LOCAL GOVERNMENT, ENGLAND AND WALES 1 This Order may be cited as the District of Welwyn Hatfield (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1991. 2 This Order shall come into force on 2nd May 1991 except that, for the purpose of all proceedings preliminary or relating to an election to be held on or after that day, it shall come into force forthwith. 3 1 The map referred to in this Order is the map marked “MAP REFERRED TO IN THE DISTRICT OF WELWYN HATFIELD (ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS) ORDER 1991” and deposited with the Secretary of State. 2 Copies of the map, marked “COPY OF THE MAP REFERRED TO IN THE DISTRICT OF WELWYN HATFIELD (ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS) ORDER 1991” shall be deposited with the council of the District of Welwyn Hatfield and with the Director General of the Ordnance Survey and such copies shall, at all reasonable times, be open to inspection by any person. 3 Where a boundary is shown on the map as running along a road, railway line, footway, waterway or other similar geographical feature, it shall be treated as running along the centre line thereof. 4 1 The existing wards of the District of Welwyn Hatfield shall be abolished and that District shall be divided into sixteen wards which shall bear the names set out in column 1 of the Schedule to this Order, and each such ward shall comprise the area designated on the map by reference to the name of the ward, and demarcated by red lines thereon. 2 The number of councillors to be elected for each ward constituted by this Order shall be the number specified in column 2 of the Schedule to this Order opposite to the name of the ward as given in column 1 of that Schedule. 5 Subject to the provisions of article 6 below, the elections of councillors shall be by thirds. 6 1 Without prejudice to section 7(9)(c) of the Local Government Act 1972, the councillors who immediately before the coming into force of this Order represent the existing Handside, Hatfield Central, Hatfield North, Hatfield West, Hollybush, Howlands, Northaw, Peartree, Sherrards and Welham Green and Redhall wards of the District shall represent the ward of the same name as constituted by this Order. 2 Any casual vacancy existing immediately before the coming into force of this Order in the representation of one of those existing wards shall be deemed to exist in the representation of the ward of the same name as constituted by this Order. 3 The councillors who immediately before the coming into force of this Order represent the existing Brookmans Park and Little Heath, Haldens, Hatfield East, Welwyn East and Welwyn West wards of the District shall retire on 6th May 1991. 4 The councillors for the Brookmans Park and Little Heath, Haldens, Hatfield East, Panshanger, Welwyn North and Welwyn South wards of the District as constituted by this Order shall be elected at the ordinary elections of councillors in 1991. 5 Of the councillors elected in 1991 for the Brookmans Park and Little Heath, Haldens, Hatfield East, Panshanger and Welwyn South wards of the District— a one shall retire in 1992 being, subject to paragraphs (7) and (8) below, the councillor elected by the smallest number of votes; b one shall retire in 1994 being, subject as aforesaid, the councillor elected by the next smallest number of votes; and c the remaining councillor shall retire in 1995. 6 Of the councillors elected in 1991 for the Welwyn North ward of the District— a one shall retire in 1994 being, subject to paragraphs (7) and (8) below, the councillor elected by the smaller number of votes; and b the remaining councillor shall retire in 1995. 7 In the case of an equality of votes between any persons elected which makes it uncertain which of them is to retire in any such year, the person to retire in that year shall be determined by lot. 8 If an election of councillors for any ward is not contested, the person to retire in each such year shall be determined by lot. 9 Where under this article any question is to be determined by lot, the lot shall be drawn at the next practicable meeting of the council after the question has arisen, and the drawing shall be conducted under the direction of the person presiding at the meeting. 10 In this article, the “District” means the District of Welwyn Hatfield. 7 The registration officer shall make such re-arrangement or alteration of the register of local government electors as may be necessary on account of the coming into force of this Order. Home Office Kenneth Baker One of Her Majesty’s Principal Secretaries of State 15th March 1991