Northamptonshire County Council
Further Electoral Review
Divisional Arrangements
Submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission
for England (LGBCE)
April 2012
FINAL COPY
Final Version
Contents
1.
Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 4
1.1 About Northamptonshire .................................................................................................... 4
1.2 What we are seeking to achieve for Northamptonshire ....................................................... 7
2.
Approach ............................................................................................................................. 8
2.1 Governance ........................................................................................................................ 8
2.2 Consultation ....................................................................................................................... 9
3.
Analysis ................................................................................................................................ 9
3.1
4.
Council Size & Electorate Figures ................................................................................... 9
Electoral Arrangements ...................................................................................................... 11
Corby Borough ....................................................................................................................... 11
Daventry District .................................................................................................................... 17
East Northamptonshire District .............................................................................................. 24
Kettering Borough .................................................................................................................. 31
Northampton Borough ........................................................................................................... 40
Borough of Wellingborough.................................................................................................... 62
5.
Conclusions ........................................................................................................................ 66
5.1 Summary of Electoral Arrangements ................................................................................. 66
Table 1: Northamptonshire Statistics ..................................................................................................... 5
Table 2: Summary of current and proposed arrangement for Northamptonshire .............................. 10
Table 3: Summary of NCC proposed electoral arrangements .............................................................. 66
Figure 1: Strategic Connectivity Map ...................................................................................................... 4
Figure 2: NCC Boundary Review Governance Arrangements ................................................................. 9
Figure 3: Map of the districts and boroughs within Northamptonshire .............................................. 11
Figure 4: Proposed electorate divisions for Corby ................................................................................ 16
Figure 5: Proposed electorate divisions for Daventry .......................................................................... 23
Figure 6: Proposed electorate divisions for East Northamptonshire ................................................... 30
Figure 7 : Proposed electorate divisions for Kettering ......................................................................... 39
Figure 8: Proposed electorate divisions for Northampton ................................................................... 53
Figure 9: Proposed electorate divisions for South Northamptonshire ................................................. 61
Figure 10: Proposed electorate divisions for Wellingborough ............................................................. 65
Appendix 1: Corby Polling District
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
2
Final Version
Executive Summary
The purpose of this report is to outline draft divisional arrangements for Northamptonshire County
Council (NCC). This work has been initiated by the Local Government Boundary Commission for
England (LGBCE).
This aim of the Electoral Review is to improve electoral equality. This means ensuring, as far as is
reasonable, that each councillor represents the same number of electors. The changing
demographic landscape of Northamptonshire has led to significant imbalances between the 73
electoral divisions that make up the County Council. In NCC’s case 30 of the Council’s 73 divisions
(41%) have electoral variance in excess 10% and one division (Danesholme) has a variance of 55%.
As part of this work, 57 new electoral divisions have been proposed for Northamptonshire. The
work for this project was conducted in three key stages. Stage 1 involved collating the current and
2017 electorate figures for the county, NCC also establish project management and governance
structure to manage the review process. A county councillor cross party working group was also
established to provide leadership and direction to the work. Stage 2 involved preparing a rationale
for the new council size (determining the optimum councillor: elector ratio). Stage 3 involved
developing new electoral divisions across the county.
In addition to improving electoral equality a key objective of this work is to ensure new
arrangements reflect community identity and result in effective and convenient local government.
For 2011, 51 out of the new 57 divisions for Northamptonshire fall within an electoral balance of
±10%. In 2017, 56 out of the new 57 divisions for Northamptonshire fall within an electoral balance
of ±10%.
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
3
Final Version
1. Introduction
This report presents new divisional arrangements for Northamptonshire. Currently 73 councillors
represent the county and under the proposed new arrangements the county council would comprise
57 county councillors. This submission contains proposals for new divisions with new boundaries,
and maps and evidence supporting the proposition of a county council with 57 county councillors.
1.1 About Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire is well situated in the centre of the country and to the south of the East Midlands
region.
With a mixture of urban and rural areas, most of the population is concentrated in a central north to
south area which includes some of the counties largest towns. A third of the counties population
live in rural areas. The county enjoys an enviable position where the Midlands, South and East of
England link at the crossroads of the national transport infrastructure network (see Figure 1 below),
making the county a key strategic location at the nation’s core.
Figure 1: Strategic Connectivity Map
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
4
Final Version
Key Statistics on Northamptonshire
Total Gross Value Added
(GVA)
Total Population
Northamptonshire
(England)
£13.5 billion
Source
Total number of employees
315,100
Economically active
84% (79%)
Office for National Statistics,
2007
ONS Mid year estimates 2009
& sub-national population
projections 2008
Annual Business Inquiry
2008/09
Annual population survey
Unemployment rate
3.3% (3.5%)
DWP, July 2010
Average weekly earnings
£452 (£495)
New companies created
3,105
Business survival rates
1 Year = 93.4% (92.26%)
Annual Survey of Hours and
Earnings 2009
Office for National Statistics,
2008
Office for National Statistics,
2008
Average House Price
5 Year = 47.7% (46.4%)
£138,115 (£167,423)
683,800 in 2009
805,600 in 2025
Land Registry, August 2010
Table 1: Northamptonshire Statistics
Our people
Over 683,800 people live in the 286,988 households in Northamptonshire. A third of the county’s
population live in rural areas, however, in South Northamptonshire this proportion increases to over
three quarters of the population living in non urban areas.
19% of Northamptonshire’s population are past retirement age. Kettering and Wellingborough
currently have the highest proportions of older people, however, across the county; the numbers of
people over 65 are predicted to increase significantly over the next ten years.
The proportion of residents for black & minority ethnic groups is slightly lower at 14% in
Northamptonshire compared with 17% nationally. Our most ethnically diverse populations are in
Northampton and Wellingborough and across the county the younger population is more diverse
than older generations.
Our prosperity
We are a relatively wealthy area with low deprivation, although there are a number of pockets of
high deprivation (as measured by income, employment, health, education, housing and crime).
Corby is rated the most deprived of the county's districts, followed by Northampton and
Wellingborough. 13% of Northamptonshire’s population live in areas described as the most
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
5
Final Version
deprived in the country. Earnings are higher than the national average, although again there are
areas in the county where earnings and skill levels are lower than national averages.
Our economy
In 2011 the highest proportions of the county’s businesses were engaged in professional, scientific
and technical services (15%), wholesale and retail (13%) and construction (13%).
In terms of jobs, the largest sectors were wholesale and retail (16% of jobs), manufacturing (13%),
health (10%) and business administration and support services (9%).
Businesses in the county are predominately small - 89% employing 10 staff or less.
A significant number of people live and work locally; the county has a high work place to residence
ratio.
Northamptonshire sits at the heart of the world class cluster of Motorsport Valley®; this includes a
third of the cluster’s top 20 motorsport engineering companies and a set of motorsport venues
which are second to none in the UK. This includes Silverstone - home of the British Grand Prix.
Unemployment in Northamptonshire has traditionally been lower than the national average. Our
unemployment rate (January 2012) at 3.2% (claimants) remains 0.6% below the national rate (3.8%)
and also lower than the East Midlands average (3.7%).
This relatively good position is also reflected in the proportion of young people not in employment,
education or training (NEET) at 5.1% (December 2011).
Our transport
73 miles of motorway and 204 miles of trunk roads run through the county. Increase in the volume
of traffic over the last 20 years exceeds national growth. We are a significant national and regional
distribution centre for the UK; the level of freight transport is significant and haulage growth on our
roads has exceeded the national average over many years. Growth based on existing plans for the
county would lead to further projected traffic growth of 50% by 2021 if nothing were done to tackle
congestion.
Our heritage
Largely rural with some beautiful rolling countryside and traditional villages, the county has a proud
tradition and significant historic past. Once the seat of power, it held the defining battle of the Civil
War at Naseby. It had its own singular response to the industrial revolution, producing a myriad of
small, artisan-led shoe (and other) manufacturers rather than large scale industry. Historic buildings
and distinctive landscapes contribute to the county’s character, defined by its market towns and
picturesque villages, country parks, forests and water sports, the River Nene, and significant areas of
land designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
6
Final Version
Our health and wellbeing
The health of people in Northamptonshire is similar to the England average. There are less people
living in deprived circumstances than average and life expectancy for both men and women are
similar to the England rates.
Areas where people may experience poorer health outcomes include Northampton and Corby.
1.2 What we are seeking to achieve for Northamptonshire
Our Vision: “Proud to make Northamptonshire a great place to live and work”
This statement encapsulates our vision for the County and our pride as a County Council in playing a
key role in making this happen.
We recognise that alone we cannot achieve all we would want to for Northamptonshire. We also
recognise our important role as a community leader. This includes uniting other statutory and
voluntary agencies to work together to achieve positive outcomes for the county, and enabling and
empowering our citizens and communities. Achieving our vision for the County will ensure we play a
key role in underpinning the collective vision of the Northamptonshire Partnership.
At the heart of this change is our core purpose, the set of principles which define what we are here
for as a council. These three principles, listed below, run throughout our approach to delivering
outcomes for the people and communities of Northamptonshire:
helping you to help yourself
helping you when you can’t help yourself
being a trusted advocate
Finally, key to the internal operating framework is the democratic decision making and scrutiny
process. At the heart of this submission and the review of electoral boundaries for
Northamptonshire is the total number of county councillors needed in order to not just support but
lead and advocate for effective, efficient and accountable local democracy in Northamptonshire. The
proposed number of 57 county councillors starting in 2013 (the next county council elections) has
fully taken into account the political structure of the authority and the nature of the different roles
that county councillors are required to undertake in order to ensure strategic local government in
Northamptonshire is effective.
Northamptonshire County Council (NCC) has operated executive arrangements in the form of a
Leader and Cabinet system since 2001. In December 2008 the Council chose to adopt the revised
Executive Leader and Cabinet arrangement. This underlined the council’s commitment to this form
of governance.
The Council is currently composed of 73 councillors each representing a single-member division.
Elections are held every four years and the next election will take place in 2013. Each councillor
currently represents an average of 7,148 electors.
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
7
Final Version
In preparation for our review of electoral boundaries in Northamptonshire, all county councillors
were surveyed in our Preliminary Council Size Consultation, in November 2011. The survey sought
to identify how much time they spent on their roles. 66% of councillors responded.
They were asked how much time they spent in an average week on their local roles (i.e. constituency
case work) and how much time they spent on formal County Council business (such as committee
work). Time spent on political activities was specifically excluded.
80% of councillors indicated they spent fewer than 15 hours per week on constituency case work,
with half of those indicating they spent less than 10 hours per week on this activity. 13% indicated
they spent between 16 to 20 hours per week on this activity. The remaining 7% of councillors
indicated they spent more than 21 hours per week on this activity.
In terms of formal council business such as attending meetings, 54% of councillor indicated they
spent fewer than 15 hours per week on this activity. 17% indicated they spent 16 to 20 hours on
this activity, 15% 21-25 hours and 14% more than 25 hours.
These results indicate that there is capacity for county councillors to represent more electors that
is currently the case without there being a significant impact on the governance of the Council.
Local government has changed considerably in the last 10 years alone, with increasingly different
forms of governance arrangements, not least directly elected Mayors and the creation of Police and
Crime Commissioners. It is very clear that this submission, no matter however thorough, realistic
and logical presents options for representation that fit the moment. It is the nature of things that
things change and change with an ever increasing pace. The proposals for the Daventry and
Wellingborough areas have wide cross political party support and the remaining areas in the view of
the Council are the best solution to securing Northamptonshire’s continued success.
The proposals are the result of a tireless partnership between county councillors and officers. They
detail new divisions which seek to protect communities, maintain where possible natural boundaries
and not create artificial ones. The proposals build and align where ever possible recognisable
divisions which the Council believes will receive the support of local people, having taken
considerable steps to understand local/public feeling throughout the process of consultation so far.
2. Approach
2.1 Governance
In order to develop NCC’s submission to the LGBCE strong project management and governance
arrangements have been put in place.
A cross party Working Group was established to steer the development of NCC’s response. The
group comprised 7 county councillors (4 councillors from the Conservative group, 1 councillor
representing the Labour group, 1 councillor representing the Liberal Democrats and 1 councillor
representing the Independent councillors. It was chaired by the leader of NCC). The Working Group
signed off the approach and draft proposals that were shared with key stakeholders for consultation.
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
8
Final Version
A project board and team managed the day to day work-streams relating to the review and
comprised of key officers from NCC. Figure 2 illustrates the governance arrangement relating to the
electoral review.
Working Group
• To promote the importance of the review
• Input into key decisions
Project Board
• To provide an overview and ensure delivery in
accordance to timesclaes
Project Team
• Day to day management of the review
Figure 2: NCC Boundary Review Governance Arrangements
The project team established scheme development workshops with all relevant county councillors in
order to compile draft divisional arrangements.
2.2 Consultation
A key element to NCC’s approach was to ensure the views of key stakeholders were captured in the
council’s initial proposal. The following stakeholders were contacted as part of the initial
consultation on new divisional arrangements.
1. Northamptonshire MPs
2. Northamptonshire District and Borough Councils
3. Northamptonshire Association of Local Councils (parish and town councils)
Draft proposals were circulated and the consultation period ran from 17 February 2012 to 16 March
2012. The feedback received as part of the consultation provided robust evidence for community
interaction and identity.
3. Analysis
3.1 Council Size & Electorate Figures
In October 2011 the LGBCE asked the Council for its views on council size – the number of councillors
required to govern the council effectively. The Council indicated that it would support a reduction in
the number of councillors from the current total of 73 to between 56 and 59. Following the Council’s
response, the LBGCE decided to consult on a council size of 57. The Council welcomed this proposal
and submitted a response to the LGBCE in support of it.
As of 1 October 2011, there were 521,794 electors in Northamptonshire and 73 county councillors,
giving an average of 7,148 electors per councillor. A reduction in the number of councillors to 57
would result in an average of 9,154 electors per councillor.
