MyEDC

    Technical Notes 2025, Issue 123 - Independent Review of Boundaries Approval Process

    • Report by:

      Karen M. Donnelly, Chief Solicitor & Monitoring Officer Karen M. Donnelly, Chief Solicitor & Monitoring Officer

    • TN Number:

      123-25

    • Subject:

      Independent Review of Boundaries Approval Process

    • Responsible Officer:

      Karen M. Donnelly, Chief Solicitor & Monitoring Officer

    • Publication:

      This Technical Note will be published on the Council’s website following circulation to Members. Its contents may be disclosed or shared outwith the Council.

    • The purpose of this Technical Note is to update Members in relation to forth coming events consulting around the Independent Review of the Process for Determining Electoral Boundaries in Scotland
    • Members may be aware that earlier this year Scottish Ministers appointed the former Chief Executive and Returning Officer for Edinburgh City Council, Andrew Kerr OBE, to undertake an independent review of the process for determining electoral boundaries in Scotland
    • By way of brief background to the review, the Scottish Government recently indicated that it favours a move to a form of ‘automaticity’ for future electoral boundary changes – that is, a system where the recommendations of the body that reviews electoral boundaries take effect automatically, without needing approval from the legislature. Forms of automaticity now apply to changes to electoral boundaries in the UK Parliament and the Senedd Cymru, as well as in other legislatures internationally
    • Such a move would represent a significant change in electoral rules and Ministers therefore decided to appoint Mr Kerr to undertake an independent review on the issues and produce a report and recommendations for the Scottish Parliament to consider. The review is considering the process for implementing changes to electoral boundaries, in particular options for a form of automaticity, and the processes which underpin boundary reviews, such as engagement and consultation with the public and elected representatives, and the supporting structures and resources
    • There is public consultation on these issues at the following link, where you can read more about the review and submit a response to help inform its work: Process for determining electoral boundaries in Scotland - Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space. The Chair, Andrew Kerr, is very keen to hear the perspectives on these issues from as broad a range of people as possible, so election teams have been asked to share the details of the consultation locally, hence this Technical Note. The consultation is open until 7 August
    • In addition, Andrew Kerr is holding an online public event on Tuesday 22 July at 6pm at which he will do a short presentation on the review and then open up to a Q&A session with attendees. Again, participation is encouraged and you can register to attend at Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
    • Given the timescales involved, it will not be possible for a Council response to be approved in advance of the submission date, however the details will be shared with Community Councils and other community-based groups.