Plans to stop Weymouth being divided under changes to electoral boundaries

As reported, the Boundary Commission for England (BCE) is proposing a major overhaul of constituencies in England which would see Upwey and Broadwey, and the new Littlemoor urban extension, reclassified as part of West Dorset. Currently they are part of the South Dorset constituency.

Meanwhile, it is also proposed that neighbouring Chickerell, part of West Dorset, would be joined into South Dorset.

• READ MORE: Weymouth could be divided under proposed boundary changes

The BCE is making local changes due to West Dorset having significantly higher numbers of constituents than the permitted maximum.

But the controversial plan - which would see the rest of the county largely unchanged - has attracted concern among local councillors who say it will split the community and cause problems for those wishing to call on their MP for support, but who may soon live in one constituency, and work in another - or vice versa - amid a plethora of other concerns.

At a Full Council meeting of Weymouth Town Council, councillor Luke Wakeling opened the debate, proposing four options for consideration by members to choose from in order to progress with putting together the council's official response to the BCE.

Current boundaries are marked in blue, with the proposed boundaries in red

These were: A -Agree with the Boundary Commission's plan; B - to oppose all changes; C - request that Chickerell joins south Dorset, as well as request that Upwey and Broadwey remain; or D - request that Chickerell joins south Dorset, and that Broadwey and Upwey are retained, along with the forthcoming development being built north of Littlemoor.

"Upwey and Broadwey has been part of this town for a very long time - I'd hope they want to remain part of it, and have the same MP," cllr Wakeling said.

"Members will recall there was quite a protest when Budmouth school was being academised - I found that if I wrote to my MP, the MP for south Dorset, the response I got was 'I'm afraid Budmouth is in West Dorset.'

"This is the kind of nonsense that happens when you've got a dividing line through the middle of your town - or two towns that are neighbours.

"I personally think we should at least make a stand."

Councillor David Northam said: "It's important that everyone who has an opinion provides a response to the BCE's public consultation.

"To my mind Upwey and Broadwey has been part of Weymouth since 1933 - as well as continuity of the community it's also about geography and the shape of the boundary."

Councillor Luke Wakeling added that he thought option D would be preferable, to ensure future residents of around 500 new homes being built north of Littlemoor are not cut off.

The proposed new boundaries for South Dorset and West Dorset areas see many changes being made

"Those people will be part of the Littlemoor community and deserve to have the same MP as the people on the other side of the road," he said.

Councillor Howard Legg said option C complies with the boundary review requirements - while option D may not, if the BCE is reluctant to divide unitary council-level wards.

"I would like to suggest we support option C - but if the BCE is willing to regard communities as more important than its own rules, then we would favour option D," he said.

But others felt a stronger stance should be taken. Councillor David Harris has been fighting for recognition of a South Ridgeway conurbation comprising Weymouth, Portland, Chickerell, Upwey and Broadwey - as well as the development at Littlemoor.

"We're talking about keeping communities together - we shouldn't accept anything less," councillor Lucy Hamilton added.

"I was born and bred in Broadwey - I couldn't agree more," councillor Trefor Morgan agreed.

The proposal - to put forward option D as a standalone option - was passed, with a very narrow margin of 13 votes in favour, 12 against, and one abstention.

This means that councillors and officers will write to the BCE to request that the plan is changed, to keep Upwey, Broadwey and the new Littlemoor development as part of South Dorset parliamentary constituency - as well as for Chickerell to join Weymouth as part of South Dorset.

The close call in votes was largely due to some councillors unhappy about option C not also being suggested as a backup plan.

• Have your say: visit www.bcereviews.org.uk