The Boundary Commission for England (BCE) has announced the arrangements for the public hearings that will be held during the second consultation phase of the current review: this includes an online booking system which is now open.
Conservative councillor Bob Standley, Wealden District Council leader has said “This is another opportunity for everybody to have their say on the proposed new constituencies, which are expected to be in place for the next general election.”
Those wishing to make an oral representation at a public hearing are strongly encouraged to book a time slot in advance. To book a time slot, you must visit the dedicated public hearings page on the Boundary Commission for England’s website (https://boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk/2023-review/public-hearings/) and click on your chosen hearing.
You will then be invited to register via the booking platform Eventbrite, where you can complete the booking process. A guide to this booking process is available on their public hearings webpage HERE.
There are a number of speaking lots that are automatically reserved for the centrally-designated official spokesperson from each of the qualifying political parties to present each party’s views on the BCE proposals across the whole of that region. These reserved slots are placed in the morning of the first day of the first hearing in a region, so should interfere little with other individuals wishing to present their views.
The representations received during the first consultation period have been online from 7 February 2022, to ensure that those wishing to represent their views in the second consultation period have an opportunity to read and consider the previous views. The consultation period is fixed by law, meaning that any comments received prior to the 22 February – the start date of the second consultation – will not be accepted. The first consultation review can be found: www.bcereviews.org.uk