This figure of electors per councillor is higher than at present but is still lower than, or comparable
to, the current number of electors per councillor in some of the current divisions such as
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
9
Final Version
Danesholme (10,948), Roade (9,067) and Kettering Rural (8,976) and would be broadly comparable
to the average number of electors per councillor in English county councils (currently 8,800). It
would also be lower than comparable authorities such as Staffordshire County Council (average
electors per councillor 10,656) and Surrey County Council (average electors per councillor 10,587).
The Council acknowledges that a reduction of 16 councillors would have an impact on the workload
of the remaining councillors. Nevertheless it is felt that 57 councillors would still enable the council
to carry out its responsibilities effectively and efficiently because;
A maximum of ten councillors are required to form a Cabinet.
The Council has an efficient governance structure and a small number of regulatory
committees, each with a relatively small membership. The current regulatory committee
structure could be maintained with a reduction in the overall number of councillors. This
was illustrated in the Council’s previous submission to the LGBCE.
Although the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny arrangements are currently based around four
thematic committees, the arrangements in place lend themselves to flexible ways of working
and could be maintained with a reduction in the overall number of councillors.
The Council does not believe it would be necessary to make any changes to the structure of
committees to take account of the reduced number of councillors. The Council’s view is that in light
of the evidence set out above, it is clear that the Council can continue to operate robust, effective
and transparent governance arrangements based on a council size of 57 councillors. It should be
noted that the council wishes to retain single member electoral divisions.
Electorate numbers
Northamptonshire County Council (NCC) submitted electorate figures for 2017 which projected an
increase in electorate of 5.45%. The total county electorate was 521,794 as of 1 October 2011 and is
forecast to be 550,252 by the end of 2017. These figures have been used to build the new divisional
arrangements.
Northamptonshire is a fully two-tiered system of local government and there are 7 districts and
boroughs within the county. Table 2 details the current and proposed number of councillors for
each of the districts that the Council has used as the basis for its submission.
Corby
Daventry
East Northamptonshire
Kettering
Northampton
South Northamptonshire
Wellingborough
Total
Current
6
8
9
10
23
9
8
73
Proposed
5
7
7
8
17
7
6
57
Table 2: Summary of current and proposed arrangement for Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
10
Final Version
Figure 3 illustrates the 7 districts and boroughs that make up Northamptonshire.
Figure 3: Map of the districts and boroughs within Northamptonshire
The new arrangements aim to secure an improved level of electoral fairness. The approach taken by
NCC has followed the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 and the
five year electorate forecast. The average number of electors per councillor under these draft
proposals is 9,154 in 2011 and 9,645 in 2017 (a range of 8,239 to 10,069 in 2011 and 8,689 to
10,619 in 2017 +/- 10%). All divisions will be single member wards.
Under these proposals, 1 of the proposed 57 divisions will have electoral variance of more/less than
10% from the average in 2017. Balancing the statutory criteria (regard for community identity,
coterminosity etc) and electoral equality is a challenging task and NCC believes it has achieved
improved levels of electoral equality within these draft proposals.
The following sections of the report detail the 57 divisional arrangements.
4. Electoral Arrangements
Corby Borough
Corby lies to the north of the county (see figure 3) and is the fastest growing borough in the country.
It is close to the market towns of Kettering, Wellingborough and Market Harborough. Corby is a
former steel town which has over the last few years reinvented itself with huge public and private
investment in its regeneration and growth. Due to Corby’s central location it has a strong
distribution sector, with a large rail served freight distribution site at Euro hub. It is currently
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
11
Final Version
represented by 6 county councillors and in the proposed changes will be represented by 5 county
councillors.
The electorate figures for Corby are set to increase from 45,111 to 50,479. The main locations of
new housing in Northamptonshire will be in the ‘growth town’ of Corby and as such improvements
in transport infrastructure will also occur. The new housing will principally be provided in new
‘Sustainable Urban Extensions’ in North East Corby (Priors Hall) and the Corby West Urban extension
and Oakley Vale (the council’s submission to the LGBCE on electorate forecasts contains further
information on dwelling forecasts to 2017 for all seven districts and boroughs). Key transport
infrastructure projects include the A43 Corby Link Road. This project aims to improve the transport
links between Corby and the A14, and involves the construction of a 6.5km dual carriageway to
support Corby’s growth.
As part of the consultation for Corby two proposals for were circulated for comment. NCC received
responses from one parish council (Weldon) and the Leader of Corby Borough Council. Both
proposals for Corby recognised the need for a Corby rural division. The Leader of Corby Borough
Council expressed a preference for proposal 1, however, these divisional arrangements resulted in
three out of the five divisions being outside of the 10% electoral equality range in 2011 and one of
the electoral divisions being outside of the range in 2017. For this reason the Council has decided to
put forward proposal 2 for Corby as it provides an improved electoral scheme arrangement for 2011
and 2017. The detailed narrative is provided below;
Corby Division 1
Division Name: Lloyds
Polling
district
CCA
CCC
CCD
CEA
CEB
CEC
CRA
CRB
Description/District Ward
Corby Central
Corby Central
Corby Central
Corby East
Corby East
Corby East
Corby Rowlett
Corby Rowlett
Total
Colour used on map:
Electorate
2011
583
577
414
1477
1161
2308
2420
1023
9963
Electorate
2017
597
591
419
1556
1236
2395
2449
1035
10278
This division;
Avoids an urban/rural mix
Is one of the oldest parts of Corby
Comprises of a single defined community built during the 1930s. It then expanded during
the 1950s and has been home to steel workers and their families who migrated from
Scotland. The area maintains community links and identity and shares a common historic
heritage.
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
12
Final Version
Is coterminous with three Corby Borough Council wards
Improves electoral equality
Corby Division 2
Division Name: Oakley
Polling
district
CDH
CGO
COV*
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
Electorate
Electorate
2011
2017
Corby Danesholme
3018
3095
Corby Great Oakley
1884
2056
Corby Oakley Vale
4109
4949
Total
9011
10100
*Oakley Vale Ward to be split into new polling districts; Dumble Close (1,937 electors) see appendix 1
This division;
Comprises of the Oakley Vale, Danesholme and Great Oakley areas
Avoids an urban/rural mix
There is a flow of interaction between the resident’s of Great Oakley and Danesholme, this
interaction is largely due to shared community facilities. The children from Great Oakley
attend the primary school in Danesholme, the library in Danesholme is used by Great
Oakley residents
Is largely coterminous
Improves electoral equality, currently the Danesholme division has a variance of 55%
Oakley Vale has recently been split into two polling districts by Corby Borough Council (see
appendix 1). This proposal places 1,937 electors into new Kingswood Division. This area was
mainly built in the 1980s and 1990s and the rest of the estate was built up in the last 8 years
or so. It contains a significant amount of social housing (the only social housing on the
Oakley Vale estate) and was previously part of the Kingswood ward of Corby Borough
Corby Division 3
Division Name: Corby West
Polling
district
CBA
CBB
CLP
CSL
CTHB
Description/District Ward
Corby Beanfield
Corby Beanfield
Corby Lodge Park
Corby Shire Lodge
Corby Tower Hill
Total
Colour used on map:
Electorate
2011
1490
1326
2623
3487
1214
10140
Electorate
2017
1508
1342
2654
3676
1229
10409
This division is slightly large based on the 2011 electorate; however, the figures do come back into
line for 2017. In order to preserve the community identity (further explained in the narrative below)
it was felt this was the optimum solution for the division.
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
13
Final Version
Geographically the division is cohesive, comprising well established 1950s, 1960 and 1970s
housing development. It is divided from Beanfield by the A427 dual carriageway.
Avoids an urban/rural mix
Is largely coterminous
This area is largely part of the second/third wave of expansion in the 1950s, 1960s and
1970s.
Beanfield had been split following a previous Boundary Review, but it is considered to be
one community and should be re-instated as one area.
Shire Lodge and Lodge Park each possess a strong community identity and naturally look to
each other. They have strong links to one and another they share schools such as the Lodge
Park Technology Collage and Woodnewton Learning Community. The majority of their
intake is from this division.
Corby Division 4
Division Name: Kingswood
Polling
district
CET
CKA
CKB
CKC
CTHA
COV*
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
Electorate
Electorate
2011
2017
Corby Exeter
1511
1529
Corby Kingswood
990
1014
Corby Kingswood
2506
2548
Corby Kingswood
1200
1225
Corby Tower Hill
1783
1804
Corby Oakley Vale (part of Dumble Close)*
1937
1937
Total
9927
10057
*Oakley Vale Ward to be split into new polling districts. Dumble Close (1,937) see appendix 1
This division;
Avoids rural/urban mix. This division falls in the urban part of Corby
Maintains community links and identity, the vast majority of the housing in this division is
current or former social housing for rent. The community is close knit and has shared life
experience. The vast majority of the housing was built in the second and third wave of
Corby’s expansion in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.
Shares the following community facilities; Exeter, Hazel Leys and Kingswood Primary Schools
where most of the children attend. There are also two community centres in the division
(Kingswood Neighbourhood Centre and Hazelwood Community Centre). There are also
neighbourhood shopping facilities within the division, including a large Morrison’s on the
Oakley Road.
Is coterminous in the main. It contains the Borough Council wards of Kingswood and Exeter
in their entirety and in order to achieve electoral equality contains 1 entire polling district
from Tower Hill ward and 1 entire polling district from Oakley Vale ward.
Takes account of development - the new Kingswood development is contained within the
division giving rise to the largest contributor to the growth of 130 electors over the period.
Improves electoral equality
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
14
Final Version
Corby Division 5
The fifth Corby division comprises entirely of the rural parishes within the Corby borough.
Division Name: Corby Rural
Polling
district
CRWA
CRWB
CRWC
CRWD
CRWE
CSCA
CSCB
CWGA
CWGB
Description/District Ward
Corby Rural West (Rockingham)
Corby Rural West (Cottingham)
Corby Rural West (East Carlton)
Corby Rural West (Middleton)
Corby Rural West (Middleton)
Corby Stanion & Corby Village (Corby)
Corby Stanion and Corby Village (Stanion)
Corby Weldon and Gretton (Weldon)
Corby Weldon & Gretton (Gretton)
Total
Colour used on map:
Electorate
2011
100
769
221
348
4
985
1039
1608
996
6070
Electorate
2017
101
778
224
352
4
1007
2394
3669
1108
9637
This division;
The fifth division comprises entirely of the rural parishes within Corby Borough as well as the
original Corby village which pre-dates the new town.
Largely avoids an urban/rural mix
Is coterminous
Takes account of the Priors Hall and Little Stanion development contained in the division
Maintains existing community links and identity. The proposed division has very little
change from the current division. Feedback received from Weldon Parish Council supported
the creation of a Corby rural division.
Whilst we recognise that based on the 2011 electorate figures the division size is low, we are
confident that the scale of the Priors Hall Development brings the figures back in line for
2017. Due to a combination of growth and community support for this division, NCC feels
this provides the best solution.
Map of the proposed Corby divisions
Figure 4 provides a geographic representation of the new Corby Divisions.
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
15
Final Version
Figure 4: Proposed electorate divisions for Corby
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
16
Final Version
Daventry District
Daventry is a mainly rural district covering the eastern side of the county of Northamptonshire. The
District’s main conurbation is the town of Daventry itself, followed by the smaller towns of Long
Buckby and Brixworth. The district is served by the M1, A5, A45, A14, A508, A428 and A361, as well
as a train station in Long Buckby on the Northampton loop of the West Coast Main Line, providing
easy commuter access to both London and Birmingham.
This rail link also serves the Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT), a rail-road
intermodal fright terminal also supplied by the junctions between the M1, A5 and A428 roads. This is
a major facility in the district and a key component in encouraging growth in the area. The District’s
rural nature sees it enjoy a large concentration of country parks and amenities, as well as a high
proportion of the county’s reservoirs.
The Council consulted on draft proposals for new divisions in Daventry. One agreed proposal was
circulated to key stakeholders for comment. The Council received no responses to this consultation.
Daventry is currently represented by 8 county councillors. Following the proposed reduction in the
number of divisions, it will be represented by 7 county councillors. The electorate figures are set to
grow from 58,829 in 2011 to 61,447 in 2017. The tables below set out the proposals for each new
division.
Daventry Division 1
Division Name: Woodford and Weedon
Polling
district
AJ
BF
DF
EK
FJ
BC
BD
BH
CB
CK
CO
CP
EU
FL
FZ
GL
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
Badby
Catesby
Hellidon
Newnham
Staverton
Byfield
Canons Ashby
Charwelton
Dodford
Everdon
Farthingstone
Fawsley
Preston Capes
Stowe-Nine-Church
Weedon Bec
Woodford Cum Membris
Total
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
Electorate
2011
523
55
184
471
395
1056
43
162
134
304
163
38
166
222
2149
2664
8729
Electorate
2017
535
56
186
482
403
1081
44
178
136
309
165
38
172
225
2222
2718
8950
17
Final Version
The Council’s proposal for this division:
Meets electoral equality and requirements in terms of electorate numbers in both 2011 and
2017.
Is coterminous with the new district council ward of Woodford and encompasses 60% of the
new district ward of Weedon, using the A5 and the parish of Norton as its eastern and
northern borders respectively.
The proposed division retains a rural character orbiting around the larger rural towns of
Hinton, Woodford Halse and Weedon Bec.
The proposed division includes excellent communication routes in the A361 from the south
west and the A45 from the east.
Daventry Division 2
Division Name: Daventry West
Polling
district
GT1
GT2
GV1
GV2
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
Daventry Abbey North Ward
Daventry Abbey North Ward
Daventry Drayton Ward
Daventry Drayton Ward
Total
Electorate
2011
3415
522
3101
1561
8599
Electorate
2017
3583
655
3149
1580
8967
The Council’s proposal for this division:
Meets electoral equality and requirements in terms of electorate numbers in both 2011 and
2017.
