§ Mr. MartlewTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what will be the electoral timetable for those councils which are to be based on changed boundaries following the review of district council bandings. [3650]
§ Mr. RaynsfordChanges to shire district ward boundaries, for those districts with a system of whole council elections, are implemented on the first ordinary day of elections after the making of the Order which gives effect to the changes. For those councils that elect by thirds, our practice is to provide in the Order for the holding of whole council elections on the next convenient ordinary day of elections; the changes are implemented on this day and thereafter transitional arrangements provide for a return to the normal electoral cycle.