Tue Sep 10 14:17:00 UTC 2024: ## Sandwell Council to Redraw Political Map in Biggest Shake-Up Since 2004
Sandwell Council is set to dramatically redraw its ward boundaries for the first time since 2004, reflecting the borough’s significant population growth. The proposed changes will result in a new political landscape, with some wards being expanded, others being reshaped, and two completely new wards being created.
The changes aim to ensure that each ward represents a population of 10,000 to 11,000 people, reflecting the borough’s population increase from 289,000 in 2004 to an estimated 361,000 by 2030.
The proposed changes include:
* **New Wards:** Two new wards, Bearwood and Hill Top and Ocker Hill, will be created.
* **Ward Expansions:** Several wards will be expanded, including Old Warley, Oldbury, Tividale, Blackheath, Great Bridge, Wednesbury North, Friar Park, Newton, and Charlemont and Grove Vale.
* **Reshaped Wards:** Many existing wards will be reshaped, including Langley, Bristnall, Smethwick, Greets Green and Lyng, Princes End, Tipton Green, Wednesbury South, Hateley Heath, and West Bromwich Central.
* **Ward Renaming:** The existing Great Barr and Yew Tree ward will be renamed Great Barr, Tamebridge and Yew Tree.
* **Ward Abolition:** Wednesbury South will be scrapped, with its area split between other wards.
The proposals will be discussed by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) in January 2025, with final plans presented to the public throughout the beginning of the year. A final recommendation is expected in July 2025, with the new wards coming into effect in May 2026 for the all-out council elections.
Sandwell Council is holding a meeting on September 17th to discuss the proposals and agree on a position to submit to the LGBCE.
First Piper 