Is coterminous with the district council ward of Drayton and is identical to the current
County Council division of Daventry West. This provides effective local government in
providing the electors in this division with little upheaval in terms of electoral review
changes.
Daventry Division 3
Division Name: Daventry East
Polling
district
GU
GW1
GW2
EL
GT4
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
Daventry Abbey South Ward
Daventry Hill Ward
Daventry Hill Ward
Norton
Daventry Abbey North Ward
Total
Electorate
2011
2913
2565
1576
326
586
7966
Electorate
2017
2984
2885
1873
512
733
8987
The Council’s proposal for this division:
Is coterminous with the current County Council division of Daventry East, plus the parish of
Norton.
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
18
Final Version
This addition is made in view of the planned Daventry North East Sustainable Urban
Extension (SUE) which will cross between the district Hill Ward and North West of the parish
of Norton, around the Daventry Reservoir and Union Canal area.
Norton therefore will experience some urbanisation in its western quadrant, and so it will
take on urban concerns as well as the current rural issues of the village of Norton itself.
The village of Norton is served by a direct communication link to the Hill Ward area of
Daventry town in the shape of the B4036/Daventry Road, which will become even more
prevalent with the advent of the Daventry North East SUE.
The proposed division does include a low electorate total on the 2011 figures, but produces
acceptable electoral equality in 2017 based on trajectories. This is done to both
accommodate the advent of the Daventry East SUE, and to future-proof the proposed
division against any housing additions that may be made to this development in the coming
years.
Daventry Division 4
Division Name: Braunston and Crick
Polling
district
AE
AK
AX
GT3
DS
GB
BK
BV
DX
FH
GP
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
Ashby St Ledger
Barby & Olney
Braunston
Daventry Abbey North Ward
Kilsby
Welton
Clay Coton
Crick
Lilbourne
Stanford
Yelvertoft
Total
Electorate
2011
115
1048
1448
2338
1040
526
42
1412
293
46
650
8958
Electorate
2017
118
1061
1471
2493`
1060
534
43
1447
322
47
658
9254
The Council’s proposal for this division:
Meets electoral equality and requirements in terms of electorate numbers in both 2011 and
2017.
Is coterminous with the new District wards of Braunston and Welton, Barby and Kilsby and
50% of the new District ward of Yelvertoft.
The proposed division is designed to create an area of representation which encapsulates
the local issues emanating from the presence of the Daventry International Rail Freight
Terminal (DIRFT). This is particularly important to the parishes of Kilsby and Crick, which are
separated in the County Council’s current electoral arrangements. DIRFT also has obvious
knock-on implications for the primary issues in the parishes of Yelvertoft and Lilbourne
which the M1 passes through, and the parishes of Clay Coton and Stanford which include
sections of the associated A14.
The proposed division includes the section of the District ward of Abbey North currently in
the Braunston County Council division. This is made up of the Drayton Fields Industrial
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
19
Final Version
Estate, Drayton Reservoir and the portion of adjoining housing sectioned off by the disused
railway and the A425.
Daventry Division 5
Division Name: Long Buckby
Polling
district
DP
DY
FY
BO
CE
CW
DN
DO
CQ
EY
GE
GM
FQ
BA
GC
EX
DM
CH
GJ
Description/District Ward
Long Buckby
Long Buckby
Watford
Cold Ashby
East Haddon
Guilsborough
Hollowell – Hollowell Ward
Hollowell – Teeton Ward
Flore
Ravensthorpe
Whilton
Whilton – Whilton Locks
Thornby
Brockhall
West Haddon
Ravensthorpe
Holdenby
Elkington
Winwick
Total
Colour used on map:
Electorate
2011
77
3145
225
242
545
558
259
45
1026
463
192
53
123
43
1279
71
88
50
78
8562
Electorate
2017
78
3221
228
245
553
574
262
46
1044
469
198
54
128
44
1296
75
89
51
79
8734
The Council’s proposal for this division:
Meets electoral equality and requirements in terms of electorate numbers in both 2011 and
2017.
The proposed division is completely coterminous with the new District ward of Long Buckby,
66% of Ravensthorpe and the remaining 30% of the new District ward of Weedon.
The proposed division centres on the town of Long Buckby and includes its satellites of East
Haddon, Ravensthorpe and West Haddon. These are served by the good communication
links of the A428, B5385, West Haddon Road and Guilsborough Road.
The southern parishes of Whilton, Brockhall and Flore are included to reflect the role the M1
motorway plays in linking them northwards.
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
20
Final Version
Daventry Division 6
Division Name: Brixworth
Polling
district
AD
AZ
BL
BS
BU
CC
EP
DE
DR
EA
EH
FG
GA
EC
FD
FM
CD
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
Arthingworth
Brixworth
Clipston
Cottesbrooke
Creaton
Draughton
Great Oxendon
Haselbech
Kelmarsh
Maidwell
Naseby
Spratton
Welford
Marston Trussell
SIbbertoft
Sulby
East Farndon
Total
Electorate
2011
207
3989
528
113
413
57
236
76
91
223
486
941
804
127
314
66
254
8925
Electorate
2017
209
4051
536
114
422
58
250
77
94
226
499
958
817
139
320
67
257
9094
The Council’s proposal for this division:
Meets electoral equality and requirements in terms of electorate numbers in both 2011 and
2017.
Is completely coterminous with the new district ward of Welford, and takes in adjoining
elements of Brixworth and Spratton wards.
Daventry Division 7
Division Name: Moulton
Polling
district
AC
AY
AV
DB
AR
CZ
DL
EG
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
Althorp
Brington
Brampton Church with Chapel
Harlestone
Boughton
Hannington
Holcot
Moulton
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
Electorate
2011
25
390
671
388
965
219
356
2790
Electorate
2017
25
396
679
393
984
222
360
2833
21
Final Version
EO
ES
EM
FV
DV
FB
Overstone
Pitsford
Old Stratford
Walgrave
Lamport
Scaldwell
Total
639
562
397
685
187
262
8536
925
569
405
695
204
265
8955
The Council’s proposal for this division:
Meets electoral equality and requirements in terms of electorate numbers in both 2011 and
2017.
Is completely coterminous with the new District wards of Walgrave and Moulton, whilst
including the areas most closely linked to the town of Northampton from the new Spratton
and Ravensthorpe district wards.
The proposed division is intended to be capable of containing the many proposed
developments intended for this area on the very outskirts of Northampton. With this
proposal the small elements of the Northampton West, Northampton Kings Heath,
Northampton North Whitehills and Northampton North SUE’s are placed collectively given
what are sure to be shared local concerns.
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
22
Final Version
Figure 5: Proposed electorate divisions for Daventry
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
23
Final Version
East Northamptonshire District
East Northamptonshire is a predominantly rural district that forms the eastern side of
Northamptonshire (see figure 3). The largest urban areas are located in the southern part of the
district around the A45 and the A14, and include such towns as Higham Ferrers, Raunds and
Rushden. Rushden is the largest of the towns and is also the subject of a long term regeneration
project. East Northamptonshire is also home to several thriving historical market towns such as
Irthlingborough, Thrapston and Oundle.
East Northamptonshire has a lower unemployment rate than the UK average. The main employment
sectors are wholesale, education and manufacturing. As is the case with other areas of the county,
East Northamptonshire is host to a significant amount of growth. In terms of existing planning
permissions alone, it is expected that over 1,000 homes will be constructed in the district by the end
of 2017. The major developments are generally concentrated around the towns of Higham Ferrers,
Irthlingborough, Oundle, Raunds, Rushden and Thrapston but also include a development at towards
the north of the district, in Kings Cliffe. The electorate numbers are set to rise from 66,536 in 2011
to 69,197 in 2017. East Northamptonshire is currently represented by 9 county councillors.
Following the proposed reduction in the number of divisions, it will be represented by 7 county
councillors
The Council consulted on draft proposals for new divisions in East Northamptonshire. Two proposals
were circulated to key stakeholders for comment. The Council received responses from East
Northamptonshire District Council, Higham Ferrers Town Council and three parish councils
(Sudborough, Woodford and Islip). East Northamptonshire Council stated that they did not have a
preference for either proposal. Higham Ferrers Town Council and Woodford Parish Council
supported proposal 1 whereas Sudborough and Islip Parish Councils supported proposal 2. The
divisional arrangements for proposal 2 resulted in one divisions being outside of the 10% electoral
equality range in 2011. For this reason the Council has decided to put forward proposal 1 for East
Northamptonshire as it provides an improved electoral scheme arrangement for 2011 and 2017.
The detailed narrative is provided below, where all divisions are within the 10% tolerance.
East Northamptonshire Division 1
Proposed Division Name: Oundle
Polling
district
SR
SS
RD
RH
RK
RN
RP
RQ
RS
RU
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
Oundle No: 1
Oundle No: 2
Apethorpe
Blatherwycke
Bulwick
Collyweston
Deene
Deenethorpe
Duddington with Fineshade
Duddington with Fineshade
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
Electorate
2011
2606
1404
140
50
146
435
36
90
132
31
Electorate
2017
2660
1448
143
51
150
462
36
91
134
31
24
Final Version
RT
RV
RW
RY
SI
SJ
SP
UA
UO
UR
RG
US
Easton-on-the-Hill
Fotheringhay
Glapthorn
Harringworth
Kings Cliffe
Laxton
Nassington
Southwick
Wakerley
Woodnewton
Benefield
Yarwell
Total
837
104
233
205
949
149
625
141
61
358
297
255
9280
858
105
236
209
1205
151
638
146
62
364
301
273
9754
The Council’s proposal for this division:
Improves electoral equality and meets requirements in terms of electorate numbers for both
2011 and 2017, whilst taking account of likely growth in Kings Cliffe.
Is coterminous with the existing district council wards of Fineshade, King’s Forest and
Prebendal. It also includes part of the Oundle ward, including the town of Oundle itself.
Preserves historical links and identities shared by communities in this part of East
Northamptonshire.
Supports the requirement for convenient and effective local government. Although
proposed division is predominantly rural in nature, and therefore sparsely populated, by
including the historical market town of Oundle the Council has been able to satisfy electoral
equality requirements without making the division unnecessarily large.
East Northamptonshire Division 2
Division Name: Thrapston
Polling
district
RC
SH
ST
UC
UN
RE
RO
SO
UE
UP
RF
RM
RR
RZ
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
Aldwincle
Islip
Pilton
Stoke Doyle
Wadenhoe
Ashton
Cotterstock
Lutton
Tansor
Warmington
Barnwell
Clopton
Denford
Hemington
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
Electorate
2011
266
657
48
64
90
151
137
101
147
770
316
118
238
71
Electorate
2017
271
667
49
65
94
153
139
104
149
788
320
121
246
75
25
Final Version
SN
UK
SK
UF
SU
SZ
UG
UJ
UL
Luddington
Thurning
Lilford-Cum-Wigsthorpe
Thorpe Achurch
Polebrook
Ringstead
Thrapston Lakes Ward
Thrapston Market Ward
Titchmarsh
Total
51
78
75
130
384
1164
2861
1690
453
10060
52
79
76
133
389
1179
2924
1746
469
10288
The Council’s proposal for this division:
Improves electoral equality whilst taking account of housing developments likely to take
place in the market town of Thrapston.
Is coterminous with the existing district council wards of Lower Nene, Barnwell, Thrapston
Lakes and Thrapston Market, as well as the part of the Oundle Ward not included in the
proposal for division 1/Oundle.
Maintains historical links between communities in this part of East Northamptonshire and
supports convenient local government. During its consultation, the Council received a
representation from Islip Parish Council which indicated the important links between Islip
parish and Thrapston. The Council’s proposal supports this link by placing both localities in
one division. This is a clear improvement on the Council’s current divisional arrangements,
which have split these communities apart.
Again, even though the proposed division is predominantly rural in nature, the Council has
been able to satisfy electoral equality requirements without making the division
unnecessarily large by including larger settlements such as Ringstead and Thrapston.
East Northamptonshire Division 3
Division Name: Irthlingborough and Brigstock
Polling
district
RA
SD
SF
SG
RB
UQ
SL
SM
UD
UM
RJ
Description/District Ward
Addington, Great
Irthlingborough John Pyel Ward
Irthlingborough Waterloo Ward No. 1
Irthlingborough Waterloo Ward No. 2
Addington, Little
Woodford
Lowick (Lowick Ward)
Lowick (Slipton Ward)
Sudborough
Twywell
Brigstock
Total
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
Colour used on map:
Electorate
2011
261
3426
2218
805
279
1192
169
76
159
144
1112
9841
Electorate
2017
264
3865
2350
920
283
1212
171
77
161
146
1133
10582
26
Final Version
The Council’s proposal for this division:
Improves electoral equality whilst taking account of significant housing development,
particularly on the former Sunseekers Factory site in Irthlingborough, where work on
building new homes has already started.
Is coterminous with the existing district council wards of Lyveden, Woodford,
Irthlingborough Waterloo and Irthlingborough John Pyel.
Maintains historical links between communities in this part of East Northamptonshire and
supports convenient local government whereby villages are joined to each other by a road
and/or footpath.
During its consultation, the Council received a response from Woodford Parish Council which
indicated the important links between Woodford, The Addingtons and Irthlingborough, all of
which are part of the same diocesan benefice. It was pointed out that Woodford and the
Addingtons have a long history of working together and share many similar issues. The
Council has therefore sought to preserve these important community links in this proposal.
The Council has been able to satisfy electoral equality requirements without making the
division unnecessarily large by including the market town of Irthlingborough in this division.
