North Yorkshire Boundary Review - Final Recommendations

Ever thought about the lines on a map that decide who represents you at the local council? They’re not just drawn at random. Actually, these boundaries are a big deal, and for the people of North Yorkshire, they’re about to get a fresh look. The political map for the North Yorkshire Council is being redrawn to make sure everything is fair and makes sense for the communities living there. It’s all about ensuring that your local voice is heard properly. An independent body has been looking closely at the current setup and has come up with some final recommendations for big changes.

So, what’s actually changing in North Yorkshire?

Think of council divisions as neighbourhoods for local politics. Each one has a councillor, or sometimes two, who speaks up for the people living there. But over time, populations shift. Some areas grow, others shrink. If the boundaries aren’t updated, you could end up with one councillor representing a huge number of people while another represents just a few. That’s not exactly fair, is it?

This is where the Local Government Boundary Commission for England steps in. It’s an independent body, which means it’s not part of any political party, and its job is to review these boundaries across England to guarantee fairness. For North Yorkshire, this review has led to some significant changes. The Commission has looked at everything to make sure the new council divisions will help the local council work better and that councillors will represent about the same number of electors. These final recommendations are set to shake up the local political landscape.

The numbers game: councillors and divisions explained

Let’s break down what these changes mean in numbers. After the review, the recommendation is for North Yorkshire to be represented by 89 councillors. That's actually one fewer than the current number. This small drop is part of a bigger balancing act to achieve what’s known as electoral fairness. It’s about making sure each person's vote carries similar weight, no matter which part of the county they live in.

The new structure will be made up of 87 divisions in total. Here’s how it will look:

• 85 single-councillor divisions: Most areas will have one dedicated councillor.

• 2 two-councillor divisions: A couple of larger divisions will be represented by two councillors.

What this means for residents is that most of the existing division boundaries are set for changes. It’s a bit like redrawing the catchment areas for schools to make sure each school has a similar number of students. The lines on the map might move, but the goal is to create a more balanced and effective system for everyone. These changes are designed to reflect modern communities and provide certainty for the future.

Why residents’ comments made a real difference

This wasn't a case of decisions being made behind closed doors. Far from it. The Local Government Boundary Commission actively sought the views of local people. And the residents of North Yorkshire certainly had a lot to say. A total of 382 comments were submitted by people and local organisations, and these comments genuinely shaped the final recommendations. This shows that when local people speak up, the people in charge listen. For example, the initial proposals were tweaked based on strong community evidence from some areas. Two key examples of changes made thanks to this feedback include:

• Adjustments to the Tadcaster and Appleton Roebuck & Church Fenton divisions to better reflect community ties.

• Several division names were changed across the Scarborough area based on what local people felt was more appropriate.

Publishing the recommendations, Andrew Scallan CBE, Deputy Chair of the Commission, made it clear how important this local input was. He said, “We are very grateful to people in North Yorkshire. We looked at all the views they gave us. They helped us improve our earlier proposals. We believe the new arrangements will deliver electoral fairness while maintaining local ties.” This highlights that the comments from residents were a vital part of the process.

What the council thinks about it all

The North Yorkshire Council itself has welcomed the conclusion of this process. Having a clear map of the new divisions well in advance of future elections provides much-needed clarity for everyone involved. The council’s chief executive, Richard Flinton, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome. He said, “I am pleased that this important process has concluded well in advance of the council’s all-out elections in May 2027, as it provides certainty for our residents, councillors and prospective candidates.”

He also noted how these new boundaries fit into the bigger picture of the local council's own recent transformation. “This represents one of the final pieces in the jigsaw of creating the new North Yorkshire Council following its launch in April 2023.” With the new structure of the council itself being relatively fresh, getting the electoral boundaries sorted is a key step in solidifying how local democracy will work in the region for years to come. This provides certainty and a solid foundation ahead of the next all-out elections.

What happens next?

So, the final recommendations are on the table, but what’s the next step to make them official? As of Wednesday 14 January 2026, these plans have been published, but they aren't law just yet. The proposals now have to go to Parliament for approval. It’s a formal process to ensure everything has been done correctly. Once Parliament gives the green light, the new boundaries become official. After that, it’s over to the staff at the local council. They will be responsible for implementing all the changes, making sure everything is in place for the 2027 elections.

This entire review, from start to finish, has been about making the local democratic process fairer and more representative for all electors. The work of the independent body, combined with hundreds of comments from residents, has created a new political map for North Yorkshire that aims to serve its communities effectively for the foreseeable future. The changes are coming, and they're designed to make the local council work better for everyone.