What an electoral boundary review is, Bristol's review and consultation, how to have your say.
What an electoral boundary review is
An electoral boundary review looks at the:
- total number of councillors elected to a council (council size)
- number of wards or 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 boundary 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 how local communities work
Electoral boundary review for Bristol City Council
The LGBCE is undertaking an electoral boundary review for Bristol City Council.
Public consultation
The LGBCE is inviting proposals from the council, community groups and other members of the public on how the wards are divided up and the number of councillors needed to represent electors within it.
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 first stage of the consultation closed on Monday 16 February 2026 and the LGBCE have now reviewed all the submissions.
The second stage of the consultation is now open for people to give their views on the proposed recommendations. The consultation ends Monday 7 September 2026.
Have your say
The LGBCE would like feedback on:
- whether the proposed ward boundaries reflect local communities
- whether the proposed ward names are appropriate
- the proposed number of councillors representing each ward
- any alternative arrangements that you think would better reflect community identity and effective local government
The LGBCE's website has 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
Final recommendations will be published on 1 December 2026.
Subject to Parliamentary approval, new arrangements will be in force for the local elections in May 2028.
You can use our map to see the current electoral arrangements and the proposed recommendations for 2028 for each ward.