East Northamptonshire Division 4
Division Name: Raunds
Polling
district
RL
RX
SQ
UB
SV
SW
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
Chelveston-Cum-Caldecott
Hargrave
Newton Bromswold
Stanwick
Raunds Saxon Ward
Raunds Windmill Ward
Total
Electorate
2011
379
201
54
1512
3451
3256
8853
Electorate
2017
386
204
55
1538
3520
3321
9024
The Council’s proposal for this division:
Improves electoral equality and meets requirements in terms of electorate numbers for both
2011 and 2017. It also takes into account smaller housing developments taking place in
Raunds.
Is coterminous with the existing district council wards of Raunds Saxon, Raunds Windmill
and Stanwick, as well as the rural part of the Higham Ferrers Lancaster Ward.
Maintains historical links between communities in this part of East Northamptonshire and
supports convenient local government as all of the villages in this division are joined to each
other by a road network.
The Council received a response to its consultation from Higham Ferrers Town Council. The
Town Council supported the proposal for this division because, although it sacrifices
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
27
Final Version
coterminosity with the existing Higham Ferrers Lancaster district ward, it does so in a way
that separates out those communities that share similar rural issues from the urban
community of Higham Ferrers. The communities of Hargrave, Stanwick, Raunds etc naturally
look to each other and regard each other as near neighbours.
The Council has therefore sought to maintain the community links in this proposal.
East Northamptonshire Division 5
Division Name: Chichele
Polling
district
SA
SB
SC
TQ
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
Higham Ferrers Chichele Ward
Higham Ferrers Lancaster Ward No. 1
Higham Ferrers Lancaster Ward No. 2
Rushden Spencer Ward No. 3
Total
The Council’s proposal for this division:
Electorate
2011
2981
1422
1673
2601
8677
Electorate
2017
3039
1461
1717
2635
8852
Improves electoral equality and meets requirements in terms of electorate numbers for both
2011 and 2017, as well as taking into account housing developments in Higham Ferrers.
Is comprised of the urban part of the existing Higham Ferrers Lancaster district ward, as well
as Higham Ferrers Chichele Ward and the northern part of Rushden Spencer Ward.
Although this proposal necessitates splitting Rushden Spencer Ward (along current polling
district lines), by doing so it unites the southern part of Higham Ferrers with the northern
part in a single county division. The area of the current district ward of Rushden Spencer that
is contained within this proposed division is actually comprised mainly of homes located in
the historic town of Higham Ferrers.
Taking into account the evidence set out above, this proposal improves links within the
community of Higham Ferrers and supports effective and convenient local government.
The Council received a response to its consultation from Higham Ferrers Town Council,
which was very supportive of this proposal.
East Northamptonshire Division 6
Division Name: Rushden Pemberton West
Polling
district
TJ
TK
TH
TO
TP
TL
TD
Description/District Ward
Rushden Pemberton Ward No. 2
Rushden Pemberton Ward No. 3
Rushden Pemberton Ward No. 1
Rushden Spencer Ward No. 1
Rushden Spencer Ward No. 2
Rushden Sartoris Ward No. 1
Rushden Hayden Ward No. 1
Total
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
Colour used on map:
Electorate
2011
1643
96
3322
1583
823
1580
763
9810
Electorate
2017
1664
97
3415
1650
834
1644
1203
10507
28
Final Version
The Council’s proposal for this division:
Improves electoral equality and meets requirements in terms of electorate numbers for both
2011 and 2017, as well as taking into account housing development in the Windsor Road
area of Rushden.
Is comprised of Rushden Pemberton district ward, as well as the part of Rushden Spencer
Ward not included in the proposed division set out immediately above, and the western part
of Rushden Sartoris Ward.
The justification for splitting Rushden Spencer Ward is set out above. This proposal will have
a positive impact upon effective and convenient local government in the area by drawing a
distinction between the settlements of Higham Ferrers and Rushden. It has been necessary
to divide the Rushden Sartoris Ward into two for reasons of electoral equality. In doing so,
the Council has followed the natural divide created by Wymington Road so as to minimise to
an acceptable level any impact on community identity.
Taking into account the evidence set out above, this proposal supports effective and
convenient local government.
East Northamptonshire Division 7
Division Name: Rushden South
Polling
district
TA
TB
TC
TM
TE
TF
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
Rushden Bates Ward No. 1
Rushden Bates Ward No. 2
Rushden Bates Ward No. 3
Rushden Sartoris Ward No. 2
Rushden Hayden Ward No. 2
Rushden Hayden Ward No. 3
Total
Electorate
2011
606
2557
612
1685
2405
2150
10015
Electorate
2017
659
2590
620
1707
2436
2178
10190
The Council’s proposal for this division:
Improves electoral equality and meets the requirement of this review in terms of electorate
numbers for both 2011 and 2017.
Is comprised of the whole of Rushden Hayden Ward, the whole of Rushden Bates Ward
eastern part of Rushden Sartoris Ward.
The justification for dividing Rushden Bates Ward and Rushden Sartoris Ward is set out in
the proposals above.
Taking into account the evidence set out above, this proposal supports community identity
in the central part of Rushden.
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
29
Final Version
Figure 6: Proposed electorate divisions for East Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
30
Final Version
Kettering Borough
Kettering is located to the north of the county and covers an area of 232.8 sq km (23,280 hectares).
It is situated on the A14 and lies between the A1 and M1 corridors with excellent road and rail links
to the rest of the country. It is currently represented by 10 county councillors and in the proposed
changes will be represented by 8 county councillors.
The electorate figures for Kettering are set to increase from 48,471 in 2011 to 51,298 in 2017. The
new housing will principally be provided in ‘Sustainable Urban Extensions’ in Kettering East.
The divisional arrangements for this proposal has resulted in one division being outside of the 10%
electoral equality range in 2011. The detailed narrative is provided below;
Kettering Division 1 – Burton Latimer
Proposed division 1
Polling
district
LQ
LW
KSPD1
KTPD2
KUPD3
KVPD4
LH
Description/District Ward
Slade
Slade
Burton Latimer
Burton Latimer
Burton Latimer
Burton Latimer
Cranford Development (New Cranford)
Total
Colour used on map:
Electorate
2011
1834
369
1344
1228
1532
1578
0
7885
Electorate
2017
1847
372
1353
1237
1995
2041
731
9576
The proposed division comprises of the Parishes of Boughton and Pytchley as well the Kettering
Borough Council ward of Burton Latimer.
To the south and the east is the Borough border. The border to the west is the Parish Boundary of
Broughton with Cransley (A43). The border to the North is the A14 and the proposed New Cranford
Parish Ward (Kettering East Urban Extension).
This proposed division takes in the areas of the Borough of Kettering south of the A43 and Junctions
nine and ten of the A14.
It contains the recognised historic communities of Broughton Pytchley and Burton Latimer.
This proposal includes part of the parish of Cranford where new development is anticipated
(Kettering East Urban Extension) resulting in the addition of 731 electors. (2017 electorate minus
2011 electorate: 1092-361 = 731). This new growth will be different in style and character to the
established settlement of Cranford village which dates back to 1086 (see narrative for division 4 for
further detail).
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
31
Final Version
Kettering Division 2 – Rothwell Rural
Proposed division 2
Polling
district
LU
LR
LT
LX
LV
LOPD1
LPPD
LP
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
Electorate
Electorate
2011
2017
Mawsley
1529
1635
Cransley
258
260
Loddington
382
385
Thorpe Malsor
112
113
Orton
60
60
Rothwell (Tresham) PD1
2922
3249
Rothwell (Trinity) PD2
3117
3271
Harrington
121
122
Total
8501
9095
The proposed division comprises of the Parishes of Mawsley, Cransley, Loddington, Thorpe Malsor,
Harrington, Orton and the historic town of Rothwell, which is the largest settlement within the
division.
The main focus of this proposed division is the historic market town of Rothwell and its surrounding
parishes to the south and to the west, bordering the town of Desborough and Kettering Town
Centre.
In the south of the proposed division the villages of Cransley, Loddington and Orton are linked by the
Loddington Road / Cransley Road / Orton Road. The Orton Road then joins the junction of the A14
and the A6 (junction 3 of the A14) feeding into the town of Rothwell.
From west to east the villages of Loddington and Thorpe Malsor are connected by the Harrington
Road which continues on and joins the A14 on the western side of Kettering, thus representing a key
transport link for the Orton, Loddington and Thorpe Malsor area of the Borough.
Additionally, the B669 continues from the Loddington Road / Cransley Road / Orton Road at
Loddington Village joining the A14 at junction 4, the major interchange for the town of Rothwell
itself.
In the West of the proposed division the Parish of Harrington (villages of Harrington and Thorpe
Underwood) have excellent transport links directly onto the A14 in its route into Rothwell.
Kettering Division 3 – Desborough Rural
Proposed division 3
Polling
district
KWPD1
KXPD2
KYPD1
KZPD2
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
Desborough Loatland Ward PD
Desborough Loatland Ward PD2
Desborough St Giles Ward PD1
Desborough St Giles Ward PD2
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
Electorate
2011
2412
1668
2460
1542
Electorate
2017
2558
1810
2477
1553
32
Final Version
MH
MI
MG
Braybrooke
326
328
Dingley
149
150
Brampton Ash
56
56
Total
8613
8932
This division contains the historic town of Desborough which contains St Giles Church is the oldest
surviving building in the town having been built in about 1225 AD. St Giles is part of the United
Benefice of Desborough and Brampton Ash with Braybrooke and Dingley
In the west of the proposed division the village of Braybrooke connects directly with Desborough
town centre via the Desborough Road. The northern tip of the proposal is served by the A6 which
connects with the villages of Dingley and Brampton Ash via the Braybrooke Road and Hermitage
Road respectively. The villages of Dingley and Brampton Ash also enjoy excellent road links directly
between them through the A427.
Kettering Division 4 – Ise Valley Rural
Proposed division 4
Polling
district
LAPD1
LBPD2
LJ
LM
LN
LI
LL
LK
MJ
MK
MO
MP
ML
MF
MM
MN
LH
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
Electorate
2011
Ise Ward PD1
2445
Ise Ward PD2
3224
Grafton Underwood
116
Warkton
114
Weekley
176
Geddington
1207
Newton
40
Little Oakley
74
Rushton Glendon
36
Rushton Rushton
356
Wibbarston Pipewell
55
Wilbarston Wilbarston
549
Stoke Albany
279
Ashley
206
Sutton Bassett
82
Weston-By-Welland
129
Cranford Village
361
Total
9449
The proposed division meets requirements for both 2011 and 2017 electoral equality.
Electorate
2017
2462
3247
117
1012
177
1215
40
75
36
358
55
553
281
207
83
130
361
10409
The proposed division consists of a long eastern corridor of communities, to date linked through
historic relationships (formerly all part of the same division of Kettering Rural). The division is held
in place by the southerly route of a substantial dual carriageway (A14) and pushed tightly against
borders with Corby District and East Northamptonshire District.
While the communities within this proposed division are relatively small and remote there is a
thriving cultural exchange through defined working relationships parish to parish.
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
33
Final Version
In previous proposed divisions the market towns of Desborough and Rothwell are at the centre of
communities which feed those towns. Within this proposed division there are no substantial market
towns equivalent to those of Desborough and Rothwell, supporting the rationale for maintaining the
proposed division’s rural character (Ise Valley Rural).
Rushton within this proposed division whilst having a large physical geography at its centre, is still a
small village within a large rural parish and due to this more rural character is proposed to sit within
this division (Ise Valley Rural) as opposed to the more urban setting of Rothwell. The same could be
said for the community of Wilbaston (Vis a vis Desborough Rural), again a large geography but rural
in nature.
Within the proposed division at its most southern end, lie the parishes of Cranford, Warkton and Ise
Lodge. These three communities are to the Eastern side of Kettering Town. All three are in some
way to be impacted by proposed development known as the ‘Kettering East Urban Extension’ as
previously mentioned.
Ise is a recognised community separate from Kettering and is known locally as Ise Village. Kettering
town has incrementally encroached upon the community of Ise through the ongoing development of
its eastern districts, but has always preserved a clear natural boundary separating the community of
Ise from Kettering town primarily the River Ise and secondly by a wide open green space which is
principally used by the residents of Ise. Ise village is parished and is not surrounded by major road
infrastructure and maintains a distinct rural character.
The proposal going forward is that the village of Cranford be ‘Warded’, to enable the distinct and
established community and character of the village of Cranford to be retained, separate to where
the bulk of proposed growth will be settled (division 1). This proposed growth is likely to be urban in
design and will relate much more to the established urban areas, than it will to the distinct ancient
village of Cranford, which will remain as a rural settlement. As in an earlier narrative for Burton
Latimer the expected new growth of Cranford will be part of the proposed division of Burton
Latimer. Therefore the electorate figures for Cranford village will remain at 361.
Kettering Division 5 – Barton and Wicksteed
Proposed division 5
Polling
district
KMPD1
KNPD2
LZPD2
MBPD4
LEPD2
LFPD3
LGPD4
KOPD3
Description/District Ward
Colour used on map:
Electorate
2011
Barton Ward (Seagrave) PD1
1613
Barton Ward (St Botolphs) PD2
1972
St Michaels & Wicksteed Ward PD4
1329
St Michaels & Wicksteed Ward PD3
1413
Kettering Pipers Hill Ward PD2
130
Kettering Pipers Hill Ward PD3
947
Kettering Pipers Hill Ward PD4
1418
Barton Ward (no parish) PD3
545
Total
9367
The proposed division meets requirements for both 2011 and 2017 electoral equality.
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
Electorate
2017
2652
1986
1338
1423
131
954
1428
549
10461
34
Final Version
The proposed division of Barton and Wicksteed includes the whole of the Barton Borough ward and
approximately half of St Michael’s and Wicksteed Borough ward and 60% of Pipers Hill Borough
ward in terms of electorate.
The St Michael’s and Wicksteed Borough ward is split evenly between the proposed divisions of
Barton and Wicksteed and Kettering Central along the natural boundaries provided by the Bishop
Stopford Schools and Southfield School for Girls campuses, as well as Highfield Road Park.
