RESIDENTS can have their say on plans to shake up council division boundaries.
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has launched a consultation as part of an electoral review which will re-draw division boundaries in Wiltshire. The county will continue to have 98 councillors but the aim of the review is to ensure each councillor represents roughly the same number of voters.
Wiltshire Council is currently working on its submission to the boundary commission. Cabinet member for housing, corporate services, arts, heritage and tourism Richard Clewer, said: “There have to be some major adjustments. We as a council have to put our own submission into the boundary commission, we are working on that now.”
He said a number of south Wiltshire divisions, the Woodford Valley, Winterslow, Alderbury and Whiteparish, Till and Wylye Valley and Nadder and East Knoyle, are now too small while other divisions like Bemerton Heath, Laverstock and Ford, Amesbury East and Tidworth were too large, which would have to be looked at.
Councillor Clewer said: “It could be very significant for some of our communities.”
He is encouraging residents and local councils to get involved, adding: “If they want to have a say about how those communities are drawn democratically they need to get involved.”
Chairman of the commission professor Colin Mellors said: "As we develop the recommendations, we will take into account local community identities as well as ensuring electoral equality for voters.
“If you have a view about which communities or neighbourhoods should be part of the same council division, then we want to hear from you. And if you think a road, river or railway makes for a strong boundary between communities in your part of Wiltshire, then this consultation is for you.
“If you’re interested in the way the council is run, just log on to our website to explore our interactive maps and have your say.
“Your views will make a difference.”
The boundary commission consultation runs until November 5 and draft recommendations will be published in February. Go to consultation.lgbce.org.uk
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