The Local Government Boundary Commission has proposed new boundaries for council wards – the geographic areas which elect councillors to Lancaster City Council – and the public are invited to respond to their proposals by 22 November 2021.

Currently, the University has its own ward which elects its own 3 councillors, but the Boundary Commission’s proposals would abolish this ward and subsume it into “Scotforth East & University”.

Lancaster Labour Party believe that the proposed abolition of the University ward will mean that students no longer have a strong voice on the City Council. Young people make up 15% of our local population – far higher than the national average. Traditionally the University ward is the only one that reliably returns younger councillors, and it provides a vital link between the campus community and the administration of the city.

We believe that this representation is essential for proper democracy and something we must defend. The University ward must be retained to ensure proper representation for this distinct community and diversity on the council, with full representation for Scotforth East in a separate ward.

Please sign the petition below to support retention of the University ward.

Details on all the proposed ward boundary changes, and information on how to repond to the consultation, is available on the Lancaster City Council website.