The ORA have been campaigning against the development of Tadpole Farm, during which we have been working closely with our Ward Councillors. But are we disadvantaged in the representation we have on the council?
At present Oakhurst, along all the other new suburbs north of Thamesdown Drive, is part of the ward of Abbey Meads. There are at present 13,408 voters in the ward, and we are represented by three councillors. To put that in context, the next largest ward is Old Town and Lawn, whose electoral count is 9,266, but who are also represented by three councillors. In fact, discounting our own over-inflated ward, the (mean) average size of a three-councillor ward is just 7655. So, if we take these numbers as a guide to gain ‘fair’ representation, the Abbey Meads ward should really have the voting power of at least five Councillors, maybe even six.
Still, this imbalance is currently being addressed, even if a resolution seems a long way off.*
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) ended their second stage of consultation on the issue of evening out Swindon’s unbalanced wards on 20th December 2011. They've declared “Residents will then have a further chance to have their say after we publish our draft recommendations in the Spring of 2011.”
The variation of the proposals submitted to them that affect Oakhurst seem to be split into two camps:
The Swindon Labour Group (supported by the Swindon Liberal Democrats) and Blunsdon Parish Council submissions favour joining Oakhurst to the other new suburbs of St Andrews and Redhouse in an amalgamated ‘North Swindon’ ward.
The Conservative Group and Haydon Wick Parish Council proposals point towards splitting Oakhurst from Redhouse, similar to the current Parish Council boundaries.
Irrespective of how the LGBCE will decide the future layout of Swindon’s wards, the fact remains that the areas of North Swindon that will be most affected by the Tadpole Lane development are currently under-represented. Whether that will change in the future to benefit us or not remains to be seen, but the question remains is that a risk that Crest and other elements who are pro-Tadpole Farm are willing to take? Are we in danger of seeing proposals and/or planning applications being rushed through before opposition against them can be given a fairer representation?
*A conservative estimate based upon the LGBCE’s general timetable would point towards final recommendations being delivered around the middle to end of October 2011.
