Citation, commencement, extent and application

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

(2) This article and article 2 come into force on 15th October 2022.

(3) Articles 3 and 4 come into force—

(a)for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on 15th October 2022;

(b)for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England(4) in 2023.

(4) 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 Wolverhampton (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.

Wards of Wolverhampton and number of councillors

3.—(1) The existing wards of Wolverhampton are abolished.

(2) Wolverhampton is divided into the 20 wards listed in the Schedule.

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

(4) Three councillors are to be elected for each ward.

Elections of councillors of wards of Wolverhampton

4.—(1) Elections of all councillors for each ward of Wolverhampton are to be held simultaneously on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2023.

(2) The councillors holding office for any ward abolished by article 3(1) immediately before the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2023 are to retire on that fourth day, and the newly elected councillors are to come into office on that fourth day.

(3) Of the councillors elected for a ward in 2023—

(a)one is to retire on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2024;

(b)one is to retire on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2026;

(c)one is to retire on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2027.

(4) Of the councillors elected for a ward in 2023—

(a)the first councillor for each ward to retire is to be the councillor elected by the smallest number of votes; and

(b)the second councillor for each ward to retire is to be the councillor elected by the next smallest number of votes.

(5) In the case of an equality of votes between any persons elected which makes it uncertain which of them is to retire in any year, the person to retire in that year is to be determined by lot.

(6) If an election of councillors for any ward is not contested, the person to retire in each year is to be determined by lot.

(7) An election to replace a councillor who is to retire under paragraph (3) is to be held on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in the year in which the retirement is due to take place, and any newly elected councillor is to come into office on the fourth day after that day.

(8) Where under this article any question is to be determined by lot, the lot is to be drawn at the next practicable meeting of the council after the question has arisen and the drawing is to be conducted under the direction of the person presiding at the meeting.