Bracknell Forest map: Council urges changes to borough map

The borough’s ward boundaries are being reviewed in order to make sure there is an “equality of representation” as some councillors currently represent hundreds more residents than others.

Bracknell Forest Council’s proposals were published in March and included a big shake-up of the borough map.

READ MORE: Here's what the council wants the borough to look like

Here's what Bracknell Forest was originally proposing

But the Local Government Boundary Commission (LGBC), the body overseeing the process, proposed their own radical changes in their draft recommendation in June.

Here's what the commission is now proposing

A consultation on LGBC’s map launched in June and is set to close on Monday, September 7, but Bracknell Forest Council is being granted a small extension in order to submit its response to the recommendations.

The response reads: “While the draft recommendations differ significantly to the warding pattern submitted by the council at the Stage 2 consultation, the working group and members recognise the strengths of the LGBC proposals.”

READ MORE: New map for Bracknell Forest proposed by local government commission

BFC is therefore proposing “minimal changes” to the commission’s map while also asking that the one single-councillor ward proposed by the LGBC is scrapped.

According to the response, councillors agree “that single-member wards invite the possibility of poor electoral representation” for residents should that councillor become unwell or need to step back from their duties.

Here’s what else it is hoping to see changed.

Sandhurst and Crowthorne (Wards proposed include Sandhurst, Crowthorne and Owlsmoor & College Town)

Sandhurst: The expansion of the Sandhurst ward into ‘Owlsmoor & College Town’ is not considered as “ideal” by the Council as the communities within this area “very much look towards Owlsmoor and College Town for their local identity.”

BFC wants a further examination of that area to see if it would be possible re-incorporate these residents into ‘Owlsmoor & College Town’, but has stopped short of recommending this change.

Crowthorne: No changes proposed

READ MORE: Why Bracknell Forest's map is changing

Central Bracknell (wards proposed include Hanworth, Easthampstead & Wildridings, and Central Bracknell, Bullbrook & The Parks)

Hanworth: Councillors want to incorporate the area of North Lake as issues around anti-social behaviour, annual community events etc. around South Hill Park are often directed to the Hanworth councillors.

This would be moved from the Easthampstead and Wildridings ward.

Bullbrook & The Parks and Central Bracknell: As reported above, the council does not want a single member ward.

Therefore, BFC is proposing these two proposed wards are split into ‘Bullbrook’ and 'Town Centre & The Parks' — both of which would have two councillors representing them.

A note in the council’s response read: “Of all areas considered by the council when crafting the response to the LGBC’s draft recommendations, it is felt most strongly that changes need to be made here above anywhere else in the proposed scheme.”

West Bracknell (wards proposed include Great Hollands and Binfield South & Jennett’s Hill)

Despite acknowledging there is a limited link between Binfield and Jennett’s Park estate, as the two areas are separated by the A329M, councillors have accepted the LGBC’s recommendations here as there is no “identifiable way to meet electoral quality” in this area without combining the two communities.

The only proposed change is to alter ‘Jennett’s Hill’ to ‘Jennett’s Park’.

North Bracknell (wards proposed include Binfield North and & Warfield West, Priestwood & Garth and Warfield East).

Councillors want to split Quelm Park in two and remove it from Priestwood and Garth as residents living in Quelm Park have “strong community links” to Warfield.

The west part of Quelm Park would go to Binfield North & Warfield West while the East part would go to Warfield East.

This means Lynwood Chase and a small area around Priory Lane would be added to Priestwood & Garth.

Wick Hill and Elm Park could therefore be moved to Bullbrook in light of these proposals.

East Bracknell (wards proposed include Winkfield North and Winkfield South)

The council accepts the LGBC’s recommendations.

The only change would be to rename Winkfield South to Swinley Forest, with Winkfield North being renamed to simply ‘Winkfield’.

Central East Bracknell (ward proposed include Bullbrook & The Parks and Harmans Water & Crown Wood)

‘Scott’s Hill’ is requested to be moved into Harmans Water & Crown Wood from Bullbrook.

Summary

The council says: “Of all areas considered by the Council when crafting the response to the LGBCE’s draft recommendations it is felt most strongly that changes need to be made here above anywhere else in the proposed scheme.”

READ MORE: How to submit your comments on the new map

Residents still have until Monday, September 7 to comment on the LGBC’s recommendations here https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/have-your-say/19640

The council meets on Wednesday, September 9 to vote on whether to approve its response to the LGBC’s recommendations.

A final recommendation will be published in December.

If this is agreed, the new boundaries will take effect from the May 2023 borough elections.