New Ward Boundaries Published

New five parish ward: Badger Farm and Olivers Battery

We received around 50 submissions relating to the rural parishes to the south and west of Winchester, including submissions from Badger Farm, Compton & Shawford, Oliver’s Battery, Otterbourne, Owslebury and Twyford parish councils.

We also received submissions from Winchester and Meon Valley Conservative Association, the Council and a number of local residents.

There was strong objection to the creation of a three-member Twyford & Upper Meon Valley ward, the main opposition being the separation of Twyford from Colden Common, which currently make up a two-member ward, and creation of a three-member ward in a predominantly rural area.

In response to the submissions received, we are persuaded that we have sufficient evidence to move away from a uniform pattern of three-member wards for this area, in order to better reflect our three statutory criteria.

We do propose a three- member ward of Badger Farm & Oliver’s Battery.

This ward was suggested by a number of parish councils in the area who consider that it better reflects the communities in this part of Winchester. As a consequence of the creation of this ward, we also propose a two-member Colden Common & Twyford ward that is identical to the current Winchester ward.

Our proposal is to combine the existing Compton & Otterbourne ward with Olivers Battery & Badger Farm ward into a new 3-member ward wholly contained with the County’s Winchester Downlands Division.

It would

• meet the requirement for electoral equality
• preserve existing ties
• enhance community identity by reconnecting us with neighbouring parishes with whom we have shared interests and historic links, and thus
• make it easier for our ward councillors to deliver effective and convenient local government.
• sit nicely with the strong desire of Colden Common and Twyford that they remain together as a two-member ward. That ward would also meet the requirement for electoral equality.