Council opposes constituency boundary review

Runnymede Borough Council has reviewed and opposes the Boundary Commission for England (BCE) proposals for a new constituency in the Runnymede area, called Weybridge and Chertsey.

The electoral map of England is being redrawn to reflect population change and the Government's aim that all Parliamentary constituencies contain roughly the same number of electors.

Currently there is one parliamentary constituency which covers the borough, Runnymede and Weybridge. Under the new proposals, which have not yet been agreed, most of the Borough would remain in a constituency with similar boundaries to now.

Part of Runnymede, Egham Hythe and Egham Town, will be added to a new Windsor constituency. This will be administered from an elections perspective by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

This does not mean that Egham Hythe and Egham Town are being moved into the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead council area from a local government perspective. The change is purely related to parliamentary constituencies. Both Egham Hythe and Egham Town will remain part of the Runnymede Borough Council and Surrey County Council areas.

In addition, it is suggested that the Cobham and Downside, Oatlands and Burwood Park, Weybridge Riverside and Weybridge St George’s Hill wards from Elmbridge Borough Council local authority area will be included within the new constituency.

In response to the boundary review submission, the Council conclude

  • During its existence the Runnymede and Weybridge constituency has created a strong community identity with each area recognised by its electorate.
  • Across Runnymede the electorate identify with a specific local authority which serves its diverse social and economic needs
  • Other organisations e.g. health sector, which serve the electorate are in the main structured to reflect the existing boundaries
  • The current proposal would have a detrimental impact on the community identity which has been created since 1974 and built on in 1997 when the existing constituency was created
  • Egham Town and Egham Hythe may physically border Windsor, but residents’ services are delivered by Runnymede Borough Council and Surrey County Council
  • The community is also served by Surrey Police and the local Runnymede force

An initial consultation ended in early August but there will be a further two rounds of consultation in 2022. Following the conclusion of all three consultation periods, the Commission will look at all the evidence received before forming its final recommendations.

Published: 26 July 2021