Hackney gets new ward boundaries in advance of 2014 local elections

Hackney Town Hall. Photograph: Hackney Citizen

Hackney’s ward boundaries have been redrawn, bringing changes in both the north and the south of the borough.

The independent Local Government Boundary Commission published its final recommendations for new electoral arrangements in Hackney this week.

Under the new arrangements, a new three-member Cazenove ward will be bordered by a three-member Springfield ward in the north east of the borough.

This recommendation replaces the Commission’s original draft plan for a three-member Stamford Hill East ward and a three-member Upper Clapton ward.

The Commission also confirmed there will be a three-member Hoxton East and Shoreditch ward alongside a Hoxton West ward, replacing the original plans for three two-member wards in this area.

Elsewhere in Hackney, the Commission has made minor amendments to its draft recommendations to improve levels of electoral equality for Hackney voters.

Dr Colin Sinclair, lead commissioner for the review, said: “We are extremely grateful to the people of Hackney who took the time and effort to send us their views.”

According to Ian Sharer, Liberal Democrat councillor for Cazenove ward, some initial draft proposals were met with protest from residents, but he commended the review for responding positively to the criticism. He told the Hackney Citizen: “On balance we are very pleased with the outcome of the consultation.

“There were appeals against early plans to cut up a very multicultural area (Cazenove)- and in response they listened to our requests. It was a proper consultation and the boundary commission should take much credit for restoring the wishes of the local people of Cazenove.”

Rick Muir, chair of Labour group on the Council, said he broadly welcomed the recommendations: “Continuity is important, but we have to recognise that there has been a rapid increase in population in the south of the borough. Where there did need to be change, we think the new wards represent community identities better than the previous ones.”

The final outcome has also met with approval at the Town Hall. A council spokesperson said: “We are pleased to have been able to assist the Boundary Commission in this review and that many of our suggestions have been taken on board alongside those of residents and other interested parties.”

The Hackney Citizen has contacted Conservative councillors for comment and is awaiting response.

Tuesday’s publication is the outcome of a ten-week consultation with Hackney residents last year and a further six-week consultation that started in January. The review proposes new boundaries for each council ward across the borough.

The Commission published draft recommendations for new ward boundaries in July 2012 and asked for local people to have their say on the proposals. In response to the consultation, the Commission altered its recommendations in three parts of the borough and opened a new phase of consultation on revised plans in January.

The arrangements will be put to parliament in the next few months and are due to come into effect for the 2014 local elections.

Update: 5pm Friday 26 April 2013

Commenting on the decision Conservative councillor Simche Steinberger said: “I don’t think that the wishes of the local community have always been taken into consideration.

“Lordship Ward has always been a cohesive community with a very strong and unique identity, and now it’s been broken up. Also, I can’t understand why Springfield Ward had been made so big when it has such high population growth. ”