruption to Existing Systems: Changing ward boundaries may temporarily disrupt established electoral processes and potentially create confusion for voters.
Potential for Gerrymandering: While aiming for fairness, there's always a risk that boundary changes, even if made by an independent body, could inadvertently favor certain groups or parties.
Resource Costs: Implementing the changes involves costs associated with updating maps, voter registration, and public information campaigns.
Community Impact: Changes to ward boundaries impact voter familiarity with representatives and local services, potentially requiring adaptation for communities that have been merged or divided.

Citation, commencement, extent and application (1) This Order may be cited as the Canterbury (Electoral Changes) Order 2025. (2) This article and article 2 come into force on 15th October 2026. (3) Articles 3 and 4 come into force— (a) for the purposes of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on 15th October 2026; (b) for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2027. (4) This Order extends to England and Wales but applies in relation to England only.

This section outlines the order's title and effective dates.

Part (1) names the Order.

Part (2) sets October 15, 2026, as the start date for Articles 1 and 2.

Part (3) specifies different start dates for Articles 3 and 4: October 15, 2026, for preliminary election proceedings and the ordinary election day in 2027 for other functions.

Part (4) clarifies its geographic scope: application to England only, despite extending legally to both England and Wales.

Interpretation (1) In this Order, “the map” means the map marked “Map referred to in the Canterbury (Electoral Changes) Order 2025”, held by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England. (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.

This section defines key terms.

Part (1) identifies "the map" used to define ward boundaries.

Part (2) provides clarification on how to interpret boundaries shown on the map that follow geographical features; the center line of the feature dictates the exact boundary.

Wards of the city of Canterbury and number of councillors (1) The existing wards of the city of Canterbury are abolished. (2) The city of Canterbury is divided into the 24 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.

This section details the establishment of new wards for Canterbury.

Part (1) abolishes existing wards.

Part (2) divides Canterbury into 24 new wards, detailed in Schedule 1.

Part (3) specifies the map defines territorial boundaries of these wards.

Part (4) states that the number of councillors for each ward is also provided in Schedule 1.

Parish wards of the parish of Herne & Broomfield (1) The parish of Herne & Broomfield is divided into 2 parish wards listed in the first column of table 1 in Schedule 2. (2) Each parish ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the parish ward. (3) The number of councillors to be elected for each parish ward is the number specified in relation to that ward in the second column of the relevant table in Schedule 2.

This section addresses changes to parish wards within Herne & Broomfield.

Part (1) establishes new parish wards in Herne & Broomfield, listed in Schedule 2.

Part (2) indicates the map is used to determine their geographical boundaries.

Part (3) shows that the councillor numbers are specified in Schedule 2.

Schedule 1 Wards of the city of Canterbury Wards of the city of Canterbury and number of councillors (1) Name of Ward (2) Number of councillors Barton 2 Beltinge 2 Blean Forest 2 Chartham & Stone Street 2 Chestfield & South Tankerton 2 Gorrell 3 Greenhill 2 Hampton 2 Herne Village 2 Heron 2 Hersden with Westbere 1 Little Stour & Adisham 1 Nailbourne 1 Northgate 1 Reculver 1 Seasalter 2 St Martin’s 2 St Stephen’s 2 Sturry 2 Swalecliffe 1 Tankerton 1 Wantsum 1 Westgate 1 Wincheap 2

This schedule lists the 24 new wards in Canterbury and the number of councillors allocated to each ward.

Schedule 2 Parish wards of the parish of Herne & Broomfield Parish wards of the parish of Herne & Broomfield and number of councillors (1) Name of Parish Ward (2) Number of councillors East 4 West 9

This schedule lists the two new parish wards in Herne & Broomfield and the number of councillors for each.

View Source

Culture and Sport Justice Transport

The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool) Regulations 2026

Thu 17th Sept 26

Established a temporary restricted airspace for unmanned aircraft near Liverpool's Royal Albert Dock during the 2026 Labour Party Conference.

Justice Local Government Transport

The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Chapeltown, South Yorkshire) (Emergency) Regulations 2026

Wed 16th Sept 26

Established a temporary restricted airspace for unmanned aircraft in Chapeltown due to a local emergency.

Benefits and Welfare Health and Social Care Local Government

The Care and Support (Charging and Assessment of Resources) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2026

Wed 16th Sept 26

Excluded Irish Mother and Baby Institutions redress payments from local authority social care financial assessments.

Justice Labour Armed Forces and Veterans

The Ministry of Defence Police (Conduct, Performance and Appeals Tribunals) (Amendment) Regulations 2026

Wed 16th Sept 26

Updated the Ministry of Defence Police disciplinary code to mandate dismissal for gross misconduct and simplified performance management into a two-stage process.