Have your say on a new political map for Sandwell Council

The Local Government Boundary Commission decided that the number of councilors in Sandwell should be 72, the same as now.

The Local Authority Boundary Commission wants to hear what residents and organizations think about their local area. A ten-week consultation inviting proposals will run until 30 September 2024.

The Commission is the independent body that draws these boundaries. It assesses Sandwell to ensure that councilors represent roughly the same number of constituents and that ward arrangements help the council to work effectively. He wants to be sure his proposals reflect community ties and identities.

The Commission is interested in views on which communities should be part of the same ward.

• What facilities do people share, such as parks, leisure centers or schools and shopping areas?
• What problems do neighboring communities face that they have in common, such as high numbers of visitors or heavy traffic?
• Have there been new housing or commercial developments that have changed the focus of the communities?
• And are there roads, rivers, railroads, or other features that people think form strong boundaries between neighborhoods?

The commission will use local views to help it develop proposals for new ward boundaries. A new round of consultation will take place once the Commission draws up these proposals.

Launching the consultation, Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, said: “We want the people of Sandwell to help us. We are starting to draw up new wards for Sandwell. We want our proposals for new electoral arrangements to reflect communities. We also want them to be easy to understand and convenient for locals.

“Local residents and organizations can help us understand community connections and identities at this early stage of the process. It’s easy to get involved. Go to our website. Or you can email or write to us.

“Just tell us what you think and give us some details about why you think it. It’s very simple, so get involved.”

People can have their say by visiting the Local Government Boundary Commission website.

People can give their views by email to [email protected] or by post to: