Boundary Commission shrinks Black Isle ward

22 June 2016

In its fifth Statutory Review of Electoral Arrangements, submitted to Scottish Ministers last month, the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland recommends reducing the size of the Black Isle ward for Highland Council elections by transferring an area between the inner Beauly Firth and the A9 and A835 west of North Kessock to the adjacent Dingwall and Seaforth ward.  It also recommends reducing the number of councillors to be elected for the ward  from four to three and re-numbers the ward as Ward 9 (formerly 10).

The Commission state that the main aim of the changes was to achieve greater 'electoral parity' - ie having the same number of electors per councillor in all wards in a council area.

Highland Council agreed to the reduction in the number of councillors but opposed the boundary change.

It is likely that the proposed changes will be accepted by the Scottish Government.

Summary of the recommendations, with links to ward maps and the full report.

Ward 10 current Black Isle map

Ward 9 proposed Black Isle map

Ward 8 proposed Dingwall & Seaforth map

Highland Council consultation response