Process for determining electoral boundaries in Scotland: consultation

Consultation process

Length of public consultation periods

Different countries consult for different periods of time:

• Currently, for Scottish Parliament constituency and region reviews, a one month long public consultation period is held on initial proposals for change, and if revised proposals are made, a further one month consultation is held. This consultation process repeats if any further changes are made.
• In Scotland when reviews of ward boundaries and councillor numbers are conducted, Boundaries Scotland hold a 2-month consultation with the local authority where the changes will take place, before then consulting publicly on any proposals put forward (for a 12-week period). There are two consultation rounds.
• During reviews of Westminster constituencies, recommendations are consulted on for an 8-week period, consultation responses are published which is then followed by another 6-week consultation period. Revised proposals are subject to a further four week consultation period.
• In Wales, changes to the Senedd boundaries are subject to a similar 8-week then 6-week consultation. If any further changes are made there is an additional 4-week period before final recommendations are made.
• In Australia, the Redistribution Committee (who review federal boundaries) asks for written suggestions for changes to constituencies over a 5-week period, which is followed by a 2-week period where the public can respond to any of these suggestions. The Redistribution Committee then draws proposed boundary changes which are subject to a 4-week period where the public can make objections.

Other consultation events

• During reviews of Scottish Parliament constituency and regional boundaries, local inquiries can be held if objections are received by local authorities, or bodies of at least 100 electors (or 500 for regions) or if Boundaries Scotland believes it requires additional information that only a local inquiry can provide. These local inquiries are chaired independently by a sheriff principal and allow for groups or people to comment on proposed changes.
• Boundaries Scotland are required to hold a two-month consultation with local authorities when conducting reviews of ward boundaries and councillor numbers. This is in addition to the public consultation rounds, and allows affected councils to engage closely on any proposals. Councils are then invited to submit responses to the consultation and identify improvements.
• Events called public hearings are held during Westminster constituency reviews. The Boundary Commission for Scotland is required to hold between 2 and 5 at the secondary stage of consultation. While the criteria for holding them are different, public hearings are similar to local inquiries. Public hearings provide opportunities for dialogue between the public and the boundary commission.
• Currently, these kind of events are mostly held in-person, however there has been discussion as to whether hybrid or online events would allow greater engagement with the public, particularly in rural areas.