The Newcastle upon Tyne (Electoral Changes) Order 2025

Published: Mon 12th May 25

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

Existing wards are abolished, and 26 new ones are created, each electing three councillors.

The order sets out the phased implementation of these changes, including the timeline for elections and the retirement of existing councillors.

Consequential changes are also made to the parish wards of Woolsington.

The order aims to improve electoral representation in line with the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.

Arguments For

Improved Local Representation: The restructuring of wards aims to create more equitable representation for all residents of Newcastle upon Tyne, based on population distribution and community needs.
Enhanced Efficiency: Redistricting may lead to improved efficiency in council operations, resource allocation, and constituency management.
Compliance with Legislation: The order complies with the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, adhering to established legal frameworks for electoral reform.
Evidence-based Changes: The recommendations are based on a report from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, utilizing demographic data and community feedback to inform the changes.

Arguments Against

Disruption to Existing Systems: Changes to ward boundaries can cause temporary disruption for residents and council operations during the transition period.
Potential for Gerrymandering: While the Commission aims for impartiality, there's a potential risk of gerrymandering, although this is mitigated by the established processes and review mechanisms.
Administrative Costs: The implementation of the changes will involve administrative costs for the council, including updating electoral registers and conducting elections.
Unforeseen Consequences: Changes to electoral boundaries might have unforeseen impacts on local politics, community engagement, and the effectiveness of local governance.

Citation, commencement, extent and application 1.

(1)

This Order may be cited as the Newcastle upon Tyne (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)

Article 5 comes 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.

(5)

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

This section details the order's title, effective dates, and geographic scope.

The order's short title is "Newcastle upon Tyne (Electoral Changes) Order 2025." Different parts of the order come into effect on different dates; some apply from the next day the order is made and others have later dates in 2025 and 2026, based on if they're related to preliminary or general election processes.

The order covers England and Wales but only applies to England.

Interpretation 2.

(1)

In this Order, “the map” means the map marked “Map referred to in the Newcastle upon Tyne (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 clarifies terminology.

The term "the map" refers to a specific map held by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

It specifies that lines on the map following geographical features (like roads) are considered to run along the center of those features.

Wards of the city of Newcastle upon Tyne and number of councillors 3.

(1)

The existing wards of the city of Newcastle upon Tyne are abolished.

(2)

The city of Newcastle upon Tyne is divided into the 26 wards listed 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 three.

This section outlines changes to Newcastle's wards.

Existing wards are abolished.

The city is divided into 26 new wards (listed in a schedule), each ward's boundaries are defined as shown on the map, and each ward will elect three councillors.

Elections of the city of Newcastle upon Tyne 4.

(1)

Elections of all councillors for each ward of the city of Newcastle upon Tyne 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;

(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;

(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 resulting from the ward changes.

All councillors will be elected in 2026.

The order of retirement for councillors elected in 2026 is outlined, staggered over 2027, 2028, and 2030.

The process for determining retirement order in ties or uncontested elections is described, with the final decision being determined by lot (random draw).

Parish wards of the parish of Woolsington and the number of councillors 5.

(1)

The existing parish wards of the parish of Woolsington are abolished.

(2)

The parish of Woolsington is divided into the four parish wards listed in the first column of the table in Schedule 2.

(3)

Each parish ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the parish ward.

(4)

The number of councillors to be elected for each parish ward is the number specified in relation to that parish ward in the second column of the table in Schedule 2.

This section describes changes to Woolsington parish wards, which are directly related to changes in Newcastle's city wards.

Existing parish wards are abolished and replaced by four new ones (specified in schedule 2), with the number of councillors for each ward defined in the schedule.

Boundaries are identified on the map.

Schedule 1 Wards of the city of Newcastle upon Tyne