What an electoral boundary review is, Bristol's review and consultation, how to have your say.
What an electoral review is
An electoral review looks at the:
- total number of councillors elected to a council (council size)
- number of wards (electoral areas) for the election of councillors
- boundaries of wards for the election of councillors
- number of councillors for each ward
- names of the wards
Electoral reviews are conducted by The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) approximately every 10 years.
The aim of the review is to make sure that:
- each local councillor represents about the same number of electors
- the wards they represent reflect community identities
Electoral review for Bristol City Council
The LGBCE is currently undertaking an electoral review for Bristol City Council.
On Thursday 4 December 2025, the LGBCE will hold a community briefing with details of the review, and how to have your say.
Sign up to the online briefing.
We'll post a recording of the briefing on this page after the 4 December meeting.
Public consultation
An initial public consultation will run from Tuesday 25 November 2025 to Monday to 16 February 2026.
The LGBCE is inviting proposals from the council, interested parties and members of the public on a pattern of wards based on that number of councillors.
The LGBCE wants to:
- make sure that, within an authority, each councillor represents a similar number of electors
- create boundaries that are appropriate, and reflect community ties and identities
- deliver reviews informed by local needs, views and circumstances
The LGBCE will consider all views received during the consultation. They plan to publish proposals for new electoral arrangements on Tuesday 30 June 2026.
Have your say
The LGBCE would like your views on:
- the number of wards
- the names of wards
- where the boundaries between wards should lie
- the number of councillors for each ward
The LGBCE's website has useful guidance and maps of the current wards in Bristol.
Send your views:
- by email: reviews@lgbce.org.uk
- using the online form
- by post: Review Officer (Bristol City Council), LGBCE, 7th Floor, 3 Bunhill Row, London, EC1Y 8YZ