Review of Electoral Arrangements (12/04/06)

ISSUE DATE: THURSDAY 12 JANUARY 2006

REVIEW OF ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS

The Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland is allowing one final period of consultation before confirming the boundaries of new multi-member wards in the Highland for the next council elections in May 2007.

Following previous consultations, the Commission has confirmed boundaries for 18 of the proposed new 22 multi-member wards in Highland, distributing a total of 80 elected members into 8 three-member and 14 four-member wards. This is to accommodate the introduction of proportional representation and multi-member wards, using a single transferable voting system.

It is now giving the Council and interested parties until 9 February to comment on changes they are proposing in four multi-member wards, namely Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh; Caol and Mallaig; Inverness South; and Badenoch and Strathspey.

In publishing the final draft of their proposals, the Commission is accepting the Council’s argument that Carrbridge should be included in a Badenoch and Strathspey multi-member ward – rather than in Inverness South. It also accepts that Lochalsh be linked with Wester Ross and Strathpeffer – rather than be linked with Mallaig and Caol. Minor changes requested for Inverness South have been agreed.

The Commission has not accepted the Council’s suggestion that Cawdor and Piperhill to be included in Nairn and has confirmed that Lochaber will be divided into two multi member wards comprising Mallaig and Caol; and Fort William and Ardnamurchan.

Plans of the final draft of the new Highland wards are on display at Council Headquarters in Inverness and Service Points in Aviemore, Fort William, Kyle of Lochalsh and Dingwall.

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Ward Number  Ward Name Number of Elected Members
1
 North, West and Central Sutherland 3
 
2
 Thurso 3
 
3  Wick 3
 
4  Landward Caithness 4
 
5  East Sutherland and Edderton 3
 
6  Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh 4
 
7  Cromarty Firth 4
 
8  Tain and Easter Ross 3
 
9  Dingwall and Seaforth 4
 
10  Black Isle 4
 
11  Eilean a’ Cheo` 4
 
12  Caol and Mallaig  3
 
13  Aird and Loch Ness 4
 
14  Inverness West 3
 
15  Inverness Central 4
 
16  Inverness Ness-Side 4
 
17  Inverness Millburn 3
 
18  Culloden and Ardersier 4
 
19  Nairn 4
 
20  Inverness South 4
 
21  Badenoch and Strathspey 4
 
22  Fort William and Ardnamurchan 4