The proposed division of Barton and Wicksteed integrates the entire Borough ward of Barton, and in
so doing rectifies two separate anomalies with the current County divisional arrangement. The first
is the incorporation of polling Borough KOPD3 which represents the un parished area of Barton ward
on the A6003 (Barton Road) north of the cricket ground. This area is not served by a through-road
from the Ise area and relies entirely on the Barton Road for communication links. This means the
area is orientated south towards the main body of Barton Seagrave village via St Botolph’s Road and
the A6003. The area covered by polling district KOPD3 is also separated from Ise by natural dividers.
These come in the shape of Dog Kennel Spinney Pocket Park, a two acre woodland managed by local
residents, and Warkton Spinney which is a similar woodland area not formally maintained as a
pocket park. Local councillors also described this area as looking far more to Barton Seagrave than
Ise during community mapping exercises.
The second anomaly to be corrected is the current County division line drawn through the centre of
Barton Seagrave along Polwell Lane and Radnor Way, and skirting behind Charnwood Drive, Bowland
Drive and Brampton Close. This arrangement stood out as a somewhat arbitrary solution which takes
little account of the community of Barton Seagrave or the far more appropriate boundary offered by
the A14. The correction of these two anomalies achieves the goal of keeping together the whole of
Barton Borough ward and the community of Barton Seagrave itself in the proposed division of
Barton and Wicksteed.
The rest of the proposed division of Barton and Wicksteed follows the boundaries of the current
division of Wicksteed aside from at its most westerly point, where it is proposed to follow the
current St Michaels Borough ward boundary which runs behind Abbots Way and across to the
nearby train track.
This overall arrangement of the proposed Barton and Wicksteed division is designed to provide
single representation for:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Wicksteed Park
The industrial, retail and leisure areas sandwiched between the train line and the A14
Tresham College of Further and Higher Education
Kettering Rugby Club (who have collaborated with Tresham College in several areas
including provision of shared playing surfaces)
It is the intention of the proposed division of Barton and Wicksteed to offer single County Council
representation to the surrounding areas directly influenced by these major facilities and institutions.
This is why the section of the eastern boundary of the current Wicksteed division is retained,
running along the A6003 to its junction with the A509 and then along the open land behind
Netherfield and Springfield Roads to Highfield Road.
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
35
Final Version
The northern boundary of the current Wicksteed County division along the south edge of Kettering
Cemetery and down Elm Road is retained in the new proposed division of Barton and Wicksteed.
Retaining this current division boundary preserves the recognised community of the semi-circle of
streets created by Beech Crescent, Oak Road, Ash Road, Elm Road and St Mary’s Road by including
them wholly in the proposed division of Grange.
Kettering Division 6 – Kettering Central
Proposed division 6
Polling
district
LYPD1
MAPD3
MRPD2
MTPD4
KB
KCPD3
KD
KEPD5
KF
LC
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
St Michaels and Wicksteed Ward PD3
St Michaels and Wicksteed Ward PD3
William Knibb Ward PD2
William Knibb Ward PD4
All Saints PD2
All Saints PD3
All Saints PD3
All Saints PD5
All Saints PD6
Northfield Ward
Total
Electorate
2011
2686
194
910
752
1369
764
60
325
743
2056
9859
Electorate
2017
2705
195
916
757
1379
769
60
327
748
2070
9926
The proposed division meets requirements for both 2011 and 2017 electoral equality.
The proposed division of Kettering Central includes the whole of the Borough ward of Northfield and
approximately half of All Saints and St Michael’s and Wicksteed Borough wards, as well as 43% of
William Knibb in terms of electorate.
The St Michael’s and Wicksteed Borough ward is split evenly between the proposed divisions of
Barton and Wicksteed and Kettering Central along the natural boundaries provided by the Bishop
Stopford Schools and Southfield School for Girls campuses, as well as Highfield Road Park.
The western boundary of the proposed division of Kettering Central is entirely defined by the
Midland Main Line railway serving Kettering Train Station which serves as a definitive boundary in
this area of the town. The northern boundary of the proposed division follows the Northfield
Borough ward boundary before running along Reservoir Road and Masefield Road, joining the
eastern boundary of the proposed division in the shape of Bath Road. Bath Road is a key local
communication link which connects the All Saints area around the Rockingham Road Pleasure Park
with the town centre.
The key driver in drawing up the proposed division of Kettering Central was provision of a single
County Council division to cover areas which are directly linked to the town centre of Kettering,
located in the portion of William Knibb Borough ward included in this proposed division. The William
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
36
Final Version
Knibb Borough ward polling district MTPD4 contains the main shopping centre and streets, Borough
Council offices, library, bus depot, Police Station and Court as well as the Trafalgar Road Industrial
Estate.
As well as the town centre quarter, the overall arrangement of the proposed Kettering Central
division is designed to provide single representation for:
1) Northfield Avenue Industrial Estate
2) Rockingham Road Pleasure Park
3) Kettering Train Station
It is the intention of the proposed division of Kettering Central to offer single County Council
representation to the surrounding areas directly influenced by these major facilities and institutions.
Kettering Division 7 – Grange
Proposed division 7
Polling
district
KJPD1
KKPD2
KLPD3
LDPD1
MQPD1
MSPD3
KGPD7
KHPD8
KI
Description/District Ward
Avondale Grange Ward PD1
Avondale Grange Ward PD2
Avondale Grange Ward PD3
Kettering Pipers Hill Ward PD 1
William Knibb PD 1
William Knibb PD 3
All Saints PD 7
All Saints PD 8
All Saints PD 9
Total
Colour used on map:
Electorate
2011
1006
1454
1424
1646
1333
886
513
205
112
8579
Electorate
2017
1174
1625
1602
1658
1342
892
517
206
113
9129
The proposed division meets requirements for both 2011 and 2017 electoral equality.
The proposed division of Grange includes the whole of the Borough ward of Avondale Grange and
approximately half of William Knibb Borough ward, along with 40% of Pipers Hill Borough ward in
terms of electorate. The proposed division also includes a small element of communities in All Saints
Borough ward.
The proposed division of Grange encompasses the recognised community east of Bath Road called
Avondale Grange. Stamford Road (A4300) and Windmill Avenue (A6098) provide clear
communication links between Avondale Grange and the communities around the cemetery and St
Mary’s Road.
The small portion of All Saints Borough ward that is included in the proposed division of Grange is
itself east of Bath Road. These relatively small polling district areas of KGPD7, KHPD8 and KI are all
partitioned from the rest of the Borough ward by Bath Road, and have more accessible
communication links with the Avondale Grange in the form of Stamford Road (A4300).
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
37
Final Version
Kettering Division 8 – Brambleside and St Peters
Division Name: Proposed division 8
Polling
district
MC
MD
MEPD3
KPPD1
KP2PD2
KQPD3
KAPD1
KRPD4
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
Electorate
2011
St Peters Ward PD1
2027
St Peters Ward PD2
1526
St Peters Ward PD3
151
Brambleside Ward PD1
1812
Brambleside Ward PD2
0
Brambleside Ward PD3
1672
All Saints Ward PD1
1770
Brambleside Ward PD4
191
Total
9149
The proposed division meets requirements for both 2011 and 2017 electoral equality.
Electorate
2017
2041
1537
152
1825
0
1684
1782
192
9213
The proposed division of Brambleside and St Peter’s includes the whole of Brambleside Borough
ward and St Peter’s Borough ward.
The proposed division of Brambleside and St Peter’s also includes a community are which is part of
All Saints Borough Ward. This area is made up of the community between Blandford Avenue and
Reservoir Road. This community is included in the current County division of Brambleside and are
incorporated again in order to limit confusion over representation and to distribute the Kettering
electorate more evenly.
The two communities of Brambleside Borough ward and St Peter’s Borough ward are strongly linked
by the path of the A43 and it’s merging with the A14 at junction 7 and sprouts off again south
towards Northampton at junction 8.
With this configuration of proposed County divisions the representation of those communities in the
town directly subject to the path of these major highways is divided amongst two county councillors.
This is designed to concentrate amongst county councillors the issues arising from these key county
facilities in this part of Kettering Borough, allowing for more focus and direction in matters that will
only become more significant as time moves on.
As well as elements of the A43/A14 corridor, the overall arrangement of the proposed division of
Brambleside and St Peter’s is designed to provide single representation for:
1) Kettering Leisure Village and Sports Centre
2) Kettering Conference Centre
3) Kettering General Hospital
4) Telford Way Industrial Estate
5) Old Kettering Town Football Club Stadium
The design of the proposed division of Brambleside and St Peter’s also corrects a number of
anomalies present in the current Brambleside County division. The areas around Longfellow Drive in
the east and Malham Drive in the west of the Borough ward are not currently included in the
Brambleside County division.
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
38
Final Version
Figure 7 : Proposed electorate divisions for Kettering
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
39
Final Version
Northampton Borough
Northampton (the county town) is a distinctive market town strategically situated at the centre of
England. Northampton is located in the middle of the county and is the administrative and
commercial focus of the county and contains approximately one third of the county’s residents. It is
currently represented by 23 county councillors and in the proposed changes will be represented by
17 county councillors.
The electorate figures for Northampton are set to increase from 156,675 in 2011 to 162,814 in 2017.
Current plans would see more than 100,000 more people living in Northampton and it is a particular
target for development, detailed plans are being progressed through the Core Spatial Strategy and
include improved connectivity and access to the town centre. New key infrastructure includes;
upgrading radial routes at Lumbertubs Way, Kingsthorpe Corridor and connections through to
Dallington Grange/Kings Heath as well as a Northampton Waterside Enterprise Zone which will
create positive economic benefits across the area.
The new housing will principally be provided in ‘Sustainable Urban Extensions’ in Kings Heath, Upton
Park, East Hunsbury, and South of Brackmills.
As part of the consultation for Northampton three proposals were circulated to stakeholders. NCC
received responses from one parish council (Billing) and the Leader of Northampton Borough Council
(NBC). NBC indicated a preference for proposal one and Billing Parish Council indicated a preference
for proposal three.
The divisional arrangements for proposal three resulted in four divisions being outside of the 10%
electoral equality range in 2011. For this reason the Council has decided to put forward proposal 1
for Northampton as it provides an improved electoral scheme arrangement for 2011 and 2017. The
detailed narrative is provided below;
Northampton Division 1
Proposed division 1: Billing and Rectory Farm
Polling
district
SBLA
SBLB
SBLC
SBLD
NBRC
NRFD
SRFC
SRFB
SRFA
STVF
Description/District Ward
Billing
Billing
Billing
Billing
Brookside
Rectory Farm
Rectory Farm
Rectory Farm
Rectory Farm
Talavera
Total
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
Colour used on map:
Electorate
2011
1590
1160
1041
1021
717
561
1034
854
1284
310
9572
Electorate
2017
1812
1177
1146
1036
727
568
1044
864
1299
313
9986
40
Final Version
This division is made up of the Borough Wards of Billing and Rectory farm and encompasses the
greater part of Billing Parish and includes the former rural village of Great Billing, which once stood
outside the Borough. The boundary running to the North is locally recognised and an historic one,
following an old established local road and ensures coterminosity with polling districts.
The division extends slightly into the borough wards of Talavera and Brookside and takes in Lings
Wood Park, a separate and identifiable community, from Brookside. Also, in order to give greater
electoral equality, the extended area of Maidencastle, the area to the North West, has been brought
into this division from the Talavera ward. Two of the local primary schools in the proposed division,
(Ecton Brook Primary School and Bellinge Primary School), have merged following a partnering
arrangement to share experience and leadership to improve performance. The majority of children
from Cherry Lodge also attend Rectory Farm Primary school, which means they also socialise
together and attend community activities together. By placing Cherry Lodge within this Division
alongside Rectory Farm a greater level of electoral equality and community cohesion is achieved.
Northampton Borough Council (NBC) supported these divisional arrangements and made the
following detailed comments “the proposed division does not include Little Billing which is a distinct
part of Billing Parish Council. A Community Governance Review is currently being undertaken by
Northampton Borough Council and this may be an option brought forward. The Community
Governance Review may also consider a proposal to parish Rectory Farm. The boundaries for the
proposed parish would neatly fit within this proposed division and cause no complications”.
Northampton Division 2
Proposed division 2: Talavera
Polling
district
NBRA
NBRB
NTVA
NTVB
NTVC
NTVD
NTVE
Description/District Ward
Brookside
Brookside
Talavera
Talavera
Talavera
Talavera
Talavera
Total
Colour used on map:
Electorate
2011
1270
1758
2015
2025
777
894
1691
10430
Electorate
2017
1288
1779
2035
2045
785
903
1708
10543
The proposed division predominantly encompasses the borough wards of Brookside and Talavera. It
includes the communities of Lumbertubs, Lings, Thorplands, Goldings and Southfields and the
majority of Blackthorn.
This part of Northampton, together with the proposed Billing and Rectory Farm division is known
throughout the town as the Eastern District, which was mainly constructed as part of the new town
expansion scheme in the 1970’s to house the influx of people moving from London. It includes most
of the communities that sit to the west of the A43 and north of the A4500. These major roads act as
man-made physical barriers to neighbouring communities.
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
41
Final Version
Weston Favell Centre, and its associated facilities, are situated within this proposed division,
represent Northampton’s second largest retail centre and is the focus of the Eastern District. As such
the Eastern District has its own distinct community identity. The open space at Lings Wood Park also
acts a natural barrier between the communities of Lings Wood Park and the extended community of
surrounding Maidencastle. These communities are aligned to one another by geography and history.
Blackthorn has an active Community Centre, from which a local workers’ cooperative operates; this
aims to improve employment opportunities for people within Southfields, Lumbertubs, Thorplands,
Lings, Goldings and Blackthorn. There is also a Surestart Centre in Blackthorn Primary School which
serves all the local communities.
