'You know best' - voters urged to have their say on proposed new Jarrow and Sunderland West and South Shields constituencies

The Boundary Commission has set out plans to form a new ‘Jarrow and Sunderland West’ constituency to be served by an MP at Westminster.

There would also be changes to the South Shields constituency under the plans.

The changes have been proposed to meet Government rules requiring every parliamentary constituency to have an electorate no smaller than 69,724 and no larger than 77,062.

The Boundary Commission for England (BCE) is now undertaking an independent review of all constituencies in England and will present its final recommendations to Parliament by July 2023.

As part of the process, the Commission has launched an eight-week consultation exercise inviting the public to view and provide feedback on the proposed changes.

The proposals will see the number of constituencies in the North East reduced from 29 to 27.

The main proposed changes affecting the South Tyneside area include:

:: Moving the Cleadon and East Boldon ward from the existing Jarrow parliamentary constituency into the South Shields parliamentary constituency;

:: Moving three wards from Sunderland (Castle, Redhill and St Anne’s) into the Jarrow constituency;

:: Removing two Gateshead wards (Pelaw & Heworth and Wardley & Leam Lane) from the Jarrow constituency;

:: Renaming the Jarrow constituency as Jarrow and Sunderland West.

Councillor Joan Atkinson, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council with responsibility for democratic renewal, said: “It is really important that as many people as possible take the opportunity to see what the new constituencies might look like in future and have their say on the proposals.

People can comment on anything from the proposed new boundary lines to the names of the constituencies.

“The Boundary Commission’s review does propose some changes across the South Tyneside. Therefore, we are urging local residents to have their say. Local people with their local knowledge are best placed to help shape the new constituencies.”

Members of the public are urged to visit the Boundary Commission’s online consultation portal at www.bcereviews.org.uk to view a map of the proposed changes, provide feedback on the new boundary lines and share their views on proposed new constituency names.

Maps of the proposed constituencies are also on display for viewing between 10am to 3pm, at South Shields Town Hall, from Monday to Friday, and at Jarrow Town Hall between Monday to Wednesday and on Fridays.

The Boundary Commission consultation period ends on Monday 2 August.

There will be two further rounds of consultation in 2022. Following the conclusion of all three consultation periods, the Commission will present its final recommendations to parliament.

Tim Bowden, Secretary to the Boundary Commission for England, said: “The proposals mark the first time people get to see what the new map of Parliamentary constituencies might look like. But they are just the Commission’s initial thoughts.

“Help us draw the line to make the number of electors in each Parliamentary constituency more equal. We want to hear the views of the public to ensure that we get the new boundaries for Parliamentary constituencies right."

:: Further information about the Boundary Commission proposals is available at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/haveyoursay Feedback can be submitted via the Boundary Commission website at www.bcereviews.org.uk

Support your Gazette and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest football stories and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.