SI 2026/1045 - The Wirral (Electoral Changes) Order 2026

Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.

STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS 2026 No. 1045 LOCAL GOVERNMENT, ENGLAND The Wirral (Electoral Changes) Order 2026 Made - - - - 17th September 2026 Coming into force in accordance with article 1(2) and

(3) Under section 58(4) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009(1) (“the Act”) the Local Government Boundary Commission for England(2) (“the Commission”) published a report dated September 2025(3) stating its recommendations for changes to the electoral arrangements for the borough of the Wirral. The Commission has decided to give effect to the recommendations.

A draft of the instrument has been laid before Parliament and a period of forty days has expired since the day on which it was laid and neither House has resolved that the instrument be not made.

The Commission makes the following Order in exercise of the power conferred by section 59(1) of the Act.

Citation, commencement, extent and application

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Wirral (Electoral Changes) Order 2026.

(2) T his article and article 2 come into force on 15th October 2026.

(3) Article 3 comes into force—

(a) for the purposes of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on 15th October 2026;

(b) for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England(4) in 2027.

(4) This Order extends to England and Wales but applies in relation to England only.

(1) 2009 c. 20.

(2) The Local Government Boundary Commission for England was established on 1st April 2010 by section 55(1) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c. 20).

(3) The report is available for inspection at reasonable times at the principal office of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, 7th Floor, 3 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8YZ. It is also accessible online at: https:// www.lgbce.org.uk/sites/default/files/2025-10/wirral_full_report.pdf.

(4) The ordinary day of election of councillors in England is prescribed by section 37(1) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2), as amended by section 18(2) of the Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50), renumbered by paragraph 5 of Schedule 3 to the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (c. 29), and further amended by section 6(16) of the Wales Act 2017 (c. 4).Document Generated: 2026-09-25

Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.

Interpretation

2.—(1) In this Order, “the map” means the map marked “Map referred to in the Wirral (Electoral Changes) Order 2026” held by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England(5).

(2) Where a boundary is shown on the map as running along a road, railway line, footway, watercourse, or similar geographical feature, it is to be treated as running along the centre line of that feature.

Wards of the borough of the Wirral and number of councillors

3.—(1) The existing wards of the borough of the Wirral are abolished.

(2) The borough of the Wirral is divided into the 22 wards listed in the Schedule.

(3) Each ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the ward.

(4) The number of councillors to be elected for each ward is 3, save for the ward of Hoylake & Meols, in relation to which the number of councillors to be elected is 2.

Sealed with the seal of the local Government Boundary Commission for England Ailsa Irvine Chief Executive Local Government Boundary Commission for 17th September 2026 England

(5) The map is available for inspection at reasonable times at the principal office of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, 7th Floor, 3 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8YZ. It is also accessible online at: https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all- reviews/wirral/.

2Document Generated: 2026-09-25

Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.

Schedule Article 3 Wards of the borough of the Wirral Bebington Bidston & St James Birkenhead & Tranmere Bromborough & Port Sunlight Clatterbridge Claughton & Noctorum Eastham Greasby, Frankby & Irby Heswall Holylake & Meols Leasowe & Moreton East Liscard & Egremont Moreton West & Saughall Massie New Brighton Oxton Pensby & Thingwall Prenton Rock Ferry & New Ferry Seacombe Upton & Woodchurch Wallasey West Kirby & Thurstaston EXPLANATORY NOTE (This note is not part of the Order) This Order makes changes to electoral arrangements for the borough of the Wirral (“the Borough”) following recommendations made by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

The area of the Borough remains unchanged.

Article 3 abolishes the existing electoral wards of the Borough and replaces them with the 22 new ones listed in the Schedule for the purpose of elections held on or after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2027. Each of the new wards created by this Order is to be represented by three councillors, other than the ward of Hoylake & Meols, which is to be represented by two.

The area covered by each ward created by this Order is identified on a map which is available for inspection at reasonable times at the principal office of the Local Government Boundary Commission 3Document Generated: 2026-09-25

Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This item of legislation is currently only available in its original format. for England, 7th Floor, 3 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8YZ. The map is also accessible online at:

https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/wirral/.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private, public or voluntary sectors is foreseen.

4