Northampton Division 3
Proposed division 3: Riverside Park
Polling
district
SRMB
SPKC
SPKB
SPKA
SRVA
SBLE
SRVB
Description/District Ward
Rushmills
Park
Park
Park
Riverside
Billing
Riverside
Total
Colour used on map:
Electorate
2011
1307
728
1277
1641
1129
1517
2345
9944
Electorate
2017
1322
740
1295
1666
1140
1535
2368
10066
This proposed division comprises the borough wards of Park and Riverside plus the distinctive
community of Little Billing to the east which lies within Billing Parish. The division also combines
several distinct communities, Weston Favell, Standens Barn, Wakes Meadow, and Abington Vale.
The division also includes parts of the Borough Ward of Rushmills in that it takes in two relatively
small and insular communities / estates to the south of Billing Road East.
The Wellingborough Road forms a man-made boundary to the north of Standens Barn and Weston
Favell. Two communities, Abington Vale and Weston Favell both have direct access to the Abington
Park. Polling District SRVA polling district traditionally forms a part of the existing Weston Division
and has therefore been associated with Weston Favell and Abington Vale for electoral purposes over
many years. Park Avenue South, the western boundary of this proposed division is a long standing
divisional boundary which splits Abington Park.
NBC commented that this division “included the natural communities of Weston Favell, Standens
Barn, Wakes Meadow and Abington Vale and I think this would make sense as a locally identifiable
division ” (Source: Cllr D Mackintosh Leader Northampton Borough Council).
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
42
Final Version
Northampton Division 4:
Proposed division 4: Headlands
Polling
district
NEFA
NEFB
NPHC
NHDB
NHDA
NWTC
NWTB
Description/District Ward
Eastfield
Eastfield
Phippsville
Headlands
Headlands
Westone
Westone
Total
Colour used on map:
Electorate
Electorate
2011
2017
1031
1041
1497
1512
920
931
1804
1824
1881
1901
818
826
1683
1700
9634
9735
This proposed division is defined by a number of major road boundaries such as Park Avenue North
to the West, Wellingborough Road to the south and Lumbertubs Way and Booth Lane to the East.
The Northern boundary is defined by the open space of Eastfield Park and the open spaces between
the communities of Westone and the Arbours. The area is served by Abington Library which lies in
the centre of the division. It is based predominantly on the Borough Wards of Headlands and
Eastfield and includes the clearly identifiable community of Westone Estate and an area of
Phippsville east of Park Avenue North which has a history of being in different County / Borough
wards over many years.
Northampton Division 5:
Proposed division 5: Boothville and Parklands
Polling
district
NPLC
NPLD
NPLB
NPLA
NEFC
NBVC
NWTA
NBVB
NBVA
Description/District Ward
Parklands
Parklands
Parklands
Parklands
Eastfield
Boothville
Westone
Boothville
Boothville
Total
Colour used on map:
Electorate
Electorate
2011
2017
1057
1068
437
441
1184
1198
1038
1052
1047
1057
1203
1275
844
852
1197
1270
993
1069
9000
9282
This proposed division is based on the borough wards of Parklands and Boothville. To achieve
electoral equality in the areas of the Arbours, (a clearly definable community) to the south east, as
and the other clearly identifiable community of Lake View, have been included within this proposed
division. There a number of distinct communities within this division; Boothville, Moulton Leys,
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
43
Final Version
Arbours, Lake View, Spinney Hill and Parklands. However, they are of similar types of residential
areas and the community facilities at Fernie Fields, Boothville Community Hall and Parklands
Community Centre provide a focal point for community activities throughout the area.
Northampton Borough Council (NBC) commented that “The Community Governance Review is
currently being considered to parish these four communities into three new parish areas- Parklands
and Spinney Hill (together), Moulton Leys and Boothville. The boundaries for the proposed parish
councils would fit neatly within this proposed division and cause no complications” (Source: Cllr D
Mackintosh Leader of the Council).
Northampton Division 6
Proposed division 6: Abington and Phippsville
Polling
district
SABE
NABC
NABD
NABB
NABA
NABF
NPHD
NPHB
NPHA
Description/District Ward
Abington
Abington
Abington
Abington
Abington
Abington
Phippsville
Phippsville
Phippsville
Total
Colour used on map:
Electorate
Electorate
2011
2017
774
788
1263
1282
859
874
1676
1701
2227
2261
222
231
520
525
673
681
1133
1146
9347
9489
This inner urban area consists primarily of the two borough wards of Abington and Phippsville. The
divisional boundaries are clearly defined in the south by the Billing Road, in the East by Park Avenue
North and South, in the North by the Kettering Road and the Boundary to the west is a traditional
long standing boundary of a great many years that is recognised by local residents. The houses in
this area were built around a similar time and are pre war Edwardian. Various community activities
are run from Park Avenue Methodist Church, Abington Avenue United Reform, Christchurch, St
Matthew’s Church and Abington Parish Rooms.
The area is served by Stimpson Avenue, Barry Road and Vernon Terrace Primary Schools. However,
the Phippsville area is served by Cedar Road Primary school, which lies within the proposed
Headlands division, but Park Avenue North is a long standing and recognised boundary. Stimpson
Avenue School provides strong community support through "Helping Hands" and Saturday extra
school activities. Barry Road School also offers community facilities. This proposed division also
includes the well used facility of Vernon Terrace Community Centre. Monks Park Working Men’s
Club and the Old Northamptonians facilities on Billing Road also provide a focal community point for
social activities in the area.
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
44
Final Version
Northampton Division 7
Proposed division 7: Nene Valley
Polling
district
SNEHA
SNNVG
SNNVF
SNNVE
SNNVC
SNNVD
SNNVA
SNNVB
SNRMA
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
East Hunsbury
Nene Valley
Nene Valley
Nene Valley
Nene Valley
Nene Valley
Nene Valley
Nene Valley
Rushmills
Total
Electorate
2011
404
511
1620
1272
1677
1158
0
1645
523
8810
Electorate
2017
408
516
1636
1318
1694
1170
0
1661
528
8931
This proposed division consists of the current Nene Valley Division and includes the parishes of Great
Houghton, Hardingstone, Collingtree and Wootton & East Hunsbury, east of the A45. Within the
emerging West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy for developing the area there is a proposed
Sustainable Urban Extension within this division. The proposal is for in excess of 1,000 new homes to
be built on land to the east of Hardingstone between Brackmills and the Newport Pagnell Road. An
outline planning application for this development has already been submitted to West
Northamptonshire Development Corporation.
Northampton Division 8
Proposed division 8: Delapre and Rushmere
Polling
district
SDBC
SDBE
SDBF
SDBG
SDBH
SDBD
SRMD
SRMC
Description/District Ward
Delapre & Briar Hill
Delapre & Briar Hill
Delapre & Briar Hill
Delapre & Briar Hill
Delapre & Briar Hill
Delapre & Briar Hill
Rushmills
Rushmills
Total
Colour used on map:
Electorate
Electorate
2011
2017
1102
1121
1636
1661
1277
1296
1198
1215
1208
1225
810
1250
659
666
901
910
8791
9344
This division contains the two distinct communities of Far Cotton and Delapre. The area is served by
Abbeyfield Secondary School and its facilities, as well as Delapre, Queen Eleanor, and Abbey Primary
Schools. The Rec Centre provides considerable community focus as it houses a number of local
facilities such as the local library and a pharmacy. The proposed division would also contain two
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
45
Final Version
major hospitals, Northampton General and St Andrew’s Health Care. To better achieve electoral
equality, some distinct and separate communities south of the Billing Road and Billing Road East Rushmere and Cliftonville in the Borough Ward of Rushmills - are included in this proposed division.
The division also includes a large part of the Northampton Enterprise Zone, a major redevelopment
area in the River Valley between Ransome Road and Nunn Mills Road which will have widespread
impact on both sides of the proposed division. This will eventually bridge the gap between the two
areas of the proposed division.
Northampton Division 9
Proposed division 9: Castle
Polling
district
SCTA
SCTB
SCTC
SCTD
SCTE
SCTF
SCTG
SCTH
Description/District Ward
Castle
Castle
Castle
Castle
Castle
Castle
Castle
Castle
Total
Colour used on map:
Electorate
Electorate
2011
2017
1729
1811
1695
1753
377
426
1641
1704
1254
1311
710
757
1184
1236
1001
1046
9591
10044
This proposed division is coterminous with the borough council ward of Castle and is a recognised
electoral area within Northampton. The Enterprise Zone also covers a part of this division. It consists
of the three distinct communities of the Mounts, Spring Boroughs and the Town Centre. There is the
Northampton Central Area Action Plan that covers the Town Centre area of this proposed division.
This plan outlines the future proposed development, planning and investment strategy for the Town
Centre over the next twenty years and beyond. The Mounts and Spring Boroughs are densely
populated areas north and west of the Town Centre. The Mounts and is made up of terraced
properties built to house the local factory workers at the time when shoe-making was the key
industry in Northampton.
Spring Boroughs is made up mainly of post war social housing, including many flats. Whilst these are
separate communities to the Town Centre, they are within easy walking distance of the Town
Centre, where shopping and leisure facilities are located. Therefore the Town Centre is frequently
used by the residents of The Mounts and Spring Boroughs.
NBC commented that “this division is on the exact same boundaries as the Borough ward of Castle.
This is a recognised and identifiable area and a community of the town and I would strongly
encourage that the division continues to be named Castle.” (Source: Cllr D Mackintosh Leader of the
Council).
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
46
Final Version
Northampton Division 10
Proposed division 10: St George
Polling
district
NKGA
NKGB
NKGC
NTRA
SSMC
SSMD
NSMB
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
Electorate
Electorate
2011
2017
Kingsley
847
860
Kingsley
1151
1167
Kingsley
2052
2078
Trinity
1725
1757
Semilong
1401
1448
Semilong
1566
1615
Semilong
395
401
Total
9137
9326
This proposed division includes a number of individual and identifiable communities - Semilong,
Kingsley, Links View along with the Racecourse and Avenue Campus of the University of
Northampton (on St George’s Avenue). The boundaries are defined by the Northampton to Rugby
railway line in the West, the Racecourse, Grafton Street and Kettering Road to the South, Bradlaugh
Fields in East and Kingsthorpe Golf Course, Balfour Road and Burleigh Road in the North. The
boundary running along Balfour Road and Burleigh Road is a traditional boundary of many years
standing.
The boundaries of Kingsley and Links View are coterminous with the Borough Ward of Kingsley. This
proposed division includes the reasonably sized community of Semilong where residents see
themselves as a very distinct community, with a very active Residents Association called Semilong
Community Forum, which has its own website and publishes a Semilong Resident’s Guide to people
who are new to the area. The proposed division also contains the community of the Racecourse.
The Racecourse is one of the major parks within the town and a focal point where local residents
spend their leisure time. The Barrack Road and the area around the Racecourse are conservation
areas. The area around the racecourse is known as Kingsley Conservation Area and has Article Four
Direction. The division also includes two major educational facilities, the Park Campus of the
University of Northampton, that is also a community of its own, and the Malcolm Arnold Academy
which also provide a focus for both the local and the wider community.
Northampton Division 11
Proposed division 11: Kingsthorpe South
Polling
district
NOLB
NKGD
NSUC
NSDC
NSDB
NKTB
Description/District Ward
Obelisk
Kingsley
Sunnyside
St Davids
St Davids
Kingsthorpe
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
Colour used on map:
Electorate
Electorate
2011
2017
1255
1311
0
0
910
927
1617
1633
875
885
2041
2063
47
Final Version
NSDA
NTRB
NSMA
*+140 from
NKTA
St Davids
Trinity
Semilong
Kingsthorpe
Total
921
1561
367
934
1593
374
140
9687
140
9860
This proposed division is based on the Borough Wards of Kingsthorpe and St David’s, including some
areas of Semilong, Trinity, Sunnyside and Obelisk but is based on long standing recognised
boundaries. It contains the distinct communities of Kingsthorpe Village, Thornton Estate,
Kingsthorpe Hollow, Queens Park, St Davids, and Park Campus of the University of Northampton. It is
defined by the existing divisional boundary to the south and west, Kingsthorpe Golf Course and the
University Campus in the east, and the man made barriers of Boughton Green Road and Welford
Road in the north.
There is a large amount of Edwardian and pre war housing in the area of Kingsthorpe Village.
Housing to the north of the Borough Ward of Kingsthorpe, that north of Gillsway, was built in the
1960s and 1970s and has more in common with the community and development of Spring Park.
The proposed division includes an area of Kingsthorpe Hollow and the area of Thornton Estate that
traditionally have been in the Kingsthorpe electoral division.
The proposed division also includes the identifiable community of Queen’s Park that has its own
Residents’ Association which meets weekly, and organises a number of social and charitable events
throughout the year, as well as a busy and popular Working Men’s Club. It also encompasses the
community of Hill Top that is part of the Borough Sunnyside Ward that is separated from the area of
Sunnyside itself by the man made barrier of Boughton Green Road that has been a traditional
electoral boundary in the past. The division also includes the St David’s Estate, mainly an estate of
social housing which was built in the pre-war period. St David’s is bordered to the north by the
community of Hill Top, and is separated from other communities to the east by Kingsthorpe Golf
Course and the University Campus, to the south west by Kingsthorpe Grove, and to the west by the
Harborough Road. St David’s Church, which is located on Eastern Avenue South, is an active centre
for community activities. Kingsthorpe Children’s Centre is also situated in St David’s, on St David’s
Road, and is a focal point for local families in the community. Kingsthorpe Grove Primary School is a
significant focal point for St David’s and Queens Park. The distinct community of Park Campus of the
University of Northampton is also included within this proposed division.
