Story: Fran Belbin
Last election, Burngreave became part of the new Hillsborough and Brightside constituency. Now, the boundaries are set to change again.
Since the government decided to reduce the number of parliamentary constituencies in England from 533 to 502, they are consulting on changes to boundaries. Under the plans, Burngreave Ward will become part of Sheffield Central constituency again, alongside Broomhill, Hillsborough, Walkley and Central Sheffield. Wards – which elect local councillors – will remain the same.
Firth Park voters will fall into a new ‘Barnsley West and Ecclesfield’ constituency. Sitting MP David Blunkett expressed his anger, saying the new boundaries "make no sense in terms of anything that local people in Sheffield would understand to be ‘community’.”
The official reason is that “there are good communication links along the A61 road that connects the urban Sheffield wards with the more rural Barnsley wards”. One disgruntled voter commented, “By that logic, Sheffield may as well be North London.”
To view the proposals in full and have your say in the consultation,
visit http://consultation.boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk/have-your- say/
write to: Boundary Commission for England, 35 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BQ
email yorkshumber@bcommengland.x.gsi.gov.uk
or attend the public hearing at Sheffield Town Hall on 17th – 18th October.
The deadline for responses is 5th December 2011.
Register to Vote
Regardless of the changes, people will need to register to vote. Residents should receive electoral registration forms through their doors to check and return. By law, every household must respond to the form but the council also uses the numbers to know where services are needed.
*If you haven’t received a form, look at http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/elections or ring the elections office on 273 4093.*