Citation, commencement, extent and application

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Suffolk (Electoral Changes) Order 2022.

(2) This article and article 2 come into force on 15th October 2024.

(3) Article 3 comes into force—

(a)for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on 15th October 2024;

(b)for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England(4) in 2025.

(4) Article 4 comes into force—

(a)for the purpose 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.

Interpretation

2.—(1) In this Order, “the map” means the map marked “Map referred to in the Suffolk (Electoral Changes) Order 2022”, held by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England(5).

(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.

Divisions of Suffolk and number of councillors

3.—(1) The existing divisions of Suffolk are abolished.

(2) Suffolk is divided into the 69 divisions listed in Schedule 1.

(3) Each division comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the division.

(4) One councillor is to be elected for each division listed in Schedule 1 other than the division of Beccles & Kessingland for which two councillors are to be elected.

Parish wards of parishes in Suffolk and number of councillors

4.—(1) The existing parish wards of the following parishes are abolished—

(a)Felixstowe;

(b)Haverhill;

(c)Kesgrave;

(d)Lowestoft;

(e)Melton;

(f)Oulton Broad;

(g)Stowmarket.

(2) The parish of Felixstowe is divided into five parish wards listed in the first column of Table 1 in Schedule 2.

(3) The parish of Haverhill is divided into eight parish wards listed in the first column of Table 2 in Schedule 2.

(4) The parish of Kesgrave is divided into three parish wards listed in the first column of Table 3 in Schedule 2.

(5) The parish of Lowestoft is divided into 11 parish wards listed in the first column of Table 4 in Schedule 2.

(6) The parish of Melton is divided into two parish wards listed in the first column of Table 5 in Schedule 2.

(7) The parish of Oulton Broad is divided into four parish wards listed in the first column of Table 6 in Schedule 2.

(8) The parish of Stowmarket is divided into seven parish wards listed in the first column of Table 7 in Schedule 2.

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

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