Cllr D Mackintosh Leader of Northampton Borough Council commented: “I agree with the proposal
to include University of Northampton Park Campus within this division. There are a number of
issues which the Borough Council deals with residents to relating to University issues within the
borough wards of Sunnyside and Obelisk”.
Northampton Division 12
Proposed division 12: Kingsthorpe North
Polling
Description/District Ward
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
Colour used on map:
Electorate 2011
Electorate 2017
48
Final Version
district
NKTA
NSPA
NSPB
NOLA
NSUA
NSUB
NSUD
*-140 from
NKTA
Kingsthorpe
Spring Park
Spring Park
Obelisk
Sunnyside
Sunnyside
Sunnyside
Kingsthorpe
Total
1617
2007
1791
2240
1465
575
292
1635
2030
1811
2307
1490
591
303
-140
9847
-140
10027
This division is based on the borough wards of Spring Park, Obelisk, and Sunnyside, and takes in an
area of Kingsthorpe Ward. The distinct community of Park Campus of the University of
Northampton in Obelisk Ward has been omitted, as has the Hill Top area of Sunnyside. The proposed
division reflects in great extent the existing division of Boughton Green.
The area of the Borough Ward of Kingsthorpe to the North of Gillsway has been included within this
proposed division. This is an area that was developed from the 1960s through to the 1980s and has
more in common with the Spring Park area than Kingsthorpe Village. This area and Spring Park are
served by the Pastures Community Centre on the Welford Road.
This proposal would also incorporate the two communities of Sunnyside (which has developed a
sense of community identity due to its origins as the former Sunnyside Council Estate), and that of
and surrounding Obelisk Rise. The area of and surrounding Obelisk Rise is an identifiable community
separated from Sunnyside by the man made barrier of Holly Lodge Drive and Spring Park / Whitehills
by the Harborough Road.
Northampton Division 13
Proposed division 13: Dallington Spencer
Polling
district
SNDG
SKHA
SKHB
SKHC
SKHD
SSPA
SSPB
SSPC
SSJB
SSPD
Description/District Ward
New Duston
Kings Heath
Kings Heath
Kings Heath
Kings Heath
Spencer
Spencer
Spencer
St James
Spencer
Total
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
Colour used on map:
Electorate
2011
0
564
0
1418
1330
1650
1030
890
1351
283
8516
Electorate
2017
0
571
0
1434
1345
1670
1044
899
1399
286
8648
49
Final Version
This proposed division is predominately made up of the borough Wards of Kings Heath and Spencer
and reflects the existing Spencer Division. It includes The Avenue – Dallington and has traditionally
been linked electorally with the Spencer; this also reflects the fact that the residents of The Avenue
associate themselves more with Dallington than St James. It also takes in the residential area of St
James to the East of the Harlestone Road. This area of St James has traditionally been incorporated
within the Castle Division and is therefore recognised as a distinct community / area. There is
commonality in the age and type of housing in the south west corner of Spencer and the area of St
James.
The proposed division includes the well defined estates known as Spencer, Kingsheath and Rye Hill,
as well as the small old village of Dallington and Dallington Park, which is a focal point for the local
community. The Camrose Centre is a major focal point of communities of Spencer and Kingsheath
and is the base for a well used Surestart Centre. To achieve greater electoral equality this division
would also include Sharman Road, Spencer Street and Lincoln Road from Polling District SSJA. This
community is separated from other areas of St James by the man made barrier of the bus depot and
industrial development.
A planning application has been made to the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation for
up to 3,500 new housing in the Dallington Grange area. Whilst this has not yet been granted
planning permission, it does represent a potentially significant growth in the area and therefore
could bring the 2017 figures into line.
Northampton Division 14
Proposed division 14: Duston East
Polling
district
SNDE
SODA
SODB
SODC
SODD
*+598 FROM
SNDC
*-150 FROM
SNDE
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
New Duston
Old Duston
Old Duston
Old Duston
Old Duston
New Duston
New Duston
Total
Electorate
2011
2141
1396
1501
1709
1516
Electorate
2017
2196
1442
1548
2276
1551
598
598
-150
8711
-150
9461
The area of Northampton to the North West of St James is commonly referred to as Duston. This
division consists of the borough ward of Old Duston and incorporating parts of the Borough Ward of
New Duston. Distinct boundaries are the Harlestone Road to the North East, Weedon Road to the
South and the Boundary of the Parishes of Duston and Upton and Main Road to the West.
Cllr D Mackintosh Leader of Northampton Borough Council commented: “I think this makes
geographic and community sense. I wonder whether retaining the name Old Duston rather than
Duston East would make more historic sense.”
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
50
Final Version
Northampton Division 15
Proposed division 15: Duston West & St Crispin
Polling
district
SNDA
SNDB
SNDD
SNDC
SNDF
SNUPD
SNUPE
Description/District Ward
New Duston
New Duston
New Duston
New Duston
New Duston
Upton
Upton
Total
Colour used on map:
Electorate
2011
1177
941
1286
1424
855
636
1225
7544
Electorate
2017
1189
950
1299
1470
864
898
2832
9502
This division is defined in the North and West by the Borough boundary, main road and parish
boundary between Upton and Duston and the Main Road to the east and the Weedon Road Dual
carriageway to the south. New development areas of St Crispin’s, which includes the Princess Marina
development site, have been included to achieve greater electoral equality although the Weedon
Road represents a distinct boundary, even though it divides the parish of Upton. However, within
Upton Parish, St Crispin’s is a very distinct community. St Crispin’s has a strong residents association
and the new retail facilities in Kent Road serve the wider population. It is within the St Crispin
community that significant future growth is predicted.
Northampton Division 16
Proposed division 16: Sixfields
Polling
district
SNUPA
SNUPB
SNUPC
SDBA
SDBB
SNWHA
SSJA
SNWHB
*-107 FROM
SNWHB
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
Upton
Upton
Upton
Delapre & Briar Hill
Delapre & Briar Hill
West Hunsbury
St James
West Hunsbury
West Hunsbury
Total
Electorate
2011
653
625
815
1604
1395
1572
2336
477
-107
9370
Electorate
2017
728
698
924
1628
1417
1588
2378
482
-107
9736
This division is comprised of a number of individual and identifiable communities; St James, Briar
Hill, Camp Hill, West Hunsbury, Upton, Upton Grange, and Banbury Lane. Briar Hill and St James.
These have been, and are currently linked electorally as the both lie within the current St James
Division. St James, Briar Hill and Camp Hill are all served by their own Community Centres and
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
51
Final Version
schools, although St James is served by a school on the opposite side of Harlestone Road that is the
boundary between this proposed division and the proposed division of Dallington Spencer.
The Elgar Centre and Upton Meadows Primary School provide community facilities for the areas of
Upton and Upton Grange. In addition to this, Parson’s Meade Community Room and Camp Hill
Community Centre provide community focus for the West Hunsbury community. Banbury Lane is an
isolated and distinct community separated from other communities by the A43 dual carriageway and
the river. This area has no community facilities or bus service, but it is establishing ties with the
Upton area. The Banbury Lane area is growing, and work has commenced on the development of a
site for housing to the south of the community.
Cllr D Mackintosh Leader of Northampton Borough Council commented that: “I think the name of
the division is good and reflects the name of the stadium of Northampton Town Football Club, which
I would support.”
Northampton Division 17
Proposed division 17: East Hunsbury and Shelfleys
Polling
district
SNEHG
SNEHB
SNEHC
SNEHD
SNEHE
SNEHF
SNWHC
*+107 FROM
SNWHB
Description/District Ward
East Hunsbury
East Hunsbury
East Hunsbury
East Hunsbury
East Hunsbury
East Hunsbury
West Hunsbury
West Hunsbury
Total
Colour used on map:
Electorate
2011
832
1349
2161
645
816
1788
1494
107
9192
Electorate
2017
840
1362
2183
651
824
1806
1509
107
9282
This division takes in the whole and very distinct community of East Hunsbury that is half of the
Wootton & East Hunsbury Parish - the half of the parish to the east of the A45.
To ensure electoral equality, the community of Shelfleys has been incorporated into the proposed
division utilising the ancient drover’s path known as Green Lane as the Boundary. There is a very
active ‘Friends of Hunsbury Country Parks’ Group within the area of Shelfleys that works and
supports Hunsbury Hill Country Park and Shelfleys Park off Ladybridge Drive. Therefore Hunsbury
Hill Country Park, as well as the isolated road of Hunsbury Close, has been included within the
proposed division to keep the parks together for representational purposes. Community and retail
facilities at Mereway / Clannell Road are a focal point for both communities. Within the Emergent
Joint Core Strategy for West Northamptonshire there is a proposed Sustainable Urban Extension in
the South West of the proposed division in the vicinity of Collingtree Golf Course. This development
site would accommodate something in the region of 1,000 dwellings.
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
52
Figure 8: Proposed electorate divisions for Northampton
53
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
South Northamptonshire
South Northamptonshire is a predominantly rural district situated at the southern end of the County.
The largest urban settlements are the historic market towns of Brackley and Towcester. South
Northamptonshire is also home to several large villages including Deanshanger and Middleton
Cheney, as well as Grange Park, an urban extension to the south of Northampton.
South Northamptonshire has a lower unemployment rate than the national average. The main
employment sectors are business services, manufacturing and wholesale and retail. The world
famous Silverstone motor racing circuit, home of the British Grand Prix, is also located within South
Northamptonshire, as are the Sahara Force India and Mercedes AMG Petronas formula one racing
teams.
As with other districts in the county, South Northamptonshire is an area of high growth and is part of
the Milton Keynes and South Midlands Growth Area. The largest housing sites in South
Northamptonshire, such as Towcester South Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE) and Northampton
Upton Park Sustainable Urban Extension, have not yet received planning permission, although an
application for the Towcester South SUE has been submitted and is expected to be determined by
March 2012. There are developments underway in both Roade and Silverstone that contain in excess
of 100 houses each.
There are currently 9 county councillors representing communities in South Northamptonshire.
Under the proposed council size, this will reduce to 7 county councillors. The electorate is forecast to
grow from 67,728 in 2011 to 71,053 by the end of 2017 making the average electorate figures in
South Northamptonshire very high(9,675 in 2011 and 10,150 in 2017). These electorate figures
result in significantly larger sized divisions. Quinton Parish Council and South Northamptonshire
council both raised concerns about the large division sizes and Quinton Parish Council further
“objected to the dilution of our County Councillor's time should the reduction in Councillor numbers
go ahead”. NCC therefore proposes that if the LGBCE were minded to increase the council size by
one councillor then that councillor should be allocated to South Northamptonshire.
The Council consulted on draft proposals for new divisions in South Northamptonshire. Two
proposals were circulated to key stakeholders for comment. The Council received the following
responses;
Shutlanger, Chacombe, Alderton, Yardley Gobian, Greens Norton Parish Councils supported proposal
1. The MP for South Northamptonshire also responded in favour of proposal 1. Cogenhoe Parish
Council, Whiston Parish Council and Towcester Town Council supported proposal 2. Roade Parish
Council submitted an alternative arrangement for 2 divisions in South Northants, further detail on
this is outlined in division 7. Croughton Parish Council responded stating they did not have a
preferred proposal. Quinton Parish Council objected to proposal 1. South Northamptonshire
District Council also responded by stating that the large division sizes in South Northamptonshire
would “make it increasingly difficult to secure County Councillor attendance and interaction with
Parish Councils across South Northamptonshire”.
54
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
Final Version
The Council has decided to put forward proposal 1 for South Northamptonshire as it provides an
improved electoral scheme arrangement for 2011 and 2017. The detailed narrative is provided
below;
South Northamptonshire proposed division 1:
Division Name: Hackleton & Grange Park
Polling
district
BM
BN
BE
AU
CA
GY
CX
CY
DD
DQ
EV
GO
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
Cogenhoe - Cogenhoe Ward
Cogenhoe - Whiston Ward
Castle Ashby
Brafield On The Green
Denton
Grange Park
Hackleton – Hackleton
Hackleton – Piddington
Hartwell
Little Houghton
Quinton
Yardley Hastings
Total
Electorate
2011
1168
43
91
562
627
3058
973
656
1527
332
167
622
9826
Electorate
2017
1188
51
92
567
635
3496
1006
686
1677
339
169
639
10545
The Council’s proposal for this division:
Improves electoral equality and meets requirements in terms of electorate numbers for both
2011 and 2017, as well as taking into account significant planned housing development
Grange Park.
Is comprised of the eastern most parts of South Northamptonshire and is coterminous with
the current district council wards of Brafield and Yardley, Hackleton, Grange Park and part of
the Salcey ward.
Is comprised mainly of communities separated from the rest of the district by the M1
motorway. By including the urban settlement of Grange Park, the Council has avoided
making this division too large, meaning that the proposal supports effective and convenient
local government and has avoided splitting any historical communities or groups of
communities.
South Northamptonshire proposed division 2:
Division Name: Deanshanger
Polling
district
AF
AL
BR
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
Ashton
Alderton
Cosgrove
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
Electorate
2011
311
107
432
Electorate
2017
344
108
475
55
Final Version
BZ
CS
EN
ER
ET
GG
GH
GN
Deanshanger
Grafton Regis
Old Stratford
Paulerspury
Potterspury
Whittlebury
Wicken
Yardley Gobion
Total
2963
91
1561
828
1201
496
261
1082
9333
3152
92
1661
850
1378
500
275
1097
9932
The Council’s proposal for this division:
Improves electoral equality and meets requirements in terms of electorate numbers for both
2011 and 2017.
Is comprised of the south-eastern spur of South Northamptonshire and is coterminous with
the current district council wards of Deanshanger, Old Stratford, Cosgrove and Grafton and
Whitlewood, as well as parts of the Tove and Salcey wards.
Includes a number of communities located within a spur of land that is surrounded by Milton
Keynes and Aylesbury Vale, which must therefore form the basis of any division in this part
of the district. These communities have historical links and so this proposal supports
effective and convenient local government.
