WARRINGTON Borough Council is backing proposals to increase the number of councillors in the town from 58-61 and the number of wards in the borough from 22-24 in response to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s consultation.
Warrington Borough Council has approved its formal response to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) as part of the ongoing electoral review of the borough, ahead of the consultation deadline on 16 March 2026.
The review – covering council size, ward boundaries, ward names and representation levels – will shape electoral arrangements to be implemented for the May 2028 local elections.
The council currently has 58 councillors representing residents across the borough. In response to the LGBCE electoral review consultation, the council’s submission proposes a revised warding pattern designed to improve electoral equality, better reflect local communities, and ensure effective and convenient local government.
The LGBCE criteria indicate a need to increase the number of councillors from 58 to 61 to maintain equitable representation across all wards.
As well as recommending a further three councillors, the proposal also seeks to increase the number of wards from 22 to 24, with the creation of separate wards for Bewsey and Dallam and Bank Quay and the Town Centre.
Additionally, the proposal includes revised south Warrington wards closely aligned with Parish Council boundaries, to reflect planned and future housing development, which will in turn see the town’s local population grow.
Some practical changes are also proposed, including Westbrook Centre being moved into the ward of Westbrook and Callands as well as changes to the names of wards to ensure more areas of the borough are represented.
Council leader Cllr Hans Mundry
Leader of the Council, Cllr Hans Mundry, said: “These recommendations aim to ensure that our residents are fairly and equitably represented across the borough – which is an important cross-party issue – as our population continues to grow.
“While our submission is built upon robust local data and clear evidence of Warrington’s changing landscape, it is ultimately up to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England to determine the final structure for Warrington. We await the outcome of their consultation process.”
Cllr. Graham Gowland
One of the first to respond to the proposals was Lymm South Cllr. Graham Gowland, after the plans were formally considered at an Extraordinary Council Meeting last night.
For Lymm, the proposals confirm a continuation of two dedicated wards—Lymm North and Lymm South, each represented by two councillors. The changes are designed to reflect community identity, manage population growth, and ensure fair representation as the village continues to expand.
Cllr Gowland welcomed the proposals, noting that they reflect the suggestions he has put forward throughout the review process.
“These proposals keep Lymm’s identity intact while correcting long‑standing issues caused by outdated boundaries,” he said. “I’m pleased that the submission reflects the case I’ve made for a clearer, more coherent map for our village.”
A key feature of the new layout is that the proposed Lymm wards would now align fully with the Tatton parliamentary boundary, removing the split arrangements that have previously caused confusion for residents.
“Aligning the Lymm wards with the Tatton boundary is a sensible and overdue improvement,” Cllr Gowland added. “It means residents will have a more consistent and understandable set of boundaries across local and national representation.”
The council’s proposal in full shows representation across central, east, south and west Warrington:
Central
• Bank Quay & Town Centre – 2
• Bewsey & Dallam – 2
• Fairfield & Howley – 3
• Latchford West – 3
• Latchford East – 2
• Orford – 3
• Orford North & Poplars – 3
East
• Birchwood – 3
• Culcheth, Glazebury & Croft – 3
• Padgate, Paddington & Bruche – 2
• Poulton & Fearnhead – 3
• Rixton & Woolston – 3
South
• Appleton North – 2
• Appleton South, Hatton & Stretton – 2
• Grappenhall & Thelwall – 3
• Lymm North – 2
• Lymm South – 2
• Stockton Heath & Walton – 2
West
• Burtonwood & Winwick – 2
• Chapelford & Old Hall – 3
• Great Sankey North & Whittle Hall – 3
• Great Sankey South & Sankey Bridges – 3
• Penketh & Cuerdley – 3
• Westbrook & Callands – 2
Draft recommendations will be published by the LGBCE in June 2026, followed by a further consultation, with final recommendations due in December 2026.
Residents can take part in the consultation until 16 March 2026 via the Commission’s website:
www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/warrington
