Citation, commencement, extent and application

article 1 + 1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Kirklees (Electoral Changes) Order 2025.

(2) This article and article 2 come into force on the day after the day on which this Order is made.

(3) Articles 3 and 4 come into force—

article 1 3 a + (a)for the purposes of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on 15th October 2025;

article 1 3 b + (b)for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England(4) in 2026.

(4) This Order extends to England and Wales but applies in relation to England only.

Interpretation

term the map + article 2 + 2.—(1) In this Order, “the map” means the map marked “Map referred to in the Kirklees (Electoral Changes) Order 2025” held by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England(5).

(2) Where a boundary is shown on the map as running along a road, railway line, footway, watercourse or similar geographical feature, it is to be treated as running along the centre line of that feature.

Wards of the borough of Kirklees and number of councillors

article 3 + 3.—(1) The existing wards of the borough of Kirklees are abolished.

(2) The borough of Kirklees is divided into the 23 wards listed in the Schedule.

(3) Each ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the ward.

(4) The number of councillors to be elected for each ward is three.

Elections of the borough of Kirklees

article 4 + 4.—(1) Elections of all councillors for each ward of the borough of Kirklees are to be held simultaneously on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2026.

(2) The councillors holding office for any ward abolished by article 3(1) immediately before the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2026 are to retire on that fourth day and the newly elected councillors are to come into office on that fourth day.

(3) Of the councillors elected for a ward in 2026—

article 4 3 a + (a)one is to retire on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2027,

article 4 3 b + (b)one is to retire on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2028, and

article 4 3 c + (c)one is to retire on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2030.

(4) Of the councillors elected for a ward in 2026—

article 4 4 a + (a)the first councillor for each ward to retire is to be the councillor elected by the smallest number of votes, and

article 4 4 b + (b)the second councillor for each ward to retire is to be the councillor elected by the next smallest number of votes.

(5) In the case of an equality of votes between any persons elected which makes it uncertain which of them is to retire in any year, the person to retire in that year is to be determined by lot.

(6) If an election of councillors for any ward is not contested, the person to retire in each year is to be determined by lot.

(7) An election to replace a councillor who is to retire under paragraph (3) is to be held on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in the year in which the retirement is due to take place, and any newly elected councillor is to come into office on the fourth day after that day.

(8) Where under this article any question is to be determined by lot, the lot is to be drawn at the next practicable meeting of the council after the question has arisen and the drawing is to be conducted under the direction of the person presiding at the meeting.

Article 3(2)

ScheduleWards of the borough of Kirklees

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order makes changes to electoral arrangements for the borough of Kirklees following recommendations made by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England. This Order does not change the boundary of the borough itself.

Article 3 abolishes the existing electoral wards of the borough of Kirklees and replaces them with the 23 new ones listed in the Schedule for the purpose of elections held on or after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2026. It also establishes the names and areas of the new electoral wards and the number of councillors for each.

Article 4 makes provision for a whole council election in 2026. Subsequently, the council will revert to the existing system of election by thirds. Article 4 also provides for the order of retirement of councillors in 2027, 2028 and 2030 and the election of their replacements.

The area covered by each ward created by this Order is identified on a map which is available for inspection at reasonable times at the principal office of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, 7th Floor, 3 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8YZ. The map is also accessible online at: https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/kirklees.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.