The Borough of Knowsley is set to move to a full council election in 2028 after a review of electoral arrangements by the Local Government Boundary Commission recommended changes to ward boundaries. The proposals would preserve the borough's current total of 15 wards and 45 councillors but alter the lines of eight wards to address projected imbalances in voter numbers.
What is changing and why
Under the commission's recommendations, the council would hold an election in which every councillor stands at once — an "all‑out" vote — instead of the present system in which elections are held by thirds. The full election in 2028 will be followed by a year with no borough elections in 2029, after which the usual cycle by thirds would resume in 2030.
The review concluded that, by 2031, some wards would have electorates substantially above or below the borough average. To bring representation closer to parity, boundary adjustments have been proposed for the following wards:
- Cherryfield
- Northwood
- Roby
- Prescot North
- Prescot South
- Page Moss
- St Gabriels
- St Michaels
Seven wards would remain unchanged under the proposals. Several specific boundary adjustments were suggested to reflect local neighbourhood identities and existing street patterns. For example, the commission recommended aligning the line between Cherryfield and Northwood along sections of Lindby Road, part of Pinfold Crescent and a short stretch of Broad Lane, recognising that residents on Britonside Avenue identify more closely with the Southdene area and Cherryfield ward.
Local detail and practical effects
Other recommended moves include placing places such as Coral Avenue, Crosswood Crescent and White Lodge Avenue within Roby ward, while Cassino Road would be transferred into St Michaels. A proposed change between Roby and Page Moss would see the boundary run behind properties on the east side of Church Road so those households would remain in Page Moss alongside residents of Dinas Lane and Twig Lane.
The commission also noted a suggested adjustment to the internal boundary between Prescot North and Prescot South, moving it from the railway line and Coniston Avenue to run along an alternative alignment; the council has put forward that change as part of the consultation.
| Ward status | Number |
|---|---|
| Wards proposed to change | 8 |
| Wards proposed to remain the same | 7 |
| Total wards | 15 |
For residents, the immediate practical consequence will be having the opportunity to vote for all three councillors in their ward at the 2028 election. Following that, the standard cyclical pattern of electing by thirds is expected to resume in 2030 after the fallow year of 2029.
Next steps and public participation
The proposed changes are currently out for public consultation. The commission will consider submissions before issuing final recommendations. If adopted, the adjustments will be put in place ahead of the 2028 poll. Voters and community groups are able to respond to the consultation to raise concerns, suggest alternatives or support the proposals; details of how to take part are published by the Boundary Commission and Knowsley Council.
Electoral boundary reviews are a technical but significant part of local democracy: they determine how effectively residents are represented and can affect councillors' workloads and the geographic focus of local services. The consultation period provides the public with an opportunity to ensure that neighbourhood ties and community identities are considered before the changes are finalised.