The Council received representations from Alderton Parish Council, who strongly supported
this proposal and underlined the importance of historical links between Alderton, Grafton
Regis and Paulerspury. Yardley Gobion Parish Council also wrote to the Council in support of
this proposal as they felt it maintained community links and supported communities with
common interests.
South Northamptonshire proposed division 3:
Division Name: Brackley
Polling
district
GQ
GR
GX
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
Brackley East
Brackley West
Brackley South
Total
Electorate
2011
3332
3348
3339
10019
Electorate
2017
3399
3415
3399
10213
The Council’s proposal for this division:
Improves electoral equality and meets requirements in terms of electorate numbers for both
2011 and 2017.
Takes into account some development in Brackley but, in accordance with guidance issued
by the LGBCE, does not include some developments that did not have planning permission
as of the start of the review.
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
56
Final Version
Is coterminous with the current district council wards of Brackley East, Brackley South and
Brackley West.
Supports effective and convenient local government by uniting all three district wards for
Brackley into a single county division for the first time. This division does not include any
rural areas.
The Council received a representation from a member of Brackley Town Council and South
Northamptonshire Council is support of this proposal.
South Northamptonshire proposed division 4:
Division Name: Middleton Cheney
Polling
district
AH
BG
BW
CJ
CM
CN
CT
CU
DK
DT
EB
ED
EJ
GS
FP
FR
FN
FX
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
Aynho
Chacombe
Croughton
Evenley
Farthinghoe – Farthinghoe
Farthinghoe – Steane
Greatworth – Greatworth
Greatworth – Halse
Hinton in the Hedges
Kings Sutton
Marston St Lawrence
Middleton Cheney
Newbottle
Overthorpe
Thenford
Thorpe Mandeville
Sulgrave
Warkworth
Total
Electorate
2011
552
536
573
497
307
48
594
94
144
1693
166
2889
385
144
76
152
308
30
9188
Electorate
2017
563
545
610
503
312
48
605
100
145
1815
169
2965
388
145
77
153
313
30
9486
The Council’s proposal for this division:
Improves electoral equality and meets requirements in terms of electorate numbers for both
2011 and 2017.
Is coterminous with the current district council wards of Little Brook, Kings Sutton, Steane
and Middleton Cheney, and also includes part of Danvers and Wardoun Ward and part of
Washington Ward.
Supports effective and convenient local government by maintaining links between rural
communities with common interests and issues.
The Council received a representation from Chacombe Parish Council in favour of this
proposal because it has the large village of Middleton Cheney at its centre, which many
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
57
Final Version
surrounding communities look to for facilities such as the post office, doctors’ surgery,
library and school.
South Northamptonshire proposed division 5:
Division Name: Silverstone
Polling
district
AA
AB
AG
AN
AP
AQ
AT
BJ
BP
CL
DG
CV
DW
DZ
EF
FE
FF
FO
EW
FW
GD
GF
GK
BX
Description/District Ward
Abthorpe
Adstone
Aston Le Walls
Blakesley
Boddington - Lower Ward
Boddington – Upper Ward
Braddon
Chipping Warden & Edgcote
Cold Higham
Eydon
Helmdon
Greens Norton
Litchborough
Maidford
Moreton Pinkney
Silverstone
Slapton
Syresham
Radstone
Wappenham
Weston & Weedon
Whitfield
Woodend
Culworth
Total
Colour used on map:
Electorate
2011
257
81
258
414
213
391
131
479
235
366
717
1267
261
149
300
1725
76
664
38
226
292
177
157
384
9258
Electorate
2017
261
84
264
429
215
395
132
487
237
373
744
1390
267
156
325
1953
80
687
40
235
298
180
160
393
9785
The Council’s proposal for this division:
Improves electoral equality and meets requirements in terms of electorate numbers for both
2011 and 2017.
Is coterminous with the current district council wards of Blakesley and Cote, Astwell,
Silverstone and Kingthorne, as well as most of Danvers and Wardon Ward and Washington
Ward.
Supports effective and convenient local government by maintaining links between rural
communities with common interests and issues.
Greens Norton Parish Council wrote to the Council in support of this proposal.
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
58
Final Version
South Northamptonshire proposed division 6:
Division Name: Bugbrooke
Polling
district
AO
BB
DC
DU
DH
EE
EQ
FA
BT
DJ
CR
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
Blisworth
Bugbrooke
Harpole
Kislingbury
Nether Heyford
Milton Malsor
Patishall
Rothersthorpe
Courteenhall
Upper Heyford
Gayton
Total
Electorate
2011
1527
2192
1288
961
1259
622
1216
396
80
65
463
10069
Electorate
2017
1617
2290
1305
1072
1328
635
1261
400
81
66
473
10528
The Council’s proposal for this division:
Improves electoral equality and meets requirements in terms of electorate numbers for both
2011 and 2017.
Is coterminous with the current district council wards of Heyfords and Bugbrooke and
Harpole and Grange, as well as parts of Blisworth and Roade and Blakesley and Cote wards.
Supports effective and convenient local government by maintaining links between rural
communities with common interests and issues.
Maintains important community links between Upper and Nether Heyford and Bugbrooke,
three parishes with have a long history of working together.
South Northamptonshire proposed division 7:
Division Name: Towcester and Roade
Polling
district
CF
EZ
FC
FK
FS
FTB
FTM
Description/District Ward
East Neston
Roade
Shutlanger
Stoke Bruerne
Tiffield
Towcester - Brook
Towcester - Mill
Total
The Council’s proposal for this division:
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
Colour used on map:
Electorate
2011
50
1866
227
350
284
4540
2718
10035
Electorate
2017
54
2077
231
353
287
4700
2862
10564
59
Final Version
Improves electoral equality and meets requirements in terms of electorate numbers for both
2011 and 2017.
Is coterminous with the current district council wards of Towcester Brook and Towcester
Mill, as well as part of Blisworth and Roade Ward.
Supports effective and convenient local government. This proposal contains some of the
larger urban settlements in the division (Towcester and Roade) and so minimises
geographical spread and urban/rural mix.
A representation was submitted to the Council by Roade Parish Council which set out an
alternative proposal to both of the proposals circulated by the Council. Careful consideration
was given to this proposal, but unfortunately it was not possible to create viable divisions in
the surrounding areas that could have accommodated the Parish Council’s specific requests.
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
60
Final Version
Figure 9: Proposed electorate divisions for South Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
61
Final Version
Borough of Wellingborough
Wellingborough is a market town and borough in Northamptonshire, situated 11 miles from
Northampton. The A45 dual carriageway links the town with the A14, and M1 which also links to the
east and west of the country. The A45 links Wellingborough with Northampton, Rushden, Higham
Ferrers, Raunds, Thrapston, Oundle and Peterborough. It is currently represented by 8 county
councillors and in the proposed changes will be represented by 6 county councillors.
The electorate figures for Wellingborough are set to increase from 54,067 in 200 to 57,018 in 2017.
Wellingborough is also identified as a key growth area for the county. Major development has been
identified for the north and the east of the borough, in particular, new housing in Park Farm Way,
Bourton Way, Doddington Road Windsor Road and Eastfield Road.
As part of the consultation for Wellingborough one proposal was circulated for comment. NCC did
not receive any responses for from its stakeholders regarding this proposal.
Division Name: 1. Brick Hill and Queensway Colour used on map:
Polling
district
AA
AB
AC
JA
JB
JC
NA
Description/District Ward
Brickhill No: 1
Brickhill No: 2
Brickhill No: 3
Queensway No: 1
Queensway No: 2
Queensway No: 3
Swanspool No: 1
Total
Electorate
2011
2059
1042
920
1310
740
1718
971
8760
Electorate
2017
2082
1053
930
1342
748
1737
1001
8893
This division links the communities on either side of the Queensway distributor road on the West
side of Wellingborough town. It is an extension of the existing Queensway Division which already
straddles Queensway to include the AA polling district. The new division reunites Brickhill Ward
(previously split with the Swanspool Division) and also includes the NA district (West end of
Swanspool) to produce elector numbers which are clearly within desired tolerances in both 2011 and
2017. The new division has a clear Southern boundary at the Swanspool Brook, an improvement on
the current situation which uses Northampton Road as its Boundary.
Division Name: 2. Croyland and Swanspool Colour used on map:
Polling
district
CA
CB
CC
Description/District Ward
Croyland No:1
Croyland No: 2
Croyland No: 3
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
Electorate
2011
1756
2701
879
Electorate
2017
1793
2731
1002
62
Final Version
NB
NC
Swanspool No: 2
Swanspool No: 3
Total
1878
1543
8757
2155
1762
9443
This division comprises the whole of the Croyland Ward and links it with the Town Centre elements
of Swanspool Ward. The number of electors is well within the tolerances. The boundaries of the new
division create a much clearer identification of community interest than the previous linkage of
Croyland with the southern part of Castle Ward. This is most notably true in the bringing together of
the NB district of Swanspool and the BA District of Croyland.
Division Name: 3. Hatton Park
Polling
district
KA
KB
LA
LB
GB
GC
GE
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
Redwell East No: 1
Redwell East No: 2
Redwell West No: 1
Redwell West No: 2
Hemmingwell No: 2
Hemmingwell No: 3
Hemmingwell No: 5
Total
Electorate
2011
2472
792
1441
1165
1164
1296
1030
9360
Electorate
2017
2499
801
1457
1338
1177
1336
1062
9670
This division is an expanded version of the existing Redwell Division, adding the relatively recently
constructed Redhill Farm estate and the Pyghtle and Oakway areas It is an area with considerable
community cohesion, with shops, schools and medical centres serving a largely owner occupying
population on both sides of the Harrowden Road. It has a clear northern boundary at the
Wellingborough Ring Road (Niort Way and Northen Way) and is well within tolerances in both 2011
and 2017.
Division Name: 4 Castle and Irchester Colour used on map:
Polling
district
BA
BB
BC
HA
HB
GD
Description/District Ward
Castle No: 1
Castle No: 2
Castle No: 3
Irchester
Little Irchester
Hemmingwell No: 4
Total
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
Electorate
2011
1657
1855
967
3489
247
1134
9349
Electorate
2017
1675
2494
1244
3572
250
1146
10381
63
Final Version
This division reunites the Castle Ward (which was divided in the previous review for numerical
purposes in a manner which severed strong community links and gravely damaged the effective
representation of the area) and links it to the villages of Irchester and Little Irchester and to the Nest
Lane area of Hemmingwell Ward. The communities are closest to the town and its social make up,
with a mix mainly of smaller Victorian properties and more recent owner occupied developments.
There is a long common boundary with Castle Ward and the A509/London Road makes a clear
Western Boundary to the Division.
Division Name: 5 Finedon Rural
Polling
district
EA
FA
FB
IB
IA
ID
IC
IE
WOA
WOB
WOC
GA
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
Finedon
Great Doddington
Wilby
Great Harrowden
Hardwick
Isham
Little Harrowden
Orlingbury
Ecton
Mears Ashby
Sywell
Hemmingwell No: 1
Total
Electorate
2011
3325
895
526
71
69
649
741
374
360
359
687
824
8880
Electorate
2017
3633
905
532
233
70
656
749
378
364
363
695
993
9571
This division is an extension of the existing Finedon division to include Great Doddington and Redhill
Grange (Hemmingwell GA). It comprises an arc of rural communities running from the north-east to
the west of Wellingborough Town and includes all villages north of the River Nene except for Earls
Barton. Redhill Grange, which is outside the Wellingborough ring road is extremely close to Great
Harrowden. The proposed division is well within tolerances in 2011 and 2017.
Division Name: 6. Earls Barton
Polling
district
WDA
MA
MB
PA
PB
PC
Colour used on map:
Description/District Ward
Earls Barton
Bozeat
Easton Maudit
Grendon
Strixton
Wollaston
Total
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
Electorate
2011
4147
1582
80
438
28
2686
8961
Electorate
2017
4193
1622
81
443
28
2738
9105
64
Final Version
This division is a logical extension of the existing Earls Barton Division to include Wollaston and
Strixton. It includes all villages south of the River Nene except for Irchester and Little Irchester and
represents a significant improvement on the current boundaries in that it reunites the currently
severed Wollaston Borough Ward. It has reasonably strong community of interests as the villages
concerned rely heavily on commuting to Northampton and Milton Keynes for employment and to
those centres for shopping and entertainment rather than to Wellingborough. Its electorate is
within the desired range at all times.
Figure 10: Proposed electorate divisions for Wellingborough
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
65
Final Version
5. Conclusions
Northamptonshire’s proposed reduction of county councillors (73 to 57) is a significant change to
the governance arrangements and culture of the county council. However, despite the scale of the
change the Council is confident that it will not ‘ miss a beat’ in the way it conducts its business, the
way it engages with its growing population or the way its county councillors both represent their
constituents’ views to the Council, and the Council to their constituents.
This submission contains considerable energy and enthusiasm for a new way of operating. It
proposes divisional boundaries which take very seriously community needs and identities while at
the same time striving to achieve the necessary equality and required representation of a Council
membership of 57.
The Council reviewed its electoral boundaries and makes this submission at time of dramatic change
making the very business of governing, representing and engaging all the more important. This
submission is made to the LGBCE in full knowledge that our system of governance while not perfect
or without its floors is something to be cherished and protected.
5.1 Summary of Electoral Arrangements
Table 3 shows the impact of our proposals on electoral equality comparing them with current
arrangements based on 2011 and 2017 electorate figures.
Number of;
(i)
councillors and divisions
(ii)
electors per councillor (average)
(iii)
electoral divisions with a variance > 10 %
Final Recommendations
2011
2017
57
57
9,154
9,654
6
1
Table 3: Summary of NCC proposed electoral arrangements
Northamptonshire County Council Divisional Arrangements
66