The Boundary Commission of England published proposals in early 2023 to change the Tandridge Council wards for electing our district councillors.
Currently, Limpsfield has two district councillors elected to Tandridge Council, and the ward boundary for Limpsfield is the parish boundary.
The Boundary Review is now complete and following the responses from LPC/TDC/TPC, as well as residents’ feedback, the decision has been made to leave Limpsfield, Tatsfield & Titsey as they were, as a 2-councillor and 1-councillor ward respectively. We are very happy with this decision.
To see all details and the final report, press release and all other info, click on the link below:
https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/tandridge
As part of wide-ranging changes to the ward boundaries across Tandridge, the Boundary Commission proposed a new three-member ward, which would incorporate the existing single member ‘Tatsfield and Titsey’ ward.
Limpsfield Parish Council saw little benefit in the proposed changes for Limpsfield (or Tatsfield) residents, but held a residents’ poll in June / July 2023.
The Boundary Commission states that a good pattern of wards should:
- Provide good electoral equality, with each councillor representing, as closely as possible, the same number of electors.
- Reflect community interests and identities and include evidence of community links.
- Be based on strong, easily identifiable boundaries.
- Help the council deliver effective and convenient local government.
Electoral equality:
Does the proposed merger mean that councillors would represent roughly the same number of electors as elsewhere in Tandridge?
Community identity:
- Community groups: is there a parish council, residents’ association or other group that represents the area?
- Interests: what issues bind the community together or separate it from other parts of your area?
Identifiable boundaries:
- Are there natural or constructed features which make strong boundaries for the proposed merger?
Effective local government: - Are any of the proposed wards too large or small to be represented effectively?
- Are the proposed names of the wards appropriate?
- Are there good links across your proposed wards? Is there any form of public transport?
The parish and district councillors do not believe there are any obvious benefits to creating a 3-member ward, as upheld by The Commission in the last review. There is no need to adjust electoral equality, because it’s acceptable as it is in both wards.
Other similarly placed wards (Warlingham East and Woldingham) are being allowed to maintain their 1 and 2-councillor status.
Limpsfield Parish Council’s Views
We feel we are well represented by our two councillors and merging with Tatsfield would benefit neither Limpsfield nor Tatsfield residents.
Limpsfield and Tatsfield have no common identity as each ward has its own separate and very distinct identity, with strong community groups that do not overlap. Our community links are much stronger with neighbouring Oxted than they are with Tatsfield.
The strong transport links northwards from Tatsfield (to Biggin Hill, Warlingham and Croydon) are a good indicator of where its outward links are – Limpsfield’s public transport links are mainly westwards with Oxted and onto Redhill (via bus), southwards to Lingfield and East Grinstead and north to Croydon and London by train and eastwards with Westerham. There is one hourly bus service from Oxted that skirts Limpsfield via Titsey Road to go to Tatsfield.
Limpsfield and Tatsfield are in separate SCC Divisions and so do not share SCC-provided services.
Residents online poll – now closed
Please answer and return the form to a Councillor at the LPC stall at the Chart Fair or Limpsfield Village Fete or post it in the letterbox at The Parish Office, The Pound, Wolf’s Row.
Any enquiries to the clerk, clerk@limpsfield.org / 07514 011355
Background and Information
New boundaries are being proposed for council wards in Tandridge District.
The Local Government Boundary Commission wants to hear what residents and local organisations think about the proposals. A 10-week consultation on the proposals will run until 7 August 2023.
The Commission is the independent body that draws these boundaries. It is reviewing Tandridge to make sure Councillors will represent about the same number of electors, and that ward arrangements will help the council work effectively.
The Commission has published proposals for changes to Tandridge. It is proposing that there should be 15 wards (previously 20): 13 three-councillor, one two-councillor and one single-councillor ward. Most wards will change, but four will stay the same.
Proposed changes overview:
- We (The Boundary Commission) are proposing three-councillor wards across most of the Tandridge District. However, we received compelling evidence that has persuaded us to retain a single-councillor Woldingham ward. As a result, we are also proposing a two-councillor Warlingham East, Chelsham & Farleigh ward.
Launching the consultation Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, said:
“We want people in Tandridge to help us. We have drawn up proposals for new wards in Tandridge. We want to make sure these new electoral arrangements reflect communities. We also want them to be easy to understand and convenient for local people.
“Residents and local organisations can help us do that. We would like them to let us know whether they agree with our proposals before we take final decisions.
“It’s easy to get involved. Go to our website. Or you can e-mail or write to us.
“Just tell us what you think and give us some details why you think that. It’s really simple, so do get involved”
The Commission has a dedicated section on its website where people can see the detail of the proposals and comment on the names of wards, their boundaries and the number of councillors per ward. www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/tandridge
People can also give their views by e-mail at reviews@lgbce.org.uk, and by post: Review Officer (Tandridge)
LGBCE
PO Box 133