The Kirklees (Electoral Changes) Order 2025

Published: Mon 12th May 25

The Kirklees (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 implements recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, restructuring the borough's electoral wards.

The order abolishes existing wards, establishes 23 new ones detailed in the Schedule, specifies a three-councillor representation for each ward, and outlines a schedule for elections in 2026 and subsequent years, ensuring a phased transition to a system of electing councillors by thirds.

The effective date varies depending on the purpose, with some aspects coming into force immediately and others taking effect in October 2025 and 2026.

Arguments For

Improved Representation: The changes aim to create wards with more balanced populations, leading to fairer representation for all residents of Kirklees.
Enhanced Local Democracy: By restructuring the wards, the order supports the principles of local democracy, enabling more effective engagement with local government.
Compliance with Legislation: The order is made under the authority of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, ensuring adherence to existing legislative frameworks.
Evidence-Based Decision Making: The restructuring is based on recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, which conducts thorough reviews to optimize ward boundaries.

Arguments Against

Disruption to Existing Systems: The abolishment of existing wards and introduction of new ones could cause short-term disruptions to council operations and resident familiarity with their representatives.
Potential for Gerrymandering: While the Commission aims for fairness, critics could argue that subtle manipulation of boundaries could favor certain political groups— though this claim would require evidence of such intent.
Cost of Implementation: Redistricting involves costs associated with updating electoral registers, maps, communication, and potential public consultations. However, any costs are likely limited.
Unforeseen Consequences: Any restructuring might have unforeseen consequences on voter turnout or the balance of political representation, although independent review aims to minimize these.

Citation, commencement, extent and application 1.

(1)

This Order may be cited as the Kirklees (Electoral Changes) Order 2025.

(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 the purposes of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on 15th October 2025;

(b)

for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2026.

(4)

This Order extends to England and Wales but applies in relation to England only.

This section provides the order's citation and details its commencement dates.

Parts of the order take effect immediately, other parts on October 15th, 2025, and the remainder on the ordinary election day in 2026.

The order's geographical reach is England and Wales but its application is limited to England alone.

Interpretation 2.

(1)

In this Order, “the map” means the map marked “Map referred to in the Kirklees (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 that feature.

This section defines "the map" as a specific map held by the Local Government Boundary Commission, which is used to define ward boundaries.

It also clarifies that boundaries following geographical features like roads are considered to run along the center line of those features.

Wards of the borough of Kirklees and number of councillors 3.

(1)

The existing wards of the borough of Kirklees are abolished.

(2)

The borough of Kirklees is divided into the 23 wards listed in the Schedule.

(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 three.

This section abolishes existing Kirklees wards and creates 23 new ones, as detailed in the accompanying Schedule.

Each ward's boundaries are defined by the map, and three councillors will be elected for each ward.

Elections of the borough of Kirklees 4.

(1)

Elections of all councillors for each ward of the borough of Kirklees are to be held simultaneously on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2026.

(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 England in 2026 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 2026—

(a)

one is to retire on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2027,

(b)

one is to retire on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2028, and

(c)

one is to retire on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2030.

(4)

Of the councillors elected for a ward in 2026—

(a)

the first councillor for each ward to retire is to be the councillor elected by the smallest number of votes, and

(b)

the second councillor for each ward 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 England 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.

This section details the election process.

All councillors will be elected simultaneously in 2026.

Following this, the council will return to the existing system of one-third of councillors retiring every year.

Tie-breakers are decided by lot.

Replacement elections occur on the ordinary election day of the relevant year.