SIGNIFICANT changes are set to be made to Thurrock's local council boundaries in time for next May's 'all out' elections.

They include the creation of a new ward for Purfleet and boundaries in all but one ward will change.

In May the election system in Thurrock will change with the end of 'voting by thirds' in favour of an all out election with all councillors being elected for four years at the same time.

Residents are being consulted on the proposals, which can be found via this Thurrock Nub News link.

The Boundary Commission has now launched the consultation which will run for ten to 16 September 2024.

It says: "We encourage everyone to use this opportunity to comment on these proposed wards as the more public views we hear, the more informed our decisions will be in making our final recommendations.

"We want to know:

• Do the proposed wards reflect local communities?

• How do you think the proposals can be improved?

• Are the names of the proposed wards right?"

The new recommendations were formulated by the commission after consultation with Thurrock Council's two main political groups, who agreed on some changes, but not others. In general, the commission has supported the Conservative suggestions, leading to some suggestion of political bias among some Labour supporters in the borough who believe the new boundaries favour an increased number of Conservative councillors based on historic voting patterns. 

All the proposals were evaluated before the general election.

Full details of where they differ are in the linked document.

The commission proposes nine three-councillor wards and 11 two councillor wards, maintaining 49 as the overall number of councillors in the borough.

The commission says: "Our draft recommendations are based on the Conservatives' scheme, amended to accommodate some elements of the Labour and resident schemes. Having carefully considered all three schemes we considered that the Conservatives' provided more comprehensive community evidence and a better overall reflection of our three statutory criteria than the other two.

"For example, while the Labour scheme made relatively minor changes to the existing wards, we were not persuaded that the scheme was supported by sufficient evidence to support this approach.

"Our draft recommendations also take into account local evidence that we received, which provided further evidence of community links and locally recognised boundaries.

"In some areas we considered that the proposals did not provide for the best balance between our statutory criteria and so we identified alternative boundaries.

"We visited Thurrock in order to look at the various different proposals on the ground. This tour of Thurrock helped us to decide between the different boundaries proposed."

Among the significant changes the village of North Stifford has been allied with a newly named Ockendon South and North Stifford ward.

The Thurrock Park estate in east Grays is now included with Little Thurrock Rectory, rather than Tilbury.

Tilbury will be split into two wards, Tilbury South and Tilbury North.

There are significant changes in Stanford-le-Hope and Corringham. Stanford West will be renamed Stanford-le-Hope South and will now cover parts of Corringham including the Sorrells area, which was formerly in Stanford East and Corringham Town. That will be renamed Stanford-le-Hope North. Both will have three councillors, and an additional councillor will be added to the Corringham and Fobbing ward.

There is little change in East Tilbury, though it will be renamed East Tilbury, Linford and West Tilbury.

In the west of the borough a new Purfleet-on-Thames ward will be created with two councillors, reducing the geographical size of the current West Thurrock ward, which will still retain three councillors.

Two Chafford wards remain.

The Commission says it 'has an open mind about its draft recommendations'

And adds: "Every representation we receive will be considered, regardless of who it is from or whether it relates to the whole borough or just a part of it.

"If you agree with our recommendations, please let us know.

"If you don't think our recommendations are right for Thurrock, we want to hear alternative proposals for a different pattern of wards.

"Our website is the best way to keep up to date with progress on the review and to have your say https://www.lgbce.org.uk/

"Each review has its own page with details of the timetable for the review, information about its different stages and interactive mapping.

Submissions can also be made by emailing [email protected] or by writing to: Review Officer (Thurrock) LGBCE, PO Box 133, Blyth, NE24 9FE.

The commission concludes: "We encourage everyone who has a view on the draft recommendations to contact us, whether you support them or whether you wish to propose alternative arrangements.

"We will consider every representation received during consultation, whether it is submitted by an individual, a local group or an organisation. 

"We will weigh each submission against the legal criteria which we must follow when drawing up electoral arrangements:

• to deliver electoral equality: where each councillor represents roughly the same number of electors as others across the borough;

• that the pattern of wards should, as far as possible, reflect the interests and identities of local communities;

• that the electoral arrangements should provide for effective and convenient local government.

"It is important that you take account of the criteria if you are suggesting an alternative pattern of wards."